It's the most anxious you'll ever be while driving in a car. You're on your way home from the hospital with your new baby. You cringe at every bump in the road. Your knuckles are white from grasping the steering wheel too tight.

Finally you're home! But now what? Most people by this time have supplied their home with diapers, bottles, blankets and other essentials. But it won't be until nighttime arrives when you'll be faced with the big question - where will baby sleep?

This decision is very personal, and any discussion of it can get very heated. Some will tell you about their experience and if it worked for them or not. Others will tell you that they wish they had done something different. The important thing to remember is that you are never locked into your decision.

One popular trend is to have the baby sleep in the parent's room for the first few weeks or months of life. The benefits are numerous - baby will be waking to eat every few hours for the first months and it's convenient to have the baby close for feedings. Additionally, many new parents feel comfortable being able to keep a close eye on the baby, especially when the baby is sleeping.

If you decide to have the baby in your room at first, you can co-sleep or use a bassinet, cradle or full-size crib. A lot of this depends on what you are comfortable with as well as the size of your room. If you plan to eventually move the baby into a crib, it may be a good idea to start off with a bassinet or cradle for an easier transition later on. And while many co-sleeping parents have no problems moving their baby to a crib later on, many continue to co-sleep and create what is known as a family bed.

It's impossible to predict the future - so remember that that whatever you decide for those first few months is not written in stone. You will be able to adjust sleeping arrangements as you learn what you and your baby are comfortable with.

So much can change after those first few weeks. Your baby may be sleeping better at night and for longer stretches. Some babies may even be sleeping through the night without eating at all. It's at this stage that many parents feel ready to reclaim their bedrooms and introduce the baby to his or her own room, or shared room with a sibling. This can be a tricky transition for some families.

You can prepare your baby a few ways for the move. First, if you've been co-sleeping, you will want to try to have the baby nap on his or her own for a few weeks prior to the move. If baby has already been in a bassinet at night, you can put him or her down for naps in the room that you eventually want them sleeping in at night.

The important thing to remember is to take things slowly and be patient in the transition. Any rushing can cause anxiety in your baby - and that may make for a rough night's sleep.

Family and friends will be quick to relay their stories to you - what worked and what did not work. You may also encounter those that feel the need to tell you that you have made the wrong choice. Just be confident in the decisions you have made for you and your family. Suggestions are helpful - criticism is not.

Since the decision on where your baby will sleep may change after you bring your baby home, it may be tough to determine what you'll actually need in your home.

If your intention is to co-sleep, there are a few products that protect your baby from others in the bed. If you want to use a bassinet, they make some that double as a playpen, so if you don't end up using the bassinet, it's not a total waste of money. Some bassinets open up and attach to the side of the parent's bed, combining the convenience of co-sleeping with the safety of a bassinet.

Do your research before purchasing any products. When friends offer advice, which they will, ask them which products worked well for them.

Or should I say "My Stories"...every baby is different and what works for one may not work for another. My firstborn slept very well in his bassinet - when it was time to move him to a crib, it was almost a non-event. And he started sleeping much better when we moved him. One theory is that we weren't waking him up with our sleeping sounds and I wasn't jumping every time he stirred without allowing him to settle himself down.

My second wouldn't sleep anywhere except right next to me. With my boob in her mouth. I wasn't opposed to her sleeping in my bed - but it wasn't my first choice. With a toddler and a newborn, I had to get sleep anyway I could. If that meant sharing a bed, than that's what we did. And as soon as I could move her, I did. As she got older, she started sleeping better. But it was a long process with her.

My third was a mix of his brother and sister. But by this time, I had no hang-ups about where he should sleep, just as long as he slept. Some nights were in the swing. Some nights were in the bouncy seat.

There comes a point in a baby's life where they start to develop a sleep routine, sleep for longer stretches and eat less at night. It's my belief that this is the point to move them to a more permanent sleeping arrangement. Most babies do not hit this mark until they are 3-6 months old. You'll have plenty of time to figure it out. In the meantime, get some sleep.