A Baby Moses Basket
A Cocoon Of Comfort
Baby moses baskets are exactly what they imply - a small woven basket usually lined with pretty fabric. Most have handles for carrying from place to place and some have the added benefit of a hood and a stand.
As an added bonus, moses baskets are small enough to be placed in your baby crib to help in the transition from a small baby bed to the real thing - a big deal for your baby!
Baby Moses Baskets Step-By-Step:
Advantages Of Baby Moses Baskets
This world is going to seem like a pretty big place to your little one when she first arrives kicking and screaming.
She'll be looking to you to give her somewhere warm and secure to rest. Short of mom's arms, which is where she would really like to be, a moses basket is one of the best places you can choose to put her down.
Convenience for Mom
Moses baskets can be placed on a small table
next to your bed so that baby can be close to you during the night. Having your baby next to you during the night is beneficial in many ways:
- You can soothe your baby quickly when she wakes. Getting your toes cold at night is one part of the newborn experience you will want to avoid, and baby needs to know that mommy is right there when she is needed.
- It's easy to bring baby into your bed for nighttime feeding whether feeding from the breast or the bottle.
- You will both get more sleep. Baby is more likely to develop a good sleep routine if she is swaddled in a small space, content in the knowledge that mommy is nearby. A secure environment in the early months is the basis for sound, restful sleep later on.
- You will recuperate from childbirth more quickly if you don't have to keep getting up and down, especially if you have had a c-section.
- Baby moses baskets are easily moved around the house with you during the day so that you can keep an eye on your sleeping sweetie-pie. Place the basket on a surface above the floor, such as a couch or table. The cold floor is no place for a slumbering newborn.
Bouncy Baby Bonuses
- Baby gets the benefit of nighttime closeness with Mom, in a small cozy environment. This provides your baby with the security he or she needs during the early months of emotional development.
- Babies of working moms can catch up on mom's touch during the night, thereby maintaining a strong emotional bond.
- Moses baskets are small enough to place inside full size baby cribs. This is helpful when it comes to easing the transition from the small baby bed to the baby crib.
If you want your baby to sleep in his own room in the baby crib, follow these steps to achieve this with the minimum of fuss:
- For the first week or two let baby spend the night in your room in a moses basket.
- Daytime sleeps should be in the moses basket too. Move the basket around the house and have baby sleep near you during the day.
- Be quick to comfort and attend to your baby when he wakes both at night and during the day. This will build a sense of security in your baby that he will associate with the moses basket.
- After a few weeks place the moses basket in the crib in the nursery room. Start leaving your baby to sleep there during the day and a few days later at night too. Be sure to use a sound monitor and be quick to attend to your baby's needs. He will gradually begin to associate the environment of his crib with the same security provided by the moses basket.
- By the time your baby outgrows the basket, he will be ready to sleep in the crib without any anxiety.
Security is the basis of a good sleep pattern. A good sleep pattern results in a happy and healthy baby, and a
much more lively mommy!
Health Highlights
- Research has shown that babies who sleep in their parents' room for the first year are less likely to succumb to SIDS.
- Moses baskets are breathable. This is important because it prevents baby from over-heating. A confirmed SIDS risk.
- Organic moses baskets are available. These have been made from organic materials that have been grown without the addition of chemicals that may be detrimental to your baby's health
- Organic baby mattresses and bedding are also recommended, as synthetic mattresses have been associated with an increased SIDS risk.
Read more about SIDS prevention here.
Practical Pluses
Baby moses baskets are
fully portable. They can be taken with you wherever you travel. Enjoy your stay with a baby who is calm and relaxed because her two favorite things are nearby - her mom and her basket.
The Aesthetic Advantage
Baby moses baskets are made from neutral wicker materials and are available with a wide variety of soft fabric linings. You won't have any trouble finding one to match your bedroom decor.
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Disadvantages Of Moses Baskets
As with all small baby beds, the main disadvantage of baby moses baskets is that they will only serve as
temporary snuggle nests.
A moses basket can be used until your little dumpling is around four months old, or rolling over by himself - whichever comes first. As soon as your baby starts to roll there is danger of the basket tipping, and you will have to move your baby to a
conventional baby crib. See my Smart Tip above.
Other small beds to consider, that may last a bit longer are the
bedside crib, the
Arms Reach Cocoon and the
Amby bed. The bedside crib can be used until your baby reaches a weight of 30lbs and the Arms Reach Cocoon until 23lbs, regardless of age. The Amby bed is recommended for use from birth to 12 months with a weight limit of 25lbs.
Baby Moses Basket Features To Look Out For
To get the most from your baby moses basket look out for the following design features:
- Basket handles.
Check that the basket has handles long enough to meet in the middle so that you can carry the basket with one hand.
- A stand.
Some baby moses baskets come with a stand. I've even seen one with a rocking stand - an extra bonus. A stand is useful for keeping your baby's basket off the cold floor.
- A retractable hood.
Hoods are great for when you want to take baby outside. You don't want the sun getting in his eyes. On the other hand, you may not want the hood up when baby is inside and it will be easier to lay baby down and pick him up with the hood folded back. Make sure that the retracting mechanism works smoothly - no sticking.
- A soft lining.
Newborn babies have very sensitive skin. Make sure that the fabric in the basket you choose is soft enough not to cause any irritation.
- A basket mattress.
Some baby moses baskets come with a mattress included. Remember to take the mattress into account when you make price comparisons between the various baby baskets on the market. If the mattress is not included, you will need to buy one in addition to the basket.
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Baby Moses Basket Safety
This is your first priority. Babies spend 60-70% of their first year in their crib. It's up to you to make sure they sleep safely. It is essential to ensure that the basket you decide on, meets the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standards for safety as an absolute minimum.
Minimum safety standards for baby moses baskets include the following:
- A sturdy bottom for stability.
- A smooth surface - no protruding staples or hardware.
- A firm, snug fitting mattress.
- Never lift or move the basket with baby in it.
Click here to learn about other infant safety issues that you cannot afford to ignore...
Accessories For Baby Moses Baskets
Most baby moses baskets come with a
mattress. However, they can be bought separately if you would prefer to consider organic bedding, or if you have borrowed your baby basket and would just like to change the mattress.
There is a wide range of
beautiful moses basket bedding available, however, bedding is not cheap and you won't be using it for long. The best bedding to use for your young baby is a receiving or swaddling blanket. Little ones love to be wrapped tight like they were in mommy's tummy. Look for one in a neutral color or colors to match your baby moses basket lining.
Baby moses baskets are a wonderful way to give your baby the comfort and security she deserves during those first few scary months.
Go ahead - have fun!
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Please be aware that the baby moses baskets information provided by Creative Baby Nursery Rooms is for the purpose of helping you to decide on the best basket for you. Upon making your choice, it is your responsibility to ensure that your preferred moses basket adheres to the CPSC standards for
moses basket, cradle and bassinet safety.
