The First Years Close and Secure Sleeper, Colors May Vary
by Learning Curve
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Baby Products Reviews of The First Years Close and Secure Sleeper, Colors May Vary
Customer Review: Very useful
Summary: 5 Stars
We LOVED this item. We were concerned about rolling over on our daughter while we had her sleeping in our bed, so this item avoided that problem. We could check on her during the night and feed her without getting out of bed. We used it for the first nearly 4 months, until she actually got so big that we cut the end off (obviously, not recommended) so she could stretch her legs for the last few weeks (she was unusually tall at 4 months, at 27"). I can see using this only with a king-sized bed. One would be too cramped in a queen-sized bed. Note that each parent will have to use separate top blankets and sheets on either side of the sleeper. The only downsides were (1) the nightlight, which I found useless because the light points up and so did not illuminate her face. However, the light is removable, so I suppose one could use it by taking it out. And (2), the manufacturer did not make extra fitted sheets last time I checked. The sheet has velcro which keeps the little mattress in place (although it does not move much), and loose sheets are not recommended for reasons of safety. Therefore, if the sheet gets soiled in the middle of the night, then good luck. The mattress did flatten a little where her head was by the end of 4 months. I have seen comments that the mattress is not soft, but it's really softer than our crib mattress. The entire unit is machine washable (once certain parts are removed, which is easy), and we dried the whole thing in the dryer. We would have brought the sleeper with us on a trip we took after she turned 4 months if she hadn't grown out of it so early. The item was perfect until we transitioned her to her crib at 4 months.Customer Review: good solution to co-sleeping
Summary: 4 Stars
We've bought this "little bed" because our baby was born 2 months and half prematured so when she was discharged we wanted her to sleep with us, to be able to monitor her at night and to nurse her more conveniently, but at the same time wanted her to be safe while sharing our bed.
Features that we like are:
- this little bed is easily kept in place in our bed by a large flap that tucks under our mattress, but is also easy to move around our condo so we could always keep an eye on our baby in the day
- the mattress cover is removable, machine washable (we added a folded cotton sheet on the mattress for more comfort)
- this is really lightweight and can also be folded up for compact easy storage once baby has outgrown it until needed again, probably for our future second baby (we didn't travel but I'm sure this feature would be very convenient for the cause)
- this sleeper allowed us to be close to our baby when she finally got home after almost two months waiting for her to be discharged from NICU
Features that we wish this sleeper have:
- sleep positioners, each time we put our baby in bed we had to tuck a blanket or pillow on each side to prevent her awakened (I notice that the new version does have this feature The First Years Close and Secure Sleeper)
- mattress slightly inclined
Features that we find not useful (for us):
- nightlight
Our baby has outgrown it at about two months and half old. We loved this sleeper and enjoyed each day our baby slept close to us.
Customer Review: For the money, it's a good-quality sleeper
Summary: 4 Stars
The features that make it good: there is a flap on the head end that tucks behind AND under your mattress to keep it in place. The top portion is molded plastic, with a decent height, which is helpful if you're a toss/turner - you won't roll over onto it. The lower half is mesh, which one assumes is to allow air circulation, but I think it's mostly that way to allow it to fold, and be portable. There is a foam wedge at the foot end to prevent baby from "scootching" out of it. HOWEVER, this makes the sleeper short enough to only last maybe 3 months (more or less, depending on the length of the baby). I've read that other buyers had a "split mattress," but mine was not split, but was one piece. After being folded, it was obviously bent in the middle, but I solved that by just flipping the mattress over for that use. I suppose that the split mattress was designed after complaints of the mattress being bent, so not a great change in my opinion. I also liked the nightlight - just bright enough to let us see the baby, without waking her up fully.
It is sized so that it would best fit in a king size bed (if you have 2 parents in bed), but we managed with a queen.
After reading other reviews, and thinking about my own use of this sleeper, I've come to a conclusion: The length may be too short to use it for long, however, once baby outgrows it lengthwise, it's probably time to get him out of your bed, as he is too mobile to be in a sleeper of this design. So perhaps good planning on The First Years part !
Customer Review: Great for my newborn
Summary: 4 Stars
I received this as a present from my baby shower. So far it has been great for my newborn that likes to have me near and is able to sleep in bed with me without me losing sleep over fear of rolling over on him in the middle of the night. It is also great for traveling when visiting relatives for quick trips or over night sleep over's at grandmas. It gives baby a constant security even in a different sleeping environment. It has a convenient battery operated night light at the head of this product that makes it easy to check on baby in the middle night with out waking him with the bright lights of turning a lamp on.
The only downside is that the waterproof padding (that comes with it) is not so comfortable and is on the stiff side even if it's covered by a washable cotton cover (also provided with the product). Luckily my Mom improvised by cutting out some memory foam from an old bed liner she had in the shape of the liner that comes standard with this sleeper. The new cushion she created fit perfect in this and has completely improved the comfort of this sleeper for my baby. The foam also prevents flat head syndrome and now it's the perfect product for me and my baby. Another con is its size and most babies will definitely outgrow this after 6 months.
So far it has been worth it for me as it gives my baby a safe and secure place to sleep peacefully no matter where we are for the night. (again, just wish the manufacturer would improve the cushion that comes with it.)
Customer Review: Not the worst, but not the best
Summary: 2 Stars
We bought this because we have a king-size bed, but really no room in our room for a bassinet. It worked okay, and we did use it for about 7 weeks after my daughter's birth, but I think I'm getting rid of it. We ended up having to place rolled up receiving blankets on both sides to keep her from slipping down and out of the mesh sides. Neither one of us is large, and we're about the same size, so she would work her way down and out of either side very regularly before we started using the improvised bolsters. It also seems pretty short for its intended use. My daughter is in the 25th percentile on weight and height, but she was as long as the sleeping area after only 3 or 4 weeks. In fact, when we brought her home from the hospital at only 5.75 lbs, we were both surprised at how well she fit in it. I'm not sure my son, who was 7 lbs 3 oz at birth, would have ever fit in it.
On the plus side, it was easy to take with us when we traveled, and we didn't have to worry about whether there was room in our room for a pack-and-play or something like that. And it wasn't very expensive.
However, I never really felt comfortable with her in it, and I don't think she was very comfortable either. In hindsight, I wish we'd have gone on and made room in our room for an Arm's Reach co-sleeper or traditional bassinet. I think we'd have all slept better and been happier in those first weeks.