Conference moira::parenting_v3

    With Paige, we used a portable crib with wheels.  Since our house was
    one level (and had hardwood floors), we rolled it out to the living
    room in the day time and into our room at night.  I had heard they
    liked the "snugness" of a smaller crib at first, also.  In addition,
    she was right next to the bed for the late night and early morning
    nursings.  I think we put her in her room after about a month.  (In
    our case, that meant the Christmas tree came down and we could put
    a playpen up, eliminating the need for a crib in the l.r.).
    
    I think they sell dividers to make the crib seem smaller to the baby.
    
    -Tracy
    

    
    It is easy to mimic the close quarters of a cradle by only using
    part of a crib.   I know when my son was an infant, we laid
    him the opposite way of what you'd normally think in his crib and
    rolled up a blanket to section the crib down to more his size.
    
    We had a cradle for him, but only used it for a week because it
    sat fairly low to the ground and I didn't like all the bending
    and stooping.   (in addition to the fact that babies are pretty
    noisy when they sleep so we decided not to keep him in our bedroom
    as originally planned!)    I think the most you'd get out of
    a cradle would be 3-6months.
    
    Carol

    I do think there is a "sort of" related note in here somewhere.  It
    dealt with the "sling" type thing that goes into a crib to make the
    baby feel swaddled.
    
    In reality, one of my first comments on the first night AJ was home was
    something like "such a huge bed for such a tiny little baby!", and of
    course keep in mind he was just barely 5 pounds!
    
    Because we were with "the inlaws" for the first few months in a Cape
    style home, I had his crib up in our suite, and had an old fashion
    white (straw?) bassinet in the den on the first floor, so he could be
    with us when we were in the main part of the house.  My sister inlaw
    had her son when AJ was 4 months old and borrowed the bassinet to do
    much the same thing in her house.
    
    If I went the cradle routine, I think I'd consider just renting one
    from a place like Rent-A-Center for the 3 or so months you're going to
    need it, if you couldn't borrow one for that short period.  Once they
    start moving around the bassinet or cradle is useless.(IMO)
    
    Lyn
    

The parents' bed can work very well.  It did for us, anyway.

We also had a cardboard box with a blanket in it that Elspeth occasionally
napped in (with or without a cat) when she was really small.

	-Neil

    I used a beautiful Cherry wood cradel that my Dad had made for me for my 
    son Alexander for the first 2 months and then put him in a crib in his own 
    room after that.  Mainly becuase I stopped nursing him and he grew out
    of the Cradel so fast cause he was such a big baby when he was born.
    
    I prefer the cradel first, and alot of people I know have also used a
    cradel first before putting the baby in a crib.
    
    
    Liz

    RE: .1  "crib dividers"
    
    I saw what I believed to be "crib dividers" at Lechmere the other
    day.  They looked like miniature mattress that were inserted
    vertically at the head and foot of the crib.   No price, but would
    guess that they weren't real cheap. 
    
    Carol

    Our first went into the basinette the first night home - right there in
    our bedroom.  He was so tiny and so helpless and so precious! 
    
    
    
    On the second night he went into his own crib on the other side of the
    house!!!!  Babies sure do make alot of noice when they sleep!!!
    
    We did use the basinette for day napping on occaision.
    
    
    
    Our second went into the portable crib in our room (different apartment
    - larger room) and stayed there for about 6 weeks.  Then we transferred
    him to his own room.  We used the same bed for day napping because it
    was already quite convenient to use.
    
    
    I wouldn't spend alot of money on either until you know what feels good
    for your family.  Since you will most likely need a crib later, have it
    ready when you get home.  If you want to try the additional bed, borrow
    something before you spend money.
    
    -sandy
    
    

    Thanks for all the input.  One thing I didn't mention was one of my
    primary reasons for asking.
    
