Co-Sleeper Alternatives

Safer Options For Co-Sleeping and In Room Alternatives

May 28, 2009

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Finding a place where baby can sleep and mamas can relax is the subject of much debate. Attachment parenting experts and nursing moms tout the conveniences and bonding experience created through co-sleeping, while many doctors and experts point out the safety risks associated with the practice.

Despite the fact that the American Academy of Pediatrics and CDC have linked co-sleeping to an increase in infant suffocation rates, 53 percent of lilsugar readers haven't changed their views on deciding to snuggle up with their tots. For those looking for safer alternatives to the family bed for their newborns, we've rounded up some of our favorite in-room options.

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by POPSUGAR Moms 16

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16 Comments

mstrauss 3 years 51 weeks

Here's a new challenge for you: what if your new baby will ONLY sleep on you and not on any pillows or in cribs, etc? My son would only sleep on myself and my husband for his first few months. Otherwise, he would sleep on his stomach, which has it's own issues...

joannakm 3 years 51 weeks

we use the arm's reach mini co-sleeper and love it! it's safe, great for nightime feedings and fits in our small room. i love to have my baby so close without worrying about our bed being safe enough for him.

3 years 51 weeks

Nice, but save your money. I see these items all the time on Craigslist and in consignment shops. In being a mom of two and knowing lots of cosleeping moms, most people don't use these products for more than a month or so. It's just easier to make your bed safe and have the baby at your breast beside you.

POPSUGAR Moms 3 years 51 weeks

We used the word "safer" when writing this post because we cannot guarantee that any of these options are absolutely "safe". It's not a judgement on co-sleeping at all.

3 years 51 weeks

And commenter #5 doesn't need to re-read the title. It's worded in a judgmental manner, it's ok to point that out.

3 years 51 weeks

Sleeping children somewhere else doesn't always keep them alive. Cosleeping has a lower rate of SIDS, for instance. Suffocation may still happen in rare cases, but in less cases than SIDS does in cribs, cradles, etc.

3 years 51 weeks

comment #5, re-read the title.. lol and IMO, co sleeping is scary in SO many ways,a couple we know who was just like anyone else here, extra cautious, had the right mattress,yada yada yada lost their baby due to suffocation.. keeping your child within arms reach may not be the ultimate bonding experience, but if it keeps them alive, then i think that trumps everything else.

3 years 51 weeks

Cats will pretty much know on their own to stay out of baby's way. Ours loves to sleep at the baby's feet now that she's older but knew instinctively not to sleep near her as a newborn. We've had three cats over the years and all slept in the crib while I was pregnant. All stopped the day the baby was born. I put the baby in it once and they realized it wasn't theirs anymore. Even though the baby rarely slept in it, they didn't until it was taken down and set up again for the next one.

mhg 3 years 51 weeks

i've used the arms reach co-sleeper w/ both my boys and will when this one comes late august. it is a fantastic product that i highly recommend to friends.

3 years 51 weeks

We used an Arms Reach Co-Sleeper for our son for the first 4 months, and it was perfect. He had his own space, but I could access him easily, just roll over and check on him. I picked one up at a children's resale shop.

Chouette4u 3 years 51 weeks

We used a sleep positioner in our bed with our LO. It was smaller than a Snuggle Nest and kept her elevated a bit and prevented her from rolling around. Next time around, I think I will invest in one of the Arm's Reach co-sleepers as well. I enjoyed cosleeping, but we only have a queen size bed and things got a little too snug.

3 years 51 weeks

Coosleeping is a "safer" option. God! Why not try to keep your wording non-judgemental, "lil"?

3 years 51 weeks

I'm expecting the end of October and plan on having a crib/bassinet in our bedroom for the first few weeks at least. A couple weeks ago watching one of my cats prowl around the room, over furniture and places I didn't realize they were going it occurred to me that it might not be safe to have them in the bedroom when the baby arrives. Unfortunately I've had to banish them from the room, and believe me they are not too happy about it. I did it now cuz they are quite vocal about it and actually scratch at the door...i figured several months might be required to get them used to it...I don't want to ornery cats at the door with a baby trying to sleep ;) Once the baby has made it's way to his/her own room, the cats will be welcomed back. @ #1, the article is call "Safer options for Co- Sleeping and IN ROOM ALTERNATIVES".

3 years 51 weeks

I got a snugglenest (in bed cosleeper) for my new arrival (due 6/1!). I've been sleeping with it to get used to it, unfortunately the cats are getting used to it too... What to do re cats who are used to sleeping in the bed and cosleeping?

bluepuppybites 3 years 51 weeks

I remember you doing an aticle on neat baby products that aren't useful and the hammock was one of them. What about a mose's basket, which is less expensive, or a playpen that has a built in bassinet feature built into it.

3 years 51 weeks

Only two of these are options FOR cosleeping. The others are alternatives to cosleeping, which is a totally different topic. If a parent wants to cosleep, saying "Use a cradle" is not giving them a safe way to do it, it's telling them to do something else. If you want safe options for cosleeping, you want an article on bedding, type of mattresses, pillows, etc. Not cradles and hammocks.