The First Years Co-Sleeper: A Guide For New Parents

how to use first years co sleeper

The First Years Close & Secure Sleeper is a co-sleeping product that allows parents to feed, soothe, monitor, and bond with their babies without having to get out of bed. It provides a soft little nest for the baby to sleep in while keeping them close by. The sleeper is lightweight, portable, and easy to clean and store. It includes a nightlight, a soft head barrier, and a foot wedge to ensure the baby's safety and comfort. The First Years Close & Secure Sleeper is a popular choice for parents looking for a co-sleeping solution, especially during the early months with a newborn.

Characteristics Values
Purpose To keep the baby close by in a soft "nest" while sleeping, feeding, soothing, monitoring, and bonding
Design Cloth-covered U-shaped "wall" surrounds the baby's head and torso to limit movement and prevent parents from rolling onto them
Includes a soft head barrier and a foot wedge to ensure the baby stays snugly inside the sleep area
Airflow technology allows air to circulate around the baby's head and feet for a comfortable sleep
Removable soft-glow night light to see the baby at night without disturbing them
Lightweight, portable, and compact for travel and storage
Machine washable mattress sheet
Meets Australian safety standards
Price $50

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Benefits of co-sleeping

Co-sleeping, or bed-sharing, is a practice that has been adopted by many parents. While it is a controversial topic, it has been found to have several benefits for both the child and the parents.

Firstly, co-sleeping can promote breastfeeding. The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine supports bed-sharing when it comes to breastfeeding. A study published in JAMA Pediatrics suggested that mothers who regularly bed-share with their infants are more likely to breastfeed for longer. This is because co-sleeping makes breastfeeding easier for mothers, practically doubling the number of breastfeeding sessions while allowing both mothers and infants to spend more time asleep. The increased exposure to the mother's antibodies that comes with more frequent nighttime breastfeeding can potentially reduce infant illness.

Secondly, co-sleeping can help parents more readily feed their babies in the middle of the night or early morning, fostering a sense of restful relaxation. The closeness of co-sleeping also supports breastfeeding and allows parents to quickly attend to their baby's needs at night.

Thirdly, co-sleeping can help to promote bonding and a sense of safety and security for the child. As children grow, many different factors contribute to their well-being, and most parents have a natural inclination to sleep protectively near their babies.

Lastly, co-sleeping can help parents and babies sleep longer overall. This is because caregivers don't have to get out of bed to feed the baby, and babies don't have to call out, wait for help, and settle back down. This longer sleep can have positive implications for parent-child interactions during the day.

While co-sleeping has its benefits, it is important to consider the potential drawbacks and risks associated with the practice. Some parents may experience disrupted sleep due to their child's restless sleep patterns, which can lead to sleep deprivation and negatively impact well-being. Additionally, co-sleeping can become a strong "sleep onset association" for children, making it difficult for them to fall asleep without a parent nearby. It is crucial for parents to weigh both the benefits and risks of co-sleeping and make informed decisions regarding their child's sleeping arrangements.

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How to set up the co-sleeper

The First Years Close & Secure Sleeper is a co-sleeper designed to keep your baby close by. It provides a soft little "nest" for the baby, allowing parents to feed, soothe, monitor, and bond with their baby from the comfort of their bed. It is lightweight, easy to clean, and folds up for convenient portability and compact storage.

To set up the co-sleeper, start by finding a suitable location, typically next to your bed on top of your mattress. Unfold the co-sleeper and place it on a flat surface. The sleeper should be sturdy and secure, with anti-scoot walls to keep the baby in place while they sleep. Make sure the cloth-covered U-shaped wall surrounds the baby's head and torso to limit their movement and prevent them from rolling off.

Next, insert the mattress into the co-sleeper. The mattress should be vinyl-covered, and a soft mattress sheet should be placed on top. The sheet is machine washable, so you can easily keep it clean. The mattress may have a soft head barrier to reduce the risk of entrapment and a foot wedge to ensure the baby stays snugly inside the sleep area.

Finally, install the two AA batteries required for the nightlight. The nightlight provides a soft glow, allowing you to check on your baby without waking them up with brighter lights. With the co-sleeper set up, you can now place your baby inside, knowing they are safe and secure by your side.

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How to transition to a crib

The First Years Close & Secure Sleeper is a co-sleeper that allows parents to feed, soothe, monitor, and bond with their baby from the comfort of their bed. It features a soft-glow night light for checking on the baby without bright lights, Airflow technology for comfortable sleep, and anti-scoot walls for safety.

