Cribs Vs. Bassinets Vs. Play Yards

My Husband and I bought a bassinet from Wal Mart. It was a co-sleeper bassinet. I had him sleep in it when he was born, for about a month...getting up every time he got up. Then, I hooked it to the bed....so I didn't have to get up. He ended up sleeping in our bed and is now 6 months old. As much as I love having him in my bed, I wish, wish, wish, that I had left him in the bassient. I've hear the papasan swings that go from side to side are the best for sleep. There is a fisher price one that sits in a stand and goes from side to side .Don't remember the name but it has handles on the sides so that you can move it from room to room and it does go side to side but isn't connected at the top. I recommend that one. Good luck! (The Wal Mart bassinet ended up being recalled!)

Hi L.,
(Congrats on the upcoming addition!!!)
We did regular crib, and (non-vibrating) play-yard for day naps. As newbies, they'd take one or two naps a day in the livingroom or kitchen close to Mama. I found it helped get my boys accustomed to the sounds of the house, so now (at 1 and 3) they pretty much sleep through most everyday noise.

It also helped them be familiar with the play-yard as their "2nd bed," so when we travel, they are already used to sleeping in it.
T

Just start off with a routine and stick to it. That's about all you can do, your baby will either sleep or not.

I agree not to get anything fancy. I don't think it's a question whether the baby will sleep or not- we all sleep! especially newborns! So we have a co-sleeper that attaches to the side of the bed. After a few months you transition them into the crib in another room. We also found that the large co-sleeper was a great thing to take with us when we went out to a friends house or family for a late evening because I could confidently leave her in there and not worry about her falling off someones bed or getting hurt/breaking stuff (we used it until she was 1 1/2 or 2. Oh and my new baby is 3 months and she usually has a long sleeping session in her swing, which is great for the baby who has trouble falling asleep during the day or won't sleep very long (and don't be tempted to do belly sleeping-not worth the risk!!). They usually sleep great at night in the crib.
Also, don't worry about letting baby sleep in the bed with you sometimes. With my first, for a long time she would wake-up once in the middle of the night and after nursing her I would just curl up with her. Also would happen when she was sick. As long as they always start out in their crib then it's okay. Eventually they sleep through the night and you don't have that waking session of bringing them to bed.

I wouldn't get your newborn baby used to using "sleep props" to sleep. You need to get your baby in a sleeping routine without all the gimmicks so you won't have another problem sleeper. Go get a book called "Babywise". It teaches you how to teach your kids good sleeping habits by incorporating feeding schedules. It REALLY WORKS! Both of my kids were sleeping through the night by 10 weeks and both are great sleepers who go to bed easily without a fuss. They are now 2 and 6 years old. And it's not because they happen to be good sleepers, it's because they were taught to be good sleepers. Buy the book. It will make your life much easier. It may also help with your two year old. I think there is instruction on how to get older children to follow good sleep routines too. Don't give in to sleep props. You'll thank me later if you get this book and put it to use. Good luck.