Co-sleeping using the cot instead of bed?

[Astrid]

Astrid thanks for the tip will keep a close eye on that I never thought about the mould...but wuldnt it be like having your own bed against the wall?

You should fine if you have already had your bed against the wall with no problems. We were fine in 2 homes, just our 3rd we found out the hard way to be very careful with the air flow around the bed.

[Indadhanu]

Yep we did it

We started out with her in our bed, and the cot next to the bed, about 50cm away (not with the side off obviously). Then I read about 'side-car' arrangements and decided to give it a try. The hardest part about it was filling the gap between the bed and the cot. When we had an ensemble there wasn't much of an issue but when we got a bed frame we had a gap but I used my long maternity pillow. We were very lucky though, that the cot lined up perfectly.

We just introduced it slowly. I'd feed her to sleep like normal, than transfer her to the cot. Because I could pretty much snuggle in with her if I needed, she didn't really protest to me moving her. I'd just move her, then get in close like we were still so-sleeping, or I'd leave my hand on her so she knew I was still there.

[Shanti]

Thanks so much everyone!!!

Well, DH got home from work and as soon as he walked in the door I asked him for his help to do it so that we could start with the new sleeping arrangement tonight!!

We lined the cot mattress up with ours after taking off the side rail (adjustable side) off and DH drilled new holes in the cot so it matched up at the exact right level as our mattress. We moved our bed over so that it pressed the cot right into the corner of the room so DD's cot is next to the wall and we have loovers (sp?) window there with plenty of air flow so no probs there she'll get lovely air flow..... our bed is good in that the mattress pretty much lines up with the bed frame so all in all.... it works really well!!!
Oh and we rolled up a blanket and stuffed that down the side of the other side of the cot where the gap was (between side of cot and cot mattress) like you said you did Amethyst. (Dh did that then I read your post!)

We did our bedtime routine as per usual tonight and DD was excited rolling around on her 'new side' of the bed and seemed excited about it and fed and off to sleep she went - easy!! And hasn't woken in 3hrs!!

Fingers crossed for a nice sleep with plenty of space for us and noone kicking us in the head, legs, back or stomach!!!! haha! She's been waking up so much and gets upset cos' there isn't much room to move around and she loves moving all over the place so now she can in her own bed lol

Thanks all

ps why didn't we do this sooner? lol

[Shanti]

Well DD still woke as often as she usually does but it was sooo easy to feed her and then just move her back to her side.... it was so nice not being kicked in the back or head all night too.

[boomba]

thats great hun! Enjoy your bed again! She will be sleeping all night before you know it...and if your like me will wish she did still wake jsut a little for cuddles!

[babymiracles]

we just purchased a great bed rail - it fits a queen size bed and actually sits on top of the mattress so there is no chance of any gap that baby could get stuck in - now baby can sleep between me and rail (DH is worried he will roll on her!) when she is unsettled (which is a lot lately :-()