co-sleeping and pillow topped mattresses - is it safe?

[dowlinal]

DH and I are finally getting a new bedroom set including a new mattress. We love the feel of the pillow topped mattresses but now I'm wondering if this would pose a hazzard with co-sleeping. I'm particularly worried about future newborn babies since Madeline and I co-slept a lot during the first 6 months. Is my concern valid?

[Marisa6826]

I'd be awfully careful with a newborn. Especially if you sleep with any blankets and pillows.

What about one of those Arms Reach Co-Sleeper thingies?

-m

[babymama]

I'm reading the "No Cry Sleep Solution" currently, and the author talks about a controversial warning by the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Council (www.cpsc.gov) against co-sleeping. Generally, the discussion in the book is...you should know the following: many people co-sleep with their child, there is this warning by the CPSC (albeit controversial), if you do decide to co-sleep take special precautions to keep your child safe (and I *think* one of the precautions is don't do it with a pillowtop mattress).

Do they make pt mattresses where you can remove the pt? Maybe that;s a good common ground...remove the pt during your co-sleeping period with your future newborn, and in the meantime enjoy comfy sleep on the pt.

Hope this helps.

Lydia
Mama to Santiago, born 11/16/03

[stillplayswithbarbies]

I would not cosleep on a pillowtop. But I would use the Snuggle Nest on a pillowtop.


...Karen
DS Jake Feb 91, DD Logan Mar 03
http://members.aol.com/khowe14494/superpower.gif http://members.aol.com/khowe14494/borntobebreastfed2.gif

[pritchettzoo]

We have a pillow top mattress, and we cosleep. It's not really that fluffy of a pillow top though. We did remove the feather bed topper because that was too squishy. I think it depends on the mattress. BUT we didn't move Gracie to the bed until 5 months or so, except for naps when she was in my arms. Before that she was in the swing (don't ask!) and briefly in the cosleeper (which makes a very nice bedside catchall...;)). By the time we moved her to the bed, she had been rolling both ways for quite a while and was a strong little monkey. Because of the options available to you to make cosleeping safe (Snuggle Nests, cosleepers, etc.), I wouldn't trade 10-15 years of comfort for a couple of months with a newborn. Do you have a place to save your old mattress (attic, guestroom)? You could always switch the mattress out for that time period if you didn't want to do the Snuggle Nest or the cosleeper.

Anna
Mama to Gracie (Sept '03)

[Tondi G]

If you don't want a FIRM mattress and a pillowtop is too soft look for a PLUSH.... it is a bit more padding than a firm but not a seperate sewn on "pillowtop"!

Some firm mattresses are REALLY firm..... I think a Plush top would be comfortable enough for you without being dangerous for the baby!

Here is a Firm

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=10037782&whse=&topnav=&cat=1924&hierPath=93*1924*

vs. a Plush

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?prodid=10037786&whse=&topnav=&cat=

vs. a Pillow top

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=10037788&whse=&topnav=&cat=1924&hierPath=93*1924*

A snuggle nest is a good idea too for the first few months.... as is an arms reach co sleeper beside the bed! We are planning to use both with this baby!

Good luck

~Tondi
Mommy to Mason 7/8/01
lil man #2 edd 5/5/05

[dowlinal]

Thanks guys!! I completely forgot about the co-sleeper and the snugli so I think I will stick with the pillow top and use one of them next time. I really want the pillow top because with Madeline I developed prenatal hypertention at 3 months and spent the rest of the pregnancy on modified bed rest with strict orders to lay on my left side. There is a really good possibilty that this could happen again and the pillowtops are supposed to make this position more comfortable.

[starrynight]

I agree with this!

We have a plush and it's awesome :). I didn't want a pillowtop because btdt and it's a pita at times to get some sheets to fit and other times some brands pop off. The plush was a nice compromise and it was totally safe while co-sleeping with my kids. I used a pnp next to the bed for the first month with the girls and a cradle with ds (long story why I didn't still have it) and then after the first month or so I felt safer putting them in my bed.