I must start this post by confessing that until I got pregnant I had not heard what the colecho was and because it sounds bad to you, it had always seemed like a bad idea for children to sleep in the same bed with their parents (questions that one 'judge', without having any idea of the feelings or the needs that arise when you have your newborn baby in your arms). However, upon learning of my little girl's arrival, I began to investigate what was best for her. So I decided that I would breastfeed, even knowing that I would be born through caesarean section, and that we would definitely collect.
The idea of sleeping all in the same bed still seemed unfit for me ... I was panicked to think that I could hurt him by staying deep and I also wanted everyone to be comfortable. Investigating about several options we have today (I told you all about my 'research'), I arrived at the Chicco Nex 2 Me mini-cradle and I advance you: I hit right.
What is the crib like?
What struck me most from the beginning is that it is larger than a normal mini-cradle. Being aluminum is quite light but firm and the sides are made of a padded and very soft material (also washable), so you don't need a chichonera. One of the sides can be opened (the closure of each side has a zipper), so you can open it to collect, or keep it closed if you prefer. If so, you still see the baby because it has a grid, also quite soft.
The cradle can be tilted in different degrees to use it like this in case you have reflux or at specific times of nasal congestion. It has several heights and bands to adjust it to the parents' bed, so it is perfectly integrated.
My experience with Chicco's Next2Me
My baby was conquered by the mini-cradle since we first put it on. I thought that probably when I got home I could feel out of place, since the hospital's crib was very small, but it wasn't.
It took me very little time to realize that I had been right with my choice: when she woke up at night to eat, it was very easy for me to take it and incorporate myself to breastfeed by not having bars that separated us (I tried several times to lay him down, but she didn't like me and I didn't feel comfortable, so I always had to sit down).
One of the best things about having her so close is that sometimes it is only enough to touch her a little to reassure her (something that happens while you are asleep, but your instinct awakens you and in doing so, you fall asleep right away. Also sometimes I saw her so calm and so still that I had to check that I was breathing well (I guess I'm not the only one that happened to him), and for that I just had to open my eyes and put a little light to see a little.
As the child grew, she began to turn. Sometimes when I woke up I found myself with my head fully attached to the side of the crib and deeply asleep, a sign that I was very comfortable. She also woke me up sometimes and I guess she liked to look so close to me because she never cried in the morning, I think this has been a factor that has had to do with it being a girl of very calm awakenings.
We have used this mini-cradle until 6 months because I already needed something bigger (because it really is like new), but my experience has been more than satisfactory. I would repeat without hesitation and I think its value for money is excellent.
Have you practiced colecho? And have you used a mini-crib? I would love to read your experiences!
