apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

We used a bassinet next to our bed for the first 3 months, which kept our son close, but protected. It worked really well, especially since you can gently rock the bassinet when they're fussy. We then switched to a crib, but I have to say, it didn't get used that much until he was about 6 months. During that phase, either I slept on the floor with the baby (crazy, I know) or he slept in our bed. Now he's almost one and he loves his crib.

I had a similar dilemma. I live in a small house and really didn't want to buy redundantly. The organic component was impossible for me to handle - I had an awakening the day I realized that he was eventually going to come into contact with something not organic (clothes, toys). Control what you can, but don't dry yourself mad. I tricked out his crib with organic sheets and mattress, knowing that he would be in that for a longer term when he was ready. I then decided to buy a stroller with a bassinet component. I wheeled that bassinet all around my house from the kitchen to our bedroom and finally to his own room and then made the transition to a crib. It worked great for us.

Though we had a separate bedroom for baby, I kept him in a bassinet next to my bed for the first 4 months, until he was truly too big for it. In your situation, I'd save a few bucks and go straight for the crib--skipping the bassinet or co-sleeper. If you'd like something for the convenience of mobility, you might really enjoy a bouncy lounger or a moses basket.

Our baby slept in our bed for the first few weeks and then we put her in her crib and she's loved her crib ever since (she's 2 now). I have a few friends who did the bassinet or co-sleeper for several months and then the transition to the crib was difficult. Although every baby is different and some easily adjust better than others. However, your baby will outgrow anything else so you're going to eventually need the crib anyway. So I say save the money (and any transitions) and go straight for the crib!

I had a co sleeper and used it for approximately two days. Our baby then actually slept in the swing for 3.5 or 4 months (gasp) until he moved to his crib. I had a c section and a rough recovery from it and the co sleeper made it hard for me to get in and out of bed. I ultimately used it sort of as a bassinet beside the bed but he never liked it.

You can go for the crib but get a sleep positioner so they feel secure and are safe on their backs.

We tried co-sleeping but our son was a noisy sleeper (and we are light sleepers), so the crib worked best for us. Each family's situation is unique, so unfortunately you can't always predict how things will turn out for you. But you find ways to adapt, and things will work out fine.

We also live in a one bedroom and we had a hand me down bassinet - the baby hated sleeping in it, and I unexpectedly had a csection so it was painful reaching into it (even if it was right next to the bed). In the end we used it as a protective 'gate' of sorts on the edge of the bed so that we wouldn't fall out while co-sleeping! I would get one of those boxy co-sleeper things that go right into the bed but protects baby from rollovers, and then transfer baby to a crib at 3-5 months. I think I HAD a harder time transitioning to crib-use than he did! he took to it immediately and I was still pining for co-sleeping ; ) All the while the bassinet just got dusty or became a hamper.

I'm in the same position, 29 weeks pregnant and living in a small apartment right now, although we hope to buy a house soon. The plan right now is to go with a rocking bassinet in our bedroom for the first months--even if we have a nursery by the time she's born, she'll be in our bedroom at first--with a crib in the eventual nursery, and a pack-n-play with bassinet setup in the living room. I've been going back and forth between a cradle and a bassinet. Cradles are bigger and will last longer, but a bassinet is higher and will be easier for me to get the baby in and out (I'm tall) and the one I chose comes with a nightlight, music, and vibrating feature which may come in handy. It's the "Natures Purest" bassinet, with all naturally colored organically grown cotton fabric.

Our little one is 4 weeks old today, and we're using a co-sleeper that converts to a bassinet, and we have it in the bassinet format so we can move it into different rooms.

All I can really say is that planning is good, but be prepared to jettison your plans once the baby is here, because things change. My wife was on bedrest for the first week postpartum because of a bulging disk in her back, and the baby's a bit colicky in the middle of the night, and that has thrown a lot of our plans up in the air.

So whatever you choose, look for maximum flexibility.

