The Moses basket or bassinet is the first of the cots that the baby will use after birth. Its size makes it perfect for placing next to the parent’s bed so that it is easier to look after them if they wake up in the middle of the night, or if they have to breastfeed in the early hours of the morning, but up to what age is it necessary for the baby to sleep in the Moses basket or bassinet?
Co-sleeping is another option for the first months of a baby’s life. Sleeping with a newborn baby has many benefits, but it also carries risks, so it is best to place the baby in a Moses basket and place it next to the parent’s bed. This cradle will serve to guarantee their rest, and that of the parents, but there will come a time when the baby will have to move to the cot due to its size.
What is a Moses basket and why do I need one?
A Moses basket is a small bed, like a bassinet, made of wicker or canvas. Its function is to provide comfort to the newborn while he/she gets used to living outside the womb. Remember that babies at birth are not used to sleeping in large spaces, so occupying a cot during the first few months can be quite hasty and risky.
In addition, these cots have a high structure, which allows the mother to carry her child without having to bend her back too much. Another good reason why a Moses basket is a good idea is that they usually take up very little space in the room.
Up to what age can a child sleep in a Moses basket?
It may be that the instinct present in the baby’s genes makes them want to sleep in the parents’ bed at all costs, but this is not something that we should allow for many months. What’s more, although the baby needs parental protection, especially from the mother, while sleeping, it is recommended that they only sleep in the Moses basket or bassinet during their first months of life, although the truth is that there is no specific age for this.
Each baby is different and there will be cases in which it will be easy for us to change from the Moses basket to a bigger cot, which is also in their room, while other babies are capable of spending the night crying. So what can we do? We will have to look at several signs and thus decide if, once and for all, the time has come to leave the bassinet behind.
One of the first signs to look out for is whether the baby falls asleep as soon as he is put to bed. If your baby is a calm baby who does not find it difficult to fall asleep, you can do a first test of changing from a Moses basket to a cot at around three months. At this point, if your baby is able to sleep for at least six hours at a time without waking up to eat, this is a good sign that a cot may be a good option. In the event that your baby is a little more active at night, or even wakes up crying several times during the night, the Moses basket option may have to be extended for longer.
Another sign is obviously the size of our baby. A Moses basket usually has a length of about 80 centimetres, but we should not let the baby get so big that it takes up the whole cot from head to toe. It is normal for the baby to be around 67 centimetres by the time they are six months old and that would be a more than sufficient age to transfer them to the cot. What’s more, if you have stopped breastfeeding your baby at six months, it won’t be necessary to take him out of the bassinet or Moses basket in the middle of the night to put him in your bed and breastfeed him, so it will be time to move him to his cot.
Also bear in mind that the Moses basket mattress is rigid up to a certain point and that depending on the weight of the baby it may not be the best mattress to guarantee his rest, so also take into account the weight of the baby to decide whether it may be necessary to move him to the cot after 4 or 5 months of age.
Steps to choosing the perfect Moses basket
If you think that a baby Moses basket is what you need, then let me explain what conditions the perfect Moses basket for you should meet. First of all, let’s look at the size.
Size – Although the Moses basket is characterised by its small size, you should consider that the bigger the baby bed, the better. So that, even if your child grows a little, he/she can use the cot for as long as possible. For this reason, if you can afford it, buy a model measuring 40 x 80 centimetres. These can be used for up to 12 months, as long as the newborn does not gain more than the allowed weight.
Height of the baby Moses basket – The higher the Moses basket, the better. At least get it to a level where you can carry the baby without slouching too much. Those first few months can take their toll on your spine later on.
Internal height adjustment – There are also models of cots that allow you to adjust the internal size to reach a depth of 50 centimetres, so that your baby can sit safely. This is an excellent alternative that also extends the lifespan of the Moses basket.
Safety in Moses basket – And last but not least, we must look for alternatives that guarantee the safety of the newborn. But let’s take a closer look at the characteristics of a safe baby Moses basket.
- First of all, if it has bars, make sure that there is a distance of 6 centimetres or less between them. We don’t want the baby’s head to get stuck or a leg to get caught.
- Secondly, the maximum internal depth of the Moses basket must be 50 centimetres.
- The third thing is to pay attention to the material. If by any chance you like a wooden one, check the quality: splinters or splinters are a risk.
- Don’t buy a cot that has lead residue in the paint, the baby could get food poisoning.
- Likewise, the Moses basket mattress must be orthopaedic or semi-orthopaedic.
- Finally, the lining material must be easy to wash.
