HOW TO SIDECAR YOUR CRIB (use your crib as a co-sleeper)
An alternative to the family bed or a co-sleeper
Please
note that the photos and text contained herein were generously donated by
gavicki. Thanks!
A standard crib set-up in the
"sidecar" arrangement.
This image shows a
piece of plywood going under both mattresses. This keeps the crib mattress firm
and sturdy at the edge and, if necessary, helps raise the crib mattress to the
correct height. There is a folded blanket on the wood.
The
mattresses are level to each other and there is no gap. Double check for gaps
each time before placing baby in the sidecar. You do not want a gap. If your
crib has casters it may be a good idea to tie the crib to the frame of your bed
with some twine or other sturdy material, or remove the casters. This
arrangement needed extra height and has been tied to the adult bed and is
working fine. The parents also added a non-slip rug pad between the adult
mattress and box spring to keep the adult mattress from sliding away from the
crib.
There is a bumper pad folded to
fit just the one side of the crib. It is tied to the side of the crib to keep it
in place.
Pushing the crib mattress blunt to the adult mattress left a pretty
big gap on the far side of the crib. These parents filled in the gap with a
tightly rolled blanket. The bumper pad rests on top of this rolled blanket. Some
parents have had a piece of foam cut to fit the gap; others use body pillows.
Whatever you use, be sure it is *firm* - no soft bedding. Whatever you use must
be able to keep the crib mattress from sliding away from the adult mattress. **CHOOSE YOUR MATERIALS CAREFULLY**
NOTE: Whenever possible, it is recommended that you push the
crib up against a wall, then push the adult bed next to the crib. This cuts down
on movement of the arrangement and the gaps that result. Additionally, many
times the resulting sidecar arrangement will result in the crib mattress being a
bit higher than it would be if not attached to the adult bed. This can become
hazardous when baby begins to stand and pull up in the crib.
****THE INFORMATION ABOVE IS PROVIDED AS A TOOL TO ASSIST PARENTS IN
CONVERTING THEIR EXISTING CRIB INTO A SIDECAR ARRANGEMENT. PLEASE CHECK ALL
MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDATIONS AND WARNINGS. THE SAFETY OF THE SIDECAR MUST BE
DETERMINED BY EACH FAMILY WITH THEIR INDIVIDUAL BEDDING AND CRIB. ALL CRIBS ARE
MANUFACTURED A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY. REGULARLY CHECK THE STABILITY OF THE SIDECAR
AND CHECK NIGHTLY FOR GAPS. THIS INFORMATION IS NOT INTENDED TO REPLACE COMMON
SENSE AND DUE DILIGENCE. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW TO READ
ABOUT CO-SLEEPING AND CRIB SLEEPING SAFETY!!!****
Note: This page was "rescued" from: http://pages.ivillage.com/gentlegoodnight/sidecar.html which is no longer valid and is being sponsored by YellBaby.com at www.yellbaby.com
A standard crib set-up in the
"sidecar" arrangement. 
This image shows a
piece of plywood going under both mattresses. This keeps the crib mattress firm
and sturdy at the edge and, if necessary, helps raise the crib mattress to the
correct height. There is a folded blanket on the wood. 
The
mattresses are level to each other and there is no gap. Double check for gaps
each time before placing baby in the sidecar. You do not want a gap. If your
crib has casters it may be a good idea to tie the crib to the frame of your bed
with some twine or other sturdy material, or remove the casters. This
arrangement needed extra height and has been tied to the adult bed and is
working fine. The parents also added a non-slip rug pad between the adult
mattress and box spring to keep the adult mattress from sliding away from the
crib. 
There is a bumper pad folded to
fit just the one side of the crib. It is tied to the side of the crib to keep it
in place. 
Pushing the crib mattress blunt to the adult mattress left a pretty
big gap on the far side of the crib. These parents filled in the gap with a
tightly rolled blanket. The bumper pad rests on top of this rolled blanket. Some
parents have had a piece of foam cut to fit the gap; others use body pillows.
Whatever you use, be sure it is *firm* - no soft bedding. Whatever you use must
be able to keep the crib mattress from sliding away from the adult mattress. **CHOOSE YOUR MATERIALS CAREFULLY**