From cribs to cots to beds

Equipping a nursery can be expensive and it is important to consider the “next stage” when making any purchases as your little ones won’t stay little for long!
 
Cribs

• Babies sleep well in cribs initially as they provide a small sleeping environment which helps them to feel secure. The rocking or gliding action of a crib such as the Anna Swinging Crib (£70) or Anna Glider Crib (£100) 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.

Cots
The best time to move baby on from a crib to a cot is between four and six months or when baby starts to push up onto their hands and knees and sits unaided.

• Introduce baby to the cot gradually by placing the cot next to or near the crib a couple of weeks before making the full transition and putting baby in it for 20 minutes whilst you play together during the day.
• Sleeping in a cot from birth rather than a crib is a good economical choice as it means baby can use this from birth until around age three. It’s also better for the environment as it means less discarded furniture.
• 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. The Luca Cot (£60) and the Anna Cot (£100) make it much easier to lift baby in and out of the cot.
• When putting your baby to bed, the feet to the foot of the cot position on their back should be adopted, with the bedding tucked in and with the covers reaching no higher than the shoulders. Health professionals recommend maintaining a regular room temperature of 18°C.

Beds

• A cot-bed which converts from a cot to a junior bed as the 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 sometimes a new bed end is attached.
• A cot bed is a good investment as it can be used from birth up to about five or six years, depending on the size of the child.

Throughout the decision-making process, all parents should have safety at the top of their checklist. Here are my top safety tips for baby’s sleeping arrangement:

• The safest place for your baby to sleep is in a cot in a room with you for the first six months (to reduce risk of cot death).
• Check your cot conforms with the BS EN 716-1 safety code, which ensures the cot is deep enough to prevent your baby from climbing out.
• Ensure the mattress fits the cot with no gaps.
• Make sure the bars of the cot are no more than 45mm to 65mm apart. To test this take a can of drink with you when shopping and ensure that this does not fit through the gaps.

Parents-to-be can book an appointment with a nursery advisor at their local John Lewis or by calling 08456 049 049.