When you first start thinking about where your newborn baby is going to sleep, the range of options can seem pretty overwhelming. Here, the most popular options and their pros and cons are discussed. Hopefully this will help you to make a decision that is right for you and your baby.
The crib, a small bed for babies and toddlers, is one of the more traditional options. One of the main advantages of the crib is that it requires less updates, as it can usually be used until your child is ready to graduate into a full-sized bed.
Pros:
- Easy to find accessories for it
- Many shapes, sizes, and styles
- Less need to upgrade as can be converted into a toddler’s bed
Cons:
- Larger size than other options which may leave your baby feeling unsettled
- Most expensive option
- Less portable than other options
A co-sleeper, also known as a bedside sleeper or co-sleeping bassinet, lets your baby sleep right beside your bed. It looks like a crib but with one side lower than the other so you can reach your baby easily if he or she needs feeding.
Pros:
- It is easy to reach your baby for a feed or a cuddle and, therefore, nighttime disruption is minimized
- Is smaller than a crib
- Your baby is safe because they have their own space
- A lot of models have locking wheels so you can move it from room to room
- Many models have sides that can be either up, turning it into a bassinet, or down, turning it into a co-sleeper
Cons:
- Because it is smaller than a crib, it is therefore outgrown faster than a crib
- If it has no wheels, it is hard to move from room to room
- Bedding accessories tend to be limited
A bassinet is one of the cozier options for your baby due to its smaller size which ‘cocoons’ your baby. This may comfort your baby and help them to fall asleep. Rocking bassinets, also called cradles, are another variation of this type of sleeping option. Bassinets are also easier to move due to being relatively small in size and often coming with wheels.
Pros:
- Easy to move around the house
- Smaller size means it can fit in even the tiniest apartment or house
- Your baby is cozy and secure which may help them to sleep
Cons:
- Limited style options compared with cribs
- Due to its smaller size, bassinets are often quickly outgrown
Baby hammocks have become quite popular in the past few years. Their rocking motion mimics the womb and can help get your baby to sleep. In addition, because your baby’s weight is distributed more evenly, the joints and muscles experience less stress and this can prevent your baby developing ‘flat-head syndrome’.
Pros:
- Rocking motion can help soothe your baby and get them to sleep
- Reduces risk of ‘flat-head syndome’.
- Able to be easily moved
Cons:
- Expensive
- Quickly outgrown by your baby
A moses basket is the most simple and cheapest of all the sleeping options for your newborn. It is also the most portable due to its light weight, small compact size, and handles. You can either rest it on the floor or there are special stands you can buy for them if you want the basket in a more elevated position. Finding replacement bedding can be difficult as moses baskets often come with their own custom-made bedding.
Pros:
- One of the cheapest sleeping options for your baby
- Like the bassinet, the baby also feels snug in a moses basket
- Very portable, as well as being light and easy to store
Cons:
- Difficult to find replacement bedding that fits properly
- Quickly outgrown
Other options include the play yard, also known as the ‘pack and play’, a portable smaller version of a crib and much cheaper. It is super easy to pack and move and most models fit into a small travel bag so your baby’s comfort is guaranteed no matter where you are travelling. Another bonus is that it can also be used as a playpen.
And another option is just a plain old box! In Finland, all newborn babies are provided with a box for the first few months of life. The box comes with its own fitted mattress and measures approximately 28 inches in width x 17 inches in depth x 11 inches in height.
