Thoughts on Arms Reach Co-sleeper vs. travel crib?

DaisyJanie

Hi, just starting to put together a registry, and I can't decide on what bassinet-type item we'll get. Most people I know have just gotten a pack n play and used the bassinet feature of that. We don't have room to put that next to our bed, which I would like to do. (We have 24" of clearance on each side). So I'm looking at smaller items.

The Arms Reach Mini Co-sleeper looks good, and is meant to have one side almost even with our mattress so I could just pull baby over for breastfeeding. It's $139.

Another option is a travel crib, like this Graco one. It is cheaper, only $80, but I would probably have to pull the baby up a bit for breastfeeding. I'm not sure if that slight hassle is worth paying an additional $60 to avoid.

Has anyone looked at either of these? This is not exactly a pressing issue at the moment, but just something I was looking at.

c4162

I looooove the AR Co Sleeper! With the bassinet feature of the pnp, you can only use it while the baby lays flat and is fairly inmobile. The minute they start trying to move around, it becomes a safety hazard. Plus, the weight limit is pretty low...

jcsumm0

Great question!  I have been thinking about this too.  Can the co-sleeper be used in place of a pack-n-play for taking to grandma's and such?  As in, is it easily portable?

DaisyJanie

jcsumm0:

Great question!  I have been thinking about this too.  Can the co-sleeper be used in place of a pack-n-play for taking to grandma's and such?  As in, is it easily portable?

I think so. It connects to your bed, but it's supposed to be easy to disconnect, and it folds up. It converts to a regular bassinet (the fourth side comes up) and to a playard, though I'm sure the playard is quite small compared to others.

kmluther

Have you seen the Fisher Price Rock N Play? Something I am considering for sleeping in our room (we'll have two of them for the twins).  I have read some really good reviews online about them and they fold up quickly and easily to move into another room or take with you.  It also has the option to incline a bit if your baby has any reflux issues and needs to sleep on an angle. 

Just a thought and for $50, not a bad option!  

mrsbookworm

The AR Co-sleeper is on my Amazon wish list.  Definitely one of the things I want.  I used the crib in the nursery for my first child and got hardly any sleep those first few months.  As soon as I fell asleep, I had to get up & go down the hall to the crib.  This would be a lifesaver. I haven't compared it to the Graco co-sleeper or others though.

c4162

DaisyJanie:

jcsumm0:

Great question!  I have been thinking about this too.  Can the co-sleeper be used in place of a pack-n-play for taking to grandma's and such?  As in, is it easily portable?

I think so. It connects to your bed, but it's supposed to be easy to disconnect, and it folds up. It converts to a regular bassinet (the fourth side comes up) and to a playard, though I'm sure the playard is quite small compared to others.

I really don't consider it "portable" it is quite a PITA to put together, actually.

c4162

DaisyJanie:

jcsumm0:

Great question!  I have been thinking about this too.  Can the co-sleeper be used in place of a pack-n-play for taking to grandma's and such?  As in, is it easily portable?

I think so. It connects to your bed, but it's supposed to be easy to disconnect, and it folds up. It converts to a regular bassinet (the fourth side comes up) and to a playard, though I'm sure the playard is quite small compared to others.

I really don't consider it "portable" it is quite a PITA to put together, actually.

c4162

kmluther:

Have you seen the Fisher Price Rock N Play? Something I am considering for sleeping in our room (we'll have two of them for the twins).  I have read some really good reviews online about them and they fold up quickly and easily to move into another room or take with you.  It also has the option to incline a bit if your baby has any reflux issues and needs to sleep on an angle. 

Just a thought and for $50, not a bad option!  

 

I also have this. The incline is not an option, it is actually fixed at an incline, it doesn't lay flat (I bought mine last Summer, IDK if they updated it and made it adjustable since)

IMO, the thing is fantastic!. As you said, it is super portable and lightweight. However, it wouldn't replace a bassinet or co-sleeper because

1) it doesn't lay flat. The AAP recommends that infants spend most of their sleep time on a flat position to minimize the risk of SIDS.

2)It is waaay lower than most beds, so it is not as easily accessible during middle of the nigh wakings.

3) The back of the RnP is reinforced with a thick piece of hard plastic. So it is actually very, very hard for long sleep periods on a newborn's soft head.

CantWait2Be

I read great reviews on the arms reach and the rock n play. I did read that it's hard to get baby to sleep flat in crib after being used to the elevation of the rock n play though.