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