Conference moira::parenting

    Does anyone out there know where I can get the plastic rail guards that
    go on the crib rails for when the little one starts standing and
    chewing?
    I purchased a second-hand crib in great shape minus these.
    
    Thanks,
    Sherry

    I just saw these in one of the several catalogs that I get in the mail. 
    I try to remember tonight to recheck it for you.
    
    Sonia

   re: .0 - you might want to give Norm's a call in Fitchburg.  I was
   able to buy replacement screws and springs for our crib last year
   from there.  btw - whereever you go that doesn't have what you need
   - don't forget to ask them who they would recommend.  Often these
   folks know their competition - especially when its for stuff they
   don't carry themselves...
   
   - Tom
   

    Thanks for the information. I called Norms's in Fitchburg and sure
    enough they carry them. They are $7.99 a set for anybody else looking.
    
    Sherry

    If you haven't gotten them yet, I bought one at a Baby Specialties
    store - I think any store with cribs might have them.  It was a
    replacement for a Childcraft but it worked just fine for me (on a
    Morigeau (sp?) crib).  My son plays with it and pulls it up (it stays
    on because of the metal bars) but he has never chewed since!  It was
    $2.  Good luck.

    
    My son is starting to crawl up a storm and I am in great need of buying
    a gate. Are there any recommendations out there?
    
    Thanks
    
    Janet

    We got a gate (Fischer Price, I think) which is made of plastic and has
    a spring mechanism you can operate with one hand.  It is very
    convenient to use and easy to adjust.  (It is off-white with a blue
    handle.)
    
    We got another gate from the same manufacturer, which mounts on the
    wall on one side.  We wanted it because it is sturdier for the top of
    the stairs.  But I have difficulty using it.
    
    L

I'm thinking of buying a glider to use for our September baby.  I 
have a recliner that rocks, but I'd like to leave it in the living room.
The glider would be for the baby's room.

What is your experience with these?  Any particular brands to look for
or avoid?  Features?  What is a reasonable price?  (I saw they are on
sale at Lechmere this week for around $250, or $50 off.  Is that good?)
Can you recommend any particular stores in the southern New Hampshire
or eastern Mass area? How do they compare to a regular rocking chair
for cuddling, nursing, etc.?

The gliding ottomans don't seem like such a good thing to me.  When I
tried them with the chair, it seemed difficult to glide evenly.

Advice welcome.

--Jennifer

    Jennifer,
    
    I HIGHLY recommend a glider!  And, if you can afford the gliding foot
    rest, I would get that too, it makes the chair confortable enough to
    sleep in!!! My husband gave me both for Mother's Day
    last year and it remains in Shannon's room where we both put it to good
    use!    
    
    My glider does not have padded arm rests, but I wish it did.  We
    make-shift with a pillow if the Shannon doesn't feel good and wants to
    spend the day rocking...  Mine is a Dulier (sp??) Made in Canada.
    
    There are 2 Canadian rocker stores in Manchester/Goffstown (about 3
    miles between the two stores) on Mast Rd. (rte 114) Goudreau Showroom
    and Blanchet Showroom.  Both stores specialize in The Canadian Rocker
    Chair. 
    
    

I bought my Duvallier (??? - I'm not sure of the spelling) Glider with 
the glider ottoman, and I love them both !!!  The glider is still wonderful for 
me now that my son is 6 months old, I put him in his infant seat, and rock
him in the glider (I know that I won't be able to do that much longer !!) to 
sleep.  I rock him in my arms all the time, and it is the MOST comfortable
chair in the world!!  The glider ottoman is terrific too, because your legs 
go with your body, as opposed to having your legs in a stationary position while
your body is rocking.

I Highly recommend that you get BOTH!!  We bought both for $350.

I thought that it was a pretty good deal.


				---Sue.

But you'll need the item number and fabric info from a real furniture store
before you can order.

I've seen them (or their look-alikes) at Lechmere's, Sears, and Tiny Totland
(1111 Elm St. in Manchester, NH).  Tiny Totland also sold a similar glider
whose manufacturer started with "M".  I remember thinking I liked it better
but I can't remember if it looked more traditional (and would go better
with the nursery furniture) or felt slightly more comfortable to me.

I'm also in the evaluation stage and haven't actually bought one for my 
due-in-July baby.  

I saw these in the JC Penney catalog.  Supposedly, they replace the mattress
pad, waterproof liner, fitted sheet combination on a crib.  There's some kind
of "anchor sheet" which is a cotton-covered waterproof mattress pad with a 
velcro strip.  Instead of a fitted sheet, there's a sheet which attaches to
the anchor sheet via velcro.  To change, you just rip off the top sheet.

We just put our crib together over the weekend and discovered how difficult
it can be to change the crib sheets.  These "dream sheets" sound like a great
idea.  They're a bit pricey (isn't everything?) but they looked like the
convenience just might be worth it.

I'm curious to know if anyone has tried them and discovered if they have
any flaws.  

Or are there any tricks to changing crib sheets?  It seems to me you need to 
untie and remove the bumper pads, remove the mattress, change the fitted sheet
and put everything back together again.  Am I missing something here?

    re. -1   When I read your description of changing sheets I had to
    chuckle!   That sounds exactly like the way we used to do it.  
    Then I discovered that if you just lay the sheet down on the
    mattress then kneel down and reach thru the bars and pull the 
    corners over the mattress, it's alot easier!   That's assuming
    you have a crib like ours with the bars all around.   Anyway,
    that's how I do it!!  Lila
    
    

    Some kids diapers leak out onto the sheets pretty often.  But not all. 
    My daughter only leaked out once.  I have no idea why one leaks and the
    other does not.  But for new parents dazzled by all the stuff for sale,
    I want to again say, go slow.  You may not have to change the sheets
    very often.  Depends on the child, I guess.
    
    L
    

    
    I also tend to put a recieving blanket down over the spot where
    Michael sleeps, and find I don't need to change the fitted sheet
    as often (boy I HATE changing it!)... Its alot easier to remove/wash
    the recieving blanket than to change the bed constantly.
    
    This is mainly for any spit-ups, drool, etc....I haven't had a diaper
    leek through to the sheet yet.
    
    Chris
    (who going to try that littel trick of changing the sheet next time!)

    
    I fold a queen size flat bedsheet, "drape" it over the fitted sheet,
    and tuck the ends under the matteress thro' the slats. My crib has 
    slats on just two sides; so the folded sheet does not cover the entire
    length of the crib, just the width.  The folded sheet is equal to 4 
    layers of sheets. I change the folded sheet every 2 weeks and the
    fitted sheet every 2 months.  My kids often leak overnight and I
    hate the time it takes to change the fitted sheet. This technique has 
    come in very handy for me for 4 years. 
    

I would like to sell my crib but don't really know what is reasonable.  We
bought it from Sears six years ago - it has gone through two kids and only has
a few teeth marks on it.  The mattress is in good condition and would be
included.  I think we paid $250 for it new.  Any thoughts?

    
    I borrowed a playpen from my sister.  It's in good condition,
    but the netting could really use a good cleaning.  I'm considering
    hosing it down out in the yard, but I'm concerned about how the 
    water will affect the other parts of the playpen.  Has anyone 
    ever tried this? Any other ideas about how to clean playpen netting?
                            thanks.  
                                      Marlene
    

    Marlene,
    
    I use to clean my out all of the time with the hose.  Just turn it
    upside down, tying not to get the bottom boards wet.  I even used a
    little cleaner mixed with some water.  The playpen came sparkling
    clean.
    
    Let it dry in the sun.  It will be fine.  My playpen is now 6 years old
    and looks as good as the day I got.  The best thing I got was a cotton
    sheet that zips over the pad.  It works really great.  The poor little
    baby doesn't stick to the pad anymore.  I got that from a company in
    Sweetwater,FL. named (I think) Sweetpeas.
    
    Hope it helps.
    
    
    Lillian
    

    Hi,
    
    I'm looking around for a crib and baby furniture for a begin. of Feb.
    baby. Can anyone suggest a good place to look in the
    Worcester/Framingham area? I've already been to both Baby Specialities 
    Stores and have found a couple of cribs that I like. I just thought
    that I should look around at prices also before I make the purchase.
    I've also looked in the N.H. Buyers catalog and their prices are great! 
    But Manchester is farther away than my husband and I want to travel for 
    baby stuff. 
    
    How are the prices on baby furniture at Norm's Discount in Fitchburg? I
    called there a couple days ago but they would not give me prices over
    the phone. 
    
    thanks in advance,
    Karen

    
    I found the prices at Norms to be a bit high, but I must say they had a
    LARGE selection, and it would be a good place to make a decision as to
    what styles you like vs others etc... then comparison shop later.
    
    Also, don't forget "Kids Convertables" in Framingham...for the 
    convertable crib/toddler beds....  We've been VERY happy with ours,
    and the sturdiness of it is unbelievable! Price is very reasonable
    also.
    
    Good luck!
    Chris
    

One thing about Norm...you can dicker with him. Especially if you want to buy
a whole crib set.

We've bought from both Baby Specialties and Norm's. However, we got our crib
at Lechmere. They had a 'sidewalk sale' where demo and discontinued merchandise
is put into the aisles and sold at a discount. They have these every few
months. We went in looking for other items, and there was our crib in the aisle
for 50% off. One of the drop side springs was missing, but Norm's stocks crib
parts, and he gave it to us.

Have fun shopping,

Chris

    I live in Worcester and have been doing some comparison shopping
    between:
    
    	Baby Specialties - Worcester	  Best selection
    	Norm's Discount - Fitchbury	  Next best selection
    	Burlington Coat Factory	- Nashua  Not much of a selection
    	NH Buyers Service - Manchester	  No showroom - have to shop around 	
    					  at the other places first then call
    
    The above are listed in order of the average price.  Baby Specialties
    is the most expensive, although I have heard of other places priced
    higher than this.
    
