Settling baby in cot when they’re at lowest level - my poor back!!!!

[RhubarbRocks]

Does everyone have longer arms than me /a greater ability to stand bended over?

I mentioned on another thread today how my 8 month old won’t settle in his cot. Some great advice about cosleeping, but I don’t think it’s for me, so I do want to help him to learn to settle in the cot without lots of upset for him.

I’ve been told to pat him/ have a heavy hand on him. But now he is pulling himself up I have the the cot on its lowest level. I’ve tried reaching through the bars but the gap isn’t wide enough to get my whole arm over to him properly and leaning over is ok for a few minutes, but how do people sustain it for the long time he takes to settle? I’ve managed 15 mins so far…

Are you all just more resilient /flexible/ longer limbed or am I missing something here?!

Writing this as he naps on me once again after another failed cot transfer…

our cot had one side which would drop down and was useful for this purpose.

I got a step stool & put that outside the cot so I was higher up. I still had to lean right over but at least I could actually reach!

we got a floor bed

This is what dropside cots were invented for and why they used to be so popular.

unfortunately there were a number of terrible accidents, and so their safety was called into question. They are not allowed to be sold in the US, but are allowed in the UK if they meet very strict safety standards. So consequently they are far less common now.

so OP, it’s not just you, it’s an issue for most parents (except the very tall!) but the easy product solution isn’t as straightforward as it used to be.

you could look to purchase a dropside cot, be please be careful only to get a brand new or nearly new one that meets uk safety standards.

Oh goodness, we're in the same boat. There are basically no drop sided cuts on the market because the idiot Americans banned them. The US ones weren't safe because they have no regulations, but European ones were fine for decades. One of the large Chicco ones effectively has a drop side. There are also travel cots with a zip so the child can climb in and out, or just give up and get a Deryan camping baby tent! We're cosleeping because my shoulders, back and wrists can't take the lifting.

One of the MaxiCosi travel cots has a nice toddler bed zip with a decent mattress. You can always swap the mattress for daily use. I might get one. DH will be disappointed though, he chose the beautiful bit crippling Sleepi bed!

Ah the maxi cosi with a side panel may be the answer then. Our travel cot is the silver cross which has an end entry which isn’t as much use.
I did look at the chicco next to me forever but I’d have to use it with a full size adult bed and we don’t have space for the cot in our room or a bed in his.

We have the next to me forever and just wanted to let you know that you can absolutely use it as a stand alone cot and still benefit from the drop side function!
it’s got a safety feature where the straps have to be clipped together for the side to go down. But instead of clipping them to a bed you just clip them together and it’s the same thing. Highly recommend it’s a great crib ☺️

My cot was big enough and strong enough to withstand me getting in and cuddling my baby to sleep. Then I'd sneak out

There aren't drop sided cots anymore? How ridiculous. What are mother's who have had c sections / bad backs meant to do?

@conniebask that’s good to know, thanks!

I’ve ordered the next to me forever and it arrives tomorrow. Ouch at the cost, but if I get more sleep it will be worth it! I’m hoping I’ll be able to gently teach him to fall asleep in the cot.

I’m probably going to squeeze a small single bed into his room alongside the cot for the moment and see how we go with that. No floor space then in the nursery but it’s only hopefully for a short while (slightly nervous about the word ‘forever’ in the cot’s name!!!!!!)

Gosh you’ve taken me back. I can recall literally almost dropping mine into the cot when my back was really bad 😀

There are loads of crib/basket type things on the market. It's a huge con, you now have to buy a crib and a cot!