Crashing - Baby's room on another floor/Baby in crib right away.

We have a classic cape, our room is downstairs and there are 2 small bedrooms upstairs. We are making one of the rooms upstairs the nursery and the other room will be a guest room.

We are planning on having the baby in its crib from the beginning.

I'm getting a lot of comments from people about both of these things.

1- "Oh, you don't want the baby on another floor. Trust me, you'll see."

2- "The baby will be in your room for the first few months. You don't put a baby in a crib right away."

Anyone have any success stories for either? I'm planning on breastfeedng, and I know that I may end up sleeping in the guest room in the beginning. They make baby monitors for a reason, it's not like I won't hear the baby cry.

Message edited 12/9/2012 9:45:21 AM.

Crashing - Baby's room on another floor/Baby in crib right away.

Personally, I would feel weird having a newborn on a different floor. I had a hard time when dd moved to her room at 2 months bc she wasn't with us. That aside, I would find it inconvenient as well. I used to have to feed DD several times before she would settle for the night. I would hate to put the baby down, go back downstairs to bed, and then have the baby wake up again. It's a lot of up and down in the beginning. I also liked feeding DD in bed, especially since I felt safer if I dozed off. I used a cosleeper, so I literally didn't get out of bed much. Obviously you can do whatever YOU are comfortable with and you shouldn't be made to feel bad about it. I think I would consider your options in case it doesn't work out. Maybe you can put the crib in your room at first so it's an easier transition later. Whatever you decide, newborns have a way of changing our plans in a heartbeat!

Re: Crashing - Baby's room on another floor/Baby in crib right away.

I think it would be a PIA for you, going up and down for feedings. Try it, if it doesn't work, put him in a pack n play or rock n play next to your bed.
Maybe until he is down to one night feeding?

My boys were in their own crib but there room is maybe 5 steps from mine.

Re: Crashing - Baby's room on another floor/Baby in crib right away.

We had DS on a separate floor from day 1. We had a futon in his room, so whichever one of us was watching him that night would stay in his room. That allowed the other person to actually get a full night's sleep. Once he started SLTN, it wasn't difficult at all to go upstairs to deal with him when he did cry.

Both DC were in the crib from day 1. I think it made it easier for everyone. They had one less transition to make. We had one less transition to deal with. We had the monitor(s), so we heard DC even better when they were in another room than when they were in the same room with us. I think we got better sleep by having them in their own room from the start.

For every 10 people you ask, you'll get at least a dozen answers about what is the "right" way to do things. Whatever works for you is the "right" way to do it. Every combination of scenarios that you can imagine has been done by countless parents, so nothing you decide will be ground-breaking, or damaging to DC.

Re: Crashing - Baby's room on another floor/Baby in crib right away.

I have to say that I dont think I would ever do this. You really most likely will want the baby right next to you in the beginning. I had planned to keep my DD in the next room and she was so fussy I had to bring her bassinet into our bedroom. So another floor, I just think its too far in the beginning.

Re: Crashing - Baby's room on another floor/Baby in crib right away.

We have the exact same set up. We kept dd in our room until she was 7 months, much longer than I wanted but dh was too attached! Lol. Anyway, after putting her upstairs I wish we did it sooner. She just seemed to be more comfortable. If you have a video monitor its really no different. Its whatever you are comfortable with and works for you.

Crashing - Baby's room on another floor/Baby in crib right away.

I liked the idea in theory, but the reality was I wanted them close by and with EBF it was so much easier having a bassinet in our room. Not a rock and play but a bassinet. The transition to the crib was fine. I kept things in our room so I could change them quick and nurse right there in bed. It was so much easier. If you do feel comfortable putting DC in the upstairs room that is not a problem! Like you said keep the guest room ready as you may want the ease of being right there for nursing. Like I said it was more of my own piece of mind and ease of bf at night they stayed with us, but having them on another floor is fine also :)

Re: Crashing - Baby's room on another floor/Baby in crib right away.

Re: Crashing - Baby's room on another floor/Baby in crib right away.

DS was in pack and play the first two week but only because he was early and his furniture wasnt delivered yet. Once his furniture arrived, he was in his crib. It was important to me that he got used to sleeping there. When he cried, I heard him on the monitor and got up and went. That said he was not a different floor, however if that was our set up, I do not feel I would have done anything differently.

Crashing - Baby's room on another floor/Baby in crib right away.

if you are BFing you might as well keep the baby in your room. it really doesn't make sense for you to sleep in the guest room. the transition to crib is not very difficult so IMO it would pay to have the baby in your room instead of having to go up and down there stairs. the baby will sleep anywhere so YOUR comfort should be the priority during the first few weeks/months, since you really will be getting very little sleep.

Re: Crashing - Baby's room on another floor/Baby in crib right away.

I think it will be exhausting to be on a different floor from the baby. As for sleeping in the guest room it's better but don't forget DH. There will be a lot of changes going on and it's important to not neglect each other.

With that said happy parents = happy baby. We had lots of plans that didn't work out or changed. I bought a basinet and a rock and play and DD will only sleep in her swing! Go figure. So give it a try, if not, move on to plan B.

Re: Crashing - Baby's room on another floor/Baby in crib right away.

Thanks for your input ladies! My stroller comes with a bassinet and I can get a stand for it, so maybe I'll just put in our room in the beginning and see what works best for us.

I was just thinking that if I end up with a c section for some reason, I won't really be able to go up and down the stairs right away, so I'll need the bassinet stand as a back up anyway.

I appreciate all the advice!

Crashing - Baby's room on another floor/Baby in crib right away.

i think it would be too much on another floor. I kept DD in the living room right outside our bedroom, in the RNP. I remember getting up so many times not even for feeding her (putting paci back in 20x, or just to soothe her and she fell back asleep). I felt like that short walk from our bedroom to the living room was miles.. I cant picture wanting to do that and climbing stairs each and every time. There are some nights you are up and down 10x. Good luck!!