    NH Buyer's Service is a little difficult to deal with since you have to
    shop around at other stores to "see" what you like and then call them
    for a price.
    
    re: -1  
    
    So Norm will budge with prices?  I was planning to buy crib/glider rocker/
    ottoman/changing table/bedding at NH Buyers Service since they do have 
    the lowest prices and I would save in taxes.
    
    Maybe I'll see if Norm would match their prices.  If so, I would buy 
    there.  I would make up the taxes in driving 2 cars up there to pick up 
    the stuff as well as the aggravation of it all!
    
    - Barb

We're starting to think about when Josh will be switching over to 
a real bed. 

We'd like to get him one of those car-beds. The problem is, the 
only one I have seen is a waterbed and we'd prefer a regular 
mattress.

I've also heard about DIY kits for these, but haven't found any 
information anywhere.

Has anyone purchased one of these? Opinions?

Can anyone help on sources and prices?

thanks
daryll

    I saw them at Lechmere's in Nashua awhile back.  Personally, I wouldn't
    get one because now you have twice the expense.  You also have to get
    the special size mattress and sheets and when the kid gets to be about
    10 you have to buy another bed!
    
    To each his own...
    
    -sandy
    

    Regarding 'Car-beds':
    
    My sister is thinking of getting these for her 2 boys. She mentioned 
    that Little Tykes made them. I got the impression they were used with
    a regular mattress. Have you checked this brand?

    Does it matter what kind of mattress I get for the crib? Anyone have
    any suggestions? What is a reasonable price to pay for a mattress? 
    
    thanks,
    Karen 

    As .27, I am also interested in what is recommended for mattresses.
    
    Any experiences with
    	Sealy Posturepedic Coil Spring 
    	Sealy Posturefirm 
    	Sealy vs Simmons mattresses
    
    I am looking for something that will last thru 2-3 kids.
    
    Thanks!
    
    - Barb

    We had an "open cell" foam mattress ... not quite the cheapest but
    nearly.  It has lasted 3 kids and only now needs a new cover (because
    daddy punctured the cover when putting it in storage!).  It was not
    a brand.
    
    No way would I go out and spend mega$ on a mattress.  A baby is so
    light that they won't compress the spring more that 1/16"!  Even as
    a toddler, they'll hardly make a dent.
    
    You could ALMOST put a baby to sleep on a board!  (You often find them
    asleep in a heap on the floor if you need proof!)
    
    Stuart

Update on carbeds.

We picked one last weekend at, of all places, Bldg 19. Their 
Sunday circular had a salvage lot from FLA (hurricane). They had 
7 styles in stock, Jeep, Indy car, VW Bug, Mercedes, spaceship, 
Ferrari and police car.. We picked up a 4wd Jeep for $299.00 It uses 
a twin mattress. BTW, Sears carries these in their catalog. The 
Indy car style was at Bldg 19 for $199. Sears had the same exact 
car for $399.

They went quick. Each store had 10 or so and most were gone in 
the fisrt 2 hours.

If anyone is interested, I do have a deposit on a Mercedes at the 
Manchester store which I will be cancelling since we found the Jeep 
at the Haverhill store.

Also, for some reason the sale didn't start in Burlington until 
today, so they may still have some left.

thanks
daryll

The swing we have is old, and is the hand-cranked kind.  I am *tired* of
cranking it, and plan to buy a new swing this week.  What should I look
for in a swing??  (besides a baby)  ;-)

     Carol

    Carol,
    
    We used the Graco Swingomatic with the Easy Entry and loved it.
    
    The features I liked were:
    
    Seat was fabric (very easy to take off and clean), soft and cushy,
    some that I saw were plastic and they didn't look to comfy and may get
    cold in the winter. The seat also had an adjustable back which was nice 
    for the different stages.
    
    Easy entry - the tray lifted up, placed the baby in, belted the little 
    one in and then closed the tray.  I saw some that were stationary and 
    it seemed that with a squiggly infant it might be harder to get them 
    in and out.
    
    Variable speed - a must if you're going battery operated.  When Sarah
    was small I put it on the slowest and then as she got bigger I let it
    get faster.  You definitely don't want a small infant swinging at the
    speed of sound.
    
    Happy shopping.
    
    Susan
    
    

Thanks, Susan.  I noticed a lot of votes for this swing in the former version
of PARENTING, too.  

How do battery operated swings work?  How often do you have to replace the
battery?  Can you use rechargable batteries?

      Carol

    
    Carol,
    
    Another vote for the Graco Swingomatic. We really liked ours for all 
    of the reasons -.2 said, and as far as the batteries go, we never had
    to replace ours once in the months we used it! That was one thing I was
    concerned about, the price of batteries what they are, but..nope, they
    really lasted. Its says on it "lasts 100 hours".... Not sure if its
    acurate, but...   Not sure about rechargable battries either..
    
    Good Luck in your search,
    Chris
    

    
    
    	Our baby was on the large side and the battery operated swings did
    not have enough "umph" to keep him swinging (even with relatively new
    batteries). We had purchased a hand crank one second hand and that is
    the one that turned out to be the heavy duty old faithful.
    
    	Something to keep in mind if your baby is large.
    
    
    				Wendy

    Another vote for the Graco Swingomatic!
    
    We purchased a little GE Battery Charger at Kmart ($9.99), becauase we
    use batteries in her Sony...Swing...Monitor...etc, so it seemed like
    a good idea.  You can use the GE recharagable batteries in the swing,
    I don't know about other brands.  We save tons of money on batteries
    now, especially with her Sony Cassette player...lots of music time!
    
    One thing about the swing...it does have easy entry, but make sure
    little fingers are out of the way when you are closing it....Daddy
    didn't see those tiny little fingers one time and Chelsea got one 
    pinched pretty good....Daddy always checks now.
    
    ...Lori

    We are in the process of choosing new bedroom furniture for our 6 year
    old.  One of the questions is what kind of bed and how many.  She will
    not be sharing this room with a sibling.  

    At first I thought we *had* to get to beds so that she could have
    sleep-overs.  Either a trundle bed or a bunk bed.  But now I am
    wondering if that is really necessary.  She is having a friend over
    this weekend, and the other mother just assumed that she should send a
    sleeping bag.  And my daughter is all excited about the prospect of
    sleeping on the floor to. Kind of like a camp-out, I guess.  

    So I am wondering if it is the "norm" to sleep on the floor when at a 
    sleep-over?

    And, what kind of room arrangements do other parents have?  Do you have
    an extra permanent bed?  A roll-away cot?  A pad for the floor?


    Thanks
    Debby

    ps:  For what it's worth, when my now teenage daughter was this age,
    she had a double bed, so she and her friend would sleep in the same
    bed.  When she got bigger, her friend would sleep on the floor.  There
    were never any complaints about this arrangement, which is adding to my
    thought that this might be the way to go.

Well we have it all ways.  My 5 year old has a trundle bed. When she has a 
friend over they use it.  With my son - now 10 - we purchased a fold out couch
(looks like a matress when unfolded) which we have down in the family room.
His sleepovers have always been down there.  It allows for some quiet in the 
morning since they can just stay downstairs.  When my daughter gets a little
older she will use the family room as well.

Regardless of where they sleep, they use sleeping bags.  It makes it a little
more special for them.

    We have bunks in my younger sons room; my older son had a full bed.
    If we have an older (babysitter sleep over) or a married couple-type
    guest my older moves into the room with the younger and they use the
    two bunks.  We also have two extra twin bed mattresses that we store
    under the beds.  If we have a guest of both boys, we pull out a
    mattress as needed.  When Kyle had a sleepover of 10 boys on his 7th
    birthday, we took out the bed frames, etc and covered the floor with
    mattresses.  They used sleeping bags and had a blast.
    
    Older girls may be different from older boys - I don't see older boys
    wanting to share a double bed, but as a teen, I shared a double bed
    with my overnite guests.  
    
    If you have rather thick carpet in the floor, the kids might enjoy
    this, too.  We also have a sleep sofa (very UNcomfortable), but we have
    used the mattress on the floor there too although the little ones
    (under 70 pounds) can sleep on it and not mind the bar under the matt.
    
    Whatever is comfortable for the host and the guests....
    
    -sandy
    

    anyone been to Baby Furniture Warehouse Store, 300 Wildwood Ave, 
    in Woburn, MA?
    
    they had an ad in the Globe last week...
    
    -jb

re: 32.40 

I went to Baby Furniture Warehouse about a year ago. Like you I saw the ad
in the Globe and thought it sounded promising. But I was disappointed in 
the selection, they had all the basic items but not the particular brands
that I wanted. I had done my research and I was pretty much determined on what 
types of things I wanted (baby carrier type X, stroller model Y etc.) and 
did not find any of the things I was looking for. As far as pricing goes, it
was not worth the trip to Worburn.

But who knows, they might have just the things you are looking for.

The store was crowded, with items and lots of people (it was a Saturday)


/Malin

    
    re: 32.40
    
    I went to the Baby Furniture Warehouse a few weeks ago.  The selection
    was fair and the prices were slightly lower than what we saw at other
    stores (Comfortors ran about $10 cheaper, cribs were about 10%
    cheaper).  It's pretty small and very crowded.  I live nearby, so it
    was convenient to stop by, but I wouldn't recommend driving a long way
    to see it.
    
    Martina

    I wanted to know if anyone had this happen to them:
    
    We bought a graco playpen just before Christmas. This is the larger
    model than the most commonly sold version - coloured in bright pink
    green and blue. We've been quite happy with it so far, but while I was
    away last week, my mom told me that Charlotte managed to collapse one
    side after some vigorous hanging and jumping right at the midpoint of
    the longer side. (the sides bend downward at each midpoint so that the
    4 edges can be brought together to collapse it)
    Luckily mom was right there.
    