    We are in the process (hopefully) of having a house built.  We should
    be moving into the house roughly 2 months after the baby is born
    (assuming I deliver close to my due date).  Since we'll be moving,
    we're not planning to set up a real nursery at the current house. 
    We'll just do the minimum to get by until we move.  Also, worst
    scenario, we would be forced to live in temporary housing between
    selling and closing on the new place.  
    
    Sooooooo, not having to deal with a crib until the next house sounded 
    appealing, hence my questions.  (Also, we'd obviously like to create a 
    nice environment for the baby.)
    
    Again, thanks for the replies thus far, and if there are other thoughts
    out there, please let me know.
    
    Thanks,
    
    Leslie

    Would you believe a carriage?!
    
    The crib was ever so big when we took Ellen home.  My mother was with
    us and she instinctively put Ellen into the carriage/stroller for a
    nap. It worked so well that we used that in place of a cradle or
    bassinet for about 4-6 weeks.
    
    She definitely preferred the smaller space, and always managed to
    snuggle up to the sides to sleep.
    
    If we have another child (hopefully!) I will definitely use a cradle or
    basket or similar alternative to a crib at first.  It is easier in many
    cases, portable, and comfortable. As many others have said, little
    babies do not require much space.
    
    Good luck with the move to your new house!
    
    Mary

    
    I had some friends who used a bureau drawer, lined with a blanket.
    Just the right size, and inexpensive.
    
    Chris
    :-)
    

    The carriage story reminded me that my parents have said that 
    that is what THEY did with me. They had one of those big carriages that 
    were common in the 50's, borrowed from my Mom's sister, and just
    brought it up and down the stairs everyday in lieu of a crib or
    bassinet. They said that it was quite convenient. Later when I got
    bigger they got a crib.
    
    Monica

    We used a "moses" basket downstairs for napping, and had a crib set up
    upstairs...but Jenny spent most nights in our bed.  Unless you have a
    water bed, I'd suggest forgetting about a crib, and just get a basket
    or something to put the baby in for naps--something easy to move around
    the house.  If you have pets, though, it might be better to get a
    portacrib (ie something with high sides) to keep the baby safe when
    you're not holding it.
    
    Susan

    My son slept in his "Snugli" seat for the first 2 months.  He had
    colic, so he didn't actually sleep at all : ), but the Snugli worked on
    those rare occassions.  It was easy to move around, too. He slept on
    his side, so it was cushioned and soft.  He moved to his big crib after
    that, and I used rolled up receiving blankets to give him the cozy
    effect.

    When Chris was an infant, we used a stroller for him for quite a lot of
    his sleeping - I imagine any stroller that lays flat would work.  There
    was a *GREAT* advantage to this, that if he was sleeping and I wanted
    to do something noisy, I could (CAREFUL NOW!) roll him into another
    room, and proceed as desired.  Since we were on one floor at the time
    with virtually no doors separating rooms, this was immensely helpful. 
    Also, the stroller had a hood, which we kept up which helped keep him
    warm, and it was a lot cozier for him (~5 lbs).  
    
    Be prepared for some *STRANGE* looks though!! (-:
    

            <<< Note 1145.0 by NIMBUS::HARRISON "Icecreamoholic" >>>
                    -< Newborns:  Crib, Cradle, Bassinet? >-

Kathryne and Rachel both slept in a laundry basket as newborns.  Kathryne
then graduated to the box our vacume cleaner came in, then to the crib.

Liz
(yes, I'm sure she'll be psychologicly damaged as a result...) :-).

    I put Jackie in a crib right away at night and laid her across vs the
    long way.  She did fine and never had a problem, and she also got used
    to her crib as a place for sleeping right away.  She has slept through
    the night almost since birth.  During the day, at the dr's advice, I
    kept her downstairs.  She either slept in her swing, on quilts/blankets
    on the floor, or in a stroller.  Sometimes she napped on our bed.  
    
    Since you'll be moving into a new house shortly after your child is
    born, some of the other suggestions made will work out fine.  Your baby
    probably won't even know the difference.
    
