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I was told to never discuss your baby's sleeping arrangements because everyone has something to say… no matter what you say.
So what do I do? A YouTube video with a freaking room tour!
We've been doing a montessori floor bed since she moved into her own room and WE LOVE IT.
Once you learn to side nurse to sleep you can never go back. It's amazing because when she cries I can go lay with her until she falls asleep.
Am I an expert? NO.
But I thought I'd share with you what I've learned and what you need to know before you try.
All linked items here on my amazon store.
My baby was not a crib baby, she hated it and was always getting stuck in the slats. I know there are mesh crib liners, which honestly would have saved a lot of angry wake-ups with her ankle locked in the slats.
This whole thing started when I learned to side nurse and put her crib mattress on the floor. Then we decided to get a twin mattress on the floor in her room (so I could actually lay down with her). Then I learned it was a real thing (a montessori thing).
If you're interested in this, this is the YouTube channel I checked out to get TONS of information about this and other Montessori things. It has tons of videos like Floor Bed Q&A, Montessori Floor Bed Room tour, etc. she's a great resource.
This blog is all about the a Montessori Floor Bed for babies and toddlers.
1. Baby Proof the room, if you want a Montessori Floor Bed!
If you're going to have a floor bed you must make sure that the entire room is baby-proofed!
– baby proof outlet covers for empty plugs
– Outlet covers for plugged-in things
– Cover the wires
We use a 3″ twin latex mattress topper because we feel comfortable having her on something softer.
However, it is recommended to have a hard spring mattress for babies to sleep on for their safety. Use your parental discretion.
If you live in a warm climate it is also recommended to have the mattress off the floor. There are very cute options for Montessori floor beds.
At some point your baby will be mobile and will want to crawl all around her room (that's the point). You'll also want to make sure you can see them as they move around the room! This is the baby monitor we have. I chose this one for three specific reasons. First, like I said, it moves so you can follow your baby. Second, because you can hook up 2 cameras to it! So in the future, as we have more babes, we can have 2 cameras that work with one monitor! And Third, it doesn't hook up to wifi.
We didn't use bumpers, I rolled up a comforter and tucked it under a sheet in a super janky way that worked. We only did this for a while, then she became super mobile and would just crawl right over them! But since the bed is on the floor when they roll off they're okay. I even started to put our camping mattress pad next to the bed for some added cushion if she did fall off.
As they get older they will be able to go to their door and open it up, obviously, you don't want your babe to be able to walk out of their room in the middle of the night without you knowing. So putting a baby gate on the outside of their door can be a great solution. They can open their door and then yell for you if they need something. I ordered this one from Target for super cheap, but it's not an easy up easy down.
It is recommended by Montessori that you put up a mirror. We used a small 12×12 one originally. Why Acrylic? Because acrylic mirrors are shatter-proof which is obviously a great thing for baby.
I am a HUGE fan of Lovevery and everything they do. If you don't know, they are a Montessori subscription company that sends you boxes that are age-appropriate to help your baby learn and develop. I love them because they are all non-toxic, I don't even have to think twice about babe putting anything in her mouth.
Plus, they send you a booklet in each box to explain how to use the toys included in the box to help our kids develop at the age they're at!
PLUS they're such good quality, I just put them back in the box they came in, rotate them and will absolutely be using them for baby #2!
Baby proofing the room does not mean locking everything up. The opposite actually, it means everything is accessible and safe. These cube shelves are great because they are able to access everything and the low profile makes tipping harder. But you can and probably should strap them to the wall with these.
Sound machines are great for every baby room not just if you have a floor bed . This is the one we use and love, but make sure you cover the plug in and cord! Getting a portable sound machine is also fantastic for the caraset or when traveling.
I would honestly recommend California Beach Co. 10/10 over a pack and play. It is super light, has a strap to carry, and sets up and takes down SO FAST (here's a 1 min video showing it). If you have ever set up a pack and play… you know.
Plus, I can lay with her and nurse her to sleep like we do on the floor bed while we're traveling so it's super easy for us! It also has a shade tarp if you want to use it out in the sun.
**I WOULD recommend the mat if you're going to use it inside, otherwise, it's just the tent material on the floor.
I have a friend who uses this as a “crib” and strapped it to the top of the bed lol
All linked items here on my amazon store.
xo Shay