cosleeper question, x-posted

[*MamaJen*]

I asked in nighttime parenting too, but y'all is my girls.

We just sidecarred the mini arm's reach, and there is a height gap. The lip is about two inches lower than the bed, making the co-sleeper mattress about five inches lower than the adult mattress. Should I shell out for the leg extensions or should it be fine as-is? I know they sell the leg extensions, but I'm wondering if they're just for convenience or if they're a safety issue?

Also, my 85-pound, too curious about everything for her own good German Shepherd keeps on checking out the cosleeper like she's seriously considering jumping into it. I think she might top out the suggested weight restrictions, huh?

[Kealli]

we just set up the same thing and our bed needs to come up a few inches. my husband, who is mr. safety, is insisting on getting something to put under the bed posts to keep it level. i guess it talks a lot about that in the directions, that it needs to be level for safety.

if yours is a difference of 5 inches you might want to shell out the money, for safety as well as your comfort... because instead of just reaching over you'll have to crook your arm weird in the middle of the night.

[starry_mama]

I would get the extensions, if you plan on the baby sleeping in there. The convenience of co-sleeping will be completely lost if you have to lift the baby 5 inches!

[Ms. B. Sprout]

Originally Posted by starry_mama

The convenience of co-sleeping will be completely lost if you have to lift the baby 5 inches!

I agree.

I will also note that the damnable lip means that even with the leg extensions, to bf you'll either have to (1) lift the babe over the lip and into your bed, or (2) flop your boob over the lip into the co-sleeper. My boob was floppable, but it was v. uncomfortable.

Personally, I think the lip is a huge design flaw.

I found my co-sleeper to be best used as a receptacle for diapers, blankets, lanolin, and the like.

Good luck, mama!

[VickV]

I just left it alone and did the lifting in and out - the lip would have negated any gain in having it level, IMO.

Honestly, I really only used the cosleeper for naps - when DH and/or I were in bed, Isabel slept with us. And Olivia hasn't made it out of "in-arms" nighttime sleep yet, but once she does, we're giving the Snuggle Nest a try for her.

[Elsaraw]

Before I gave up on our co-sleeper and side-carred a crib instead, I bought the leg extenstions and they didn't even fit. It made no sense. I had to send them back and they never gave me a good explanation. If you order them be sure to talk to someone to be sure they will work with yours.

[Artichokie]

Right this very minute, my DP is building a platform for our co sleeper, so that it is the correct height for our bed. He says the project costs about $40 including painting it.

[*MamaJen*]

Thanks, y'all. I had a coupon so I went ahead and ordered them. I've heard mixed things about the cosleeper, and heard plenty of mamas say they wind up getting the most use as a dirty clothes hamper and whatnot. But I found one super cheap off Craigslist in EUC. Also, it makes it that much easier to explain cosleeping--not that I feel like I have to defend my parenting choices, but I can just tell my parents and family that the baby is sleeping in a bassinet in our bedroom (even if he winds up in bed with us every night). And I figure it may be useful for naps as well.
Oh, yeah, and my boobs are very floppable. More so than ever.

[SheBear]

Originally Posted by *MamaJen*

Oh, yeah, and my boobs are very floppable. More so than ever.

: :

Me too! And that's pretty much all I have to contribute to this thread...

[YummyYumYumMama]

I'm gonna hiajck your thread and ask my oqn question. BWAHAHAHA. Our side-carred crib is like, one inch lower than the mattress. is this a big deal? I can't get 'em flush - the mattress types are too different. We have a memory foam mattress and she, well, doesn't.

[Ms. B. Sprout]

Originally Posted by *MamaJen*

it makes it that much easier to explain cosleeping--not that I feel like I have to defend my parenting choices, but I can just tell my parents and family that the baby is sleeping in a bassinet in our bedroom (even if he winds up in bed with us every night).

I found this to be VERY true and helpful.

[crsta33]

Originally Posted by MmeMuffin

I'm gonna hiajck your thread and ask my oqn question. BWAHAHAHA. Our side-carred crib is like, one inch lower than the mattress. is this a big deal? I can't get 'em flush - the mattress types are too different. We have a memory foam mattress and she, well, doesn't.

Perfectly fine. That's how mine was...once dd got bigger I'd roll her off the side and onto her lower mattress.

Christa