When I was pregnant with our baby girl, I spent hours searching for the right place for her to sleep for the first six months of her life. Whereas Henry had slept in a moses basket, and then a small crib besides our bed, I knew I wanted something different this time around. I’d read about the benefits of co-sleeping, (or side-sleeping), and I’d also become a lot more aware about the importance of using an organic mattress when it came to a baby’s sleep environment.
What I loved about co-sleepers was that I would be able to see and hear my baby with her being so close to me, without the danger of her actually being in bed with us. It would mean no getting out of bed numerous times each night (a huge plus if you’ve had stitches or you’re recovering from a caesarian) to feed, soothe, and cuddle our newborn, which can exacerbate the already overwhelming exhaustion. Night time nursing sessions would be a lot easier, too.
It wasn’t just for my benefit either. I knew that newborns love to be in close contact with their parents, where they feel comforted and safe. A co-sleeper allows baby to sense and smell their parent, helping nurture that special bond. It sounded like the ideal sleep solution for a newborn. Safe and secure in their own crib, yet within an arms reach to comfort and soothe. Now I just had to find one.
I soon discovered that here in the USA, there is a very limited choice of co-sleepers available, and none which fit the criteria I was looking for. So I started researching what other countries used. The SnuzPod
, (owned by pretty much every blogger that has given birth in the past year). The Halo Bassinest. The Chicco Next to Me
. But none of these were right. I wanted a wooden co-sleeper, no plastic, no mesh sides, no foam mattress. I didn’t want it to cost a fortune, either.
, (owned by pretty much every blogger that has given birth in the past year). The Halo Bassinest. The Chicco Next to Me. But none of these were right. I wanted a wooden co-sleeper, no plastic, no mesh sides, no foam mattress. I didn’t want it to cost a fortune, either.And hallelujah, after months of research, I stumbled across the BabyBay, and it ticked every single box. The multi award winning Babybay is THE original bedside cot and offers all the benefits of co-sleeping without the risks. Not only was it everything I was looking for, it’s versatile (a side rail can be added to make it a stand alone cot, and lockable wheels can be added for extra mobility), plus once your child has outgrown the crib, it can be adapted using a selection of accessories. It can be transformed into a bench, a desk, a highchair. Far for being a 6 month wonder, Babybay offers years of flexible use, making it good value for money.
I love that the BabyBay is designed and manufactured in Europe from locally sourced, sustainable natural beechwood, which offers antibacterial and antistatic protection. The water-based finishes are non-toxic with zero or low VOC, to promote a healthy sleep environment.
The BabyBay is priced at a whopping $445 here in the USA, but through my research, I found that a lot of UK parents were buying the crib from Amazon Germany, where it’s very popular and a lot cheaper. So I did the same, at a price of just £85, and I ordered a Little Green Sheep Organic Mattress
from Amazon UK and had that shipped over too.
from Amazon UK and had that shipped over too.
It took just one week to arrive, and only 15 minutes to assemble. The sleeping platform (which also features ventilation holes) can be raised and lowered easily using an allan key, allowing for quick adjustments. Once attached to our bed, it was extremely sturdy, solid and secure. It sits completely level with our mattress, with no gaps or any risk of slippage between the crib and our bed.
It’s now been 4.5 months since we first placed our baby girl beside us in the BabyBay, and we’re still loving having her so close to us. With hindsight, I should have opted for the BabyBay Maxi – their larger version – but I didn’t realise we would have such a long baby! I’m hoping for another month before we reluctantly make the transition to her own room. If you’re looking for a natural, wooden co-sleeper with an organic mattress, I highly recommend the BabyBay. Affordable, safe and it looks pretty cute, too!
Your little girl is absolutely beautiful!
Amy, she is so so beautiful!
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Beautiful post! Can you tell me if you attached it to a framed or divan bed please? I really want one of these but all the photos appear to be attached to a wooden bedframe. Thanks 🙂
She looks adorable! Such a lovely post of her!