Where Will the Baby Sleep?

One of the biggest decisions is where will my baby sleep once we get home.  I had thought that it was simple, put her in a crib.  Well, it's not that easy.

There are co-sleepers, moses baskets, cribs and so much more.  You have to consider things you don't even know yet about your child.  Will they have Acid Reflux or Gas?  You have to protect them against getting flathead. It goes on and on.  You haven't even met this person yet and already you have to make a guess on what they will be most comfortable sleeping in?  Talk about pressure.  Oh, and if you screw it up and they don't like it, it's not like they can tell you.  Well, except to cry, but babies do that anyway.

I decided on the Arm's Reach Cocoon Sleeper. I got the Hemp material.  I loved the concept of it.  It looks like a hammock.  When it arrived at the house and I set it up I thought "this could go in the backyard!".

It fits more snugly than a big crib or co-sleeper making the baby more comfortable since it's more "womb-like".  It has adjustable reclining positions, so that if the baby had acid reflux problems it would help because you could prop them upward. The sides of the sleeper are mesh so it's breathable and you can see the baby.  One great feature is that since the sleeper is on a swing type stand it allows for movement.  So, if the baby gets fussy and moves it gently rocks back and forth to help lull them back to sleep.  Also, since it isn't a hard flat surface like a crib there isn't a chance for them to get "flat-head".  When I first read about flat-head I freaked.  This is not something I had EVER thought of.  I mean really? I don't remember my Mother saying "beware of flat-head".     SOLD!

I was a little nervous about how this would work out.  I had gotten so many pieces of advice about sleeping and where the baby should be.  

What worked for me was having her in our room for the first few months.  The baby is going to wake you up all night to eat, do you want to have to go that far out of bed to feed them?  NO.  Also, if they make a sound you are awake and checking on them.  I swear I did not sleep at all those first few months.  If she coughed I was checking to make sure she wasn't choking.  I would get up if she had slept "too long",  to make sure was breathing.  I'm exhausted just remembering this to write it!

When I was in the hospital after having my daughter the nurses had said that there would be a time, about 24 - 48 hours or so, that babies have a "holy crap" moment, if you will.  It's the time that they figure out they are NOT going back to the womb.  The baby will want to sleep right by your side, on you, or any close proximity they can.  I remember thinking "how could I ever let her sleep away from me?", but the fear subsided in her and she was just fine on her own in her sleeper.  I still love to this day when she falls asleep on me.

The one thing I would suggest no matter what you choose for them to sleep in is to make sure you go with organic sheets.  Make sure that what goes next to your little one is as chemical free as possible.  They will be spending ALOT of time on them and they are too young to be exposed to chemicals if you can help it.

Till next blog....