Baby Gear: The Co-Sleeper

Like politics these days, the sleeping arrangement debate has fierce proponents on both sides. Somewhere in between the Red State Ferber camp (crib in a separate room, let babies cry it out, teach independence) and the Blue State Family Bed crowd (natural to be together, provide security) is our Arms Reach Co-Sleeper.

It's like a crib where one side is the same height as a regular bed. It's been perfect for us -- very easy to provide a reassuring pat or get a pacifer back in place without getting out of bed. And there is no danger of roll-over or suffication from comforters.

There is only one problem with the co-sleeper -- our little babies have grown into big babies. So big that they only fit diagonally. The switch to a crib will likely happen within a week or two, but we'll be sorry to see the co-sleeper go. Fortunately, it converts into a pack-and-play for extended use.

We highly recommend a co-sleeper as a compromise between safety and security.