Bedside crib dilemma

[PheeLou21]

Hi,
This might be a silly question so apologies if so! I'm pregnant with first baby and we will of course be getting a bedside crib for the baby to sleep next to our bed for the first 6 months of so.

The issue I'm having is we have quite a small bedroom and I can't seem to find a way to fit the bedside crib next to my side of the bed and still be able to open the door fully etc. This is even with my partners side pushed up against the wall. Unfortunately there isn't really anywhere else the bed can go.

We have a bit more space at the end of the bed, so my question is - is it best to have the bedside crib right next to you even if it's a cramped space or would it be better to put it at the end of the bed so we can still see/hear baby but they wouldn't be in arms reach?

Many thanks in advance!

We never used a bedside crib - dc1 went in a Moses Basket at the foot of the bed, and dc2 went in a small crib in the bottom corner of the room.

You will still be able to hear every shuffle and grunt, and you will certainly hear them wjen they need a feed.

Just go with what works for the space. Having them in the room with you is priority 1. Where in that room is less important.

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz thats really good to know, thank you!
I have also been looking into a Moses basket as they generally take up less space so that's definitely an option!

Snuzpod4 is definitely the best crib out there. It's strong, lasts longer and is far safer than a Moses basket and is not really wide like some bedside cribs.

I agree - fit the crib wherever works for you in your room. If you end up having a c-section, you will probably want your partner to pick up and pass you the baby for the first week or so, so it might work better to have the baby somewhere you can both reach (wish I had thought of this for my babies actually!) I also agree that babies grow really quickly - my first was too big for a snuzpod at 4 months, so I then got the chico next to me for my second baby and she lasted for 10 months in that

You could try swapping sides with your partner and putting the crib up against the wall, ok the door wouldn't open fully but would you have enough room to get in and out? Or could you put the crib beside you at night and then move it to the end of the bed during the day?

Should have said that our snuzpod is up against the wall on my side with bed right next to it. It works fine and in all honesty, having it right next to the bed has been perfect.

@LeafyGreen333 thank you for the advice! I want to get one that will last the full 6 months in our room, so it might mean that it'll have to go at the foot of the bed! As you say, that way both myself and my partner have easy access to the baby.

@Kitchendilemmas having the crib on the other side wouldn't work unfortunately as it would be up against the radiator. Moving it day/night might work, but I worry about the crib being bumped if either of us need to leave the room for any reason in the night! Definitely something to consider though- thank you!

We had a similar set-up. I found it much easier, for night feeds, to have baby's head at boob-level, rather than face to face.

That gave me enough room to open the door (not fully, but wide enough). If not, our plan B was to rehang the door so it opened out into the room. Would that be an option for you?

Not having it right next to you might not be a bad thing. We had ours on my husband's side because I was breastfeeding and when I slept next to the crib my daughter could smell milk and then didn't sleep well. Once we swapped sides it was much better for all of us. Anywhere in the room is fine. You'll be able to hear them and they'll be able to hear/smell you 😊

We had a chicco next to me- best thing ever!
Baby was sitting up/ moving around in it before she was too big for it, that was about 7 1/2 months. Only reason she went into her cot was for safety!
The feet folded in to accommodate the bed frame and you could raise/ lower or have baby on an angle like the hospital cribs.

I had a section and breast fed- baby in this beside me was a life saver. Easy to lift baby in/ out/ feed - all by myself.

I found I was wanting to watch baby every second and would fall asleep doing this. Elsewhere in the room I wouldn't have settled not seeing baby.
Plenty of friends had baby nowhere near where they lay and were fine!

I agree the snuzpod is the smaller next to me crib as pp said.
Do what works for you.

@ArchbishopOfBanterbury
Boob level would be ideal but annoyingly that's exactly where the door wants to open. Re-hanging the door isn't an option because the door is basically in the corner of the room! Thank you for the suggestions though!

@AphroditeGoddessOfLove that's very reassuring, thank you!

@princessandthebaby that's good to know, the next to me is looking like the winner so far! Thank you for the advice!

@PheeLou21 I a similar issue to you. Bedside crib just not an option for me due to room layout and size. We've decided to go for a small cot in the corner of the room (which is about 3 feet away from me).

I know a few people who have had babies in room but not right next to bed and have said it actually helps when it comes to transitioning them to their own room after 6 months so hopefully there are some positives in it 🤞

You could put the crib at the end of the bed and you could sleep down that end. I like to be able to see the baby. Just swap your pillows to the bottom.

@princessandthebaby

We also have the next to me chicco and it s great so far. I just pull her out to feed or just carry her over to her cot if she is asleep in our bed.

But she is now 12weeks and i wonder what happens once she knows how to roll over and sit? Surely she could just transfer herself onto our bed and it becomes dangerous no?
How did you manage?

I think what @Iminaglasscaseofemotion
Is the best option.
I also found in the first few or two i needed to see her in case she spits up, chokes or makes weird noises