We decided against the crib after two months of struggling picking baby out every two hours from crying and to feed so we chose to bedshare safely instead. I almost dropped baby because i was so sleepy and tired out when picking up from crib and wehn feeding multiple times 😕 For diaper changing, we used a rubber mat as base or those ikea blow up ones. Lasted us about a year before it ripped to shreds. We washed every week kind because gunk. Wiping down with alcohol can only do so much. Subsequently we changed on the mattress but watch out for random poop and peeing moments haha. A quick guide to bedsharing, make sure u are not on medication especially drowsy ones like influenza or cough drugs and no alcohol consumption. Tie up ur hair while sleeping and bolster the side of the mattress or bed with those bed guard or thick pillows. Baby will still need to sleep safely without small pillows or blankets or toys (please no toys soft or not) that might be kicked onto face or constrict body. I was on no medication for any ailments for 18months as we fully breastfeed too so it was easier for baby to be quite immune to whatever flu i got. It was easier to breastfeed through the night too and because we breastfeed and bedshare i always woke up no matter how tired i am (proven scientifically can read up). Can clearly hear baby cry and even change positions at night.But super exhausted for the longest time haha. We chose a queen size mattress on the floor for safety and only upgrade to a bed after 1.5years since baby fell from bed before. Husband sleeps on a single mattress beside to aid night feeding and diaper changing. Abit cramped too after while plus a trolley for all the diapers and creams and stuff. Moving on we will let baby sleep in the single mattress as she grows bigger and slowly train to sleep independently so husband and wife gets the bed together again hahaha thats the wish. But yea thats our personal choice and our child is thriving! May not work for u but i hope u figure something out 💕❤️
Hi mummy! I use Joie Illusion Cot - has a pull-out changing table and can be converted into playpen. I used the built in changing table until about 3-4 months then before baby start rolling I switched to using a waterproof mat on the bed. For the cot itself I feel like I preferred the mesh side because now that my baby is 7 months old and pulling up to stand, I lower the bed to the playpen level and he practises inside the cot so that when he falls he doesn't hit anything hard 👍 For the first 7 months I also stored all his stuff under the cot 🤣 so I feel it works pretty well. Only thing is some parts of the cot fabric isn't removable so cannot wash just the fabric - need to take out the entire piece. And for the first few months my baby sometimes peed when we open diaper LOL so it was a bit troublesome
Personally, I bought the Joie's crib but I regretted it as I can't really see my baby's face clearly due to the mesh at the side. So I'll recommend getting a cot eg Stokke or Happy Cot 5 in 1. Also, there's no need for a nappy changing area. Just get a waterproof mat and you're good to go.
you can get a big crib or simple get a single bed that connects to your bed (preferably with side guards) that can be used until toddler age. nappy changing can be done on your bed with a waterproof mat. but depending on the height of your bed, you might need to bend your back.
possible to do without a crib