Moses Basket Bedding - The Basics

This article contains information about what your bedding options are and how much you need. You can view a wide selection of baby bedding in our Online Store.

What bedding do I need for a moses basket?

Some moses baskets coming with bedding included. But there are many reasons why you should buy extra or new moses basket bedding. For example, the bedding that comes with the moses basket could be inadequate, the moses basket might have been second hand or you might want spare sheets for when your baby is sick or has leaking nappies.

Many people start off with either cotton moses basket sheets or cellular blankets for their baby. These are easy to layer and adjust according to the temperature of the room where your baby is sleeping (see below for further advice on how many blankets a newborn needs depending on how hot the room is). ‘Pram size’ baby blankets are available which can be more suitable for use as moses basket bedding than those designed for cots and cot beds.

Look for moses basket bedding which can be used for swaddling. While not all babies enjoy being swaddled, many do find it soothing and it can be a good tactic to try on fussy newborns. It can also be a way of helping a baby sleep longer. A square baby blanket (such as a receiving blanket) is best for swaddling. Lay the blanket in a diamond shape then fold the top corner towards the middle, and place your baby in the centre so his shoulders are in alignment with flat edge you have just created. Next, pull the left side of the blanket across your baby and tuck it tightly and securely underneath him. Pull up the bottom corner and tuck this under the left shoulder. Finally, pull the right side of the blanket towards the left, passing over and around his body like a belt. Alternatively, you can buy a blanket specially designed for ease of swaddling. The Miracle Swaddling Blanket, for instance, costs £10 - £15 and is available from most retailers who sell baby bedding, such as Mothercare.

Baby sleeping bags (such as the popular ‘grobag’ ones) are becoming increasingly popular because they maintain a constant temperature and your wriggly baby wont wake because they have kicked off their blankets. They also mean that the transition from the moses basket to the cot (which most babies make between 3 to 5 months) is likely to be a lot smoother. This is because their sleeping bag is familiar and comforting to them. For the same reason, they are also beneficial if your baby is going to be sleeping or napping at someone else’s house or if you are on holiday. For safety reasons, the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths recommends parents check that the neck size of the sleeping bag is small enough to prevent the baby slipping down inside and that duvets and quilts are not used over the bag due to the risk of overheating. Most makes of baby sleeping bag are suitable for babies 10lb and over.

How many blankets does a baby need?

How much bedding you need to start with is going to depend on factors such as the season and how warm your home is. It is important not to over heat your baby as this has been linked to an increased risk of sudden infant death. But newborns do tend to prefer to be kept slightly warmer than would feel comfortable to an adult, and you do not want your baby to become too cold or they will not sleep well.

As a guide, in a very warm room (24 C / 75 degrees F or higher) a newborn will only require a sheet. In a moderately warm room of 18 C/ 65 degrees F to 21 C/ 70 degrees F you should add one or two blankets over the sheet. In cooler rooms you should use a sheet plus three blanket layers.