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October 2011 Moms
jlove 253
member
Changing pad as a cradle mattress? Advice Pls!
jlove 253
member
We bought a beautiful cradle at a garage sale that we plan on DD sleeping in for the first few months. It came with a wimpy changing pad that is a total throw away IMO. I've been looking around for cradle mattresses that aren't too spendy, but when I was at BRU last I saw the Serta contoured changing pad has the same dimensions as cradle. It made me wonder, would it work as a mattress? We have registered for a breathable cradle bumper, but I thought the changing pad might be nice because the contours will keep LO from rolling around if we rock her in the cradle. Is this dumb? I don't want to spend a ton of money on a cradle mattress we will only use for a few months per baby (we're thinking 4 max), but I also would love to use the cradle so we can keep baby near the first couple months in our small bedroom. I really am at a loss... Advice please!
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Re: Changing pad as a cradle mattress? Advice Pls!
I imagine the contours might present the same problem as the sleep positioners, ie should your LO flip and find herself wedged up against it face down, might pose a greater risk toward suffocation. I'd choose a flat mattress, you can DYI from foam and quilted fabric.
OOh..I can comment on this with info! I have a cradle that my dad made about 20 years ago (when my niece was born). It is not a standard cradle size, and I have been searching for a cradle mattress that will fit online for weeks now - there is nothing. Then the other day I was standing there looking at it, trying to figure out what to do, and the changing pad was leaning against the wall right by it, and I had the bright idea to stick the changing pad in it, and it was almost an exact fit! I was so thrilled! Since LO will only sleep in the cradle during the very early months, (when he can't roll around anyways) I thought the contoured sides might make it seem even cozier and hold him steady when the cradle is rocking.
So, that's what I'm doing - the changing pad is nice and sturdy- no risk of LO sinking down into it, etc, and it fits perfectly. With a nice soft cover on it, it will be a great spot for naps and just a place to lay him down for a while. (As soon as I had the revelation, I went and put a changing pad and a couple more covers on my registry since I haven't had my shower yet, and I'll need a second one for that purpose since I want to keep one changing pad for actually...changing him.)
i definitely would not. they make flat cradle pads--we had bought one for DD to use in her bassinette, that she hated to sleep in anyway--we used it for 2 nights and moved her to her crib on the 3rd night. purchase a flat mattress/pad for the cradle instead.
My dad made cradle and it was a weird size, and one thing that worked is if you go to Fabricland or something, you can get upholstery foam in different thicknesses, and then get some wipeable quilted fabric to sew a pillowcase-type thing for it...they have wipeable quilted fabric for things like table pads. Then you can just slip over it a fitted sheet and tuck it in underneath, or a blanket.
I tend to agree with this. You can't be too safe with your LO, and with so many different safety standards for sleeping it might be best to just get an actual crib mattress.