Each week we'll spotlight a new category of product. Feel free to comment on threads like these throughout your time at the board, not just when they're in their week in the spotlight, if you discover something new OR are new to the board. This week it's.... Cribs & Sleeping surfaces!
FTMs are encouraged to ask questions & STM/+s encouraged to share their knowledge based on experience. You can use any or all the prompts relevant to you below to share info.
For STMs:
Lifestyle(House, Apartment, Travel a lot)?
What sleeping surface do you have?
Link/Picture?
Cost?
Pros/Cons?
For FTMs:
Lifestle(House, Apartment, Travel a lot)?
What are you looking at?
Any questions for others?
Re: Product Spotlight: Cribs & Sleeping Surfaces
I also loved my Co-Sleeper mini, unfortunately my cat somehow snuck into our storage closet and peed on it, so guess I’ll be buying a new one of those too! They’re great while baby is still sleeping in your room cus they really don’t take up much space, and you can just reach right over and grab the babe for easy nighttime feedings (and to put your hand on their chest for the 500th time to make sure they’re still breathing).
Edit to say I used the co-sleeper mini until dd was about 5 months and started trying to pull up to a stand in it.
The title is misleading - it’s not really all about “bargains” they have recommendations at all price points. It’s more about getting the most for your money (if you are going to spend more on a certain item, make sure it has these features kind of thing)
Baby Bargains: Your Baby Registry Cheat Sheet!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1889392634/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_6J64E791B1FJ1K2S4YHC
the dresser & crib have both held up remarkably well and are still like brand new.
Moonlight Slumber Dual Sided Baby Crib Mattress. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003XT43MG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ZK8AES3GDFZ9BA9RR9CC?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
DD slept in the pack & play in our room for about the first year, we just had the standard pack & play with the mattress that you can raise up to bassinet level, we never felt like we needed any other accessories based on what we were using it for. We did take it with us to travel but again just for sleep really.
We were gifted a 3-in-1 crib that converts to a toddler bed and twin bed with DS, and my cousin is passing on her bassinet to us for this one. We did a lot of bedsharing with DS, but I want a bassinet option this time. One of the triggers with PPA was checking to make sure he was okay in the bed with us, so I want the option to have baby right next to me but not in the bed necessarily. DS's crib was next to us at the old place, but it wasn't as easy to access as a bassinet. We're thinking to then get baby a mini crib and let DS use his own crib still, converted into the toddler bed, when they first share the room. When second baby is big enough we're switching to bunk beds!
Lifestyle(House, Apartment, Travel a lot)? House
What sleeping surface do you have? For my daughter, we had a Halo Bassinest (going to tag @bows22 since you mentioned it!) for ages 0-3m, then she slept on a crib mattress on the floor directly next to our bed (also on the floor at the time) for about a year, then transitioned to a floor bed in her own room. We gave it away though, so will have to find something else.
Link/Picture? https://www.target.com/p/halo-bassinest-swivel-sleeper-essentia-nautical-net/-/A-79337537?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&fndsrc=tgtao&DFA=71700000012735142&CPNG=PLA_Baby+Shopping_Local|Baby_Ecomm_Baby&adgroup=SC_Baby_Low+Margin&LID=700000001170770pgs&LNM=PRODUCT_GROUP&network=g&device=c&location=1022588&targetid=aud-1601604867092:pla-1040934978180&ds_rl=1242884&ds_rl=1246978&ds_rl=1248099&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_4-SBhCgARIsAAlegrW00qycRbcnTo27Nie-_o1VDbV-Ki6_oF8BABaHRo6fBRmJjCtQN_waAmQ6EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
Cost? We got ours used on Craigslist for $90, so about half price. Definitely recommend looking for a used model of a bassinet! They are used for so little time and other parents are often looking to unload.
Pros/Cons? Pro was that our daughter slept great in it, and it was easy to get her in and out of for middle-of-the-night feeds. The bassinet swiveled to exactly where you need it, and you can push the siding down. Has nice soft mesh for safe sleep. She was also able to nap in it. The only con was that it was kind of high for our bed, which was a platform bed (before we put it on the floor). The bassinet doesn't really adjust that low, even on the lowest setting, so it felt like she was kind of hovering above me at night.
I've practiced the Pack N Play a couple of times and it is going to be a lifesaver considering how limited our space is.
Also, I realize crib mattresses come in many different price ranges...should I be too worried about getting a "basic" mattress (as long as they meet safety standards)? My head is spinning so thank you for your patience
The dock-a-tot is not favored by a lot of safe sleep people for bedtime sleeping. People use it anyway. It's essentially like putting your baby in a small bumper filled container. Bumpers are obviously a big no. If you are just using it during the day then it's probably fine but a bassinet is better.
On a side note, some furniture items are already backordered with estimated delivery dates in September
As a parent of heavy spitters, I recommend at least 3-5 sheets. I ran out of sheets in the middle of the night with my first, and it was not a fun experience.