Can a 8 Month Old Sleep in an Toddler Airbed?

Updated on October 25, 2010
M.M. asks from Bellingham, WA
18 answers

Hi Ladies. :) I currently co sleep with my 8 month old son on a full size mattress on the floor. I would like to transition him to a bed beside me so that DH can sleep with me. Problem is, he's a sleep roller. He goes all over the place without pillows, the wall, or my body to stop him. I want to put him in one of those toddler air beds on the floor beside my bed, but it says those are for babies 2+. Why? Do you think it would be safe? I can't just put him on a crib mattress or he'll roll off. Any ideas? Thanks in advance!
If you don't know what I mean by baby air mattress, it's like this...
http://theshrunks.com/shop/original-travelbed.asp

NOTE: We can't afford a crib, and even if we could he wouldn't sleep in it. I have to be able to touch him. He holds on to my hand when he wakes at night to soothe him back to sleep. He would be too far away in a pack n play. (i've tried) And he can't sleep between me and DH, b/c DH doesn't quite have the baby awareness that I do. I'm afraid he'd roll on our little guy.

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So What Happened?

Thanks for all the ideas mommas! I agree, I think it is probably dangerous. I really don't have any cash to put up, and we already have one of theses from my MIL. But the fact that I had to question the safety probably means its not a good idea .
I ended up having a cheap crib mattress given to us and put it between our mattress and the wall in a corner, and then rolling up a blanket under the sheet at the end edge of the crib mattress. Its working so far.

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C.A.

answers from San Francisco on

No, he would not be safe. He could potentially suffocate. It's probably better to get a pack and play and let him sleep in that.

What about just putting him on a blanket on the floor? I am VERY concerned about the sides of that air bed.

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C.B.

answers from Dallas on

I don't think I would do the air bed just because there could be a problem if ever there was a slow leak- he could have problems like having the mattress come up around him(because he is heavier then the air filled mattress)-
If you are worried about him rolling off a regular toddler mattress, you could make a pallet for him on the floor with a folded blanket or a yoga mat.
One thing that I have done with all my kids when they were babies is put them in a laundry basket. I have a smaller rectangular one- it is plastic and has holes in the sides, but they are small enough to be safe. We would put a pillow in the bottom, cover it with a sheet and lay the baby in it- he couldn't roll out because there were sides, but it was low enough for us to just reach over if it was on the floor. We did this mainly for naps though- so I was awake and they were in the same room with me. I don't know how comfortable you would be to use it as a bed time solution. - It was kind of like just the basket of the bassinet- except a cheaper version that I could afford!
they do sell the bassinet baskets also- I have seen them at Ross every once in a while for about $20-$30.
Good luck!
~C.

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S.L.

answers from Portland on

I don't think an air mattress is a very good idea. Could you get a crib-sized mattress to go next to your mattress? An air mattress slowly loses air and could cause your baby to sink in possibly compromising his oxygen. At 8 months the risk of SIDS is less than, say, a 4 month old, but it's still in the SIDS window (up to a year). A firm mattress is really what's recommended. If you can't afford a mattress, maybe you could fold some blankets and make a palette on the floor next to you, that would not me so squishy as an air mattress.

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J.O.

answers from Corvallis on

I wouldn't put an 8 month old into an air mattress as the carbon dioxide from his breath might build up more in that situation and he could suffocate since he might not be able to move around. What I use to keep my little one in bed is magic bumpers you can check them out at www.magicbumpers.com
Goodluck to you.

1 mom found this helpful

M.P.

answers from Provo on

have you thought of getting a playpen or even a crib? Not being mean or anything but a baby if not sleeping with you needs to be confined. to much could happen if the baby is free to do what ever he wants. Imagine once he starts crawling and wakes up in the middle of the night and starts to crawl out of your room. I'd suggest getting at the very least a playpen.

