One of the most important things when you are preparing to welcome a new baby is having a crib or something similar ready for them to sleep in. There are so many different types of crib and design options available that it can be hard to know what to choose, but with a bit of careful research, you can find something suitable for you and your baby.
Before you purchase any kind of crib, there is one thing that you absolutely must check to make sure that the crib is safe. The crib should conform to the safety standards of your country; parents in the UK should look for the British Standard mark BS EN 716-1 when buying a crib, and you should always make sure to check. If it does not carry the required safety mark, do not buy it and choose an option that does.
Newborn babies will often sleep better in smaller spaces, so perhaps choose a Moses basket, bassinet or small crib for them rather than a full-sized one to start with. Babies will grow out of bassinets and Moses baskets within a matter of months, and it is recommended that you transfer your baby to a cot from at least six months. It is worth having a crib ready before this point as well as the necessary bedding.
Moses baskets and bassinets are great for the first few months as they are easier to move than a cot and it has been found that they make feeding babies easier during the nights. Many parents have found that their child sleeps better in a Moses basket/bassinet for the first few months, likely as a result of the cosier feel and less expansive space. Bedside cots are another great option as ones for newborn tend to be small and they can be pulled right up to the side of your bed with the side next to you lowered. This means your baby can co-sleep with you without the dangers that would come with putting them on the bed, and many mums have found that they make feeding and changing easier too.
When it comes to choosing a cot, you can easily find countless options practically anywhere that sells bedroom furniture, and some come with bedding sets and accessories as well. If, however, you have borrowed a cot, make sure it conforms to safety standards with the bars no less than an inch and no more than 2.5 inches apart so your baby's head does not get trapped. Also, if you are borrowing a vintage crib, you may need to strip it and repaint it with a lead-free paint as cots from before 1973 often used lead-based paints which are harmful to babies. You may also have to purchase a new mattress with borrowed cots, particularly if the original has sagged and lacks support, but these are easy enough to buy and you just have to be sure that they fit snugly without gaps at the sides.
Many cots can be adjusted height-wise with the idea that it will be highest during the early months and lower as your baby grows. Most cots tend to have two or three height settings, though you may find that two is all you need. In relation to this, most cots also feature drop rails to make lifting your little one in and out of the cot easier. The mechanism may simply be on one side but there are cots which feature drop mechanisms on both sides to give you a little more ease.
Many parents have started to invest in cot beds rather than just simply a cot. The difference is that a cot bed has removable sides and end panel, a feature which regular cots do not. These removable elements mean that the cot can be turned into a toddler-sized bed when your child is old enough, and they are a great way of lengthening the life of a cot. They also make the transfer from a cot to a bed easier for your little one and one of the best things is that while they do tend to be bigger than regular cots, they don't necessarily cost more. It is simply a case of finding one that is right for you and your baby, and again, you should look for the British Standard mark.
Cots may also come with added features such as teething rails and casters, both of which can be beneficial. Some babies when there teething tend to start munching on their cot rails, but a teething rail helps to prevent damage both to cot and your little one's teeth. The teething rail is simply a protective lining around the edge of the cot, acting as a barrier between the cot itself and your baby's teeth. Casters are another handy feature and they are simply wheels on the bottom which help to make moving the cot an easier task. It also helps when you want to tidy up as the cot can be easily pushed aside.
A travel cot may also be a good investment, but only if you know you will get a lot of use of it. Travel cots are usually made of metal or plastic with mesh and they can be easily erected or collapsed as you need. They can be rather heavy which is why you should only consider getting one if you travel a lot, but they have the added benefits of doubling up as a playpen for your little one, and they can provide any guest babies with a place to sleep. Consider carefully if you really need one before purchasing, but they are worthwhile for parents who often travel.
For smaller babies, a carry-cot might be a better alternative to a travel cot or even a Moses basket when it comes to travelling. Carry-cots are sturdier and provide more protection for your baby than a Moses basket and they are much more compact than travel cots. You can find them at specialist baby stores and brands, and they may often be included as a feature of a pram. Carry-cots are very popular with parents that have newborns and there has been the suggestion by professionals that they are the best option when out and about, above car seats. Having Baby in a car seat for long periods of time can compress the chest wall and reduce the size of the airways, and it could possibly slow the development of the spine as the baby is kept in a curved position rather than flat.
Whatever type of cot you choose for your baby, you must absolutely make sure that the bedding you get fits properly. It may seem strange to stress this as important, but if the bedding is loose, it may come off and suffocate your child. Still, there are plenty of options of bedding out there for you to choose from and you are sure to find something that fits in a style that you like. If you can't find anything in stores, check online; a quick Google search will yield thousands of options, and you can simplify your task by specifying what you want. For example, you could type 'baby bedding sets for boys' or ‘baby bedding sets for girls' to bring up more relevant options, though if your having twins, the simple search would probably do just fine!
