Making sure your baby has the perfect night's sleep is important to ensure that both they (and you!) wake up feeling refreshed. Equipping a nursery can be expensive and it is important to consider the next stage when making your purchases as your little ones won't stay little for long.
The team of professional Nursery Advisors at John Lewis have put together their top tips to help you and your baby make the transition from first Moses basket or crib, to a cot, or a toddler bed, and offer advice on how to consider what's best for your baby and your budget.
Cribs
Babies sleep well in Moses baskets or cribs initially as they provide a small sleeping environment which helps them feel secure. The rocking or gliding action of a crib should help baby settle
It's important to make sure that swinging cribs are locked when not in use or when baby is unattended, particularly as baby gets older and stronger
The best time to move baby from a Moses basket or crib to a cot is between four and six months, or until your baby starts to push up onto their hands and knees and sits unaided
Cots
Introduce your baby to the cot gradually by placing the cot next to, or near, the crib for a couple of weeks before making the full transition. If you are using a Moses basket you could try placing it inside the cot for daytime naps. You could also put your baby into the cot for twenty minutes while you play during the day
Sleeping in a cot from birth, rather than a crib, is a good economical choice as it means your baby can use this from birth until around age three. It's also better for the environment as it means less discarded furniture. BUT this may mean you have to get up and feed your baby in the nursery during the night, unless you have room in your bedroom for a cot
If opting for a cot from birth, use the highest base position for newborns and lower it as baby starts to push up on their hands and knees, sit and stand
Choose a cot with a drop side, teething rails, lockable end castors, and adjustable mattress height base
When putting your baby to bed, you should position them in the feet-to-foot position, on their back, with the bedding tucked in but covers coming no higher than the shoulders. Health professionals recommend maintaining a regular room temperature of 18oC
Beds
A cot/bed which converts from a cot to a junior bed as your child grows can help ease the transition from a cot to a bed as the same piece of furniture is used but the sides are removed and a new bed end is attached
A cot/bed is a good investment as it can be used from birth up to about 5 or 6 years, depending on the size of the child
Parents-to-be can book an appointment with a Nursery Advisor at their local John Lewis store by calling 0845 604 9049. The Advisor will demonstrate products and talk through the specific pros and cons of each. At the end of the appointment, teh Advisor will draw up a comprehensive list of product choices specific to each customer's needs that can also be accessed at thome on the internet to pick and choose from at leisure. For more information visit www.johnlewis.com
