Transitioning From Moses Basket to Co-Sleeper
A bedside crib, also known as a co-sleeper, lets your baby sleep safely close to your bed. Many have extra features like music and rockers.
The Shnuggle Air comes with a cot mattress and conversion kit that transforms your child's safe and comfortable sleeping area into an elegant cot. This clever feature was a huge hit with our mum testers.
Sleeping bag
Baby sleeping bags provide the same level of comfort for babies as a bedding wrap without the risks that blankets carry. These bags are a great option for parents who want to move from an Moses basket to cribs or cots. The sleep sacks are designed with safety and strict European standards in mind. They also permit parents to engage with their infant throughout the night, encouraging closeness and bonding. This is vital for encouraging healthy sleeping patterns and forming brain connections.
Experts agree that a crib beside your bed is the most secure option for your baby. It is important to keep in your mind that your baby will be more mobile after six months. They'll want to roll, crawl and then sit up at nap time and at night. This makes it even more crucial to move your baby from the moses basket to an appropriate cot at the right time for them.
Around four months old, babies who have reached this age will be able to move out of their moses baskets and into a cot or cradle. However, it is dependent on the child's age. Signs that your child is ready include rolling over in their sleep, pushing their arms up when lying on their tummy and getting uncomfortable in their bassinet.
It is important to select a comfortable sleeping bag that is not too tight or too loose. It is essential to select the right tog to suit your baby's body temperature. You can also alter it when the weather changes. Make sure that blankets are tucked in since they could block the baby's breathing, causing excessive heat.
After your baby is settled into their cot, make sure that they're not close to any sources of heat like windows or radiators that receive direct sunlight. Also, make sure that any curtains or baby monitor cables are secured and out of reach. Be aware that your baby is less capable of controlling their temperature than you, so they will be more susceptible to overheating.
Blankets
Baby blankets make a lovely accessory to any crib or cot. It's only natural that new parents are keen to blanket their children with a warm blanket before they go to bed. However, using a blanket in a crib isn't suitable for infants and may increase the risk of SIDS, suffocation, or entrapment. The best choice is a firm, well-fitted sheet that covers the mattress. A blanket can be used as a layer on top, but should never cover the baby's face and should be loos enough to allow airflow.
Many infants die of suffocation when wrapped in soft bedding such as pillows, blankets and toys. This happens when the blanket blocks breathing or when the baby's body is tightly wrapped around it. It also happens when the blanket is caught or twisted around the crib corners.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that you wait until your baby has reached the age of one year before using blankets for their bassinet or crib. Studies have shown that blankets can increase the risk of SIDS for newborns and infants when they sleep on their backs. The AAP suggests avoiding crib bumpers and pillows as well as sheepskin blankets and stuffed toys in the crib. These items can increase the risk of suffocation.
You can use blankets to cover your convertible or convertible-to-divan cot to keep warm. However, you must ensure that the blanket is tucked in to prevent it from becoming loose. You can also use swaddles or sleep sacks to keep your child warm during the night.
Another option is a portable bedside crib, which attaches securely to the side of the parent's bed for a seamless transition from sleeper to toddler bed. This type crib is lightweight and portable, making it simple to transport between rooms. Some also come with the option of converting it so that you can transform the crib to an independent crib as your child grows. When shopping for a portable cot, ensure that it is in compliance with the current British or European safety standard.
Cuddles
A bedside crib is an excellent way to keep baby close all night without having to get out of bed to feed. They're a great option for mothers recovering from a csection who need to be able to reach baby quickly, and they are also great at helping babies start to get used to their own space while remaining close to their parents.
It's important that you choose a crib that is suitable for your bed. Find a crib that has safety straps and harnesses that can be secured. Double-check the height the crib is compatible with, because some cribs aren't suitable when you have a tall bed frame. Certain cribs have additional features, such as the reflux slope or storage shelves. But, they're not essential if you're looking for the most simple solution.
Cots 4 Tots can also pick a crib that has an swivel base, which allows you to move your baby easily around the room. This is ideal if you are working with the space that is small or difficult to maneuver. Lastly, you'll need to consider how portable the crib is - do you want it to be able to move from room to room, or could it fold flat and/or be detachable to be a moses basket, or an older baby crib?
Cuddle cots have also become more popular as an alternative to sleeping bag. They let you remain in the same room as your baby for the first few weeks of life. This is especially beneficial when you are struggling to sleep or suffer from post-natal depressive disorder. Charlotte Szakacs, 21, and her husband Attila, 28, were devastated when their daughter Evlyn died just four weeks after birth due to a rare chromosomal disorder, but they were capable of spending 16 blissful days cuddling her in their cuddle cot. The couple documented the time they spent with her on Instagram. This was a great comfort to the family.
Baby Steps
After you've helped your child sleep through the night in their bedside crib it's time to think about a step up. This is when they move from the co-sleeper position to an individual cot. This is a daunting task for many parents. With some planning, the transition can be smooth.
A bedside crib is a specifically designed for infants that lets babies sleep safely close to their parents bed. The crib, also known as a co-sleeper or side sleeping bassinet, can be attached to the bed of a parent so that they can reach their child during the middle of the night without getting out of bed.
Official guidelines for safe sleep from the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that your baby sleeps in the same room as you for the first six months, but not in your bed because of the danger of overheating and suffocation. A crib for bedside is a safe and practical alternative to sleeping your baby in the same room as you, which will give you a better night's sleep.
The ideal bedside crib is well-built, sturdy and has a safe mattress. It is recommended to select an air-conditioned crib design to ensure that your child will not get too hot. This will ensure that they are comfortable throughout the through the night. Also, make sure that the crib is in line with your bed style. For instance, certain cribs can be used with divan beds, while others are compatible with standard frames.
Many experts suggest using a crib for awake times during the day too so that your baby is comfortable with their new sleeping area. In these times you can put your baby in the crib for brief intervals while you're in the room. This will allow them to get used to the crib when they're awake. This will make the transition to sleeping in the crib much easier for you and your baby.
Mum tester Jasmine was thrilled that the bedside crib has a storage area beneath it. This is great to store extra blankets and nappies. She also says it's the perfect size, stating that it's a bit bigger than standard Moses baskets, but not as large as larger cribs.