Baby sleeping on duvet, worried sick

[Waaaproblems]

We bought a travel cot prior to a weekend away. I stupidly didn’t check it when it arrived. We’ve arrived at our weekend away and the ‘mattress’ is basically a series of foldable boards with a little foam on top. She screams lying on it and rightly so, it’s awful. I bought a brand new king sized duvet last week which was in the car and unopened. DD (9.5 months) was absolutely knackered and I needed to put her to bed. I’ve resorted to folding the king duvet (10 tog so quite thick 😩) around the ‘mattress’ and tucking it under. She’s absolutely sound asleep but the duvet is bunching a little. She sleeps on her front and I’m worried sick - WWYD. I haven’t taken my eyes off the monitor. We’re not staying in a hotel and there is no opportunity to buy a new mattress, we’ll do this tomorrow. How dangerous is this? I’m having kittens (yes she’s my first born)

[CorBlimeyGovenor]

Just pull it tight under the mattress. She will be absolutely fine. I say this as an absolute neurotic mother who has agonised over such decisions in the past, even though I knew deep down that it was fine, but was such a worrier that I was being irrational.

[LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood]

The travel cot is a normal travel cot. They are not great. But it is safe.

Putting the big duvet in is not something i would do. It increases risk. She is asleep now. Take the duvet away.

[Tolleshunt]

Those mattresses do feel awful to us, but DD slept on one for weeks with no issue at a similar age. I would take the duvet out ASAP as it’s just not worth the risk.

[Kungfupanda67]

@FakeChristmasTreesaremynewnorm ‘Ideally she will be next to mum and well clear of dad’

Only relevant is baby is breastfed and co-sleeping from early on. At 9.5m and having not been used to coalescing she’s not going to be any safer with mum than with dad.

OP she’ll be fine, if you’re worried take her out and remove the quilt, put a couple of towels to soften the mattress a bit and put her back in. It is a totally normal cotbed mattress though!

[bluebella4]

Sorry (fat fingers) meant 1!! Trying to do 3 things at once!


Could posters STOP suggesting the child will be ok! It is NOT safe!!! Research shows this!!

[Waaaproblems]

Thanks everyone, I’m going to take it out in a bit.
Honestly, I know travel cot mattresses all look uncomfortable but this is next level, they are literally like bits of thick cardboard, the padding could just as well not be there. It’s unbelievable. I would need to wrap in towels which I’ll do and top with the sheet.
V useful advice about the ‘sinking head’ theory. She is definitely sunken by about an inch.

[Muchtoomuchtodo]

Why in a bit op?
Why not now if you’re not happy with it as it is?

[mamasiz]

I agree with previous posters, OP - co-sleeping would be a much safer option.

[TisTheSeasonToBeJollyFaLaLa]

Can't she sleep on the bed with you? I co-slept with both my children from being tiny (it wasn't a choice I made it was the only way we all got some sleep!). I'd do that over a thick duvet in a cot, you would obviously need to do all the safe co-sleeping stuff though.

[recycledbottle]

I think you should do now before you get tired. If you have a sheet put that down. Take away the duvet.

[C305]

All the 'probably' be safe/fine... that's all well & good but even if there is a small risk, it's 1 bad nights sleep vs potentially something awful happening, why on earth would you take that risk with a baby?!

[Jinxed2]

Either co sleep safely if you can or remove the duvet from the travel cot. I know a baby who died from SIDS aged 11 months.

[Waaaproblems]

I say in a bit because I’m waiting for DH to get back from work Xmas do shortly. She’s a brilliant sleeper but I know for a fact that if I get her out and wake her up (I have to physically get her out and put her on our bed to take the duvet out because it’s tucked to tightly with her on top) she’ll scream the house down and get all worked up.
Dont want to do sleep with her tonight as DH will have been drinking

[Waaaproblems]

*co sleep

[Muchtoomuchtodo]

If he’s been been drinking might you be better doing it by yourself?

[C305]

Scream the house down or sleeping safely?

[C305]

& yes, what @Muchtoomuchtodo said, if he's been drinking it would surely be better to do without him anyway

[dontcallmeduck]

The risk is also higher in a different environment. Surely she won’t scream the house down in 2 minutes whilst you take the duvet off. Also I’d be making DH sleep elsewhere and Co sleeping (as long as no other risk factors and done safely)

[Jinxed2]

DH on the sofa, baby in with you

[CasperGutman]

Both of ours slept fine in a travel cot with just the boards and thin foam layer. A mouse can sleep comfortably in a stone slab, and to a lesser extent babies are smaller and lighter than adults, and maybe this means they don't need so much soft padding as the pressure under them is much less?

[ScrimshawTheSecond]

I would think you would be safer with her in your bed.
Safetey precautions:

No smoking, no booze (adults)

No pillows, have the duvet down around your thigh level (wear a jumper if you're cold).

That's what I would do.

[angelikacpickles]

What you are describing is a perfectly standard travel cot mattress, just use that.

[DuckPie]

Like many PP have said, she'll be fine!

I mean, it is against Lullaby Trust advice but she'll be fine.

I know loads of babies who slept like this and they are all fine.

My own baby, however, died of SIDS aged 7 months in a travel cot that I added a thick blanket to as the mattress was too hard (same as youve described) . I will never, ever forgive myself for that but had never heard of the Lullaby Trust and never thought for a second it would end how it did.

Youve been given advice. It is not worth even the most minimal of risk.

[MyDcAreMarvel]

You are over thinking the travel cot mattress , it’s perfectly comfortable as babies are very light.

[Wheredidigowrongggggg]

She will be fine. The panic brigade are out! She is old enough to roll and move and probably walk! This advice is for immobile babies. Let her sleep and don’t panic.