When expecting my second child, I received a cash gift from my co-workers. I was delighted to have the extra money to spend, and we went out and purchased the bedside co-sleeper. It was easy to assemble, and my husband had it ready for us when we arrived home from the hospital.

I was immediately a little disappointed to note that the mattress in the co-sleeper was not even with my bed. There was about a 4 inch drop from my bed to the co-sleeper, which meant that instead of "sliding" baby back and forth I actually had to lift her. "How lazy" you say? : ) Actually for the first few days post partum, it is so difficult to get used to the night waking, and is so much easier to just pull baby over, than to have to wake enough to lift the baby. Maybe not a problem for some, but irritating for me after we had spent that money!

We ended up with baby in bed next to me most nights. It was just much easier to sleep with baby close, and barely wake up to nurse. The co-sleeper did become a wonderful "catch all" for baby toys, laundry etc. A very expensive catch all I might add!!

The plus is that I didn't ever have to worry about baby rolling out of bed. If she rolled over, she rolled into the co-sleeper. I could have accomplished the same result with a bedrail for a fraction of the cost.

All in all, the co-sleeper wasn't a good investment for us. I am very comfortable having my children in the bed with me, which is what I did with children before and after getting the co-sleeper. For someone who doesn't care to have baby as close, this is a great option. Baby is close, but not in the bed with you, and makes nursing easier at night, since you don't have to leave the comfort of your bed to nurse.