Many parents are choosing to have their baby sleep in the bed with them or are opting for co-sleeping cribs as opposed to the more traditional Moses basket.
Co-sleeping is extremely common these days. So many parents are choosing to have their baby sleep in the bed with them or are opting for co-sleeping cribs as opposed to the more traditional Moses basket.
On a personal level, my Moses basket was definitely more of a decoration. It was great for storing clean baby grows and for draping the odd muslin cloth or blanket across. It was rarely used for its purpose though as we quickly discovered that co-sleeping was going to work out better for us as a family.
Our son settled much better when he was in the bed with us and as I was breastfeeding it meant I didn’t have to leave the bed every time he looked for a feed.
Of course, it is extremely important to follow the safety guidelines when it comes to co-sleeping. You should never co-sleep if you have consumed alcohol or certain medications, for example. It is also not recommended to co-sleep if you or your partner are smokers.
Co-sleeping can be a really wonderful experience, with so many positives, when it is done in a safe and responsible manner.
There are so many products that have come to the market specifically for parents who want to co-sleep. Co-sleepers are in huge demand now as are sleep positioners and gadgets which promote comfort and safety for you and your baby.
Here are some of our favourite co-sleepers and co-sleeping products right now:
The Babylo Cozi Sleeper
This is a popular and affordable co-sleeper. It’s actually available at InHealth.ie right now for €149.99 with a 1-2 day delivery time. This co-sleeper is suitable from birth right up 9kg and it has five different height positions which will work with most traditional beds. It comes with a fitted sheet and has the function of allowing the side to be zipped up or dropped. The dropside is ventilated and extremely safe.
Chicco Next2Me Bedside Crib
This crib is the original side sleeping crib and it has won a number of awards for it’s quality and reviews. This crib is extremely lightweight and comes in a variety of colours. It has soft padding around the edges to increase the baby’s comfort. It also has six adjustable height levels, attaches to all beds and is easy to assemble and take with you when travelling.
Sleepy Head Deluxe Pod
This is a must-have sleeping product according to other mum’s. It is highly rated for its comfort, portability and the quality of sleep that it aims to promote for babies. This product is suitable from 0-8 months and can be used in a variety of different spaces and cribs to help your baby enjoy a comfortable sleep. Its lightweight material makes it very easy to take it to different rooms and houses. It can also be used for tummy time!
Red Castle Cocoona Baby Nest
The name says it all really. This sleeping nest quite literally cradles your baby in a kind of cocoon. Baby is strapped in but in a very comfortable and safe way which promotes good quality and safe sleep. It is also known to help with flat-head syndrome and reflux due to its shape.
Gro-Bags
One of the safety guidelines for co-sleeping is to ensure that your baby is not covered by a regular duvet and is not laying upon a pillow. This can make it a little tricky to ensure that your baby’s temperature is controlled. Gro bags are an excellent way of ensuring your baby is warm enough without over-heating. These sleeping bags come in a variety of different tog levels and some are suitable from birth. They can be picked up in most outlets that stock baby fashion such as H&M, Dunnes, Penneys or websites like The Gro Company and Slumbersac.ie
Tracey is a happy mammy to four-year-old Billy. She is a breastfeeder, gentle parent and has recently lost five stone so healthy family eating is her passion! You can find her at www.loveofliving.ie.