    Mary
    

As a newborn, my baby slept in: a front carrier worn by mom or dad, in his
paternal grandmother's arms, the stroller in the flat position  cushioned
with some extra blankets, in bed next to me and occasionally in the cradle
that quickly turned into a toy box.

=ss

    
    I had an old family bassinet to use for Anna when she was little, but
    I ended up not using it. I had to bend over too far to put her down and
    pick her up and our (large) dog was able to get at her for sniffs and
    licks...so I just put her in the big crib, the normal way. To help her
    feel comfy I tucked a receiving blanket down the side of the crib and
    then tucked around her. She slept on her side and this kept her from
    rolling onto her back.
    
    Patty

    I put Danielle in a bassinet for 3 weeks. After that she converted to a
    crib with no problems. As a matter of fact that was the start of her
    sleeping throught the night! I recommend starting out with a crib. I
    found the bassinet to be a waste of money. 
    
    Sandy
    
    

    Gina slept in the basket from the Graco cradle swing for the first
    three months of her life.  We would carry the basket downstairs and
    just have her be in the room we were in when she napped.  At night
    time, we just put the entire basket into her crib.  (We were trying to
    teach her that this was the place of the long sleep.)
    
    I would also have her nap in the stroller occasionally.  I especially
    remember using that when she got her first shots at 2 months old.  I
    was paranoid and wanted her to be *exactly* where I was, in case
    anything went wrong.  
    
    If the base noter is looking for advice, I would skip setting up the
    crib in the current house and use some other alternative.  Even a
    portacrib would be a lot easier than setting up the crib twice in just
    a few months.
    
    judy
    
    

    Where do you live, .0?  I have a bassinet that you are welcome
    to borrow if you like.  I always used the crib for my kiddos.
    (Of course, at 8 lbs. and 7lbs. 9 oz. respectively, they never
    looked particularly small in the crib!)

    We live in Arlington.  I appreciate the offer of the bassinet loaner,
    and all the wonderful advice provided here.
    
    It sounds like we've got plenty to consider before making a final
    decision, but thanks for everything.
    
    Leslie

    You certainly don't need a crib to start with.  Kat used one of
    the baskets on wheels, as .1 mentioned, because I couldn't afford
    anything else at the time.  A friend's baby started out in a large
    cardboard box from the grocery store for the same reason.  He
    graduated to a mattress on the floor.  Last I heard he was
    studying premed at the University of Utah.  So it's not going to
    handicap your child's chances of getting into Harvard :) :) :) if
    you go for the more convenient thing and use something smaller
    until your house is ready. 
    
    Being affluent yuppie types now, we bought a crib right away and
    then got an additional expensive Moses basket for Steven and
    David.  I gave it to my babysitter a year later when her baby was
    born, and she gave it to her neighbor after her neighbor had a
    baby, and it's probably moved on to another baby by now. 
    
    I especially like the portable sleeping places for a baby because
    they let you carry the baby around the house with you, and you can
    get your work done or take a nap or whatever and not have to worry
    about the baby. 
    
    --bonnie

    
    
    Speaking of newborns..My husband and I went to Toys R Us last nite
    and we were looking at all the things that a baby needs or things
    that we would like to have for the baby (high chair, crib, car seat,
    etc..).  I noticed that the car seat are HUGE.  I couldn't imagine
    a brand new baby going into that big car seat.  I also noticed an
    infant car seat.  So, do you have to buy an infant car seat *and*
    a toddler (bigger) car seat?  This can really add up to be a lot
    of money but safety is my first priority.  Someone said that they
    have infant/toddler seats but I didn't see anything like that.
    I really like the Century car seats..  
    I was wondering what other parents did in regards to car 
    seats.  Pardon my naivete on this question if it is obvious,
    this is our first baby.  there's so much to know and learn!
    
    -Chris

    I know there are other notes in this file on the topic of whether an
    infant car seat is worthwhile.  
    
