Your newborn baby's going to be spending the majority of his time sleeping, so it makes sense to give him somewhere comfortable and
cosy to doze.
At first, he'll seem way too small for a cot; a crib, Moses basket or carrycot will seem much more the right size. The big advantage of a
Moses basket or carrycot is that it's portable, so you can keep an eye on your baby sleeping and do what you need to do around the
house at the same time - it's also perfect for staying with friends and relations.
Even if you intend to have your baby in bed with you (see our Safe Sleeping guidelines), you still need
somewhere to put him down to sleep when you're not there, as he'll be able to roll over before you know it, and may fall off the bed. By
four to six months your baby will probably be looking a little too cosy in his basket, and now's the time to move up to a full-size cot (our
buying guide will help you choose). Whatever your baby is sleeping in, you'll need the following:
-
Four fitted sheets Less likely to become untucked.
- Shawl for swaddling Your baby will find this very comforting in the early days.
- Six to eight sleepsuits You'll probably find your baby is wearing these during the day too,
and they get messy surprisingly quickly, so you can never have too many.
- Six to eight vests The ones with poppers under the crotch are ideal for holding nappies in
place, especially if you're still not a seasoned expert.
- Two or three pairs of scratch mittens even short baby nails can be razor sharp, so best to
avoid the Edward Scissorhands look.
- A new mattress If you are borrowing or using a second-hand Moses basket, you should
buy a new mattress for it. They don't cost much. They come in standard sizes but they do vary so check what length and width your one is
before you buy.
- PLUS EITHER Four top sheets
- AND Two to four blankets'Cellular' blankets are great for temperature regulation, softer for
your baby and light. If you go to a shop like Mothercare you will quickly see what a 'cellular blanket' is.
- OR two or three baby sleeping bags many parents find these a great alternative to sheets
and blankets as your baby cannot wriggle out of them and get cold in the night. See the sleeping bags in our Products
section to get a feel for what a baby sleeping bag looks like.
DO NOT use pillows or duvets until your baby is at least one year old.
For guidance on how to make up the bed, see our Safe Sleeping guide.
