Cribs come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, but they aren't necessarily for everyone. Whether you don't want to spend the cash on baby furniture, or simply don't have the space for a bulky crib in your home, you may be looking for an alternative sleeping environment for your baby. If that's the case, you may have wondered, is it OK if your baby sleeps on the floor?
In case you thought you were only parent who's ever considered letting their baby sleep on the floor, you should know that you aren't alone. As The Baby Sleep Site pointed out, allowing children to sleep on the floor is a big part of the Montessori Method, which supports encouraging a child's independence by putting everything at their level — including their furniture and clothing. Parents who subscribe to the Montessori Method generally opt to place their babies to sleep in a Moses basket on the floor until they are ready to transition to the Montessori-style floor bed.
In addition to saving you some serious money in your furniture budget, allowing your baby to sleep on the floor can have other benefits. As Mom.me pointed out, sleeping closer to the floor can keep kids from screaming for their parents when they wake up, as they can get up and explore without waiting to be rescued. It can also make late night nursing more convenient, eliminating the worry of disturbing baby's sleep by lifting her in and out of a crib.
If you plan to let your baby sleep on the floor, it's important to make sure the area you choose is clean and safe. As Baby Center suggested, the area should be free of electrical cords, drapes, or curtains that baby could get tangled in. Carpets and pillows can also be harmful, causing baby to suffocate. Also, as with crib sleepers, babies on the floor should be placed on their back to sleep. And hey, if your baby prefers the hard floor to a soft mattress, who are you to judge?
