When it comes to choosing your little one's first ever sleeping space, there's a few things that you need to consider before making a purchase. We've put together a little guide to help you make the right decision before your baby arrives!
First Sleeping Space
The safest place for your little one to rest while they sleep is in their own space in the same room as you, so you can hear if they need any attention. It's not essential for your little one to start in a crib or Moses basket, you can start them off in a cot or cot bed. However, some people find them to be a little too big for their baby's first sleeping space, and prefer to have a smaller Moses basket or crib from birth.
When a baby is first born, they can need up to 16 or 18 hours of sleep every day. It's useful to have a Moses basket or crib downstairs or in your living room with you so you can easily put them down to rest whilst keeping your eye on them. These are usually much more lightweight, and can be easily moved from one room to another with their carry handles (we do not recommend carrying your Moses basket with your baby inside) if you need to be elsewhere in a different room.
Palm or wicker?
If you're trying to decide between a palm or wicker Moses basket, then there's a few things you should know. Our palm baskets are handwoven using 100% organic palm leaf, ethically sourced from the heart of Morocco, which makes them more suitable for an eco-conscious parent. They fit in beautifully with any Scandi-style furniture (you know which big brand we mean!) and will suit most decor in your home.
The wicker Moses baskets are made using much more sturdy material, making them more durable around the home. If you're planning on having more than one baby and reusing your basket, we recommend opting for one of these. When they arrive at the Clair de Lune factory, we give every single one of our baskets a good check, hand painting any marks or scratches, and giving it our gold seal of approval for safety standards.
The cover on each basket can be easily removed, washed and changed. You can buy covers for your Moses baskets separately if you fancy a change of decor, or want some spares in case of any little accidents. They come in one size, which fits neatly over both our palm and wicker baskets.
What next?
When your little one is able to sit up or turn around unaided, or when they reach 9 months, we recommend that you ditch the Moses basket or crib and move onto something bigger such as a cot or cot bed.
To reduce the risk of SIDS, it's recommended that your little one sleeps with their feet at the bottom of the bed, with plenty of room and space above their head, otherwise known as 'feet to foot position'. If there isn't any space above their head, it's time to move them onto a cot as they have become too big for their basket or crib.
Moving them onto a cot or cot bed
It may seem a little daunting, but babies are much more adaptable than we think. Be patient at first and start with taking nap time into the same room as your cot or cot bed, so your baby can associate that room with sleep. Then, you can begin to occasionally put them down into the cot or cot bed and slowly ease them into using it more frequently. Crying for a little bit is completely normal, try to persevere and you'll find that your little one will soon feel comfortable in their new sleeping space!
Another thing that helps babies is familiar smells. Try putting one of their used sheets under their new sheets, or tucking them in with a used blanket on their first few times in their new bed. This way they will automatically begin to think of sleep as soon as the smell hits their nose.
Choosing the right cot or cot bed
Choosing a cot or cot bed is important as these have a much longer lifespan for your little one. Some cots are adjustable and can grow as your little one does into a smaller bed for toddlers, such as the Cuddleco furniture sets that we stock on our website. This gives you up to 5 years of usage in your home.
Ultimately, it's up to you to choose which sleeping arrangement is best for you and your little one, as well as what will fit in around your home and budget. Try to think ahead as much as possible, buy things that will stand the test of time and will not be quickly outgrown by your baby, and remember that everyone's journey is different!
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