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Safe and Stylish Baby Nests for Co-sleeping

November 23, 2015

One of our big decisions before baby arrived was: Are we co-sleeping? We wanted the benefits – convenient breastfeeding in the middle of the night among the many – but we naturally had concerns: Are we going to roll over baby? Will baby get tangled in our blankets or wedged into the middle of the bed. I hear this is totally normal, especially for #FirstTimeParents or FTPs. Ideally when co-sleeping, baby is in the side of the bed that is against the wall, but this was not possible, so we found a solution with baby safely in the middle of our German bed: a baby sleeping nest!

Did you know? Germans beds are typically 2 single beds put together, instead of one big bed, so there is a crack in the middle where things like our mobile phones and remote controls disappear.

More reasons I love nests:

  • They don’t take up floor space like bassinets/moses baskets.
  • Can be placed in the crib, making baby feeling snug,  secure and easing the transition to sleeping in the crib.
  • Doubles as a travel bed. No need to bring heavy folding travel cots or request for a baby bed in the hotel. (This sorta freaks me out – are they really clean?)
  • Easy to breastfeed or soothe baby to sleep without getting out of the bed.

Whether you are looking to save or splurge on a nest, below are modern stylish baby nests that give FTPs peace of mind and beautifully blend into home interiors.

CocoonaBaby by Red Castle

This aptly named cocoon, by French company Red Castle, was what we purchased. It is very compact (fits between us on our 180 cm width bed) and a truly ergonomic nest. When we first saw it in BabyKorb we were impressed with the high quality materials and simplicity of the design. We hesitated a while before we bought it, because it’s a bit pricey (cheaper to get in Europe of course) but, boy, were we glad we did when Diplo Baby popped out! Worth every cent.cocoonababy red castle

He loved sleeping in it as a new born, because it let’s babies lie in a semi-fetal position, similar to how he was in mommy’s tummy. He looked so cozy! Because of it’s robust and strong (yet airy!) structure, we could move Diplo Baby from room to room without waking him. This especially convenient on the first few weeks when babies sleep most of the day.  Diplo Baby went from the bed, to the sofa and we never had to worry about him falling, because he was securely strapped in.

As parent’s we loved it because it places the baby in a higher level while with us on the bed, reducing the chances of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). We slept better and deeper during our short snoozes, confident that our baby was safe.  It comes with a washable cover and safety strap.

WHERE TO BUY: amazon.com | amazon.de | babykorb berlin

Happy Dots Cozy Nest by Done By Deer

Danish design company Done by Deer creates colorful children’s things that adults actually like and wouldn’t mind having strewn around the house. Attractive graphic designs with Scandinavian color themes that babies love, yet stylish additions to the home, instead of eyesores to hide when guests arrive.  I know I wouldn’t mind having this around the house.

done_by_deer_nestchen_f_r_babybett_dots_grau

With the drawstring, it’s adjustable and double sided – simply flip for a different look.

WHERE TO BUY: smalleable | kleinefabriek berlin

SwaddleMe By Your Side Sleeper

Currently the #1 New Release in Nursery Furniture on Amazon, this sleeper has cushion covered metal frames that protects baby from parents rolling over and mesh sides for good air circulation.  It has a removable, washable pad and folds for easy storage and travel.

SwaddleMe By Your Side Sleeper 1

Personally, I prefer not to have metallic components on my bed, but this is more for my personal comfort. This basic sleeper is definitely a more affordable co-sleeping option.

WHERE TO BUY: amazon.com 

Sleepyhead or Dock A Tot

This is on the high end of the spectrum because it is produced with the highest quality materials and standards in Sweden.  It goes up to 8/9 months and can be used as a play pen and support for tummy time. It takes up more space than the CocoonaBaby so I think it’s best if you have a huge king-sized bed. 

dockatot deluxe04_02

It took me a while to realize that Sleepyhead and Dock a Tot are one and the same so, if you are in Europe, look for Sleepyhead and DockaTot is for the US. I am thinking of getting the DockaTot/Sleepyhead Grand for when DiploBaby is older. Stay tuned for a full review!

WHERE TO BUY: dockatot usa | sleepyhead eu  | sleepyhead africa

Parting thoughts

When buying a nest, I recommend buying one early because you stop using it when baby starts to push up or roll-over. You might ask, why buy it at all?