    Anybody have a similar experience? I myself managed to collapse it
    accidentally once or twice by leaning over the edge. 
    
    Monica
    

    
    Monica,
    
    	Funny you should mention this. Just this weekend, Spencer learned
    how to collapse the sides of the Graco playpen and we had to move him
    to a full size wooden crib. (he had been sleeping in the playpen on our
    room since birth).
    
    	I also managed to collapse the sides of the pen myself by leaning
    over but just assumed that it was the 'ol belly getting in the way.
    
    	It's interesting that you are having the same experience, I think
    that I will give Graco a call and see what the story is.
    
    	Based on this experience, I am only willing to keep the new baby in
    the playpen until it can stand. (kind of defeats the whole purpose of
    having one, doesn't it?)
    
    				Wendy

    Well, at least I am not the only one!
    Charlotte only uses this playpen in our livingroom while we are 
    busy with something she should be about (cooking,etc) so most of the 
    time when she might get excited/upset enough to pop the side, it is 
    probable that we will be in the vacinity. She's only done it once
    (she's at 23 pounds now. How big is Spencer?)
    
    Monica

    
    Spencer is a little over 30 pounds. I'm assuming that the weight was an
    added factor to the sidess collapsing.
    
    				Wendy

    Got a note from Wendy about our Graco playpens this morning:
    
    

From:	KAOFS::SUPER::WTHOMAS      "People who say they sleep like a baby usually don't have one" 17-FEB-1993 22:08:49.81
To:	KAOFS::M_FETT
CC:	
Subj:	graco pack and play

Monica,
	Just wanted to let you know that I contacted Graco about the
collapsing playpen and they said that I was the first to register a
complaint however, they took my complaint seriously enough that they
called me back and have asked me to send my playpen to their research
and dev. lab. (I had told them that I knew of another family to which
this had happened).

	You might want to call them and register a complaint as well,
essentially they told me not to use the playpen until it could be looked
at.

	The phone number for Graco is 1-800-345-4109

	There is no official recall but it sounds like there may be a
potential problem here and the more people who know the better it will
be. As I am on leave (and not supposed to be on the system) could you
please enter something in PARENTING about this?

	Much thanks,

			Wendy
    

    I tried to call the 1-800 number from Wendy's letter, but 
    it does not work in Canada. 
    Could someone call them from the US and ask how complaints
    about the playpen can be made from Canada (Ottawa) ?
    
    Thanks!
    Monica

    I have Monica on the phone right this minute, and have connected her to
    the 800 number!  She is talking to the rep!
    
    M-L

    Thanks to generous noters and technology, I was able to log
    a complaint about the playpen. The woman was unable to give me
    info about contacting Canadian sources without taking a long time 
    to find the info - so I said that was fine, I will cb ("With a little
    help from my friends" 8-) ) if this collapsing happens again.
    Thanks much, M-L!!
    
    Monica

The latest issue of Consumer reports that arrived in my mailbox
this week has 3 articles on cribs, mattresses and porta-cribs.

I just quickly scanned the articles, there seems to be some good
points about safety and what to look for when buying or using old
equipment.


/Malin

Does anyone own the new combination changing table and
bureau?  The specialty stores are really pushing them,
but friends have said that a separate changing table is
more practical from a storage perspective.  Any advice
for a first-time mom?
Pam

Consider how you want to use the top of the bureau.  

I wanted a place to put a lamp.  I thought the combo dresser/changing table 
would be a royal pain -- constantly having to move the lamp when I needed it 
to be a changing table.  Also, we have our changing table in the bathroom -- 
makes it very convenient for washing hands after a diaper change. 

Good luck with all your decisions!

- Deb

    We've got a bureau with a changing table on top.  The changing table
    part is attached to the back with a hinge so it doesn't move at all. 
    What I like about this is that when she's older we can simply remove
    the changing table and then add a mirror or bookshelf and it will be a big 
    girl bureau, plus it doesn't take up more space in the bedroom.  We have 
    plenty of room for wipes, ointments, etc, and I can use the top drawer for
    other stuff if need be.  We solved the lamp problem by having a floor
    lamp next to the bureau.
    
    We're very happy with our setup.
    
    Susan
           

re: .53

     We used both.  We got the changing table at a yard sale, for $5.  I
can't recommend paying a lot for one since it's not something that you use
for very long (unless you're planning on several kids).
     As for the "combination changing table and bureau", we rigged up a crib
mattress to the top of a conventional bureau, and it worked just fine.  The
advantage of doing this is that you can use the bureau later (our teenage
daughter uses it now).
     In our experience, the more convenient storage space of a changing
table isn't so critical, because we found that it was much more convenient
to work from shelves ABOVE the changing table (or bureau); it was easier for
us to control the baby and reach UP for pins, diapers, ointment, wipes, etc.
than down.
     My bottom line recommendation is not to make this a big priority.  If
there is a changing table that you can buy cheaply or borrow, get it.  If
not, make do with a conventional bureau.

Clay

    We bought one of those "stacked boxes" from Sears for our changing
    table.  We were able to stack them two on two for when we needed 
    a changing table and store diapers, etc in them.  Then as Sarah got
    older, broke them up to two lower ones for a changing table for her
    dolls, and storage for her many small items, like playdough implements
    and tea sets.
    
    We knew we were only going to have one so we thought of a larger
    bureau that matched a future big bed and more clothes met our needs.
    
    Diana

    I used my changing table very rarely.  I had the unfortunate experience
    of reaching down to get something on the lower shelf only to have the
    baby roll off and land on my back.  Here I am in the house, alone, with
    an infant laying on my back - just out of reach, of course!! 8^) 
    Luckily there was a bed in the room and I scooted over and rolled the
    baby off.  Last time I ever used it with him.  It became a place to
    store those stuffed animals and towels and such!!  I then used the bed
    all the time.
    
    -sandy
    

I only have a changing table because it came with the crib which we got
second-hand.  We used it for the 2 weeks that Brad was home between 
hospitalizations when he was hooked up to a monitor and oxygen, and it
was easier to change him on that for the 2:00 a.m. feeding that to move
the whole rig downstairs.  Other than that, it's mostly used for storage
as my kids have always been changed on either the couch or the floor. I'd
get rid of it now except I'd rather wait to get rid of it with the crib
since they do match.  In general, I wouldn't bother with a changing table
at all.  On the rare occasion where either my kids wake up at night to
be changed or if they have a stinky diaper when I go in to cover them at
night and I want to change them, I do it right in the crib.

For their clothes, I have my old baby dresser downstairs (we have a 
colonial, and the bedrooms are upstairs), and that's where all their
clothes go. I figure we'll get rid of that as soon as they are potty
trained as I won't need to change them during the day anymore due to
diaper accidents.  Then they'll have their clothes in the regular
furniture upstairs in their rooms.

Cathy

Personally, I would either go with the changeing table or nothing at all 
mostly for storage reasons.

My daughter didn't wiggle much - so we used our changeing table as a changeing
table for a little over a year.  We used it for storage (diapers on the top
shelf, toys on the bottom shelf) for around 3 years.  I would have used it 
even longer but we are getting ready for #2 and wanted to start moving baby
furniture out early so Michelle didn't feel like the baby stole all her stuff.

I wouldn't want to give up the counter space of a bureau for use as a 
changeing table.  Also - depending on the design - some of the bureau models
are a bit to tippy for my taste.

So - if you are simply looking for the best place to change your baby - I
would recomend your bed, the couch, the floor, the bathroom counter-top,
the lawn...  If you are looking for a multi-purpose shelf unit for diaper
and toy storage - I would recommend a changeing table. 

	Well, I guess I'm in the minority.  I love my changing area,
	which is a Childcraft dresser with built-in changing top (not
	removable).  The top is hinged, and folds out towards you.

	When changing the baby, her head is away from you, legs are toward you.
	This is the same position you would use on the floor, versus the
	standard changing tables, where the baby lies with her head to your
	left and legs to your right.  

	At home, we always change Emily on her changing area.  Supplies
	are stored on an inexpensive white plastic three-tiered shelf
	that I picked up a few years ago for about $10.  Emily turns
	1 this week, and I have no plans to stop using the changing area
	any time soon.

	When the changing top is no longer needed, we'll remove the pad
	and use it as a shelf (In the folded position).  

	Karen

    
    I have a Nu-Line changing table and couldn't live without it.
    I use the bottome shelf for stuffed animals and books, so my 
    daughter can get at them. I use the middle for diapers, bibs,
    shoes, and bath towels. Even though Anna just turned 2, she is
    petite so I still change her on the changing table. I've tried
    changing her on a bed or the floor, but she thinks it's fun to
    try and get away. When she's on the changing table she lays nice
    and still (most of the time) and let me change her diaper. I'm
    hoping that I have her potty trained before she outgrows the table
    or I'll be getting a lot of exercise while doing diaper changes.
    
    Patty

    We have a combination bureau/changing table mentioned in note .53. 
    Kaitlin is now potty-trained, but when she was an infant, I only used
    the changing table during the night/early morning.  Otherwise, we used
    the dining room table.  However, I still use the bureau...it's a
    beautiful piece of furniture and matches her crib that converts to a
    youth bed.  I'm glad we didn't buy a plain changing table.
    
    Robin

    Another vote for a changing table, it's a bit higher level, so you're 
    not bending over to change the baby.  I was concerned and warned by 
    my OB to be careful of my back after my C, this helped.
    

    Thanks for all the input on the changing table--it looks like it is evenly 
    split!
    Pam

    
    I use a padded plastic change mat on top of an old blanket box. There
    is a set of widely spaced shelves next to it for the nappies, toys,
    books etc. Not often used stuff goes in the blanket box. This box was
    my brother's toybox 30 years ago!!
    