I know that overwhelming urge to have everything in place before the first labor pains hit, but it really is impossible to predict what will work best for each child. There is no right or wrong answer and the only one that can really make this decision is your baby, if everyone wants to get some sleep.
We had a bassinet (family heirloom, so free) that worked well for us and a crib (not free) that our (now 2 year old) daughter has never and absolutely refuses to sleep in. She went from the bassinet beside the bed to co-sleeping, then to a mattress on the floor beside our bed, then to her own twin bed in her room. Completely not what we wanted or planned but we went with what worked at each stage.
Give yourself a break and don't fret so much about it. Keep it simple (moses baskets are very versatile), try other options when you can (naps and overnights away from home at friends/family/hotels) then go with what works at each stage. You might get lucky with the perfect sleep solution right off the bat, but be prepared for your best laid plans to be deemed unexceptable by s/he whose opinion matters most. Congrats and best of luck!

Like heppony, we used the bassinet component of our stroller. In the early weeks, we liked to keep her close by us in the living room when she would fall asleep. And then we just moved her into our room when it was our bedtime, as well. Having a mobile bassinet was key. Then, at 3 to 4 months, we moved her into her crib in her own room, and there were no issues at all with the transition. (More difficult for me than her!) She likes the extra room in her crib now. But in the beginning, I think the crib was too huge for her. The bassinet creates a cozy space when they are so small.

You can get all this stuff (cribs, bassinets, etc.) for next to nothing on Craig's list. If it doesn't work for you, just pass it on to the next person. We had our son in a crib from the beginning, and it was fine. But Craig's list really takes the financial and eco-stress out of buying a bunch of new products you don't know whether you'll actually use and figuring out how to store them afterward (even if you do use them, your baby will grow out of them so quickly.)

If you do get any baby products from Craigslist, be careful to check to make sure that none of the items have been recalled. Don't think that it's not common, I looked on http://www.cpsc.gov/ and found recent recalls on Kolcraft play yards and Simplicity cribs right on the front page. Also, be very very careful to check over any item for damage or wear--your baby's safety could be at risk.

The best advice is to be flexible. We bought a mini Arm's reach co-sleeper and it was very hard and our son would never sleep into it. I would be surprised if you could find an organic alternative. It ended up acting as a guard rail/blanket storage for the side of the bed. The only place our son would sleep early on was our bed, on top of a curved changing pad, our bugaboo bassinet, and on the My Brest Friend Nursing Pillow.

It was only after we started swaddling him (thank you Happiest Baby video & miracle blanket) that we would sleep for more than an hour at a time.

I live in a one bedroom. We kept the baby in a Stokke Sleepi bassinet (just converted it to a crib, baby now 4 months) in the living room (*do not* keep the baby in your room, you'll never sleep). This worked out really well.

The Ikea cribs will work as a co-Sleeper. As will most cribs that convert to toddler beds.

http://www.ohdeedoh.com/ohdeedoh/flickr-finds/reader-tip-ikea-gulliver-as-a-cosleeper-044237

This would be the most economical answer if you only want to buy one size organic mattress. Also saves the hassle of extra bedding for smaller (very temporary) solutions.

If you're interested in keeping things cozy, beware of the sleep positioners (off-gassing) and check out the Zaky.

http://www.zakeez.com/en/zaky/zaky.php

Safety regulations for Side-Car Crib:

http://www.freewebs.com/sidecarcrib/index.htm

The Amby Baby sleep system is great. It comes in raw natural cotton. LOVE IT!!!
http://www.ambybaby.com/
Great for colic-- it bounces and swings, makes no noise, and is super light weight. Not a huge space hog either.

