Bassinet, Pack ‘n Play, Co-Sleeper, Rock ‘n Play Sleeper…. so many options if you choose to have your baby sleep in your room. We are taking a closer look at the Arm’s Reach Mini Co-Sleeper Bassinet. What did your little one sleep in?
Arm’s Reach Mini Co-Sleeper Bassinet
The Wise Baby Rating: 
Highlights: The “Mini” version of the Orignal was created to work in smaller spaces and that it does. The Co-Sleeper attaches, very securely to the side of your bed
effectively creating a bed extension for your little one. Thus, keeping them close and accessible but in their own, safe space. The Co-Sleeper can be used as a more 
traditional bassinet with the sides up and un-attached to your bed. The mattress is one of the more firm (other than an actual crib mattress) that we have come across. The proximity and access to your little one is unmatched and is especially convenient when baby is waking up every 2-3 hours to nurse. As other parents would agree, having easy access to your baby as well as the ability to “watch” over baby is overwhelmingly reassuring and actually allows moms some sleep!
Lowlights: The Arm’s Reach Mini is not the easiest piece of baby equipment to put together. As other parents complain, and we agree, it’s tough to get the rails to lock in place and overall set up is time consuming. The out of the box height of the Co-Sleeper is on the short side and most people, us included, require the leg extenders to make the Co-Sleeper closer to even with the bed. While it’s still not perfectly even it’s a vast improvement and in our minds a requirement to purchase the extenders. However, this adds additional costs. Lastly, parents complain their children outgrown the Co-Sleeper around three-five months which for some, may not be a long enough use to justify the investment.
Bottom Line: We give the Arm’s Reach Mini Co-Sleeper a five out of five. Sure it has its few downfalls but generally speaking we LOVE, LOVE the CoSleeper and highly recommend it.
On a personal note, we tried the Fisher Price Rock ‘n Play Sleeper and our Graco Pack ‘n Play with the Newborn Napper prior to purchasing the Co-Sleeper. For us, the Co-Sleeper is the ideal solution. It allows me to have Eloise close for middle of the night feedings as well as also allows me to keep a watchful eye after she falls back asleep. Even if she outgrows the Co-Sleeper after 3-5 months to me, it will have been worth every penny.
The Rock ‘n Play was too low for me to be able to see her from bed. I was constantly sitting up to check on her which didn’t help maximize my minimal hours of sleep. The height and angle also created issues when I would go to set her back into the Sleeper after feeding. Trying to gracefully lay her down almost always woke her up (not good!). Lastly, and maybe Eloise is too tiny at this point but the angle of the Rock ‘n Play was to steep for her as she would always slide down and end up looking very uncomfortable. This isn’t to say I don’t like the Rock ‘n Play Sleeper for other times – it just was’t the best overnight solution for us.
The Newborn Napper feature in the Pack ‘n Play did allow me easily pick her up and keep an eye on her but it’s big and took up every inch of limited space in our bedroom. Again for little Eloise, the slight angle was not ideal. Finally, I was not comfortable with the firmness – or should I say lack of firmness of the Newborn Napper. I know, I know it’s a perfectly fine place for newborns to sleep but for me, I didn’t have the peace of mind I needed as it relates to a “firm mattress”. Again, the Pack ‘n Play has been great for daytime naps and I am definitely happy with it but just not as a night time solution.
Leave us a comment with your solution for “in room” sleeping!
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The co-sleeper never really worked well for us, but the Rock ‘n Play was a lifesaver. I could hear her beginning to stir and could reach and arm out and rock her back to sleep without getting out of bed.
Very insightful information!!!!
Love this write up, So much great info! I have never seen one of these, but it sure looks like something I should have used. We used a bassinet that I could not see in while laying down in bed (major downfall). This product however looks wonderful! Thanks!!
What do most parents do at month 5? I’ve been curious about this. We are trying to have a baby and are interested in co-sleeping–but are unclear where baby sleeps after he or she outgrows this bassinet.