Portacot Sleeping

[Julie]

I am a mum to be and just wondering if there are any mums out there's who use a portacot for permanent sleeping of their baby and not just while away from home. A girlfriend once told me if she ever had another child she wouldn't bother with a traditional cot just a portacot, so I bought one then I heard you shouldn't have your baby sleep in them all the time but there was no reason given for this?? thanks. :confused:

[jakobsmum]

I have just had Jakob in a portacot for a week. He didn't sleep very well in it and it didn't feel as nice as his bed. I was very hard, especially where the 5th leg is. Not sure why it is not recommended for long term use though.

[emmaandhayleysmum]

Hi Julie, How are you? Just thought I'd let you know that my DD#1 slept in a portacot from 2 mths til 9 mths, because at the time we were still living in England, but planning to move here. For the first couple of months that she slept in it, she slept in the bassinet part, which was fine. When we move her to the base, initially like Sarah said, she didn't sleep very well at all, exactly because of where the leg sat right in the middle underneath. My DH fixed this by putting a piece of MDF (dont know how safe that is, didnt think about it at the time!) underneath the mattress, which seemed to solve the problem. I have also heard of other mums who just put a thicker mattress and that in them. DD#2 slept in the bassinet part for the first two mths this time round too, but is now in a cot that we were given. I guess at the end of the day its up to you(obviously!!), I personally think its ok. Hope this is of some help to you. Anna

[cwsmum]

Hi Julie,
I was told that the main reason for not sleeping your child in a portacot all the time was simply because they were not designed for that. They are not as sturdy as a regular cot and will probably not last the 2yrs or more that your child will probably be sleeping in it, if they are used all the time.

[Nickster]

Hi Julie,
I bought a portacot 1 month ago to use in our air-conditioned bedroom for daytime naps (for 3 month old) as baby's room is not a/c and gets v.hot during brissie summer. I found the supplied base quite hard, so I bought a sheepskin rug to put under baby, and she sleeps quite happily on this whether it is in her cot or in the portacot (sleep association I guess!). The only problem I would have with permanent use of the portacot is that it is very low - a long way down to gently place baby to sleep - and therefore a little hard on your back. I just have a basic model from Target, and we are going to take it away with us on holidays. Good luck whatever your decision! ;)
Elizabeth's mum 1.12.04