Transitioning From Moses Basket to Co-Sleeper
A bedside crib, or co-sleeper, lets your baby sleep in a safe place close to your bed. Many come with additional features like music, rockers and night lights.
The Shnuggle Air also comes with a conversion kit for cots and mattress, which can transform your baby's cozy and safe sleeping space into a stylish cot. Our mom testers were thrilled with this clever feature.
Sleeping bag
Baby sleeping bags provide the same comfort as a blanket but without the dangers. They are a good option for parents looking to move their baby from the Moses basket to a cot or bedside crib. The sleep sacks are designed with security in mind and adhere to strict European standards. They also allow parents to interact with their baby throughout the night, encouraging intimacy and bonding. This is essential for encouraging healthy sleep patterns as well as the development of essential brain connections.
Most experts agree that a crib by the bed is the most secure spot for your baby to rest. However, it's important keep in mind that your baby will be more mobile once they reach the age of six months old. This means that they will likely want to roll over or crawl, and then sit up during naps and at night. This makes it even more important to move your baby from the moses basket to a cot at the appropriate time for them.
At around four months, babies that have reached this age will be ready to move out of their moses baskets and into a cradle/cot. It all depends on the child's age. Signs that your baby is ready include rolling over in their sleep, pushing up on their arms when lying on their stomachs and getting uncomfortable in their bassinet.
It is important to select a comfortable sleeping bag that is not too tight or too loose. Make sure that it's the correct tog for your baby's temperature and alter the tog as weather changes. Make sure that blankets are tucked in because they can block the baby's breathing, leading to overheating.
After your baby is settled in their cot, make sure they are not too near any heat sources like windows or radiators that receive direct sunlight. Make sure that all curtains and baby monitor cables are away from reach. Remember that your child is less able than you to regulate their body temperature, which means they are more susceptible to overheating.
Blankets
Baby blankets are a charming addition to any bedside crib or cot and it's normal for parents who are new to protect their baby with a soft blanket when they put them down to sleep. It is not recommended to use a blanket as an infant cover. This can increase the risk for SIDS, suffocation or entrapment. The best solution is a fitted sheet that covers your mattress. A blanket can be added as a layer on top, but should never be used to cover the face of the baby and should be loose enough to allow airflow.
A lot of cases of accidental suffocation among infants involve soft bedding such as pillows, blankets, and toys. This happens when the blanket restricts breathing or the infant's body is wrapped tightly around it. It can also happen when the blanket becomes caught or twisted around the corners of the crib.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends waiting until your baby is at 1 year old before they use a blanket in the crib or bassinet. This is because research has found that blankets increase the risk of SIDS in newborns and infants especially when they are placed on their backs to sleep. The AAP also recommends avoiding crib bumpers, pillows, sheepskin blankets and stuffed animals in the crib as they could increase the risk of suffocation.
If you own a convertible cot or convertible-to-divan, then you can also utilize a blanket to provide warmth or as a bedding cover. To stop the blanket from falling loose it is essential to ensure that it is tucked into place. Swaddles or sleep sacks to keep your child warm during the night.
A portable bedside crib is an alternative. It is attached securely to the side of a parent's bed, allowing for a smooth transition from a sleeper bed to a toddler bed. This kind crib is light and mobile, making it easy to move between rooms. Many cribs come with a kit that permits you to transform the crib into a cot once your child grows. When shopping for bedside crib with wheels ensure that it is in compliance with the current British or European safety standards.
Cuddles
A bedside crib is a great method to keep baby in close proximity all night long without having to get up to feed. These cribs are an excellent option for mothers who just had a c-section and want to be able and accessible to their child. They also assist babies settle in independently while still being close to parents.
When picking a crib it is important to choose one that fits well with your bed - look for one that has safety straps or harnesses to attach securely. Double-check the height the crib is compatible with, because some cribs aren't suitable when you have a tall bed frame. Some come with additional features like a reflux incline or a storage shelf, but these aren't important if you're trying to find the most simple solution.
You can also choose one with a swivel-base, which allows you to move the baby around the room easily. This is perfect if you are working with a small or awkward space. In addition, you'll have to think about how mobile the crib is - do you want it to be easy to move from room room, or can it fold flat and/or be detachable to transform into a moses basket or older baby crib?
Cuddle cots have also become increasingly popular as alternatives to sleeping bag. They let you remain in the same bedroom as your baby for the first few months of life. This is particularly beneficial when you are struggling to sleep or suffer from post-natal depressive disorder. Charlotte Szakacs, 21, and her husband Attila, 28, were heartbroken when their daughter Evlyn died just four weeks after birth due to a rare chromosomal disorder however they were able to spend 16 precious days cuddling her in their cuddle cot. The couple shared the time they spent with her on Instagram. This was a great source of comfort for the family.
Baby Steps
If you've managed to get your child to sleep throughout the night in their crib at night it's time to think about the possibility of a step up. At this point, it is the time that they will move from a co-sleeper to a separate crib. This is a daunting task for a lot of parents. With a little planning, the transition can be effortless.
A bedside crib is a designed baby sleeping solution that allows babies to sleep in a safe and secure position next to their parents in their beds. The crib, also referred to as a co-sleeper or side sleeping bassinet, is attached to the bed of a parent to allow parents to reach their child in the middle night without having to get out of the bed.
Official safe sleeping guidelines from the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that your infant is in the same room as you for the first six months but not in your bed due to the possibility of overheating and suffocation. A bedside crib can be an effective and safe alternative to let your child sleep in the same bed as you. This will give you the best night's sleep.
The ideal bedside crib should be well-constructed and sturdy, with a an incredibly secure mattress. A design that is breathable is ideal to ensure that your child doesn't overheat and remain relaxed throughout the night. It is also important to make sure that the crib is compatible with your bed's style - for example, some models can be used with divan beds, while others are suitable for standard frames.
Many experts recommend using a crib for the awake times during the day too so that your baby is comfortable with their new sleeping area. During these times, you could put your baby in their crib for short periods of time when you are in the room. This will help them get used to the crib even if they're awake. This will make the transition to sleeping in the crib much easier for you both.
Mum tester Jasmine was thrilled that the bedside crib has a storage space under it. This is perfect to store nappies and blankets. She also says it's the perfect size, stating that it's a bit bigger than standard Moses baskets but not as big as some large-sized cribs.