    I kneel next to the box (it's about 18" high) whilst changing Rebecca -
    saves my back and my section scar. I then sit on the mat with her when
    getting her dressed. If she is too lively - the mat moves to the floor
    where she cannot roll anywhere!
    
    None of this furniture is baby stuff (except the mat), so it'll be
    really useful as she grows up.
    
    I have a second mat on a board across the bath which means I can lift
    Rebecca straight out of bath (which fits over the adult bath) on to
    the mat to dry and dress her. The only place she could roll is into her
    baby bath, so this is fairly safe.
    
                  Celia
    

    My vote is for the traditional changing table!

    At first I was totally against it because I thought they were a
    waste of money because you used them for such a short period of
    time.  I wanted a long dresser and I thought I would use that
    as the changing table then have a nice piece of furnature later.  
    Well, after searching high and low for this perfect dresser that 
    was the right size and height I got a changing table as a shower 
    gift.  They aren't that expensive compared to the dressers (some 
    fancy name) I was looking at.  It was actually less money to buy
    2 peices - a changing table and a dresser then the 1 fancy piece.

    I love the changing table.  Actually, it's the only place I can
    change Bradley.  On the floor, he will crawls away and
    refuses to stay on his back.  On the table, it's almost too
    small for him to flip over on his stomach so I am able to change
    him with less effort then if he were on the floor!

    Lynne
    

    My son will be 2 in a few months and we are now looking for a new bed. 
    Should I buy a bed that the crib mattress fits in or should I go right
    to a twin bed?  The only reason I would like to stay with a small bed 
    is when he starts potty training if he needs to get out in the middle
    of the night won't it be hard for him to climb off a twin bed?
    
    Any help would be great.
    

    
    I would definetely go for the twin bed. I think the toddler beds with
    the standard crib mattress are too small. They grow out of them to
    quick.  We went to Mattress Discounters and got a twin mattress,boxspring,
    and frame for $110.00. They originally wanted more than that but we 
    talked them down on the price. This bed is perfect for a toddler. It is
    lower to the ground than a regular twin bed. And the frame that came
    with it is adustable up to a full bed. We just went back this week and
    picked up one of those cute primary colored headboards they sell for
    $50. So for $160 the total bed is extremely goo I think. 
    
    Danielle has been sleeping in it since she was 18 months old she is 3
    now. 
    
    Happy bed hunting!
    
    Sandy

   We were faced with the same dilemna with our son.  I was very
   worried since at 14 months he managed to climb out of his crib
   and fracture his leg :-(.

   It took a while to find a bed that he could easily get out of.
   Some, especially some of the platform beds were so high I'd be
   nervous about getting out of them.  We ended up with a low metal
   frame and a nice bookcase headboard.

   I also didn't want to have to go out and buy a new bed again when he
   outgrew a toddler size bed.

   Incidently, we had oversized pillows in our living room that I placed
   underneath side of the bed (didn't like the idea of a bed rail since
   I wanted to encourage him to use the potty on his own) and he did fall
   out once or twice.  He's able to get out of the bed in his sleep now and
   get into our bed without incident...but that's another problem to deal
   with :-).

    I go along with the thinking of going straight into a twin bed.  In our
    case we pushed up to a wall so he could only roll out of one side.  but
    he never has rolled out of bed.  FWIW, we never needed a bed rail of
    any kind.
    
    Someone suggested pillows, I have seen something called 'body" pillows.
    these are pillows which are VERY long, like 4 feet long, at places like
    bldg 19's and even general stores like Jordan Marsh and Caldors.  Might
    work out as a bedrail of sorts, or even under a mattress.
    
    We bought a "mates bed" at sears, it is a standard twin with two
    drawers under it, it seems just a little lower than a regular platform
    bed, plus you get storage space as a bonus.  It doesn't use a box
    spring, just a mattress on a "posture" board, somewhat like a platform.
    
    I think those beds that use crib frames are a waste of money, the kids
    outgrow them in no time.
    
    Lyn

    I had every intention of keeping Katie in her crib when Kendrick was
    born last August, went out and bought another crib (used) and mattress
    (new).  Lo and behold, about three weeks before Kendrick was born she
    learned how to get out of her crib and absolutely refused to sleep in 
    it.  After about a week of her getting out and sleeping on her floor
    in front of her door we decided to get her a youth bed (remember we 
    already had the mattress).  The youth bed cost us about $30.  She
    loved her big girl bed - no more sleeping on the floor.  She had just 
    turned two when we put her in the youth bed.  She slept in her youth 
    bed until two weeks ago when we decided to move her into a bigger 
    room and put her in the twin bed we already had too.  Instead of 
    putting the bed on the frame right away, we put the box springs and
    mattress on the floor to gradually get her used to the bed and we 
    were right in the middle of potty training too and I didn't want her
    to fall out trying to get to the potty (my girlfriend's daughter did
    and broke her collarbone).  Well she has been in the bed two weeks 
    now and has mastered it real well so I think we'll put it on the 
    frame this weekend.  Anyway, this is how we handled our conversion
    process - gee they grow up so fast :>(
    
    Vickie

    We put Ryan into a junior bed at 2 1/2, in prep for his brother being
    born 5 months later. Our primary reason for buying a junior bed was
    because of having both kids in the same room for a while and not
    wanting it to be so crowded with furniture.
    
    Ryan will be 5 in July and is still in the junior bed. He has more than
    enough room and has not outgrown it, as previous replies would suggest. 
    
    On the other side of the argument is the difficulty in finding
    quilts/linens to fit these junior beds. Although we use crib sheets, I
    have a twin sized quilt on, and much of it is tucked under the bed!
    
    Lynn
    

    Vickie, we did the same thing when we put Alexander in a bed.  He was
    already potty trained but we didn't want him to be scared of falling
    out of bed while trying to get out to go potty. So we just put the
    mattress and box spring on the floor and he loved it and still does (he
    is 3.5 yrs old).  We have asked him if he wants Daddy to put the frame
    up and he says no he likes it the way it is.  So if he's happy I'm
    going to let it stay that way and he has also learned how to strighten
    the sheet and quilt out also so that it looks nice and Mommy doesn't
    have to make it every morning.
    
    I say go with the twin bed and put the mattress and boxspring on the
    floor till you get your kid potty trained to the point that you are
    comfortable with and then put the frame up.
    
    Liz

    
    I remember my daughter sleeping in one of those toddler beds when she
    turned 2 1/2 but I'd always find her in the morning sleeping on the 
    floor instead of the bed (because the beds are soo low to the floor)
    So that bed didn't last too long in her room.  We then bought her a 
    twin bed w/a rail and it's much better.
    
    So I wouldn't even bother buying a toddler one.
    
    Sandy

We moved our daughter from her crib to a regular full size bed with rails at
1 year 10 months.  We were expecting a second child three months from that time
and we didn't want her to associate the move with the new baby.  She moved over
with no problems.  It also saves the money in the long run.

Michael

    Buying a $30 toddler bed makes sense if you are going to keep the
    mattress and don't have a baby on the way.
    
    In my case, the borrowed crib and mattress were returned to their
    owner.  My daughter sleeps in a twin bed.
    
    At her Dad's house, we put a strip of foam rubber under the sheet on
    the outside (not wall) edge to keep her from rolling out.
    
    At my house, I put a foam pad on the floor next to her bed.  So far she
    hasn't fallen out.  But it helps her climb up and down.  For $125 I got
    a twin mattress and a white metal daybed frame.  It looks pretty with a
    Minnie Mouse comforter and an eyelet bed skirt.  If anyone wants to
    know where I got such a good deal, send me Email.  The retailer is in
    Salem, NH.  I had to assemble it myself, but it turned out fine.  (What
    a clever Mom, eh?)
    
    Laura

I see lots of notes addressing how to keep the kid from falling out of the
bed, but how do you keep the kid from just climbing out of the bed?  We're
just about ready to move Brad and Jessica out of their cribs to regular beds,
and I'm not sure I'll be able to keep Brad in the bed.  I don't know how 
I'm supposed to convince him that he has to actually stay in the bed and
sleep when he is perfectly capable of just climbing out.  I can keep him
in his room with a gate, but I will need to convince him to stay in his
bed and get some sleep.  He climbed out of the crib for the first time
yesterday (vs. bouncing out which he has done once), so we'll be moving
them shortly.  We've been talking about doing it, but I guess it'll have
to be within the next week or two.

At least I won't have the same problem with Jessica. When she's ready for
sleep, she just finds an appropriate spot, grabs a blanket, sticks her
thumb in her mouth, and goes to sleep.

But then, they both sleep from about 7:00 p.m. to around 9:00 or 10:00 in
the morning, so I really can't complain.

Cathy

    RE:  -1
    
    Please refer all questions about sleeping habits to note 27.
    
    Thank you.
    
    Laura
    co-mod

    Last week at BJ's Wholesale club I saw what appears to be a twin size
    fold up style mattress.  It almost appeared to be like the flip-over
    style chairs and couches that were (maybe still are) popular a few
    years ago, except much thinner, and do not appear to be designed for
    daytime use, (no backs)
    
    Has anyone got any experience with this, I'm not sure what it's exact
    name is, as far as sleeping say on a cellar floor which is carpeted and
    padded?  I'm thinking little overnight guests on this one.
    
    Lyn

    I used a fold up mattress of this sort for about a month before I
    bought Ilona her daybed.  She didn't like sleeping on it.  I think that
    is because it is smaller than twin-bed size.  Or maybe because she'd
    roll off onto the floor.
    
    Remember to cover it with a waterproof matress pad under the sheet to
    protect it from accidents.  On the one night since getting her daybed
    when Ilona insisted on sleeping on the pad, she wet her bed and it
    soaked through the fabric cover into the foam.  It seems to be ok now,
    only a very faint odor.
    
