Getting my baby to sleep 12 straight hours is still high up in my agenda. I still haven't managed for her to sleep alone for 12 hours, she usually comes to my room and drags me to her room anywhere between 2:30 -5:30 am. In my finest days, I walk her back to her room and go back to mine. However, I usually drop dead in her room right next to her and pray she'll give me a few hours before waking up again. Which leads me to decisions about beds.
When Victoria was born, I was gifted the Arms Reach Co-Sleeper Bassinet. The one that has a side that drops down so you can have your baby right next to you in your bed, while still keeping her away from your pillows, sheets and covers. I really loved it and worked wonders. Especially because I basically slept with one eye open staring at her to see if she was breathing. She used this bassinet until she was about 4 months old. I would say she could have fit there a couple of more months, but we had to move and we weren't planning on taking the bassinet with us. Plus, it was getting a bit tight for her, she was a tall baby. After that, she slept in a crib for about two months, we were in between homes, and back in Peru. But to be honest, half the night she spent in our bed, so I won't say she was too fond of the crib. I didn't sleep well, mainly because I was terrified I was going to roll over her or she was going to get covered in the blankets. But, it was still better than having her wake up every hour. When she was next to me, she could actually sleep.
When we finally got to our home, when Victoria was 6 months. The first thing I did was get her a beautiful white crib, I had always imagined a nice white crib in the nursery. So I was going to make my dream happen. But, I must say, I think it wasn't my finest moment in decision making, because of several reasons. My daughter is a light, light, light sleeper. She would roll over all over the crib and eventually bump her head on the bars, resulting in: wake up. Half the night I was spending putting her back to sleep and sitting on the rocking chair, or dozing on the carpet next to her crib.
I finally ended up bringing our roll-out guest bed and setting that next to her crib. That way, we both got some sleep. Nevertheless, I would still have to take her out of the crib and nurse her, oh yeah, this was the easiest way to put her back to sleep. Eventually, I took the legs off the crib and set in on the floor with the guest bed mattress next to her. All of this... because I didn't want to admit that getting the crib was a terrible idea, we had spent so much money on it!
At the end, we got her a full size comfortable mattress, where she can roll over as much as she wants and even continue rolling on the carpet with no issues. Plus, I could spend half my nights sleeping comfortably in a decent place! She can get out of the bed by herself with no risk of injury. When she finishes napping she just stands up and exits her room and goes to look for me. When she needs a break, she would climb on to her bed and chill there for a while. She LOVES her bed, and to be honest, I love it too.
What would I do, if I ever have a second child. Skip all the products they try to market for parents, such as a toddler bed. The most unpractical thing in my humble opinion. BUT, they are cute. Not going to lie. Rather I would invest in a comfortable full size or queen mattress. Since I still have my crib, I would use that to attach to the side of my bed, for at least 6 months. If I didn't have that, I would use a large bassinet for the side of my bed and hold on to it as much as possible. Later, I would move on to the full size mattress in the baby's room. Win-win-win for everyone. All I know, is that a mom that sleeps better is a happier mom. I value my sleep so, so, so much. Plus, there are some great looking floor beds in the market now, so there is no reason it has to be less cute than a crib.
Other benefits of having the floor bed, is the sense of independence a child gets, to be able to climb up or down the bed. I prefer to be woken up by a tap on my shoulder, and a sweet: "mama, come" than a wailing cry because she's trapped inside her crib. It's my dream that Victoria will just climb on her bed and say: "mom, I'm taking a nap", and fall asleep. Yeah right. I would be concerned my child has been cloned and I have the doppelgänger because that would never happen, haha.
Having the option of getting out of bed as the child pleases is a big no no for some parents. It doesn't concern me, as it's not the way I raise my child, she is an independent person, and has options (within limits). When we really want her to sleep and is not collaborating, I lock her door (you can only lock from the inside if there is an adult there, she can't manage the lock; it's child-proof) I lay down in her bed and "fall asleep"( sometimes I pretend to sleep, but end up falling asleep, ha), while she dances and prances all over her room, eventually she gets tired, climbs on her bed and falls asleep. After that, I leave and her door is always unlocked. However, I do lock the front door! and never leave things she can trip on on the way to our room. We have an apartment, so no issues with stairs. Plus, we also have a monitor, which is next to my bed. So if I hear anything, I can see what she is doing.
This is just my experience. I know people that have kids that sleep wonderfully in their cribs until they're three. Not my kid...maybe my next? I wish I get a great sleeper next time, it would only be fair. Haha.
-George
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