No Sweat Baby Gear

Bassinets and Newborn Bedding

A bassinet or Moses basket is often preferred over a full size cot for newborns, and you may like having a bassinet as an available option for when you prefer to have your newborn share your bedroom some nights or need a portable sleeping solution outside of the nursery.  A bassinet, cradle, or Moses basket will seem cosier compared to a large cot when a baby is as tiny as a newborn; especially when no additional bedding such as quilts and blankets are given to baby due to the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).  There are some great bedding options just for the newborn and bassinet in mind, and this article will give new parents a few pointers.

Since babies quickly outgrow bassinets, many parents end up receiving bassinets, cradles, and Moses baskets from yard sales or passed down from family members.  The major consideration you must consider with used bassinets is that it meets safety standards above all.  Moses baskets and wicker cradles can eventually wear out on the bottom from extended use over the years.  Make sure that cradle stands with wheels or that have the ability to rock can be locked so they don’t accidentally tip over or become unsteady.

Of course, baby beds and bedding are best planned ahead of time, and planned with growth in mind.  One important factor to consider is the research connecting loose bed linens and SIDS among newborns.  For this reason there has been a controversy on interior decorating using cute matching bedding sets for nursery décor and the actual practical use of a bedding set.

If you are tempted to buy a cot or cradle bedding set (includes waffle pram blankets, cot sheets, cot comforters or cot quilts, cot skirts and valences, ect) or if you receive a bedding set as a gift, you can still abide by the rules and have the cute matching collection.  Though you may not use all of the baby bed linens at once until the baby is older and can tolerate loose bedding, they will eventually be able to use the pieces, and it is nice to know that matching bedding will be available when your baby is older.

Since newborns do require special attention when it comes to bedding, we will look at sleeping bags, swaddling, and basic bedding.

A sleeping bag, also known as a sleep sack, with movable arms is often preferred since there is no risk involved in being covered by blankets.  Baby sleeping bags are available in different weights: plush quilted fabrics for winter or cold climates and light breathable cotton fabrics for summer or warm climates.  Like swaddling, more babies are comfortable being enveloped in warmth just as they are in a mother’s arms.

Swaddling is an ancient practice of wrapping up infants in special swaddling cloths, swaddling blankets, or other types of bed linens designed specifically to limit any movement of limbs.  Swaddling keeps a baby warm and secure, and limits a newborn from being startled by their own reflexes.  Many newborns are more comfortable from swaddling immediately after being brought into the world and haven’t yet become established to the cooler temperatures yet. Many parents choose to discontinue swaddling after their newborn is a month old so it doesn’t interfere with mobility.

Regular bedding can definitely be used with newborns based on parents’ personal preferences.  If using a Moses basket, cradle, or cot, two fitted sheets are best to start with, and then either only a top sheet or small light blankets that can be firmly tucked on the bottom and sides of the mattress, and added on or peeled off in layers based on the temperature.  Moses baskets, bassinets, and cradles that can be kept in your bedroom will give you constant and easy access to check on your newborn.

About the Author

The House Queen, http://thehousequeen.com.au/,  an online source for home decor, is a family owned business created by Katrina Foulkes-Taylor.  In the wide open country of Western Australia, bringing refined taste and style into a home required traveling great distances, time, and money that couldn’t be sacrificed.  However, there was a great demand, and The House Queen was born.

Katrina responded to the need by not only supplying products and accessories for the entire home, but by also posting helpful decorating advise from constant study of interior designers, home stagers, home improvement editors, and other experts in the field through her blog and informational articles posted online.

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