Setting up your Bedside Nursery
The safest place for your baby to sleep in the first 6-12 months is in the same room as you - day and night. While expectant parents often invest a lot of time and money into creating a room for their baby, the reality is that is the place where you store baby stuff and not a space your baby occupies very much!
By contrast, babies and mothers spend a lot of time together in the adult bedroom yet this space tends to be cobbled together while you are using it and nothing really feels organised or functional.
So let's look at what you might need for overnight and nap time in your bedroom:
A co-sleeping style bassinet or cot. These three-sided infant beds attach securely to the adult bed and allow a safe space for the baby to lie when they aren't actively breastsleeping. While many mothers keep their baby in the adult bed throughout the night, it’s helpful to have a space you can transfer them to when you need some personal space! You can also use a standard bassinet or cot positioned beside your bed but that will mean lifting them up and over as needed. Your baby should sleep on a flat, clear surface: no soft pods, positioning devices etc.
A hub for your breastfeeding supplies. Within arms reach you will need a drink bottle, snacks, nursing pads, burp cloths etc as well as your devices and remote control. Depending on your situation you might also need your breastpump, nipple shields and other aids. Your bedside table or nightstand may struggle to hold everything so a larger unit might be useful. Because you are often accessing things one-handed, drawers can be impractical. Think quiet when it comes to containers. A trolley like the Ikea Raskog can be useful as it can be wheeled to the living room during the day.
Nappy changing station. When babies are small it can be just as easy to change them on your lap or bed rather than trek through the house to the nursery. A trolley or tote can hold everything you need. Keep extra clothing and blankets on hand as well as nappies, wipes and creams.
Lying down to breastfeed is safest during the night. You are very likely to fall asleep while feeding, as it is quiet and dark and your hormones are in sleep mode. If you need to sit up in bed or on a chair, wake your partner to supervise and stay awake with you. Fatal sleep accidents are most common when accidental sleep sharing occurs on sofas or armchairs. Sitting up in bed with pillows is also an unsafe way to share sleep with your baby.