As parents, the quality of the little sleep you get is so important, don’t you agree? I wanted to be able to go back to sleep easily after feeding. TD and I also take turns getting up to feed baby so having baby in between us was a must. If we had to get up to go to the baby’s bassinet, this wakes the body up and (if you have sleeping problems like me) you might not be able to go back to sleep as easily (if at all).

In the end it’s all a matter of personal choice based on our unique situations,. What do you think of using a baby nest for co-sleeping? Yay or nay? Any other nests that you would like to recommend?

all images are credited to their respective brands

7 Comments · Diplo Mama

Comments

  1. Rosy says

    November 25, 2015 at 11:19 AM

    I liked it. PS: I like anything who’s beautiful ❤️ Those days aren’t the best for the world, due to those terroristic acts who’re occurring in Paris and threatening all Europa and even the whole world it really makes me sad. I just stopped of seeing TV those days because I was so sad, crying like a baby, sad with all those scenes of the terroristic act in Paris. I don’t approve violence. I’m a pacifist, of course. My dreams are to move to any paradisiacal beach and just live the life who I always dreamed, in a laid-back style, but obviously I would become worried for all those children who’re suffering in the middle of those stupid wars. I would like to be an infection disease physician, maybe the fact who I caught chikungunya last year improved my interest on this area of medicine, and I would like to help people. I would like to see a frangipani flower growing up of that impossible floor, as a sign of eternal peace and love 😉
    If we could learn the love
    And the hope of a dove
    If all of us would be pure like a child
    The world would be a better place
    With peace, love and grace

    Without war, only peace and love
    With the hope of a dove
    The World’s Peace will be a big change for all the humanity
    A historical change for a better future
    With only frangipani flowers and smiles
    With zero deaths caused by any form of violence, only millions of smiles

    Reply
  2. ms. ta-ler says

    June 29, 2016 at 1:10 AM

    I am living in Europe and was looking for a DOCK A TOT Thank you so much for your information

    BTW: great blog – love it

    Reply
    • diplomaticwife says

      August 19, 2016 at 9:13 AM

      So glad to be of help to a fellow mom! =)

      Reply
  3. Karen says

    October 13, 2016 at 5:15 PM

    Hi everyone, I bought the Cacoonababy when my baby was 2months old, she loves this so much and can’t even quit this thing but unfortunately she couldn’t sleep this when she can roll over; right now my baby is 6months old but still waking up 4-5times per night. I’m now interesting on the dockatot but my question is: Can this thing help/smooth my baby sleep overnight instead waking up 4times every night?

    Reply
    • diplomaticwife says

      October 20, 2016 at 3:59 PM

      Hi Karen, for me it helps because the baby is more snug, however I still recommend the Halo Sleepsack swaddle – with baby facing up – for that age. What swaddle are you using now? Do you feed every time baby wakes, or do you try to shush to sleep first?

      Reply
  4. Jenny says

    January 19, 2017 at 6:10 PM

    Thank you, thank you, thank you for telling me that dockatot is called sleepyhead in europe!! I live in Sweden where it’s from (used to be in the US which is why I get spammed about the hype of it!) and couldn’t find it anywhere!! And so much cheaper here! Thanks so much!

    Reply
    • diplomaticwife says

      May 23, 2017 at 5:11 AM

      It is my pleasure! Yes it took me a while to figure it out coz I didn’t want to ship it to from the USA to Germany when it’s made in Sweden. Lucky you! I hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. =)

      Reply

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Welcome

Hello! I’m Ayessa, trailing spouse to a diplomat, mama to DiploBaby and DiploDog and founder of Declutter MNL. I love talking about how to achieve a minimaluxe lifestyle one step at a time.

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GOOD TO KNOW GUIDE

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HOW NEAR IS @geneveaeroport? We are very lucky th HOW NEAR IS @geneveaeroport?

We are very lucky that the Geneva Airport is very near because it is located 4 km northwest of the city centre. It takes us less than 15mins by car & is easier to get to than airports outside the city.

BUT also means that many of the Geneva residents suffer from AIRCRAFT NOISE POLLUTION. 

In some parts of Geneva, like Vernier, Meyrin, Bellevue, Versoix, etc will have the airplane pass on top of you or very near you. This is something to consider when you are MOVING TO GENEVA & looking for a home.

When we were in @bioparcgeneve recently, it felt like airplane after airplane was going overhead every few mins. The poor animals were screaming each time.

A  report by the European Environment Agency(EEA) in 2017 said that 12% or 73,500 Geneva residents have their hearing disturbed by aircraft noise. Probably the figures have risen with the natural increase population & travel?

