I used a bed rail until ds was old enough to try to climb over it at which time I put the mattress on the floor. From about 7 months, started teaching him "feet first" off the bed. He got it, but that didn't help at night. He never slept between us b/c dh sleeps too hard and sometimes roll on ME in the middle of the night. At 12 months, sidecar'd the crib to the bed (back on frame) for more room.