Honestly, don't worry about it. (You can tell which of us have more than one kiddo). Even a dresser drawer with a blanket works as a bassinet in the beginning. Get a crib, mash your bed against the crib, bungy the two together, level the mattress (you might need a foam pad, depending on the bed), add more foam pads against the crib mattress and the wall so that the two are flush. Ta-da! A baby annex for your bed.
After listening to your every heartbeat, every breath, every word for their whole lives (9 mths), the baby just wants to be with you, where it is safe and familiar.
That said, every baby is different. I mean, how many adults do you know sleep the same way?
Keep an open mind, try different things out (borrow gear! buy only if necessary! save your money for a good stroller or massage therapy!). Forget what other people tell you (including me) and do whatever however gets you and baby the most sleep. sleep = happy.
Good luck!

I agree with westend. We also bought a Stokke bassinet and crib combo. My husband was initially horrified by the sticker price but now says it was worth every penny! It has been great for us and I highly recommend it. I like baby stuff that can transform into toddler stuff. As for keeping baby in the room, do what you can live with.... the Stokke can easily roll through doorways.

My opinion is just that - my opinion. I am often riled when I hear someone say "don't do such and such" or "you have to..." when it comes to kids. Unless it's a law their words are based on their experiences and do not offer a money back guarantee! (I know that's a bit of a generalization but basically gets my point across.) Do what works for you - which you won't actually know until you're doing it!

We own the Cariboo bassinet, a cradle, a pack n' play and a crib. What worked for us? For the first four months we slept with our son in the middle of the bed between my husband and I. I never once feared about us rolling over on him, then again, neither of us went to bed drunk, stoned or smoking. (I actually know a woman who wore earplugs because her husband snored so loudly yet she still heard her son make every peep when he needed her sleeping beside her!) I completely agree with the shout out for swaddling, it gave us much more sleep while it lasted. Our son was done with that at 4 months and was a very active sleeper - he was ready for a little more space of his own. I was not ready to have to go very far to feed him though! We brought the Cariboo in our room, it lasted for a couple of weeks before it cramped his style. Then we moved the cradle in our room, slightly more room but not long after he still wanted more room to roll around. In came the pack n' play. Using the bassinet section he had more room and I could still get to him easily. When he was really aware of us and would not sleep because he could see or hear us we decided he was ready for his own space. We put the pack n' play in the nursery and finally ordered a crib. At 6 months he transitioned very easily into his crib and own room. In part I think because we had listened to him and his cues. So that's what worked for US. Listen to yourselves and your baby.

Bottom line? Like you I really loved the look of the Cariboo but found it not as useful as I had hoped. Same for the cradle. I could have done with just putting the pack n' play in our room to use after the baby transitioned out of our bed. So if money is a concern take that for what you will.

And a final sidebar...breastfeeding womens chemistry changes to allow them to fall directly into deep sleep when they fall asleep. True fact! So know at least that if you are only getting short "naps" in they will be meaningful! Best of luck!

We also went with the Stokke bassinet/ crib - totally worth the price. Plus, if you live in a small apartment, the footprint on the crib is smaller than that of pretty much any other crib on the market - a godsend in a tiny apartment.

By the way, we also put the baby in the living room after the first month - and now he sleeps through TV noise, us walking all over the apartment, etc.

I'm about to have a baby & I also mulled over his same thing. Our first child slept on top of me for approx 1st 6 to 7 weeks. It was the only way I could get a stretch of sleep & respond to her feeding needs easily. At that time we had an extra bed & I was able to prop myself up with pillows. After she was able to sleep longer periods, we moved her to her crib. This time round I found a mini cosleeper at a consignment store & will try that route. You will just have to see how your baby is! Try not to stress to much about it. I have a friend who used a pac-n-play with a bassinet attachment & was happy with that in her room for all 3 of her babies. Nice thing about that option is you use the pac-n-play for traveling so it's not just a 3 month use. Some have changing pads on top too. Another friend used the snuggle nest in their bed- they aren't very much. Look on craigslist!
I think CRAIGSLIST is a godsend for parents to be- don't spend too much and it won't be a big deal if your babe doesn't use it.