fixing a cot to side of the bed...

[ReshapeWhileDamp]

Assuming you don't spend £££s on a special co-sleeper/sidecar cot, how do you do this? We have a big brute of a divan bed/base, and I can't get my head round how it would attach. I've read that people often get a normal cot, take side off, and attach to bed - but how?

We have 6 wk DS2 in bed with us but at some point would like to welcome DH back to the marital bed while not kicking the baby out!

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We bought Ikea's cheapest cot.

Measured to see where base needed to be to make mattress level with ours. DH drilled new holes (bit tricky as they have to go in a a funny angle, but do-able).

Drilled holes to attach the spare side a few inches below base- to keep the structure solid,and we use it as a storage shelf for spare linen.

There will be a gap between mattresses- Use fitted sheet with rolled up blanket added at one side to make it slightly wider. Fit mattress edges together with extra bit at cot back wall IYSWIM.

You can also use a sheet under both mattresses to make sure there's no gap below join but not sure this is needed if you have a good join.

DH put up a shelf for my water, phone, etc. as there's no room for a bedside table.

It's working really well for us, especially for BF in night. I'll see if I can upload pics of our arrangement.

Ok, pics up- hope it helps. Since putting DD in sleeping bag, she can sleep up near me rather than feet to foot so I can lift her easier. She's 11 wks so not mobile yet-not sure what we'll do when she can move herself around, then when she starts sitting/pulling up.

We have just wedged the cot in, no attachments. We have bedside table next to wall, three sided cot then our bed. Our bed is sooo heavy theres no chance of anything moving. Definitely try and giggle something together as it is the best arrangement for breast feeding in the night without squishing baby! We're going to have to rethink things soon as DS is rolling and just starting to sit....

greentig, your profile isn't enabled. I think it might still be private.

Good tip about the ikea cot, will have a look at them. But my main problem is actually how to join the cot to the bed so they don't move apart. We have a divan base, so there are no legs or bedframe to lash or bolt the cot to.

AGCV, we don't have much space in our bedroom, so wedging might work! (except the divan is on castors and rockets across the floor if you so much as break wind. Hmmm)

Sorted profile and added a pic to show how some co-sleepers attach to the bed.
Webbing and adjustable buckles are available from www.fabricuk.com/ with reasonable P&P.

we've just done this after moving ds out of the hammock, but ds is 8.5mo and i cant rest when he has a nap for fear he'll wake up and fall out. after two nights we put the cot side in between the cot and our bed but resting on the floor so its like a cot with a drop side. this gives a bit of a wall along ds' cot. but it won't be safe for long, soon he'll be able to gt over that. id love to know what others do for older babies, as we've resigned ourselves to reluctantly having to just put the cot side up properly and lower the cot mattress for safety reasons.

great pics btw greentig

Aha! Thanks, Greentig! I hadn't realised they could be anchored under the mattress. Thanks for link, too!