    She uses it as a pull-out step for her daybed, to help her get up.
    
    Laura

    I am expecting my first child in early January and have started to
    look into what to buy and what I will need.  I enjoy reading this
    conference and have found it to be very helpful.  But, I am confused 
    about where a newborn baby should sleep.  I have read all the replies to
    this note and did not see anything on bassinets.  According the the
    Consumer Reports book I have at home they say a bassinet is a waste 
    money because of the limited amount of time you will use it, and it
    can also be dangerous as the baby gets older.
    
    Since I will be a first time mother, I thought I would ask all
    of you experienced parents as to where your newborn slept for the
    first few months of it's life.  Do you put the little one in a
    crib right from the start, or should you have a bassinet?
    
    Thanks in advance for all your help and suggestions from a very
    excited first-time-mom-to-be!
    
    Donna
    
    
    

    
    	Everything depends:
    
    	do you want the baby to sleep in your room (if so how much extra
    room is there?)
    
    	are there going to be animals around the baby (our dog would have
    tipped a bassinet over)
    
    	Do big babies run in your family?
    
    	How much money do you want to spend?
    
    	Our babies sleep on top of a changing table (it has a deep rail)
    for the first roughly 3 months then they graduate to a port-a-crib
    (still in our bedroom).
    
    	Spencer did not leave our room or the port-a-crib until he was 15
    months old. Griffin might leave earlier depending on how long it takes
    Spencer to make the transition from the crib to a big boy bed.
    
    	Everything is relative.
    
    				Wendy

re: .82

>    first few months of it's life.  Do you put the little one in a
>    crib right from the start, or should you have a bassinet?
    
   Sure!
   
   Seriously, though... we've done it both ways... as .83 says, it all
   depends on the circumstances.  (PS... we still don't own a bassinet -
   we borrowed one from a friend... that might be another alternative to
   consider for something like that.)
   
   Regards,
   
   - Tom

	We started out in a crib for our first, although we had a borrowed
	bassinet mostly set up when we got her home.  Since it wasn't 
	completely ready, and Emily was sleeping, she went right into
	the crib.  Instead of completing the bassinet, we took it apart.

	For the next baby, our tentative plan is to borrow a bassinet
	for the first 3 months (which I plan to keep in the den, rather
	than my room or Emily's room).  Then, we will hopefully be able
	to transfer Emily to a bed and put the baby in the crib.  They'll
	share the same room.

	Karen

    I was lucky there was a bassinett/crib in our family (on the 4th
    generation now).  It was higher on the sides than most bassinetts so we 
    used it until Natasha was 5 months old.  We used it so long because our 
    bedroom at that time was small (and Mommy had an emotional attachment
    to it).  I liked having her in that bassinett......she seem so
    snuggly in it.  Her first few nights in the crib I thought...wow..she
    looks lost in there.
    
    I'd be willing to bet if you asked around you be able to come up with 
    a bassinett.
    
    Congrats Mommy-to-Be!
    
    Cheers,
    Robin

    I liked using the rocking cradle next to my bed when my baby was
    newborn.  We could rock the cradle with our toes, and it sure helped
    many a time when baby was fussy.
    
    I used a bassinet downstairs.
    
    Laura

    I'm sure we overdid it, but thanks to a generous friend and over eager
    grandparents we had a crib, a bassinet and a cradle.  
    
    We kept the bassinet downstairs in the family room.  I liked this 
    arrangement since I could just pop her in there to sleep and do my thing 
    on the first floor and not have to keep running up and down the stairs to 
    check on her (you'll find that a baby monitor is not enough, sometimes you 
    just want to stare in awe at them).  We have 2 large dogs and they were
    extremely good about not getting close to the bassinet.
    
    A friend lent us the cradle and we kept that in our bedroom.  Sarah 
    stayed in our room until she was about 8 weeks old and slept through
    the night.  Having a cradle in the bedroom was nice during the night when I
    had to get up to nurse her.
    
    At 8 weeks she went into the crib in her own room.
    
    If you have a 2 story home it's nice having something on the first and
    second floors.  If you have the space, consider setting the crib up in
    your bedroom if you want the baby to room in and then move it to the
    baby's room when you're ready.
    
    Susan

Our original plan was to have Noelle sleep in a cradle in our bedroom
for some unspecified amount of time (3 months?), then move her into her
room complete with crib.  

I had an unplanned C-section.

Dan immediately bought a porta-crib and changing station for the first floor
so I wouldn't need to do lots of stair climbing.  The cradle looked lovely
but I couldn't bend to get Noelle in and out of it.  A bassinet would have
been a better plan, but who knew??!  Instead, Dan did baby duty those first
several nights of nursing until I could get me & Noelle up and down comfortably.
I'm hoping to borrow a bassinet next time...

And we moved Noelle into her crib at the ripe old age of 3 weeks.  Her
squeaks and squawks, while quite cute, disturbed what little sleep we were
getting :-)

BTW, our childbirth instructor often reminded us that babies can sleep in 
(lined) dresser drawers quite comfortably -- it's the parents who like the 
cribs, cradles and bassinets...

    I used a bassinette for both children for the first few months.
    They just looked so lost in that big crib...and they were big
    babies! (8 lbs. 12 oz. for the first, and 9 lbs. 13 oz. for the
    second one.)
    
    I thought they felt more secure in the bassinette, since they were 
    used to being in a confined space in the womb.
    In fact, no matter where I put them in the bassinette, they each would 
    "root" to the top corner so their head would touch the bassinette 
    top/side. 
    
    My sister bought the bassinette for the first baby as a shower
    gift, and after the second baby was through with it, my younger
    daughter used it for her dolls.  It seems to me the decorative
    skirt cost more than the bassinette did.
    
    Congratulations and good luck,
    Noranne

    A friend made me a baby basket before my first son was born. We used it
    everywhere for the first 10-12 weeks - in the crib, on the sofa, taking
    it to the grandparents' to visit.  With my second son, the baby slept
    in the basket next to my bed for the first 2 months, thereby cutting
    down my having to get up during the night for nursing, and avoiding
    waking his brother who would eventually share his room.
    
    I've lent it to 2 friends who also found the baby basket helpful,
    especially for its mobility. We often would put the baby to sleep in
    the basket, and then later carry the basket, baby and all off to our
    room for the night.
    
    

We used a cradle in our room for the first few weeks/months.  It was hard
on me with the first baby because he slept so quietly I was always straining
to hear him breathing (to make sure he still *was* breathing!).  I slept a lot
better when we moved him to his own room.

The second one snores.  :-)  He slept with us a lot longer than the first.

We also set up a large stroller downstairs so we always had a place nearby
for the baby to sleep.  We would put a blanket over the top to keep some of
the noise down (especially with the second - the first slept best with *lots*
of noise and the second slept best with very little noise).

       Carol

    Alexandra slept in an antique cradle for the first 3 months; by then
    she was starting to turn over, so she was really too rambunctious for
    it.  Moved her to the crib (which seemed VAST!).
    
    I too had an unplanned C-sec, but in my case it was impossible to
    follow the myriad (boilerplate) restrictions I was sentenced to by
    the doctor.  For one thing, my apartment was 1 1/2 floors up from
    street level ("no climbing"- HAH!), and for another, I'm a single
    parent (can't palm off the driving errands to the other parent).  I
    don't remember any annoyance, never mind discomfort, in setting Alex
    down into the cradle.  But it's a valid point; hey, what do I know,
    maybe even episiotomies make bending over a-- um-- pain in the well-known,
    and maybe I'm just a fast healer.
    
    And my association with bassinets is that they're too fussy and too
    '50s for my taste.  (I wish I hadn't been obliged to give back that 
    cradle to my cousin... it's a beautiful piece of furniture!)
    
    Leslie     

    We had a large stroller/pram that is the same size as a bassinett, for
    the first few months.  Then they pretty much outgrew it, and into the
    crib.  For this one, the stroller will be his bed for as long as
    possible, and then we'll probably switch to a porta-crib, as we just
    don't have room for a full-size crib.  The nice thing about the
    stroller, is if the baby falls asleep in the living room, and you want
    to watch TV (or whatever) it's easy enough to wheel them into the other
    room, out of earshot.  
    
    

    AJ was born just at 5 pounds, to  put this in perspective, he could fit
    into Cabbage patch clothes!  My comment as we put him in his crib the
    first night home was "MY God such a huge crib, and such a TINY baby!" 
    He just looked so lost in the crib.  He was also bathed and fit nicely
    in one of the square plastic basins the hospital gives you.  Now that's
    really hard to grasp, since he is probably the tallest in his class at
    four feet tall and 6.5 years!
    
    Back to the subject at hand, we had him in his crib in our room
    upstairs, but that is because we were living with my inlaws being
    between homes.  We had one of the wicker bassinetts downstairs in the
    den, off of the kitchen and livingroom area.  This was great so I could
    just keep him close at hand, whether he was awake of asleep.  And my
    mother inlaw just adored coming home from work and finding him close
    enought to pick up and spoil a little.  It was also great so that if he
    was awake during meal time I could go right to him, or keep him near
    the dinner table without treking up the stairs.
    
    Oh and the C-section comments, yup ditto.  Did they actually think I
    was going to stay on one floor and not climb up and down stairs?  I
    don't think my recovery was any longer for violating the rules!
    
    I really regretted that I had to give the bassinette back to my sister
    inlaw, but her son was born 2.5 months later, and her daughter wasn't
    quite out of the crib yet, so she needed a place for her newborn.
    
    I have seen the bassinetts frequently at yard sales, probably at a
    great price too!
    
