Here is my ramp!
Down it I go!
Out of my own bed, and crawling I go!
We've been sleeping with Sebastian in our bed since he was born. Once he started rolling and moving around, I must admit he fell off the bed, face first, twice. It was scary. So I removed the bed frame, borrowed two guard rails, and built two exits/entrances with a "baby ramp".
The look on his face when he first started using the ramp was of glowing self-confidence and excitement! There was no going back after I saw that. We baby proofed (still more to be done) and blocked off the kitchen and front door.
In the morning when he wakes up, he chirps with glee when he crawls toward his ramp. He decides when he is done nursing, and he decides when he wants to go play and explore. It's really fun, and we all love it. I can't wait until he can crawl back into the bed, too!
My only concern now is having my mattress on the floor and it getting stale underneath. Also, it's kind of killing my back! So I'm looking into a very low support system and came across pallets as an idea. Although I actually think just sawing the feet nearly off a cheap IKEA wood frame might allow my mattress to conform to my body better. Anyway,this looks quite nice!:
I actually am currently using my foot board as a headboard as I don't like having our pillows against the cold outer wall. Our bedroom is very cold, which is another reason our beautiful crib never quite took off. It is still handsomely sitting in the corner, a reminder that my preconception of parenthood has been turned on its head! It was used for a few naps, but mostly it was a wonderful nesting gift that made me feel loved and secure about my impending first born child--all from a beloved old friend!
Unwittingly, I have been following a lot of the Montessori method precepts. In fact, the "Montessori Bed" is a mattress on the floor for the child, in lieu of a crib. We have put his crib mattress in the living room as a warmer place for him to watch TV, play, practice getting on his knees, and to sit with him and read. Sometimes we even take naps there, or I stop to nurse him during the day.
I read that many families in Japan co-sleep for the first year and of course many people there sleep on the floor on mats and futons. With minimal furniture, baby can more safely explore the environment. I have a lot of furniture, and baby proofing has included even removing the knobs from my lower dresser drawers.
But about the mattress....sleeping on the floor can change the performance of your mattress. My latex mattress is now killing me because it has become a bit mushy and unforgiving. I want a new mattress anyway, as I'm on an anti-flame retardant crusade and would like a chemical free natural latex/wool bed. Going flame retardant free is another post, though!
Anyway, he is sleeping right now, and I need to clean up the kitchen and make a quick snack. I will write more soon about our co-sleeping experiences. I've also promised a cloth diaper post, and, of course, I have two months worth of photos to share of our little guy.
