Essentials for sleep time : Nice to haves for sleep time : Useful articles
Here is a list of essential items for your baby at sleep time and some items that may be nice to have for sleep time also.
Baby's sleep patterns - or lack of them - can cause a great deal of stress for parents. While it is tempting to try every option on the market to help babies to establish a good sleep routine, be aware that cots/bassinettes/bed covers are unlikely to make much difference.
Many parents find that a bed-time routine, low lighting and minimal interaction with baby during the night help to establish a sleep pattern - eventually!
Cot & Mattress
Cots – $350 -1000
Mattresses - $70 - 280
There are lots of things to consider when buying a cot and mattress. Read our
Cots & Bassinets article to find out what you need to look out for. If you are buying a cot second hand, you should check out the safety checklist in this article too.
It is recommended that you buy your cot mattress new, unless you know the history of the mattress.
3 Sheet Sets
$25 - 65 per set
It is fine to get these second hand, but make sure they are well washed and come from a smoke-free home.
2 Cot Blankets
$10 - 65
Prices range enormously, depending on the material, brand and style.
It is also fine to get these second hand, but make sure they are well washed and come from a smoke-free home too.
1 Mattress Protector
$15 - 20
There is ongoing debate about the use of plastic wrapping to prevent cot death and if you wish to read more about this, there is a link at the bottom of this page.
Many people use mattress protectors to protect cot mattresses from nappy overflows and day-to-day spillages (especially if you are thinking of selling it later).
If you do get one second hand, make sure they are well washed and come from a smoke-free home.
Bassinette & mattress
$120 – 200
Baby can start sleeping in a cot straight from birth, but there are advantages to having a separate bassinette. Check out our
Cots & Bassinets article to see the pros and cons, plus a list of things you should consider. If you are buying a bassinette second hand, or borrowing one from a friend, check out this article first, so you know what to look out for.
Portacot
$100 - 200
There are lots of things to consider when buying a portacot. Read our
Portacots article to find out what you need to look out for. If you are buying a portacot-cot second hand, or borrowing one from a friend, check out our article first, so you know what to look out for.
Quilt or duvet Set
$30 - 130
These are not suitable for babies under 1 year, due to risk of over-heating.
Make sure the set is made of fire-safe material and that there are no long strings or ribbons that could cause strangulation.
If you get one second hand, make sure they are well washed and come from a smoke-free home.
Night lights for sleep time
$10 - 20
A night light is useful for middle-of-the-night feeding, but you can survive without one. Putting on the hall light will shed enough light into baby’s room so you can do what you need to. Or put a low wattage bulb into a lamp you already own.
Mobile
$15 - $100
Musical mobiles are great for helping settle baby to sleep and can play a special part in a bed time routine.
If you are getting one second hand make sure there are no loose beads or embellishments that could fall into the cot and cause choking.
www.babymattresscovers.com/ This website explains the advantages of Dr Sprott mattress covers.
If you are interested in the plastic wrapping debate, you can Google search articles on ‘Dr Sprott Mattress Protector'
For more information on Cots & Bassinettes click here
If you are trying to decide whether it's worth investing in a Portacot read our article first.
These lists have been compiled by baby expert Kerri Tilby and midwife Paula Skelton - who between them have loved and cared for many babies and bought enough baby equipment to start their own shop!
Article
Sleep Time written by Paula Skelton and Kerri Tilby.