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<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>needfire</strong> <a href="/community/t/1395647/baby-spaces/20#post_17566942"><img alt="View Post" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a>
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<p>Anyone have opinions on the convertible cribs/toddler/twin beds? Are they worth the cost? Since I hope to cosleep, I feel like I might not end up using the crib much, might be a waste. In any case, I'm not putting anything like a crib or sleeper on the registry, since I'm still not sure what I should or will use. I guess I have that first time mama worry about rolling over on the babe while sleeping. I tend to bundle myself up in blankets and I feel like hubby and me take up most of the bed already. I guess you make it work? But maybe the pack and play by the side of the bed would be enough at the start, and then I can get something different if it doesn't work well. </p>
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<p>Another awesome freebie I scored from a coworker: a glider! So far, I've been blessed with awesome generous friends and family
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<p>Personally I decided that a twin bed made the most sense for us. It will fit perfect next to ours and up against the wall then I'm going to use foam rails up against the wall and the headboard to prevent any chance of entrapment. I figure this way this bed can be his forever instead of buying a crib... and side caring it then buying a twin later. I would probably feel differently if I couldn't put the bed against the wall. We are going to build a platform that the twin will sit on so the height matches perfectly our bed. When the baby gets older (I figure around 1 yr old) I am going to drop his bed down a 3-6 inches to avoid getting kicked and intruding on my bed space but still have the ability to easily comfort. It will also be his first step to his own room one day. Right now I'd like to keep him with us until our future 2nd child is two years to help with the sibling rivalry... He'll just get moved next to my husband instead and new baby will be next to me like he was (we'd transition this before the baby was born)... then when the 2nd is older I'll move both kids into the same room together where they can cosleep together for a little while and then we will bunk them. Of course the plans are subject to change based on how cosleeping goes for everyone. If worse comes to worse I can always buy a crib later and save the twin for when he's older..so I know there will be no "waiste".</p>
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<p>Here is what we are using to "merge" the twin bed with ours and create a safe and comfortable sleeping arrangement for all.</p>
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<p>Here are the foam side rails without the nasty chemicals:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325&tag=motheringhud-20&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FHonest-Foam-24-Inch-Wedge%2Fdp%2FB00B72JOQQ%2Fref%3Dbr_it_dp_o_nS_nC%3Fie%3DUTF8%26colid%3D2B9Y4B6BRP1IH%26coliid%3DI2L5N2KMESTU9E" rel="norewrite" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Honest-Foam-24-Inch-Wedge/dp/B00B72JOQQ/ref=br_it_dp_o_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=2B9Y4B6BRP1IH&coliid=I2L5N2KMESTU9E</a></p>
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<p>This shows how they work...with instructions for infants. But since it's marketed as bed rails here it has the nasty fire retardant:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325&tag=motheringhud-20&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FMagic-Bumpers-Portable-Child-Safety%2Fdp%2FB003KFCV6S%2Fref%3Daag_m_pw_dp%3Fie%3DUTF8%26m%3DA1UIHBKCLF6G90" rel="norewrite" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Magic-Bumpers-Portable-Child-Safety/dp/B003KFCV6S/ref=aag_m_pw_dp?ie=UTF8&m=A1UIHBKCLF6G90</a></p>
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<p>This is what I'm going to use to safely bridge the beds:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325&tag=motheringhud-20&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0053WHBSO%2Fref%3Dwl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl%3F_encoding%3DUTF8%26colid%3D1W25JKDBAB8S9%26coliid%3DI1PPEDLAVVURCQ" rel="norewrite" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0053WHBSO/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1W25JKDBAB8S9&coliid=I1PPEDLAVVURCQ</a></p>
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<p>We'll also be using some tightners to make sure the bed's stay together although with this setup I highly doubt they will budge.</p>
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<p>Here is how to side-car a crib.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drmomma.org/2010/01/turn-your-crib-into-cosleeper.html" target="_blank">http://www.drmomma.org/2010/01/turn-your-crib-into-cosleeper.html</a></p>
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<p>I don't think it makes any sense to buy one of these co-sleepers personally. They only work for 4 months and are about $200... where a crib is not much more than that and will last a long time... and you can safely sidecar it.</p>
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<p>If you still are not sure about cosleeping safety especially during the early months... I recommend looking at something like this:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325&tag=motheringhud-20&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB005ASKQ42%2Fref%3Dwl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl%3F_encoding%3DUTF8%26colid%3D1W25JKDBAB8S9%26coliid%3DI1UZFTYABKK6FY" rel="norewrite" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005ASKQ42/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1W25JKDBAB8S9&coliid=I1UZFTYABKK6FY</a></p>
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<p>I would use that over a bassinet any day..<span style="line-height:1.5em;">I found one used for $25 which we're goi</span><span style="line-height:1.5em;">ng to use during our summer camping and traveling for safe cosleeping.</span></p>
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<p>I also would skew away from the bassinet/pack and play idea because now you have to get out of bed and reach down to get baby... Having the baby close to you will help make breastfeeding easier, as well as regulate breathing/blood pressure etc for the baby...other countries that routinely co-sleep have much lower SIDs rates than us. You must make sure that you are co-sleeping safely. That means no drugs, safe sleeping arrangements (including keeping blankets/pillows away from baby..keep the blanket only up to your waiste), and not advised to be next to your husband... read about safe co-sleeping. Most co-sleeping deaths happen with parents that do not regularly co-sleep but decided to take the baby into bed or onto couch (NO COUCH cosleeping!!)_ because of an over-tired parent, cranky or sick baby.</p>
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<p>In addition, just for peace of mind I want to get this:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325&tag=motheringhud-20&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FSnuza-Portable-Baby-Movement-Monitor%2Fdp%2FB002WLGV08%2Fref%3Dbr_it_dp_o_nS_nC%3Fie%3DUTF8%26colid%3D2B9Y4B6BRP1IH%26coliid%3DI3U5ZFQDQEKMZ5" rel="norewrite" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Snuza-Portable-Baby-Movement-Monitor/dp/B002WLGV08/ref=br_it_dp_o_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=2B9Y4B6BRP1IH&coliid=I3U5ZFQDQEKMZ5</a></p>
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<p>I love it because you can use it for any sleeping situation. Whether or not the baby is right next to you or in the crib in the next room.</p>