    I think it depends on the size of your baby and when it is born.  The
    infant car seat can be removed from the car, and that's nice to keep
    the seat warm in the house in the winter, or cool in the house in the
    summer.
    
    I had a small baby--she still is.  We used the infant car seat for her
    first 8 months.  She would have been hard to find in a "regular" car 
    seat.  My sister had a bigger baby and only used the infant seat for a
    few months.  She didn't find it as worthwhile.
    
    By the way, we did have a century (we bought an extra base for it with
    an offer that came on the box) and we liked it a lot.
    
    judy

    Ask the hospital - many of them rent infant car seats.
    
    Leslie

    Another advantage to being able to remove the infant seat insert from
    the base is that you can remove the baby from the car without removing
    them from the car seat.  I've been told that this is invaluable when
    they're sleeping.  Also, you then use the car seat not just in the car,
    but inside as well.
    
    Leslie

Please continue any car-seat discussions in one of the following topics:

    86        SMAUG::RLAMONT      27-JUN-1990    10  Car seat vs Carriers
   315        ULTRA::DONAHUE       6-SEP-1990    55  Recommended child car seats
   395       CSG001::MCOHEN        7-OCT-1990     8  Which way does carseat go?
   567         FSOA::EFINIZIO     17-DEC-1990     4  Car Seat Back to Front?
   932          ICS::NELSONK      29-MAY-1991    13  how to position 2 car seats
?
   945                             4-JUN-1991     9  Kangaroo Booster Seat??
  1056       CAPNET::AGULE        30-JUL-1991    17  Safety figures on Carseat u
se

	-Neil Faiman, PARENTING co-moderator

We used a crib divider for Michael, but instead of buying one, Pat just
made it.  She ordered some fabric to match the bumper pads, and just made a
quilted piece to go across the crib and tie to the bars on either side.  We
tied it across the crib, oh, about 18 inches or so from the head of the
crib (which was already padded with the bumper).  We then put Michael in
the 18-inch space, lying crosswise.  Whether this made him happier or not I
guess we'll never know, but it wasn't much trouble or expense and it was
much cheaper than buying a bassinet. 

Steve

    My son Andrew would not sleep in the bassinet or the stroller.
    If I put him in either he would cry as soon as picked him up and put
    him either on our bed or in his crib he was fine.  I had no choice, but
    to put him in our bed at night and his crib during the day.
    
    He went into his crib at night when he was about a month old.
    
    Our second child Zachary has slept in his crib from day one.  His room
    is connected to ours so really cant get to much closer then what he is
    now.
    
    Della

    Hi,
         I do not find your questions silly at all.  I will tell you what
    my husband and I tried and then what we ended up doing.  
         We received a beautiful oak cradle as a gift and a lovely bassinet
    as well.  We have a Cape so, we left the bassinet downstairs for during
    the day and the cradle was in our room, and we did set up the crib in
    her room right away, we were ready!!!!  The first night she was in her
    cradle in our room and she did not sleep and neither did we, we tried
    it again the second night she would not sleep.  The third night, we
    actually put Morgan in her crib and she slept, she actually slept.
          She has been in her crib since she was 3 days old and during the
    day when she was young and I was still on maternity leave she would
    sleep in the bassinet downstairs in the spare bedroom.
          In my opinion and my pedi's, they can transition to a crib at
    any time, the earlier the better, because they will notice a change in
    their environment, it just seemed easier for us to do it right from the
    beginning.
                                  
    Good luck and have fun with your new arrival.

    
    I kept Michael in the cradle full time (naps and nighttime) till about 
    8 weeks old (in our room at night). Then started putting him in his big
    crib for naps during the day to get him used to it. Then just last week
    (10 weeks old) I started him in his crib at night too. He'll wake up
    around 12-2 am sometimes, but I can usually go put his pacifier in his
    mouth, and he'll be back out until 5-6am. 
    
    I was glad to have the cradle for the time we used it. It made it
    easier before he was sleeping through the night when all he needed was
    his pacifier instead of a full feeding.
    
    Chris