“The EEA describes noise as a pervasive pollutant that directly affects the health and well-being of humans and wildlife. Populations exposed to high noise levels can exhibit stress reactions, sleep-stage changes, and clinical symptoms like hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. All of these can contribute to premature mortality. The World Health Organization (WHO) reckons that humans exposed to noise levels above 40 decibels at night experience adverse health effects.

Across Europe it is estimated that noise contributed to at least 900,000 additional cases of hypertension in 2011.” - @le_news_ch 

DID YOU KNOW that owners of homes affected by the noise can request for soundproofing to be paid for by GVA? 

Check if your home meets the conditions for FREE SOUNDPROOFING c/o Genève Aéroport here:

https://www.gva.ch/en/Site/Geneve-Aeroport/Questions-Reponses-FAQ/Bruit#

SAVE or SHARE this now with someone you know who might be moving to Geneva or is already suffering from aircraft #noisepollution. 

#UDWinGeneva #UDWgenevagoodtoknow #expatingeneva #diplofamily #expatlife #genevaswitzerland #expatingeneva #filipinoingeneva #pinoyingeneva #movingtogeneva #movingtoswitzerland #movingtogeneva #genevaexpats #switzerlandexpatlife #geneva #genevaswitzerland
MERCADONA HAUL Whenever we go to Spain, we love t MERCADONA HAUL

Whenever we go to Spain, we love to go to @mercadona. It might be small but has a good affordable selection. It’s my thrifty Spanish MIL’s favorite.

We were so lucky that we had a @mercadona right beside our hotel Marina Badalona. Very convenient.
Our favorite things to bring home are:

☕️ frozen porras (bigger than churros)

🐑 baby lamb chops (the only lamb I eat coz it’s not malangsa & all you need to do is fry till crispy in olive oil with S&P) it’s called Chuletas Cabrito but TD calls it lechal 

🐽 chicharon or crispy pork rinds

🥔 Homemade potato chips. The best potato chips for me are from Spain. I don’t know how it’s so much yummier! The olive oil???

🎣 canned Sardines & tuna for me and Yaya B

TIPS:

🧊 For frozen items, we usually ask the hotel before we buy if they can put it in their freezer until we fly.

✍️ I usually bring different sizes ZIPLOCK BAGS, MASKING TAPE & MARKER when we travel so we can put everything in, label with our name and room number.

📸 then I take a photo so we can just show it to the staff and they can easily find it in their freezer.

✈️ When it’s time to pack, I placed our beach towels around the frozen packages coz I know they will SWEAT & I don’t want our other things to get wet 💦 

What  grocery do you usually like to shop for when in Spain? Where do you buy them?

#udwinbarcelona #udwinbadalona #udwtraveldiaries #udwtraveltips #udwtraveltip #diplofamily #filipinotravelblogger #pinayblogger #diplowife #diplomatswife #filipinoabroad #tdwtraveldiaries #takekidseverywhere #travelblogger #travelvlogger #travelvloggerph #filipinoblogger #filipinablogger #filipinavlogger #filipinoineurope #welltraveledkids #expatwoman #pinayblogger #familytravelblog
FREE GEAR RENTAL @boxup.app + OUTDOOR GYM at ISW C FREE GEAR RENTAL @boxup.app + OUTDOOR GYM at ISW Calisthenics Park 

📍Chem. des Tuileries 140, 1293 Bellevue

After the lovely BIOPARC we headed across to this chill park with ample PARKING that had so many things for kids & anyone who wants to move & work out:

⚽️ The kids wanted to kick around a football so we borrowed a ball from @boxup.app (they also have pumps, 🏓, 🏐, 🏀, etc) just download the app & turn on your Bluetooth & follow instructions! Return after 3hrs.

👟 Outdoor gym - this was a huge hit with the kids

⚽️ football - this too!

🏀 basketball court

🏓 Ping-pong 

🏐 Beach volleyball court

🤸🏻 Monkey bars

🛝 small playground

Thanks for the wonderful afternoon guys @lidia_otilia_botezatu! 
How lucky are we to have these beautiful, clean open spaces. And the free rental gear is AMAZING! so convenient.

This is in Geneva, about 15mins drive from where we live.

SAVE THIS on your list of PARKS to visit!

⚠️ WARNING

it’s in the airplane path so there will be loud noise from that. It’s not as close as the bioparc but bring earplugs/earphones if you are sensitive.

