to bassinette or not!

[emilyhug]

hello guys,
I'm 20 weeks pregnant with my first and having only just moved to perth am a bit alone!!

Just wanted some advice from mums already out there, should i buy a bassinette or can baby go straight into a cot. I think that they seem a lot of money for something that will be used for such a short time. Any suggestions!?

thanks

[Lachlan's Mum]

Hi emilyhug

We used a wooden cradle for the first 3 or 4 months - in our room and then Lachlan went into his cot in his own room.

Some people use the cot straight away...but it just seems so huge and not cosy for a tiny little baby!!

You can buy little padded beds that go inside the cot to make it more cosy...maybe look into one of those??

[xkwzit]

Hi
We lived in Perth for 3 years and really enjoyed it - a lovely place in the world :)

I didn't bother with a cot and I don't think either of my babies minded. In fact DD2 LOVED it from birth and to this day prefers to fall alseep in her cot than anywhere else (including Mummies arms). I had one of those baby rockers for her to sleep in during the day so I could keep a closer eye on her - but I found she slept better in the cot and so there she stayed.

They are all individuals though...

[Jayne]

Hi Emilyhug,

I have a 3 1/2 month old daughter, and her weighing 8lb 4oz when she was born, she was only in her bassinette for 3 weeks as she outgrew it.

Bassinettes are quite expensive, we managed to pick one up on sale for $140, and it was honestly a waste of money!

Although she looked tiny in her cot, she soon grew into it.

You will have no idea whether or not you will have a small baby, or even if you will reach full term, but my advise would be to save you money, because you will need every cent once your little one comes along :p

Good luck with your pregnancy,

Jayne (Chenae's mum)

[Elfin]

We had a cradle which was a bit larger than a basinette. Our babies slept in the cradle for 4-5 months and the best thing about it is I could have it beside my side of the bed. We also would co-sleep with our bubs when they were unsettled or sick. I like the idea of co-sleeping with one of those small tea tree beds as it would probably stop the potential for rolling over baby. Wish I had of thought about this when I had small babies as we probably would have co-slept more.

[2under2]

We bought a 2nd hand one at a garage sale and bough tnew mattress, made new sheets etc and only cost about $80 all up. DD slept in it in our room for about 4 months and it was great. I started DS in it, he was much bigger born and turned out he wouldn't/couldn't sleep on his back, so I put him in the cot at 2 weeks anyway. I don't think I would've bought one new, though if you do get a 2nd hand one, you might want to look at getting a new mattress for it....cheers

[Lucybelle]

I wouldn't bother going to the expense. If you can get one second hand it would be cool.
PRO - Excellent to have baby right next to your bed in the early months, and you can move them around from room to room if you want.
CON - can get exxy if you are on a budget, and you don't use them for long.

You can use pillow cases for sheets too, or cot sheets folded.
Man, the pram choices are hard enough, let alone everything else!!!

[Narelle]

Hi emilyhug!
Can't really say I have experience yet (3 weeks to go) but I didn't buy a bassinette thought it would be a waste of money as they grow out of them so quickly. Although they say your baby sleeps better if they are near you and can hear you breathing, makes them feel safe.
Narelle :)
first bub due 20/04/05 :D

[razzle]

Our pram (Swallow Beema) came with a detachable bassinet and Eloise slept in that, in her cot, until she could roll over. I don't know that I'd go to all the expense of buying one, maybe look into the little snuggle beds that Mel (Lachlan's mum) mentioned. :)

[cwsmum]

We borrowed a bassinet from family, but I couldn't see the point in spending all that money on something i thought would last three, maybe four months. As it turned out, we put his cot into our room and he started sleeping in it at 2mths old. He seemed to sleep better in the cot too.
If you really want to have a bassinet, you could look into hiring one. You can also hire baby hamocks, cradles and all that kind or stuff.

[emilyhug]

Thanks for all the advice. I don't think I will bother. Although it was suggested that the hospital might hire them out so I will check that out.
Thanks again.
Good luck everyone.
Emily
Due 16 August

[jakobsmum]

We were going to put Jakob straight into his cot in his room when his was born. Different story when he arrived. I just wanted to be near him all the time (much easier for BF during the night too.

I borrowed a friends bassinet. He was 8lb 1oz and in it for 3 months. I loved being able to move him into the lounge to sleep under the window, he had jaundice.

Another option would be to hire one if you wanted ;)

[WeThree]

I found having a bassinette really useful with all of my babies as I wanted them in the room with me when they were small (matilda is still in hers) but could not fit the cot in the room. I would never buy a brand new one though,its just not worth it for the amount of time your babvy is in it (although if you are having more children you may get your money's worth) I bought a gorgeous one second hand & have found it so useful as you can just reach out your arm in the middle of the night & rock it if bubs is stirring, & they just look to small in a cot! much more snug in something smaller(but it doesnt have to be in a bassinette, my 1st son slept either in his pram or with me as I couldnt afford much back then!) Good Luck with the rest of your pregnancy! :)

[Hukuna Matata]

We were going to use our poracot in our room instead of buying a bassinet (we bought a cot for the nursery), and then if that arrangement worked out well, then were would consider forking out the money for a bassinet
BUT
we have co-slept (in our bed) ever since ds was born, so he hasn't used the portacot or the cot. I love cuddling up to my son, and wouldn't have it any other way. :D