Where Will the Baby Sleep?

So we're entering the home stretch -- baby is due less than five weeks from now! The nursery is about 60% done (which feels great) and the only big decision left to make is where baby boy will sleep when he comes home from the hospital (oh, and choosing a name, LOL).

At first I thought he could sleep in a little Moses basket on the floor next to the bed or in a rocking stand. The thing is, they are all so expensive and temporary because he'll only be in our room for the first few months. Also, I've been reading this book and it has some interesting ideas about the benefits of having the baby sleep really near his parents. So, after some careful thought and research, we're considering having our little guy sleep in this little "nest" on the bed itself. Him sleeping with us is appealing to me for a lot of reasons: we have a king size bed that is plenty big enough for an infant, we're both light sleepers and I wouldn't worry about anyone rolling onto the baby (especially since he'll be in his "nest" near our heads), and it just seems so much easier to feed/soothe him in the night if he's already in bed with us. I'll let you know what we decide-- might end up investing in a bassinet in the end if he doesn't like the nest or we're too crowded.

How did you (or do you plan to) have your baby sleep when he or she was a newborn?

PS. More info on bed sharing safely and one family's story of extreme bed sharing (with the whole family, eek!).

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7 comments

  1. I saw that on Cup of Jo -- no way, no how! I like the idea of the nearness, but have conflict ideas (good thing has are not there yet) about co-sleeping. I did see a bassinette that is so cool...but SO expensive! It is like weddings -- attach the word baby to something and the price triples!

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    1. So true about wedding/baby prices, ridiculous!

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  2. That little nest thing is so cute - and seems like it would work great! We did the Moses basket in our bed for a few weeks with Hayden - and then off baby went to their room (P.S. myself, as well as lots of friends, all got our Moses baskets at TJ Maxx/Ross - you can find them there for a great deal!)! I'm such a light sleeper that I couldn't sleep AT ALL when the baby was in our room. Poor Hal only got two nights in our room before she was put in her crib in her room. I did take naps often with a babe in our bed when it was just me at home during the day - just easier for nursing that way! My biggest piece of advice is to do what makes you and Patrick feel comfortable and at peace! There is no right way! Okay - maybe nursing and co-sleeping with a five year old is a little off kilter. Oh also, get a video monitor - the best $300 investment of ALL our baby gear finds/purchases. I swear it's why my kids slept through the night by 12 weeks - cause I never had to go in and check on them...I could see them right on the monitor. Sounds creeepy - but it's so, so helpful!

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    1. Thanks Amber! I'm definitely going to have to check out TJMaxx soon, I've heard they have great clothes too. We got the Motorola baby monitor at our shower, excited to put it to good use!

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  3. I think we're going to do the bassinet thing too, my grandma bought one for us, but I love the little Target nest you posted. I'm worried I won't sleep at ALL since I'll be neurotic those first few weeks, but I guess we'll find out!

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    1. I'm thinking the same thing Michelle! Trying to get as much sleep as possible now. :)

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  4. Amelia slept in a portable rocking crib next to our bed until we moved to New York. Then she got her own crib in her own room. She was also in our bed to nurse for a while at a time each night before she would drift off and go back in her bed.

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