#udwingeneva #genevaswitzerland #genevaforkids #diplobaby #diplofamily #filipinotravelblogger #pinayblogger #diplowife #diplomatswife #filipinoabroad #tdwtraveldiaries #takekidseverywhere #travelblogger #travelvlogger #travelvloggerph #filipinoblogger #filipinablogger #filipinavlogger #filipinoineurope #welltraveledkids #expatwoman #pinayblogger #familytravelblog
BIOPARC GENÈVE Yesterday was a holiday in Switze BIOPARC GENÈVE

Yesterday was a holiday in Switzerland (except for Geneva). It was raining & miserable so I wanted to take @diplobaby out for a few hours. Thankfully midafternoon it stopped raining.

We met with our friends @lidia_otilia_botezatu in @bioparcgeneve and had a lovely time in this volunteer run zoo.

TIPS💡

🆓 It’s free for families on your FIRST visit!

🦢 you walk inside animal enclosures so wear shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty/stepping on poop. We wore boots & happy we did

🅿️ there’s parking inside on wood chips, if it’s full there’s another pavement parking (free up to 4hrs) across the roundabout 

🦔 Do not feed or touch the animals no matter how cute they are

🗺️ There are 2 routes (purple & blue) and 1-1.5hrs #diplshould be enough 

❎ Park closes at 4pm

SAVE THIS NOW if your looking for a fun & not too you can do in well und2hrs. It’s nice that you can go inside unlike most zoos so it’s quite unique.

⚠️ WARNING

it’s in the airplane path so there will be loud noise from that. @diplobaby who is super noise sensitive did not mind as much as I thought he would because he was so entertained by the animals.

#udwingeneva #genevaswitzerland #genevaforkids #diplobaby #diplofamily #filipinotravelblogger #pinayblogger #diplowife #diplomatswife #filipinoabroad #tdwtraveldiaries #takekidseverywhere #travelblogger #travelvlogger #travelvloggerph #filipinoblogger #filipinablogger #filipinavlogger #filipinoineurope #welltraveledkids #expatwoman #pinayblogger #familytravelblog
MARINA BADALONA HOTEL At first we were going to MARINA BADALONA HOTEL 

At first we were going to stay in the heart of Barcelona, where we stayed 8 years ago (I didn’t even know that @diplobaby was already in my tummy at 2 weeks old) but the “hotel” is now expensive with no amenities & small rooms. So TD found a hotel in #badalona - a 20min taxi ride from Barcelona city center - that was so fabulous & slightly less expensive.

SAVE THIS NOW for future trips to Barcelona

WHY I LOVED marinabadalona
🤍 All white interiors was so beautiful & calming
🤍 Gorgeous view of the Marina 
🤍 Everything was so aesthetic, even where you tap your card to enter the room
🤍 Massive bed
🤍 Electric curtains
🤍 Lots of closet space & hangers
🤍 2 TVs
🤍 Refrigerator
🤍 White/cream Nespresso & kettle
🤍 Architecture & interior design is sooooo me!
🤍 Small rooftop pool with unbelievable views (need to do a separate post)
🤍 5min walk to the beach
🤍 Gorg esplanade
🤍 Yummy restos beside
🤍 Mercadona right beside - so convenient!

FEW RECOS FOR IMPROVEMENT:
✌️ Loved the textured wall paper, but it’s difficult to keep clean inside the bathroom
✌️ The bathroom surface area was a bit small & our stuff kept falling off the sink
✌️ Not a single chair in the family room so when we had room service we had to eat standing
✌️ No salt & pepper with room service so we called to ask & were told we would be charged for them taking it up. After TD clarified that there was no S&P with our meal, they said they would bring it up. The person brought a small bowl of of salt & pepper combined. The salt was for DiploBaby’s salmon, but he can’t eat pepper, I wanted both for my pesto. Had to run down in my slippers & the resto staff were very apologetic coz who serves a mixed S&P ever? They gave me individually packaged ones which I really appreciated.
✌️ Since the hotel has a pool & is by the beach, I wish there was a place to hang & dry swim suits. Our suits & watershoes did not dry in the tub.

All in all the value we got from staying in this hotel was so high compared to a more expensive hotel in Barcelona. No hotel stay is perfect.

Now, would I stay there again? YES PLEASE! Would you?

#udwinbarcelona #udwinbadalona #udwtraveldiaries
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