No room for bedside crib/next to me- other options?

[LunaDreams]

Hi all,

Pretty much as the subject title says- expecting first baby in September so beginning to think about what we'll need. Unfortunately due to size of our bedroom we have extremely limited space and no way to move furniture round (think fixed triple wardrobe with drawers inside so need daily access). Due to this we have no option of having a bedside crib or next to me however have a tiny bit of space in the corner of the room where we could fit a small cot or crib (about 3 feet away from our bed).

A few people have offered us bedside cribs (without knowing our lack of space!) so we can possibly put one of them in the corner although I'm not too keen on this would need to have sides up at all times and visibility on these don't seem as good as this kind of goes against their main purpose?

Another option is to get a petite or compact cot with rails which can go in the corner and allows more airflow/visibility and will hopefully last until baby is one.

Final option is for a moses basket or travel cot which tend to be smaller and could easily be pulled up to bed at night then moved out of way in the day. My reservation is that lots of people seem to say babies don't like moses baskets much?!

Obviously just need to think of a solution for first 6 months then baby will have their own small room next to ours. Just trying to think through best options for that first bit.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated x

Do you have a spare room? If so set up a bed with the next to me cot there and that way you can decamp if baby is a velcro one

I have a Next2Me which is actually about 2ft away from my bed. The problem having them right up to your bed is that you can't get out of bed. I found it easier just to walk a few feet to get the baby than have to climb out of the foot end of my bed anytime I needed to get something

@Winkywonkydonkey we do have a spare (in a 2 bed flat) but it is small and currently used as an office space. We could probably get a single bed and next to me in there. Seems a shame to separate from DP in terms of sleeping arrangements from the word go although do you think that would be better than trying to squeeze something into our room?

@choosername1234 that's useful to know. Am I just being overly worried about thinking I won't be able to see baby well enough??

I think in the corner is fine. If you felt you needed baby closer could you put it at the bottom half of the bed or is anywhere near the bed not do able?

I used a Moses basket next to the bed. Babies all loved it. And it’s easily moved from room to room.

@LunaDreams the baby doesn't need to be in your room, you just need to be with baby (in any room) so get them sleeping in their own nursery and you sleep in there with them (I did this for a bit). We found a free single bed on free cycle and I slept on that with them in their room. Also, our baby loved the Moses basket.

We didn't have room at the bedside for a crib or anything when we had our twins. So they went in a standard cot that they shared, which we could fit at the foot of the bed.

We had a tight space in our room and used the Snuzpod (it’s a little slimmer than a next2me). It was very light and easily moved during the day. We moved it into the living room during the day for naps / another space to set down. So whichever one you use, see if you can utilise it elsewhere during the day and that will solve your drawers/wardrobe issue.

Hope that’s helpful!

When mine were babies room was ok for Moses basket for driest month or so but couldn't fit a cot. Went in the spare room across hall and used to leave both doors open. Small flat so probably similar to most people having baby in same room. You really don't need to be able to see baby. You might like it but not essential snd given your set up doesn't sound possible .

First month that sound say!

Do you have a bedside table? I had to remove that and put a Moses basket in its place. Because DC outgrew the Moses basket before six months I then replaced it with a small traditional crib.

It was a bit of a PITA to get out of bed, so for the first few weeks post c-section, DH slept on that side. I also bought an organiser thing which hung of the side of the bed in place of the bedside table for phones, books, etc.

Thanks for all the useful comments everyone. Have some good starting points in there @Liervik we are looking at buying a compact wooden cot from Asda that would fit in the corner space and has adjustable height mattress so could be used for longer than 6 months. That, might consider using a next to me in the corner as @choosername1234 did.

Thanks all :)

We had a snuzpod which I ended up keeping away from the bed too. I found it a pain to try and get out of bed with it attached. So it's pretty much used as a stand alone cot. It's about 3 foot away from the bed. It's set up now ready for the next arrival in 2 weeks 😂

I have twins.... I sleep in their room with them - to be honest it works better and I don't miss DH at all 🤣

Sleepyhead in the bed with you…

Mine hated Moses so I set up the cot at the end of the bed for one and side of the room for another as couldn't get them next to me. I ended up co sleeping with baby 2 though as he was up every 2 hours and wouldn't feed properly.

You don't necessarily need it right next to you. I kept the sides up on it and just used as a small cot. I too had quite limited space next to me as everything was fitted. I just moved it out the way, they are very light.

I'm also due my first in September and have the same bedroom space issue! We've got a moses basket to begin with then once she grows out of that we plan to move her into her room next door with her cot. X

We used the Snuzpod and baby slept fine with the side zipped up. Sounds like you might be better
Off with a small cot you can use for longer.