Help! I can't get a co-sleeper in Canada...what to do?

[Silverlilly]

Can you ladies please share your experiences with how you kept baby close to the bed for breastfeeding etc?

I really, really wanted a co-sleeper, but the government has banned them in Canada. A bassinet or moses basket has a weight limit, and I'd like baby beside me for at least 6 months...My next best bet is a Pack and Play, but I wanted to have this downstairs for naps during the day...and a separate "permanent" unit beside the bed upstairs. What would you do in a situation like this? Buy 2 Pack n Plays?

 

[addie140910]

Can you ladies please share your experiences with how you kept baby close to the bed for breastfeeding etc?

I really, really wanted a co-sleeper, but the government has banned them in Canada. A bassinet or moses basket has a weight limit, and I'd like baby beside me for at least 6 months...My next best bet is a Pack and Play, but I wanted to have this downstairs for naps during the day...and a separate "permanent" unit beside the bed upstairs. What would you do in a situation like this? Buy 2 Pack n Plays?

Honestly we bought a pack and play with a bassinet attachment and a newborn napper because we were not planning on co-sleeping / bed sharing and just wanted to room share with her until she is big enough to go into her own room. Her pack and play has since moved into the living room for daytime naps and she sleeps in between us in her boopy chair quite happily.

I would suggest not buying two pack and plays as they are quite spendy and LO can only use them for so long. You can temporally turn LO's crib into a co-sleeper though (If she already has a crib, if not get a crib, use it as a co-sleeper, and then put it back together later when you are ready for her to be in her own room. That way baby can use it longer then just the average few months of a pack and play.

https://www.drmomma.org/2010/01/turn-your-crib-into-cosleeper.html

 

[Silverlilly]

Converting the crib into a co-sleeper seems like a great idea in theory - my only worry would be that gaps could form, creating a suffocation hazard...but I have absolutely no experience with this, so maybe my worry is unfounded! Ok so one pack n play...and we'll go from there. Any other solutions are welcome

 

[Eve]

If I were closer I would give you mine. I have a close to you co sleeper that goes in the bed and we liked it. I didn't use it long but it was handy to have

 

[Eve]

This is what I have... are these banned?

 

[Silverlilly]

This is what I have... are these banned?

I don't think this the one they won't allow here anymore (what exactly is this, and where did you get it?). The one that is not approved in Canada anymore is the Arm's Reach co-sleeper (or brands/models like it). It has to be called a "crib" with certain safety guidelines to be sold here for sleeping purposes...

 

[Silverlilly]

If I were closer I would give you mine. I have a close to you co sleeper that goes in the bed and we liked it. I didn't use it long but it was handy to have

Thanks! They look so perfect. Did you not use it for long because baby went into the crib? Or did you find another way?

 

[_Mouse_]

One of my friends has the Summer Infant By Your Side Sleeper and loves it.

Summer Infant By Your Side Sleeper
https://trusca.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pTRUCA1-11105495_alternate1_dt.jpg

 

[Jodie.82]

I couldnt get ANYTHING here in peru! was a nightmare and I was very stressed about SIDS and where baby would sleep, we ended up co sleeping after lots of research and have baby in bed with us, did you not want to do it that way?

 

[Silverlilly]

I couldnt get ANYTHING here in peru! was a nightmare and I was very stressed about SIDS and where baby would sleep, we ended up co sleeping after lots of research and have baby in bed with us, did you not want to do it that way?

Well, all the research I've done says that having baby in the bed is not the safest option due to parents rolling on them etc (based on numbers of injuries and/or deaths - up to a certain age of course)...BUT having baby in the room with you, right beside the bed is said to be the best thing you can do - it lowers the risk of SIDS.

Of course many people co-sleep in the same bed with no problem whatsoever, but if statistics say it isn't the safest option, then I'm just too paranoid to try it! I've never sleep! lol So I'm looking for something to put right beside the bed....

 

[Amygdala]

The government banned all co-sleepers? Why on earth would they do that??? Seems to me it's none of their business if you want to use one?

Anyway though...

I would buy a crib which you can use without one of the side panels. Make it as close in height to your bed as possible or slightly lower. Then attach it to the bed frame using cable ties on the legs. It's safe, doesn't loosen, but can be reversed. If you're REALLY paranoid you could use screws but the cable ties work great.

 

[Eve]

A friend gave me mine, and she got it at Walmart here in NB. I really liked it, but we just had her in our playpen with the bassinet and napper attachment right next to our bed and then we ended up co-sleeping in our bed.

The summer infant one looks more sturdy, can you get that one in Canada?

 

[Inlozi]

I have LO's crib RIGHT up against my bed, similar to this:

https://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VxbdK3-TEw0/TSanvaGCayI/AAAAAAAABGs/hmpMGLN91b8/s1600/20110104_2.jpg

although he does end up in bed with me half the time

 

[Eve]

I have a crib just like that, well it's a toddler bed now lol

 

[addie140910]

Yep if take the crib appart like the above poster said (or there are instructions in the link I posted earlier) and then just push the crib against the bed there is no gap, but you could put a blanket or something to make it a more baby in bed with you experience even though LO would be in their own space. Honestly though we just did not have the room in our room to do that.

and tecinally it is still called a crib. It just has the front panel removed.

 

[_Mouse_]

A friend gave me mine, and she got it at Walmart here in NB. I really liked it, but we just had her in our playpen with the bassinet and napper attachment right next to our bed and then we ended up co-sleeping in our bed.

The summer infant one looks more sturdy, can you get that one in Canada?

yes its available in Canada

 

[BandK]

I was just in Toys R Us yesterday and they had 4-5 different co sleeper options, sneak in now and get one! Or order from the US - it is your baby, if it doesnt bother you then who cares!

 

[_Mouse_]

I was just in Toys R Us yesterday and they had 4-5 different co sleeper options, sneak in now and get one! Or order from the US - it is your baby, if it doesnt bother you then who cares!

Due to import laws the item may be seized at the boarder when it is been brought into Canada. Just a warning.

 

[Mummy_to_be87]

Can you ladies please share your experiences with how you kept baby close to the bed for breastfeeding etc?

I really, really wanted a co-sleeper, but the government has banned them in Canada. A bassinet or moses basket has a weight limit, and I'd like baby beside me for at least 6 months...My next best bet is a Pack and Play, but I wanted to have this downstairs for naps during the day...and a separate "permanent" unit beside the bed upstairs. What would you do in a situation like this? Buy 2 Pack n Plays?

can i ask... what is a pack n play?

 

[Starry Night]

When did the ban come into effect? I'm in Canada too and my parents bought us one just last year. It's a playpen/bassinet combo but for the bassinet one side is really low so you can pull it right beside your bed. There is a teeny bit of a wall and a newborn won't be able to roll over it. We got ours at Babies R Us

EDIT: it's against the law to purchase any baby gear in the States and bring it over. All items such as cribs, carriers, car seats, etc must have the Canadian Safety seal of approval. It doesn't stop people, of course. I know people who have snuck walkers (also banned here) over the border or car seats cuz they're cheaper south of the border but I would never risk it. Also, it's illegal.