Educate me on co sleeping options!

[fr3ckles]

I want to educate myself on co sleeping options for next time around.

If you can suggest some sites, products or practices that would be great.

I am too nervous to just have a baby in my bed though so am looking for something to put on our bed or the best ways to sidecar a cot to bed.

If side caring, what can I do to keep it enclosed during day sleeps when I am not in the bed?

[~TT40~]

i had the same problem with side caring. but waant an issue unti she was crawling. she never rolled in her sleep it was just when she woke up and tried to get off the bed herself.
what is your concern? her falling out? or you/partner rolling on her? something else?
Spock would often snuggle into me and end up underneath me but because she was so snuggled in itms. but would always wake me up when she did it.

[Cassius2]

We co-sleep old skool style in the bed all together. we ensure that there are no pillows near her head and that the doona/blanket is well down and away from her. She generally sleeps in the crook of my arm (so my arm is above her head ITMS...if only BB had a drawing feature i could do a stick figure demo lol).

Friends who were concerned about rolling over etc have a tetra snuggle bed in between them.

[Jaycee]

We also co-slept all together, bubs slept with my arms supporting his head for the most part. If he moved I woke up pretty much straight away, and for months we pretty much slept with him attached to the boob He is 21 months and we are just starting to transition in to his own bed now.

[~TT40~]

oh should ad that i used sleeping suits/bags on her and never put our bedding on her (sheet doona etc.) also cause she would cuddle me i was like another layer of warmth itms

[Babyluv]

We purchased an 'Arms reach co sleeping' bassinet for our DS. It is like a normal bassinet except that it attaches to the bed and one of the sides goes down so that they are sleeping right next to you but in their own sleeping area. It's awesome although he ends up right next to me anyway when he is feeding alot during the night.

[onthefly]

Here's some useful info:
ABA Position statement on safe sleeping
Pamphlet

Note that co-sleeping means sleeping in the same room, but on a different sleeping surface. Bed-sharing means sleeping together on the same surface.
Co-sleeping is recommended for at least the first 12 months to reduce the risk of SIDS.
Bed sharing can also be very safe - as long as you are aware of specific risk factors - and helps mums get more rest and supports the breastfeeding relationship. It is not safe to sleep together on a couch/sofa, nor if you are under the influence of medications that may make you extra drowsy, for example. It is also not recommended to bed share if you are formula feeding or a smoker.

Side-caring a cot to your bed gives you the advantages of having baby very close to you, but is still technically co-sleeping, rather than bed sharing. A lot of parents end up bed sharing, even when they say they never would. It's great to be thinking about it beforehand, however, as unfortunately some parents may end up doing things unsafely without realising it.

[fr3ckles]

Thanks guys, some great advice.

My concerns are that I won't be able to actually sleep for fear of rolling onto the baby, or them wriggling under covers or into pillows. This is why I am thinking side car is the best choice for me.

I have looked at the Arms reach mini as am concerned that navigating in and out of bed around a full size cot will be tough (it's likely I'll need another CS so want to be prepared this time). The Arms Reach mini does seem pricey though considering the short time it's used and considering that I already have a cot....

That's why I thought it best to seek advice from those who know more.

[FabFiona]

Not sure where you are but you can now hire the arms reach from one supplier. Forget the name but I can look if you want. I bought mine on eBay second hand. Best money I spent.

[trishalishous]

we use a side car cot, just took the side off of our one, and use a dutch wife in the gap, with a sheet across the cot/my side

[Babyluv]

I can't see when you are due Fr3ckles but we will be selling our arms reach in a few months. You can also get them second hand on eBay every now and then. I think I paid $260 for mine. Did you look at the Australian stockist?

[fr3ckles]

Not ready to buy anything just yet as we actually haven't started trying for #2 yet but just trying to think ahead to what we may need to change/buy when the time comes

I think I will keep an eye out on eBay as I'm sure the 2nd hand ones are still in almost new condition.

We can always do the cot side car option if I can't find one for right price at the time.

Thanks for the advice guys.