Think carefully on what you want and the options that will be safest in your home before purchasing a crib and remember to make sure that bedding fits properly for extra safety. Ensuring these things will give you peace of mind and help keep your little one safe and sound as they sleep!
Before you purchase any kind of crib, there is one thing that you absolutely must check to make sure that the crib is safe. The crib should conform to the safety standards of your country; parents in the UK should look for the British Standard mark BS EN 716-1 when buying a crib, and you should always make sure to check. If it does not carry the required safety mark, do not buy it and choose an option that does.
Newborn babies will often sleep better in smaller spaces, so perhaps choose a Moses basket, bassinet or small crib for them rather than a full-sized one to start with. Babies will grow out of bassinets and Moses baskets within a matter of months, and it is recommended that you transfer your baby to a cot from at least six months. It is worth having a crib ready before this point as well as the necessary bedding.
Moses baskets and bassinets are great for the first few months as they are easier to move than a cot and it has been found that they make feeding babies easier during the nights. Many parents have found that their child sleeps better in a Moses basket/bassinet for the first few months, likely as a result of the cosier feel and less expansive space. Bedside cots are another great option as ones for newborn tend to be small and they can be pulled right up to the side of your bed with the side next to you lowered. This means your baby can co-sleep with you without the dangers that would come with putting them on the bed, and many mums have found that they make feeding and changing easier too.
When it comes to choosing a cot, you can easily find countless options practically anywhere that sells bedroom furniture, and some come with bedding sets and accessories as well. If, however, you have borrowed a cot, make sure it conforms to safety standards with the bars no less than an inch and no more than 2.5 inches apart so your baby's head does not get trapped. Also, if you are borrowing a vintage crib, you may need to strip it and repaint it with a lead-free paint as cots from before 1973 often used lead-based paints which are harmful to babies. You may also have to purchase a new mattress with borrowed cots, particularly if the original has sagged and lacks support, but these are easy enough to buy and you just have to be sure that they fit snugly without gaps at the sides.
Many cots can be adjusted height-wise with the idea that it will be highest during the early months and lower as your baby grows. Most cots tend to have two or three height settings, though you may find that two is all you need. In relation to this, most cots also feature drop rails to make lifting your little one in and out of the cot easier. The mechanism may simply be on one side but there are cots which feature drop mechanisms on both sides to give you a little more ease.
Many parents have started to invest in cot beds rather than just simply a cot. The difference is that a cot bed has removable sides and end panel, a feature which regular cots do not. These removable elements mean that the cot can be turned into a toddler-sized bed when your child is old enough, and they are a great way of lengthening the life of a cot. They also make the transfer from a cot to a bed easier for your little one and one of the best things is that while they do tend to be bigger than regular cots, they don't necessarily cost more. It is simply a case of finding one that is right for you and your baby, and again, you should look for the British Standard mark.
Cots may also come with added features such as teething rails and casters, both of which can be beneficial. Some babies when there teething tend to start munching on their cot rails, but a teething rail helps to prevent damage both to cot and your little one's teeth. The teething rail is simply a protective lining around the edge of the cot, acting as a barrier between the cot itself and your baby's teeth. Casters are another handy feature and they are simply wheels on the bottom which help to make moving the cot an easier task. It also helps when you want to tidy up as the cot can be easily pushed aside.
A travel cot may also be a good investment, but only if you know you will get a lot of use of it. Travel cots are usually made of metal or plastic with mesh and they can be easily erected or collapsed as you need. They can be rather heavy which is why you should only consider getting one if you travel a lot, but they have the added benefits of doubling up as a playpen for your little one, and they can provide any guest babies with a place to sleep. Consider carefully if you really need one before purchasing, but they are worthwhile for parents who often travel.
For smaller babies, a carry-cot might be a better alternative to a travel cot or even a Moses basket when it comes to travelling. Carry-cots are sturdier and provide more protection for your baby than a Moses basket and they are much more compact than travel cots. You can find them at specialist baby stores and brands, and they may often be included as a feature of a pram. Carry-cots are very popular with parents that have newborns and there has been the suggestion by professionals that they are the best option when out and about, above car seats. Having Baby in a car seat for long periods of time can compress the chest wall and reduce the size of the airways, and it could possibly slow the development of the spine as the baby is kept in a curved position rather than flat.
Whatever type of cot you choose for your baby, you must absolutely make sure that the bedding you get fits properly. It may seem strange to stress this as important, but if the bedding is loose, it may come off and suffocate your child. Still, there are plenty of options of bedding out there for you to choose from and you are sure to find something that fits in a style that you like. If you can't find anything in stores, check online; a quick Google search will yield thousands of options, and you can simplify your task by specifying what you want. For example, you could type 'baby bedding sets for boys' or ‘baby bedding sets for girls' to bring up more relevant options, though if your having twins, the simple search would probably do just fine!
Think carefully on what you want and the options that will be safest in your home before purchasing a crib and remember to make sure that bedding fits properly for extra safety. Ensuring these things will give you peace of mind and help keep your little one safe and sound as they sleep!