Sleep pod on the bed next to me?

[68degreesnorth]

Hi

I'm 17 weeks pregnant and trying to plan the sleeping arrangements... I already have a cot at the other end of my bedroom, but am thinking I'll need something closer for the first 6 months. There's no space for one of those next to me cots by my bed, but I'm wondering if I could get one of those Purflo pods or something similar and put that on top of the duvet in the space next to me? It's a king sized bed so plenty of space (and I'm alone in it). Would that be safe? And work? I'm thinking it will be too draining if I have to drag myself to the far end of the room (it's an open plan loft) every time I need to check on or feed the baby.

What do you ladies think??

🤎

There is no safety standard for baby pods/nests. ANEC are working on one, you can download the results of their initial research on their website, but it's not out yet so it's nonsense to say Purflo has passed it as it does not exist. That wording is very careful - "Has passed all relevant safety tests" is very much like the saying "With all due respect" (ie - none). Often they say this and what they mean is they have passed CE certification (required for toys/children's products) or flammability tests - as these are required for furniture products. The statement implies that it's passed some standard relating to safe sleep, but considering there are none that apply to it, "all relevant standards" is technically correct but still misleading.

That doesn't mean they won't pass a future standard which may come out, they might. But they shouldn't really be going around claiming to have passed standards relating to cots and moses baskets How could they? The product is neither of those things. Unfortunately I'm not willing to pay £300 to download the carrycot safety standard specification to read it for myself, but if Lullaby Trust say they don't meet it, then I believe them.

The safety tests and standards they refer to on their website are "breathability" (which is to do with overheating and NOT suffocation or positional asphyxiation, and Lullaby Trust are pretty clear on the difference) and allergens - which while very nice is absolutely nothing to do with safe sleep.

I don't have any problem with parents looking at a product and saying OK, there's no standard but I believe it's a safe option because XYZ, but it is a problem when people believe a product has passed nonexistent tests, or that it reduces the risk of another practice they think is otherwise risky. That's not informed choice and it's dangerous.

I'd get a moses basket OP. Mines 5 months and still sleeps in hers.

@BertieBotts

Love your sharp brain and the way you write, thank you very much. My own brain is too pregnancy fussy at the moment, so I need people like you 🙏 I agree absolutely, they shouldn't make claims that are misleading.

@bubblebath62636 yes you know what, I was out walking today and think I've come to the same conclusion! 😆

These are the standards it meets (and supposedly surpasses, although aren't they pass or fail, ie impossible to surpass? No idea, but Bertie will know, she's your girl ). That's according to the John Lewis website.

It might be possible to surpass something for example if a test results in a numerical score and the pass threshold is some level or other. Although I suppose anything that passes would then surpass the level required. The other way to get this is if they subjected the product to a stricter/harder test than the one required by the standard.

But that's actually interesting and much more useful than the info on their website! It makes sense that they would take parts from the carrycot standard and make sure their product meets those specific standards, even though it can't possibly meet the whole standard.

That's the kind of thing that I mean when I say make your own informed choice. I still probably wouldn't use the product myself, but if somebody did want to use it then those are useful things to know.

It still has foam sides though even if they are using 'clever' foam

I think the narrowest bedside crib is the Snuzpod 2. It's 42cm wide. You can't buy it new any more but might be able to find it second hand (and buy a new mattress for it).

If that's still too wide to fit next to your bed, just get a Moses basket and stand.

I wonder if this would work
www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk/halo-bassinest-swivel-sleeper-essentia-morningmist-e7633.html

To be honest we co slept, but read all the information on safe cosleeping before you decide on this option. It's far easier for breastfeeding.

@NameChange30 thank you, I've not seen that one that swings out, what a great idea!

I have measured the space now and I can just about squeeze in a Tutti Bambini Cozee Air or one of those Snuzpods... it's so tricky though. Do I really need one? Do I need to spend that extra £200...? It's so tricky to decide, especially for something that's only used for the first 6 months max!

@converseandjeans DD slept through a few times at 4 months and then not again till 2.5 years bed sharing was the only way I go enough sleep to survive that, not all babies are going to sleep in a cot. DS is a bloody unicorn and has slept 99% of night sleep in his own crib but he is so so so different to DD that if I tried to treat them the same id have been delirious and could have easily had a tragic accident. I know safely bedsharing is the safest option in some cases.

Well you can always sell it on and recover some money.

OP we had a petite cot from mamas and papas for our room, we did find it was a bit big for DD so used to put the Moses basket in there to start - we had got one already with the intention of using it downstairs during the day. Didn't spend a lot on it, got it from Aldi during a baby event. We're intending to use them again this time (with new mattresses obviously).

"Do I need to spend that extra £200...? It's so tricky to decide, especially for something that's only used for the first 6 months max!"

You can buy a second hand one (but a new mattress) for much less than £200, and sell it on when you've finished with it.

We used ours for a bit longer than 6 months, I can't remember exactly when we stopped using it - you can use it until baby is able to sit up.

OP you said you don't share a room with your partner, can you not swap bedrooms if yours is so difficult with the ceilings etc?