    Have fun with this time of your life
    Lyn

We had a loaner cradle for the first (Elise).  This was a
critical item to us, since she was so colicky almost from
the first day.  We put it next to the bed, and I could
reach out and rock it while dozing in bed (at 3AM, of
course).  At 6 weeks, we moved the cradle to her own room,
and then at about 3 months (she weighed about 12 pounds at
that point), we moved her to her crib.  (Sideways, with
a blanket over the top to make it cozy.

With Sarah, I bought a cheap cradle, since the loaner
wasn't available.  She spent about 1 week in it, since she
was and is not a fussy baby.  After a week, she moved to
the crib in her own room.  (Not a total loss, a friend is
using it now, and eventually, the girls will be able to
use it for pretend-Mommying.)

Personally, I found it just a simple to get up and nurse
them in their rooms, as it was to nurse in bed.  Since they
weren't going to sleep in bed with me, it was easier and
less "dangerous" to carry the dozing darlings only 3 feet
from rocking chair to crib.  ("Dangerous" meaning "less
chance of waking up").

I subscribe to the wait-and-see theory of child stuff.  If
you need it, you'll know right away.  If you're doing without
then you probably don't need it.

Pat

	Pat,
		
	You reminded me of something funny in your note.  When nursing
	Emily, we didn't have a chair in her room.  I used to bring her
	out to the living room, turn the TV to Nick-at-Nite, and watch
	the Donna Reed show or Dick Van Dyke while she nursed.  Never
	seemed to hinder her going back to sleep.  I used to hate it when
	she woke up during Get Smart... ;-)

Well, we never bought a cradle or bassinet, our little (ha!) 9lb bundle went 
straight into her crib.  When Katie was really little, I just put a stuffed
animal in every corner of the crib.  It made it look cozy and not so big.
The cribs definitely look big for a new born, but as far as our experience
goes, Katie never had any problem sleeping in it.  I found having her in her
own room helped on those nights when my husband and I traded off.  That
way, one of us got up and went into her room to feed her/take care of her,
and the other one was able to go back to sleep.  Of course, this won't work 
if you're breastfeeding. :-)

As far as sleeping in other areas of the house and the convenience of having
something else, Katie slept in a lot of different places.  She'd fall asleep
in her swing and be perfectly content to stay there, or one of those seats
that acts as a baby carrier.  We also had one of the Graco portables that
we set up in the downstairs when we needed it.

Just another experience.
    
    -Susan

    Our son Tobias, now 7, slept with us, in our bed for quite some time.
    Note that we sleep on a Futon, on the floor, so there was never any
    question of him falling off the bed.
    
    Looking back on that, those are some of the fondest memories we have.
    It was great to wake up and see him sleeping peacefully between us.
    
    Also, Nancy was breastfeeding, and it turned out to be quite convenient
    for her to just turn over and nurse him whenever he needed it.
    
    Many people warned us against having him sleep with us, for various
    reasons.  However, I'd not think of doing it any other way.

    When AJ was born we were living with my inlaws.  We had a very large
    room on the second floor of a Cape Cod style house.  The way the room
    was set up, frequently there were lights on, celing lights included,
    and our TV set was only a couple feet beside the crib.  We would put a
    blanker over the crib rail to block the "flickering" of the TV, put out
    the overhead lights, but keep a light beside our bed on, and even on
    occation the phone in the room would ring.
    
    This child slept through TV, phones, hair dryers, conversations, and
    now I swear he'd sleep though an earthquake!  No wonder he's never been
    awakened during a thunder and lightning storm.  I frequently will be in
    and out of his room putting laundry away after he's in bed, or even
    just to check him and pull his blanket up over him.
    
    All kids should sleep this well!
    
    Lyn

    There was a cartoon on Sunday morning television in the UK a while ago
    called Rug-Rats from America about toddlers' peculier view of the
    world. Anyway, in this was a sort of playpen set up that consisted of a
    trellis type fence which attached to the wall at one end, went into the
    centre of the room in an arc, and then attached to the wall again not
    far from the first anchor point.
    
    Firstly, do these actually exist in the US as a product (or are they
    just a cartoonist's idea)? And secondly, are they available in the UK?
    
    I want the flexibility of this sort of solution, but I would worry
    about the safety aspects of a 'home grown' solution.
    
    Andy 

    They used to exist plenty.  Safety standards now don't allow them.  You
    can buy them, but I think the design has changed somewhat or they are
    not recommended for use with children (pets is usally the other use).
    
    -sandy
    

    Hmmn. Perhaps I won't bother trying to source one then. The cartoon
    characters certainly knew how to get out of it!
    
    Andy

Taking Carol's hint, I've come here to discuss the leashes.

I made the leashes we have for my kids. I didn't like the ones they had
in the stores, so I just picked up some webbing in the fabric store and
bought some of the parachute clips and sewed the thing together.  I made
it adjustable across the stomach, and made long leashes as my husband
wants to use these when he teaches them to ski next year, so I had to have
them be able to be big enough to fit over their ski jackets next year. 
I was quite pleased with the results.  I only wish that Meg's idea of
using them all the time for back and forth to the car had dawned on me as
I certainly could have used that one earlier!

Oh, and I don't worry, either, about the strange looks and comments I get
from people. I figure at least with the leashes, I *know* I'll be leaving
with both of my kids and not have to worry about them getting lost or
worse.  And in general, about 90% of the comments have been positive, 
especially when it is just 1 parent with the 2 kids trying to go in opposite
directions.

Cathy

    
    With the crowd that was at King Richard's Faire this past fall,
    it would have been impossible for the couple we were with to
    manage their 2 yr old son, without one of those harness leashes.
    They sure work well!!

>And in general, about 90% of the comments have been positive, 

And my guess is that 90% of the negative comments are from people who have 
never had children.  In the years before I was married, I remember how 
judgmental I was about parents who used leashes or "allowed" their kids to 
throw tantrums in grocery stores.  I'm glad now that I kept my mouth shut.

Clay

A friend of mine will be traveling to New York (from Israel) and I would like
him to bring back for me a GRACO swing which has a MANUAL wind (not battery)
mechanism.

I would appreciate it if someone could tell me the following:

1. Approximate cost

2. Approximate original package size (to what extent does it break down)

Thanks,

Cb. 

< 1. Approximate cost

As a total *guess* (I'll call if I have time), I'd guess $35.

< 2. Approximate original package size (to what extent does it break down)

Huge.  3-4 foot by 2 foot is my guess.

      Carol

TOYS R US in Colorado Springs says that they are anywhere from $39 to $99.

     Carol

    
    I've always preferred the 5-point harness systems, WITHOUT a shield,
    for several reasons.  The 1st 2 car seats we bought, had an optional
    shield, and it was interesting that the manufacturer recommended NOT
    using the shield, as the shield itself could cause additional injury in
    an accident.
    
    A 5-point system is the most secure, and reliable.  Check out what the
    race-car drivers use - with the intent of not getting hurt in an
    accident.  It's really not as much of a hassle as it seems.  Also, with
    'no shield', you don't have to worry about it;
    -getting in the face of a newborn
    -being too tight/restrictive for an older child
    -being too HOT in the summer
    -not fitting over coats/snowpants in the winter
    -anything additional to cram into your kid in the event of an accident.
    
    The seatbelts are reasonably easy to adjust.  For mine, there's one
    strap over each shoulder, that buckle into another strap/buckle that
    comes up between the legs.  There's another small strap that snaps
    together over the chest, to keep the shoulder straps on the shoulders.
    
    Not sure if it's a "good" or "bad", but the kids can't seem to ever get
    them done up or undone.  And it leaves their lap free to read a book or
    play with a toy or sip a drink or whatever.
    
    

Hi,

Carol suggested that I also put a note in here to follow up
on the questions about toddler beds nad where to find them.

(Thanks for all replies sofar I have received by mail. I'll
keep on calling the stores to see what I can find)


I have had a hard time finding a toddler bed that is not plastic.

I'd really like a bed in wood.

How did you like the metal toddler beds? 



/Malin

   We have a toddler bed with a simple metal tubing frame. 
   Here's my opinion:
   
   o Its a nice tight fit with the mattress - the one we have has built
     in bed rails that span nearly 50% of the distance from the head to
     the foot of the bed.  There is essentially no room for the mattress
     to slide around or come off the mattress by accident.
   
   o Assembly was interesting - the bed rails are set up with some sort
     of webbing instead of slats - the webbing was a tight fit, and you
     have to be careful to get it set up properly, or it will not work
     right.  Not a real big issue, but you have to be careful.
   
   o Assembly was with screws - this means that you need to periodically
     check it and tighten it down.
   
   o It rattles a bit - the headboard and footboard basically look like
     this:

                 _______________________
                /         [bars]        \
                |                       |   
                +-----------------------+   
                |                       |
                |                       |


     Where the section labeled bars is just that  - bars made of metal
     tubing (like the rest of the frame) where they are basically free
     floating in the frame.  They are inset into holes - there is no
     chance that they will come out, but when my daughter rolls over and
     knocks the frame, all the bars/slats rattle.
   
   When we were looking for this (last year) I don't recall seeing
   anything in wood that wasn't also some sort of speciality design -
   race cars and other stuff.  
   
   Its a fairly simple design - if you're at all handy with tools and
   wood, it would be really easy to build something if you have your
   heart set on a wooden bed.
   
   Regards,
   
   - Tom

    We had a metal frame toddler bed, similar to the one described in .113,
    for our son.  It also included the railing.  Unfortunately, my son is a
    squirmy sleeper.  Several times he'd wake up with his head/foot
    positions reversed.  This was no big deal, but then he started waking
    up at night with his feet all caught up in the railing.  So, we sold
    that one, and bought him a regular twin bed (with rail).
    
    As far as finding a wooden toddler bed, I've seen them in a few
    speciality catalogs.  One that comes to mind is "The Natural Baby
    Catalog".  But, they are a little pricey.  I think they cost just under
    $200.  If you are interested, the number is (609)771-9233.
    
