Hellobee Boards

Okay-- we have one for Lorelei, and I did for Ellie as well. With Ellie she was sleeping on it alone for the first part of each nap starting at around 6 months (once she started to roll over. she was a late roller). Then when she would wake I would go lay with her. At night she would sleep alone until I went to bed for the night (at which point I would join her on the floor bed). If she woke up before I was ready for bed, I would lay with her and nurse her until she was back asleep, and then I would get up again. She had a floor bed until she was three, at which point she moved to a regular twin-sized bed with a frame and boxspring. Lorelei has been about the same in terms of when and how we use the floor bed, except she never wakes up from nap until she is ready to be awake and so I don't lay with her at nap time. Also, Lorelei has been in bed with Mr. T and I at night, so she sleeps on the floor bed, and when we go to bed we move her into our room. The pros are that it is safe. It encourages independence (they can get in and out on their own). It is simple in terms of not needing another contraption or piece of furniture (you can simply get the mattress they will have throughout childhood and place it on the floor). The cons, which we haven't really experienced any of, might be that if your little one is used to a crib, if they wake, or if you lay them down awake, they might find having access to the whole room to be a distraction and that might potentially interfere with sleep. I think one of the most key aspects is making sure the room is entirely safe. Lowly's room is, by far, the most child-proofed in the house! That way, if she wakes and wanders around, she can't get hurt on anything. I've also heard some parents put toys and other distractions up out of reach (a high shelf where they can't get tipped over on child's head, or a closet) during sleeping times to avoid the playground effect. We love using a floor bed, and I would recommend it to anyone who thinks they might be interested!