Arm's reach co-sleeper - what am I missing?

[ctbcleveland]

So, for this baby, I borrowed an Arm's Reach Co-Sleeper from my cousin.

First of all, it is a royal pain in the butt to put the thing up. I have no idea why it is 10x more difficult than a pack-n-play.

Second - I thought the point of it was for the co-sleeper to sit level with the bed. Even with the one side broken down, there is a several inch difference between the edge of the co-sleeper and the mattress.

So, I am assuming, I can choose to have the side of the co-sleeper level with the bed and the baby several inches down or have the baby and mattress level with the bed and the edge of the co-sleeper several inches above the mattress height.

Any tips here?

[Maedze]

I'll tell you what I did....used elevators to bring the lip of the side level to my mattress, then placed a board over the provided mattress and put a new mattress in on top, bringing it level to the lip. I'm sure the lawyers at the co-sleeper company would have a stroke if they could read this, but it made it a hella lot easier for me to use the thing.

[LISmama810]

I'll tell you what I did....used elevators to bring the lip of the side level to my mattress, then placed a board over the provided mattress and put a new mattress in on top, bringing it level to the lip. I'm sure the lawyers at the co-sleeper company would have a stroke if they could read this, but it made it a hella lot easier for me to use the thing.

:doh: Where were you a few months ago when I posted about different ways to cosleep???

I wanted to be able to just roll over, nurse, and go back to sleep. I couldn't come up with a good solution, so I decided to sleep with the baby on a futon in her room instead.

Had I thought of your solution--or if you had thought of it for me--I might actually be sharing a bed with my husband right now. Well, not RIGHT now, but you know...

[An Aurora]

They have an extension kit to raise the level of the co-sleeper.

[pastrygirl]

According to the instructions, the top edge of the co-sleeper side rail is supposed to be flush with your mattress. The co-sleeper's mattress is supposed to be a few inches lower than your mattress. If the top of the rail isn't flush, then definitely use the extensions.

[ctbcleveland]

Thanks everyone, I do have the extension kit - it was more of a question of why the mattress sits so much lower than the edge of the co-sleeper.

Maedze - I love your solution. PS...I won't tell the company :)

[henrietta]

It is deliberately supposed to be several inches *below* your bed's mattress height so that baby does not actually roll into bed w/you and to avoid you putting covers/pillows/etc over the baby (don't see how it would entirely prevent this, but...) I definitely would find it more difficult to use if I had the rail of it above my mattress.

We have one, too. Now that I've set it up and down 5-6 times, I've found it easier than our Graco Pack N Play.

GL!

henrietta

[JerseyGirl'sMama]

I'm confused. :confused: How is this product any different than using a PNP with the top bassinett, next to your bed? I was under the impression that the ARCS was literally supossed to be an extension of your bed (mattress.) If you still have to pick up the baby and put it on your bed with your to nurse, then what is the point? How is that convenient?

[Maedze]

It sounds crunchier. Crunchy sells.

Also, it secures directly to the bed and the p-n-p doesn't.

[ctbcleveland]

I'm confused. :confused: How is this product any different than using a PNP with the top bassinett, next to your bed? I was under the impression that the ARCS was literally supossed to be an extension of your bed (mattress.) If you still have to pick up the baby and put it on your bed with your to nurse, then what is the point? How is that convenient?

There lies the mystery my dear! I too was shocked that once the side folded down, the ARCS mattress still is not level with my bed (regardless of the height adjustment. Unless you use Maedze's solution, the mattress will naturally sit below the edge of the co-sleeper. It is only off by a couple of inches, but you could not nurse the kid in the co-sleeper while you lay in bed on your side.

I am very happy this is a hand-me-down. I'd be p'd off if I bought it myself and realized it was an overpriced PNP

[mom2juliarose]

That's why we opted to sidecar our crib instead of buying an ARCS. When I saw that little "lip" and how the mattress was lower, I was turned off...

[pastrygirl]

I'm confused. :confused: How is this product any different than using a PNP with the top bassinett, next to your bed? I was under the impression that the ARCS was literally supossed to be an extension of your bed (mattress.) If you still have to pick up the baby and put it on your bed with your to nurse, then what is the point? How is that convenient?Well, for one thing, the weight limit! The PnP's weight limit for the bassinet is 15 pounds, which my son passed at around 2 months old. Also, I don't have the room for a PnP, but the mini co-sleeper fit just fine. I also liked that it secured to the bed.

[JerseyGirl'sMama]

Hmmm, hadn't thought of using the crib. I am trying to figure a way to get all 4 of us in our Queen bed. We just bought a new mattress and bed frame 1 year ago, so we can't change. Plus, we have no other beds in our house.