    Peggy

   <gasp, cough...>   just under $200...egads... I'm definately in the
   wrong business if that's the going rate for a wooden toddler bed...

   - Tom

Evan, who will be 7 in 2 weeks, is getting a new bed.  We haven't decided,
though, what *kind* of bed to get him.  He may or may not ever share a 
room with his younger brother, who is currently 2.4 years.  If they did share
a room, it would likely be at least a year in the future.

We try to look ahead.  We want to buy a bed he will like not only now but
also for the next several years.  We are considering buying a bed that can
later be part of a bunk bed.  We went to This End Up (as many people in this
file have done), but *my *gosh*! those beds are expensive!  ($1139 for a setup)

Whatever we get, we want it sturdy and safe.  Would you recommend getting
the half a bunk bed?  Is there something else we should consider?  

    Carol

    I bought my son's bed at This End Up and only paid around $200 for it. 
    It's the solid end day bed.  It's not part of a bunk bed, but a trundle
    bed can be added eventually.  I think for the money, I got a great
    deal.  It's guaranteed for a life time and that way, he'll have it into
    his adulthood.  It's probably the most sturdy piece of furniture in my
    entire house (besides the chest I bought at This End Up).
    
    Lori B.

    There's a place in Nashua that has good deals on bunks.  It used to be
    called Unfinished Furniture, but now it's The Furniture Gallery.  They
    had a set of bunks there for a few hundred dollars, and some REALLY
    nice ones w/ the desk or bureau.  I think the most expensive set I
    noticed was ~$800.00 for both beds, mattress/bunk board and then either
    a drawer or desk under.  They had several different styles.  And I
    forget if it was $100.00 or $200.00 they had a setup that stayed
    attached, and could never be used as single beds, but still seemed
    solid enough.
    
    We ended up making the bunks for the boys, based on a set that I fell
    in love with at Sears.  We made some modifications to it, so they're
    very nice single beds, or very very nice stacked.  If I ever get
    another room, I plan to do the same again so that each boy can have 2
    beds in his room to use for sleepovers or whatever.  I don't think we
    saved much money making them (as opposed to buying them made), but
    there was a lot of satisfaction in it.
    
    Good luck!
    -Patty

At what age could we guess that our son would likely not want a bunk bed
anymore?

    Carol

    
    re .119
    
    When he gets too tall for the bed? Or when the bed becomes
    too un-cool?
    
    
    Eva

<    When he gets too tall for the bed? Or when the bed becomes
<    too un-cool?
    
I was thinking of the latter, but I suppose the former could come into
play, too.  He's average height, last I checked.

I'm interested in all opinions and experiences.

     Carol

    Carol,
    
    Just an FYI, I got Nathan (7) a bunkbed for Christmas.  He
    loves it.  I told him that it is the last new bed he is
    getting.  The store I bought it from said that it can hold
    up to 200 lbs.  A friend in MA has one just like it and is
    23 years old and about 185 lbs. and has never had a problem.
    Aren't all beds the same length?
    
    Pam

               
    Good question.   We got Jason bunkbeds on his 4th birthday.
    He stopped sleeping on the top bunk around his 5th birthday.
    I think the novelty wore off.... Might have something to do
    with the fact that somehow he slid head-first down the ladder
    one night...although he slept on the top for several months
    after that.   However, he claims to still want them ("Alex 
    can sleep on the top when he gets big enough").
    
    Personally, I wished we hadn't bought them.  I'd prefer to 
    have a twin or full bed with a nice bookcase type headboard
    (he likes to have stuff either in or very close to his bed at
    night - plays quietly until he falls to sleep).
    
    RE: .122  I believe standard twin beds and full beds are the
    same length.  Queen beds are longer and kings may be a bit
    longer still.  Also think there's such a thing as an 
    extra-long twin (used quite a bit by college kids...)
    
    cj/   

Twins and fulls are 75" long.  Extra-long twins, queens, and kings are 80".
An extra-long twin is effectively half a king.

    Nathan quit sleeping on the top bunk because the bars on
    the ladder hurt his feet.  We are going to cover them in
    foam and fabric with velcro to keep them closed but
    until then he sleeps on the bottom bunk (which is full size)
    because he has to get up for school quickly and doesn't
    want to have to struggle down the ladder.  I don't mind
    if he doesn't sleep in the top bunk because we got the
    beds for sleepovers and his friends can sleep up there.
    
    Pam

    
    
    I don't know for boys, but my 9 year old girl still likes
    her bunk bed. The bed works well for sleep overs and as
    a jungle gym for her kitty. I think she'll change her
    mind about the bunk bed comes teenage years and when she 
    gets taller (when she can't sit up in bed anymore).
    
    
    Eva

    
    Chris is almost 10 and he still loves it.  Jason just turned 7, and
    would probably rather not have bunks.  But, my kids are weird anyway.
    Since we made our beds, one of the considerations was how much room is
    "in between".  Chris is coming up quick on 5' tall, and he can still
    sit up on either bed.  Actually, on the top bunk, he almost hits the
    ceiling (-:  
    
    I've been known to climb up top to change the beds or whatever, but I
    don't like it.  It's HIGH!!!  (about 6' to the top of the mattress of
    the top bunk).  
    
    If they don't like the bunks, the beds DO come apart, which was
    something very critical for what we were looking for.  Not all bunks
    come apart, and especially the cheaper ones tend not to.
    
    The biggest "down" side to a bunk, is if I'm in their room, I can't
    just sit on the edge of the bed.  I remember hating that when I was a
    kid and had bunks too.  They just need a cozy chair in the room. (-:

    Our son Tobias said he wanted a bunk bed, but settled for a
    captain's bed.  We're all much happier...
    
    At any rate, the bed itself is about 3-4 feet off the ground, with
    space underneath for a dresser.  A desk is built into one end of the
    bed.  What he especially likes is that the dresser underneath the bed
    uses up only about half the available space.  We put the bed near
    a wall, so the unused space is kind of like a cave.  When he has
    friends over they spend lots of time in their cave.
    What we like about it is that the bed is low enough so that changing
    it is not too awkward, plus, the dresser is out of the way.
    Also, occasionally he wants one of us to sleep with him, and the
    bed is low enough that "mature people" can manage to climb in and
    out of it without disaster. 

    I didn't want to start another note, so I have a question about cribs.
    
    Yesterday I was putting away some of Alyssa's clothes so I put her in
    the crib while I was doing it.  A minute later I looked over and she
    was standing up.  She had a big grin on her face and was proud of her
    accomplishment.  (She is seven months old)
    
    My question is this.  Should I remove the crib bumper pad or leave it.
    A couple of times she has fallen over inside the crib and bonked 
    her head so I guess the bumper makes sense.  
    Would she try to use it to climb?  (She's about 30 inches tall 
    right now - BTW.)  I also removed her mobile.  Is it safe to leave a toy
    or two in the crib when she is put to sleep.  
    Also, should I lower the crib mattress?  It doesn't seem like she'll be
    able to do any vaulting over the bars just yet.
    What have other people done when their babies reached this stage?
    
    Thanks,
    Nancy 
                     

    Just a word of caution about the captains bed:  My 8 year old daughter
    has one, and she rolled out of it one night and fell to the floor,
    breaking her wrist.  She now has a bed rail.  She's an occasional sleep
    walker, so we theorize that she was getting out of bed in a non-awake
    state, but of course that is just a theory.

    
    re. 129
    
    I lowered the mattress once my kid could stand up.
    I left the bumper pads since they also helped to keep
    vital (to my sanity) things like pacifiers inside 
    the crib. We didn't leave any toys inside the crib,
    but we did have an activity center thing attached
    to the side of the crib. My daughter did climbed out
    of the crib, at a much later age, around 18 mos. Shortly
    after that, we put her in a bed.
    
    I would suggest "testing" her climbing ability.
    If she tried to climb out, see how far she got 
    and watch her technique, then you could "outsmart"
    her.                                       
    
    
    Eva 

    re .129
    
    Pretty much as soon as my kids could stand, I lowered the mattress all
    the way, and depending on the child, kept the side rail up.  In this
    position, the top of the rail comes to ~Jonathan's neck (17.5 mos). 
    Neither of my other two ever tried to climb out.
    
    I always left the bumper pads in, until they got in the way of the fan
    in the summer.  
    
    Jonathan has a "dead" pillow in his crib now, and the extra inch or 2
    doesn't seem to give him enough height to make a bit of difference or
    give him any interest in climbing out.
    
    I've never reallyleft my kids to just "play" in their cribs - I've only
    used it for sleeping, or maybe about twice in each of their lives, if I
    was cleaning their room or vaccuuming, I'd toss 'em in there for a
    minute.
    
    They've ALWAYS had the mobile in their crib, till they transitioned to
    a bed. (I know, naughty Mommy), and have always always had some toys in
    their crib.  I just be careful it's big enough that there's no *WAY*
    anyone could ever swallow it, and that it's not too sharp, should they
    'sleep' on it.  Right now Jonathan has a plastic handset (no cord) from
    a telephone, and each night he goes to sleep gabbing away to someone,
    "on the phone".  I also keep an extra pacifier in the crib, so that if
    he tosses one, we have a CHANCE of him finding the other before waking
    me (I like my sleep).  
    
    So, with all this, and blankies and covers and a few stuffed animals,
    there's still a little room left for him (-:
    
    

    Chelsea will be three this May and still is in her crib.  The matress
    was lowered as soon as she began standing up in the crib.  The bumper
    pads still remain and most nights there are more blankeys and bed
    buddies then there is Chelsea in the crib.
    
    What amazes me is she is a totally active, climbing type of kid; but
    to this day has never tried to climb out of her crib.  She is a
    great sleeper and only shares our bed on rare occasions, i.e. sick,
    nightmaring, etc.
    