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H.G.

answers from Portland on
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N.W.

answers from Eugene on

How about a couple of sleeping bags or a thick comforter on the floor for a "mattress"? My mom makes a bed like this for my boys when we stay at her house. You can roll under the edges or use a folded blanket to create raised sides to keep your toddler from rolling off the bed when he sleeps.

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A.T.

answers from Portland on

No! Definately not. Pretty dangerous actually.

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K.M.

answers from Miami on

I wouldn't be too comfortable with an air mattress for one that young. Maybe if he was closer to 18 months. I did use a kids aerobed when my son was around a year and a half for an overnight visit with another family and everything was fine. But younger than that and I'd be nervous.

How about getting a mattress rail like this or something similar: http://www.amazon.com/Regalo-Hide-Away-Exrta-Long/dp/B000...

You could then put the baby between you and the rail without worrying he'd fall off the edge and your husband could sleep on the other side of you. Then just transition him when he's a little older. My kids both transitioned to toddler beds a little over a year and half. That's not that far away. I wouldn't stress about a crib at this point. Just make sure your room is baby proofed.

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M.L.

answers from Seattle on

I wouldn't use an airbed for a child so young. Honestly, I don't even think I'd use one for my 3 year old. The chance of suffocation is just too high.

How about letting your son sleep between you and DH?

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D.S.

answers from Tulsa on

I would not try it it would scare me. crib matress doesnt sit that high he should sleep through the roll off.

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L.S.

answers from Portland on

I would look on craigslist for a co sleeper...or at resale stores. There is a chance of suffocation /SIDS. Or I would try a crib/pack n play It may take a while for him to get used to it... Better to be safe:-).
Also try childrens outreaches for free stuff for parents. In Portland we have NW Childrens outreach..call them they might have resources in your area:-)

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D.P.

answers from Seattle on

I wouldn't do an air matress - too soft. Put a regular mattress next to your bed (twin or crib-sized), put a flat sheet on the mattress, then tuck type pillows under the sheet along the far edge.

OR - Ikea has small cribs that sit on the floor (under $100) - you could push the crib up against your mattress and still hold his hand thru the rails.

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M.T.

answers from Portland on

I agree with all the other moms who say the airbed is a risk. However, you could get a free (or nearly free) bedframe for your mattress which is now on the floor to raise it and get yourself a co-sleeper (I think one of the moms provided a link). If the price tag is daunting, put a "Wanted" add on Craiglist saying you can only afford so much (whatever that is), and you may be surprised that another mom may very well have exactly what you need.

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K.J.

answers from Chicago on

Crib mattress on the floor next to your full sized mattress sounds ideal, and you can probably put some pillows around it in case he rolls.

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M.N.

answers from Chicago on

I would slowly start transitioning him to sleep in a play pen or crib once you can afford one. They have some great ways of doing this on supernanny.com. For yourself and you relationship with your significant other. Most importantly with your babies own way of learning to self soothe. Is this your first child? Once your child starts moving you could be asleep and he could wake and you would have no idea and he could get into something unsafe. etc.

I would then maybe post on mamapedia that your in need of a crib etc and maybe someone in your area would donate one to you. Look for some local churches etc. sometimes they have people donate things. My sister is in a tough situation and she had a couch given to her etc. through the church:)

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M.S.

answers from Portland on

They say age 2 probably because babies may still roll off or crawl out. There also may be a suffocation risk if it pops and folds onto baby. Since you would be right there, I don't think those risks are a big deal.

What you should consider though is that air mattresses are vey cold if you don't lay a blanket or something thicker than a sheet on them. Once you cover it with a blanket, it then becomes a suffocation hazard. Depending on how well your baby handles blankets, I'd try it. I'd lay a fuzzy but small blanket on it then cover with a tight fitting crib sheet secured with sheet strap things. With you right there, it isn't any more dangerous than your own bed. I think it is a great idea.

You could also consider moving your mattress closer to wall and put a crib mattress wedged between your mattress and the wall.

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S.B.

answers from Wichita on

he needs something with walls so he doesnt roll off if you arent there.

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