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Original poster

Is it safe for my 7 month old to sleep in the cot?

123 replies

YourZingyLilacDreamer · 18/07/2024 23:28

I'm having an awful time with baby and sleep.

If I put him in the cot and I stay in the bed, is it safe? I will be on the opposite side with a single duvet.

There is a gap where the two mattresses meet where the Ikea cot bar is. Can he suffocate? He can roll and has a snuze alarm on.

I'm worried sick but I need a way to transfer him back to the cot or co sleep safely

Is it safe for my 7 month old to sleep in the cot?
OP posts:
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Original poster
YourZingyLilacDreamer · 18/07/2024 23:43

Overthebow · 18/07/2024 23:42

Because unless the cot is specifically made and tested to be an attached next to me cot, and attached properly to the bed so it can’t move, the gap could be too large or it could start to slide and baby become wedged. To make it safe either get a proper next to me cot designed to be used like this, or put the side back on.

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The cot is in the corner between walls so won't be moving anywhere. Neither will the heavy mattress.

OP posts:
3luckystars · 18/07/2024 23:44

YourZingyLilacDreamer · 18/07/2024 23:41

In between the bed guard and the cot. It's not safe, not approved for that.

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But bed rails are made of mesh material like tiny netting.

Anyway I hope you find a solution x

Growuppeople · 18/07/2024 23:45

just put the cot next to your bed with the side up, or half up? You don’t need to “transfer” him he’s still right next to you?

Overthebow · 18/07/2024 23:45

YourZingyLilacDreamer · 18/07/2024 23:43

The cot is in the corner between walls so won't be moving anywhere. Neither will the heavy mattress.

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I still wouldn’t trust it. Honestly use an approved cot for this or put it back to how it is supposed to be. It’s not worth risking baby over.

Original poster
YourZingyLilacDreamer · 18/07/2024 23:46

Overthebow · 18/07/2024 23:45

I still wouldn’t trust it. Honestly use an approved cot for this or put it back to how it is supposed to be. It’s not worth risking baby over.

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How will baby die? I'm curious.

OP posts:
Original poster
YourZingyLilacDreamer · 18/07/2024 23:47

3luckystars · 18/07/2024 23:44

But bed rails are made of mesh material like tiny netting.

Anyway I hope you find a solution x

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Those are even less safe!!!!!!!

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ChubSeedsYorkie · 18/07/2024 23:48

I wouldn’t trust that. Time got a six month old and the amount to wiggles in her sleep she would be in the gap during the night for sure potentially getting stuck and hurting herself. Just put the cot side up.

Original poster
YourZingyLilacDreamer · 18/07/2024 23:48

I'm going to make the cot safe tomorrow. Sorry for being foolish. I can't built it tonight :(

OP posts:
Overthebow · 18/07/2024 23:48

YourZingyLilacDreamer · 18/07/2024 23:46

How will baby die? I'm curious.

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You want me to list out the ways your baby could die or be injured? You asked for opinions, I gave it. If you want to use the cot like that then just do it and don’t take my advice.

Original poster
YourZingyLilacDreamer · 18/07/2024 23:48

ChubSeedsYorkie · 18/07/2024 23:48

I wouldn’t trust that. Time got a six month old and the amount to wiggles in her sleep she would be in the gap during the night for sure potentially getting stuck and hurting herself. Just put the cot side up.

Can they not roll?

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Original poster
YourZingyLilacDreamer · 18/07/2024 23:49

Overthebow · 18/07/2024 23:48

You want me to list out the ways your baby could die or be injured? You asked for opinions, I gave it. If you want to use the cot like that then just do it and don’t take my advice.

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Yes how is this dangerous so I know?

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Original poster
YourZingyLilacDreamer · 18/07/2024 23:50

Allnewtometoo · 18/07/2024 23:31

I had this set up with ds2 from birth. I slept close to him, with the duvet only ever over my bottom half..

Everyone else is saying it's dangerous :/

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Eviolle · 18/07/2024 23:51

Look up safe co-sleeping and/or get a proper bedside cot. My LO is 6.5m and sleeps in bed with me after the first wake (any time around now). She has her next to me cot but hates it, so we just snuggle once she's woken for her first feed.

ChubSeedsYorkie · 18/07/2024 23:51

YourZingyLilacDreamer · 18/07/2024 23:48

Can they not roll?

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Yes she can roll but how easily she can roll when she is across two uneven surfaces I wouldn’t want to risk it. Or her getting her hand or finger stuck in the gap. Not worth risking.