Start with naps:

Before transitioning to nighttime sleep in the crib, start by putting your baby in their crib for naps during the day. This will help them get used to the new sleeping environment gradually.

Move the crib into your room:

Initially, place the crib in your room, right next to your bed. This arrangement will provide a sense of familiarity for your baby, as they are used to sleeping within arm's reach. After a week or two, you can gradually start moving the crib away from your bed and towards the door.

Create a familiar sleeping environment:

Before starting the transition, sleep with your baby's bed sheets for a few nights. This way, your scent will be on the sheets, providing comfort and a sense of familiarity when they sleep in their crib.

Be consistent:

Once you've decided to transition your baby to the crib, it's important to stick to the plan. While it can be challenging, consistency will help your baby adjust to the new sleeping arrangement.

Make it exciting:

If your child is older, involve them in the process of setting up their "big person" bed. Let them pick out their new bedsheets and a "time to wake" toddler wake clock. Making the transition fun and exciting can help reduce any potential stress or anxiety.

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Safety features

The First Years Close & Secure Sleeper is designed with safety in mind. It provides a safe co-sleeping option for parents who want their newborn close by in bed with them. The sleeper has safety features to keep it from moving down the bed and under the blankets. Its Airflow design allows air to circulate around the baby, reducing the risk of SIDS. The sleeper also comes with a removable night light, which is helpful for checking up on the baby during the night.

The sleeper's dimensions are 25.59 x 16.5 x 5 inches, which is enough for a baby's first four months. However, some reviews mention that their babies outgrew the sleeper within the first month or two, with their feet touching the foot stopper and their head reaching the top. This may be a concern for taller babies.

The sleeper is sturdy and does not collapse, so it is safe to place on the bed or the floor. It is also easy to open and fold with one hand and can be rolled up and placed in a bag for travel.

The First Years Close & Secure Sleeper provides peace of mind for parents who want to co-sleep with their newborns but are concerned about safety. It allows parents to feed, soothe, monitor, and bond with their babies throughout the night, while still providing a safe and secure space for the baby to sleep.

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Cleaning and maintenance

The First Years Co-Sleeper is lightweight, easy to clean, and folds up for convenient portability and compact storage. The cloth-covered U-shaped "wall" that surrounds the baby's head and torso can be removed and machine-washed. However, one user noted that the mattress cover had a lot of velcro, which made it difficult to wash with other items as they would stick together.

The co-sleeper includes a soft cover, a vinyl-covered mattress, and a removable, machine-washable mattress sheet for easy cleaning. The nightlight, which requires two AA batteries, can also be removed. The Co-Sleeper folds up easily and has a carrying handle for travel convenience. It can also be stored compactly when not in use or when the baby has outgrown it.

The Co-Sleeper is designed with safety and cleanliness in mind. The soft head barrier reduces the risk of entrapment, and the foot wedge ensures the baby stays snugly inside the sleep area. The Airflow technology allows air to circulate around the baby's head and feet for a comfortable sleep.

Overall, the First Years Co-Sleeper is easy to clean and maintain, with machine-washable parts and a removable mattress sheet. The portability and compact storage make it convenient for travel and when not in use.

Frequently asked questions

The First Years Close & Secure Sleeper is a co-sleeper that provides a soft little "nest" for the baby while keeping them close by. It allows parents to feed, soothe, monitor, and bond with their baby from the comfort of their bed.

The co-sleeper provides peace of mind for parents as it allows them to keep their baby close by while still sleeping in their own space. It is lightweight, portable, and easy to clean, making it convenient for travel. The co-sleeper also features a soft-glow night light that allows parents to check on their baby without waking them up with bright lights.

The First Years Co-Sleeper is designed with safety in mind. It features a durable, cloth-covered U-shaped "wall" that surrounds the baby's head and torso to limit their movement and help prevent parents from rolling onto them. The soft head barrier reduces the risk of entrapment, and the foot wedge ensures the baby stays snugly inside the sleep area.

The First Years Co-Sleeper can be used from newborn up to around 4-6 months, depending on the baby's size. Some users have mentioned that their babies grew out of it before 8-9 weeks, while others have used it until their babies were 6 months old for daytime naps.

The First Years Co-Sleeper is priced at $50 to $59.99, making it an affordable option for parents.

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