    We are getting ready to try for number 2 (IVF here we come!) and 
    figured that we would get her a big girl bed sometime this year and
    let her make the transition at a comfortable pace.  Alot of my friends
    say "Keep her in the crib as long as you can", and there are some
    advantages.... but as always, there are disadvanted too.  We are
    starting potty training and I think she should be in a bed, so she
    can get to the bathroom when needed.  Also, in the morning if she
    wakes while I'm in the shower, she has a total fit because I can't
    get her right away.  Not that learning patience isn't a continual
    lesson at this age and this is a good practice point, but it sure
    takes the pleasure out of the early morning non-stress shower time!
    
    ...Lori

    FYI......
    
    Did anyone see the news item about how SIDs has been linked to the
    bumper pads etc.... that people use in the cribs?
    
    I had seen or read this somewhere.  I do not know how accurate this is,
    but just thought I'd mention it.
    
    

    
    
    They have been trying to find the cause of SIDS. 
    One thing they know for sure is that suffocation 
    by bedding material is not a cause of SIDS.
    As a matter of fact, suffocation is not under the
    SIDS category. The coroners can tell the difference
    between the 2 kinds of deaths. SIDS is more like
    a heart attack, not suffocation.
    
    
    
    Eva
    

    hmmmm....
    
    Who to believe?   I did see a news documentary where they said that
    there is more and more information alluding to "SIDS" being related to
    children sleeping on their stomach (their face in the mattress and
    breathing their own Carbon Monoxide - therefore suffocating) and that
    the infant roll over against the bumper pads (therefore causing
    suffocation as well).   I have heard several different versions of
    this, so I don't know who to believe.   I think that its a serious
    enough situation and the risks are such that I'd take this into 
    consideration.
    
    Sarah

    Small nit,
    
    The gas that people exhale that is a suspect in SID's deaths is Carbon
    Dioxide.  Be that as it may.  The sleeping ifants on their backs or
    sides seems to have shown a reduction in SID's deaths.  however, it
    hasn't completely stopped them from happening.
    
    meg

    
    re .136
    
    I understand what you are saying about taking that into consideration.
    Suffocation is certainly something we want to prevent, but suffocation
    is not the cause of death for SIDS infants. They are two different
    kinds of death that can be verify through autopsy, the two deaths are
    reported differently on the death certificates. 
    
    What I was saying was that nobody currently knows the real cause of
    SIDS and that there are a lot of speculations. I have seen papers on
    SIDS reserch in different approaches, as congenital neural defects, as 
    heart attacks, as apnea, as chemical imbalance in the brain, etc.  
    According to the statistic, SIDS happens mostly to 3-4 months old male 
    infants, in the winter months, nation wide, about 5000 or so a year, 
    the numbers have not gone up or down since they started working on this. 
    SIDS infants die in strollers and car seats, as well. 
    
    Since infants cannot be tested for possible occurrence of SIDS, it is 
    hard to say whether certain prevention works or not. Of course, it is
    always good to be cautious, but it also good to understand the odds
    since we are still speculating.
    
    Eva

	Nancy,

	My books say the crib mattress should be lowered as soon
	as the child can sit unassisted.  

	We never put the bumper pads in Andrew's crib.  He went
	into it at 3 months (from the bassinet), and was already
	moving around quite a bit.  My daughter Emily used to 
	tug at the bumper pads and get her head under them, and 
	managed to pull them hard enough to rip off the ties.  I
	found her using the pads as a pillow one day, and out
	they came.  

	I'd definitely remove them now that your daughter is standing.

	Anything that she can use to get a boost up should be removed.

	Some kids never try to get out of their cribs - some kids have
	it as a life mission!

	Karen

Eva, there's 2 kinds of suffocation.  One is where the person can't breathe
at all.  The other is where they are breathing just fine, but they are
breathing in their exhaled carbon dioxide.  It is the latter they are warning
people about, and linking it to SIDS.  This is now being discussed in 
conjunction with all types of "soft bedding" (like sheepskin, fluffy 
comforters, etc).

You may have heard about this when they found that a couple of babies had
died who were in small beanbag chairs.  The babies were lying down, moved
just slightly so that they could still be seen to breathe, but they
suffocated anyway.  A picture in the newspaper showed that the exhaled breath 
was getting caught in the "beads/beans" and then when the baby (or rabbit,
when they tested this) would breathe it back in repeatedly, they would 
actually suffocate.  The beanbags were recalled, and I believe that is what
started them looking into the connection with SIDS.

    Carol, who used to use sheepskin

    
    Carol,
    
    	Ok, I now have a better picture. I was thinking of not being
    able to breathe kind of suffocation, which has been for a long time
    confused with SIDS. I wish they'll come up with some conclusive
    explanation some day. 
    
    	 
    
    
    Eva
    

    
    I am driving myself crazy about what to do and am looking
    for some input.  After I read what I wrote, it doesn't sound
    so earth shattering... I guess maybe hormones are kicking in.
    
    While we were at my Parent's house this weekend, we went 
    through some of the basement throwing some stuff out.  We got
    to my baby crib (29 years old).  I told my mother to 
    throw it out, it was not safe anymore and I would not use
    it (I am 34 weeks pregnant).  
    
    She started talking that they had a bassinet for the baby to
    sleep in when it was little and by the time she was in the
    crib, there would not be any hazard.  I still had her throw
    it out figuring that I would lug down the playpen thing when
    we visited her.
    
    OK... as we drove back up to MA I couldn't stop thinking about
    it.  Maybe BabyR will hate the playpen.  Maybe we won't want to
    lug it all around.  Wont the baby outgrow sleeping in the playpen
    before she would outgrow sleeping in the crib?  We are not
    talking about always sleeping in this old crib, just when we
    are visiting Long Island.  So...  I had Mom put the crib on the
    porch until I decide!
    
    Now, this crib actually looked pretty good.  The slots are not 
    that much further apart then ours, and the little balls up top
    screw off so there would be nothing protruding from the crib.
    
    What should I do?  Have her throw out the crib or keep it?  I
    guess I am just looking for votes... I just can't make decisions
    anymore! :-)
    
    Amy

Amy,
    My mom has used the old crib that we (all 6 of us!) slept in as babies for
    all of her grandchildren.  Some would sleep in it and some wouldn't.  :)
    It did need a new mattress, but the frame was in good shape, and I didn't
    have any qualms about its safety.  The best place for babies to sleep at
    Grandma's house seems to be snuggled up in Grandma's arms in the rocking
    chair...

	cheryl

Get a list of the safety standards for cribs (I think it's
slats no more than 2 1/4" apart, among other things) and measure 
the old crib against the safety standards.  If you can't make 
the old crib safe, don't use it.  If anything ever happened to
your child, just think how you'd beat yourself up over
this...

- Deb B.

    If you think you are going to use it, make it safe.  If you can
    sew, take a twin size sheet and place it under the crib mattress
    and up the sides of the crib.  Wrap it over the sides and sew
    it to itself (securely) along the top edge of the slats.  This
    way the baby's head can not get through the slats.
    
    Does that make sense?  I agree with .-1, if you can't make
    it safe do not use it.  The costs (in peace of mind if not
    worse) would greatly outway the benefit of not having to
    lug around a playpen.
    
    Another idea is to pick up an extra playpen or portable crib
    at a yard sale.  You can find them pretty cheap and you could
    just keep that at your mom's house.
    
    Pam

We are using my old crib (30 years old) for both my daughters.

The other consideration besides the space between the crib slats
is lead paint.  We bought a lead paint kit and tested this crib
and it was negative.

I don't remember what the space standard is, ours was 1/4" wider
than the standards.  Our babies slept in a bassinet for the first
two months and then went into the crib.  At this point their
heads were much larger than the space, plus we had a bumper pad
securely tied all around.  We felt safe using it.  If you are
at all uncomfortable, follow the suggestions in the previous 
replies.  We did get a new mattress.

Jackie

    My pediatrician told me that it was the body size, not the
    head size that was the issue.  Babies tend to have thin
    bodies relative to thier head size.  In some of the cases,
    the babies body slips through the slats, the head doesn't
    fit and gets stuck and ... After hearing this,  I told
    my Mom I didn't want the crib.
    
    			Mary
    

    You're right, Mary.  My S-I-L had that problem with her
    daughter on a bunk bed.  She was woken at 2:00 am by her
    daughter's wimpering and wend in to find her hanging from
    the top bunk.  Her little body had slipped under the bed
    rail and her head got stuck!
    
    So many things to think about when you're a parent!
    
    Pam

    
    I think my Mom thought of the perfect solution!  She
    remembered that a cousin of hers offered me her crib
    to use.  This crib is about 6 years old! Now, I borrowed
    a different one and did not take Debbie up on her offer.  
    We can take her up on her offer now, and have the second 
    crib be new(ish)!
    
    Amy

    
    
    Just an FYI for expecting parents or those who still need a few things.
    
    I saw an ad in the paper last night that Baby's Choice in Hudson N.H.
    is going out of business.  I don't know what exactly they carry as far
    as namebrands go but it listed cribs, strollers, clothes, etc. etc.
    
    I hope to take my husband out and take a look at what they have.  We
    are expecting our first in August.  I was holding off on looking for
    cribs until I was around 6 months but if I can get a good deal now,
    what the heck.
    
    The paper listed weird hours Th-Fr 9:00 to 7:00 and S-S 12-5 (I
    believe).  I don't know how long they will still be open but thought
    you might want to check it out.
    
    Serena
    
    p.s.
    
    The ad was in the Broadcaster (free paper that folks in Nashua and
    surrounding area receive)

    Does anybody know anything about Pali cribs? Are they safe? Reliable?
    We liked the mechanism to bring the side down- it didn't require 
    balancing on one foot and fooling with a bar beneath the crib.