Original poster
YourZingyLilacDreamer · 18/07/2024 23:51

Eviolle · 18/07/2024 23:51

Look up safe co-sleeping and/or get a proper bedside cot. My LO is 6.5m and sleeps in bed with me after the first wake (any time around now). She has her next to me cot but hates it, so we just snuggle once she's woken for her first feed.

Do you do the C position?

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Overthebow · 18/07/2024 23:52

YourZingyLilacDreamer · 18/07/2024 23:49

Yes how is this dangerous so I know?

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I told you, baby could get stuck and end up in the gap. The rest of your set up, baby could roll over to you when you’re asleep and get under the duvet, baby could roll off the bed as there’s a big gap between you and the cot. You won’t know where baby is when you’re asleep as you won’t be in co sleeping position and therefore you could roll onto baby. If you use a pillow then baby could suffocate on that too.

Original poster
YourZingyLilacDreamer · 18/07/2024 23:52

He's too heavy for the baby next to me cot and I would have to buy the expensive one.... But I don't have a frame anymore and I don't want to use it in my bedroom as the bed is really high

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Original poster
YourZingyLilacDreamer · 18/07/2024 23:54

ChubSeedsYorkie · 18/07/2024 23:51

Yes she can roll but how easily she can roll when she is across two uneven surfaces I wouldn’t want to risk it. Or her getting her hand or finger stuck in the gap. Not worth risking.

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Doesn't matter but they are equal height. Yes I'll get ur sorted tomorrow. Maybe I'll try and get the side put back on with some zip ties

OP posts:
Eviolle · 18/07/2024 23:54

YourZingyLilacDreamer · 18/07/2024 23:51

Do you do the C position?

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Yes. I also usually sleep with the covers right up, but when baby is in bed I have learned to cope with the covers over my legs and then I wear an oodie or a breastfeeding jumper when it's cold so my arms don't get cold.

LoveLemurs · 18/07/2024 23:55

Turn it back into a normal cot, put it in another room and let him cry?

MixedCouple2 · 18/07/2024 23:56

Follow safe sleeping guidelines - Lullaby trust. If you drink or a smoke don't bedshare / cosleep. No loose bedding near baby.
Try and get the levels equal with no gap. Anyone able to help make the adjustment at home? Any handy men about?

My DS slept next to me once he started to roll and was no longer in his Moses basket. I was / am a super light sleeprt so we would nurse and sleep and it was very safe. I run hot so never had a duvet over me. Wore layers and remover layers.

My DS needed us until he could sleep through the night alone at 22months. Cry it out and "sleep training" is not scientifically backed. I follow some child experts and psychologists on the matter. It is cruel and doesn't work. Your baby is 7 months they still need thwir carers close day and night. Some children just need that extra support. Just like children being able to stay dry at night it is a hormones and takes some kids up until age 6/7! You Sony torture a chils to teach them to stay dry at night so why are we torturing babies to sleep alone.
How cruel.

SoddingSoda · 18/07/2024 23:57

Is he breastfed?

We had a proper next to me cot until DD out grew it at 6 months. As she was breastfed she spent a lot of time coming into our bed in the middle of the night/morning and refusing to transfer into her new cot.

It was like she had some sort of sensor as soon as we slowly lowered her down she would immediately wake but go back to being snug as a bug in our bed.

Out of desperation (and slight curiosity) I doubled over a duvet to make the cot softer and she goes down a treat. I know it’s against guidelines, and I’m not recommending it, but I was becoming so exhausted from just having to hold her constantly that I felt that I was more at risk of dropping her down the stairs/crashing the car/falling asleep with her in our bed out of exhaustion.

Also, lots of people cosleep, all around the world. As long as you don’t smoke/drink and your baby is healthy weight it is an option. Again, tiny slight risk, but so is making silly mistakes out of exhaustion.

I also found once she had a comfy cot and I stopped stressing her out by forcing her to sleep in it (she does come into our bed for sleeps too) she started going down MUCH easier.

Original poster
YourZingyLilacDreamer · 18/07/2024 23:58

I don't know if that's safer? I have got the cot side propped between the two beds

Is it safe for my 7 month old to sleep in the cot?
OP posts:
Original poster
YourZingyLilacDreamer · 19/07/2024 00:00

LoveLemurs · 18/07/2024 23:55

Turn it back into a normal cot, put it in another room and let him cry?

Tried that and it doesn't work. Constant crying all night long and the next day I was snappy at everyone because I had no sleep and no help. Not good for baby, would rest.

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Gettoachiro · 19/07/2024 00:00

I know you said you have tried everything but maybe try a sleep sack if you havent already? But sleep with the sack first yourself (when you can anyway given what's happening) or do whatever to get your 'smell' (for want of a better word) on it.

Best of luck whatever though.