Baby cot equipment: how to prepare a cot? What about a cot for a newborn?
Your family is about to grow, and you want to know when to prepare a crib for your newborn ? Not sure which crib sheet is best? Are you looking at crib accessories and wondering if they're a better option than buying individual components separately? We've got a guide to essential crib accessories and tips on how to choose them.
A well-equipped crib is a comfortable place for a child to rest. Above all, it should ensure the highest level of safety. Aesthetics are also important, but they aren't the most important factor. A properly equipped crib not only provides comfort for the baby but also provides psychological comfort for the parents. Below are some practical and proven tips on what a crib for a newborn or younger infant should include, what accessories to look for, where to place them, and what to avoid.
When to prepare a crib for a newborn?
Because it's never certain whether labor, even in the case of a planned cesarean section, will occur on time, it's a good idea to have a crib and all the necessary accessories ready about two weeks in advance. It's definitely better for the crib to be waiting for its occupant, not the other way around. While we can't anticipate all of a baby's needs in advance, it's clear that they should have a comfortable and safe place to sleep as soon as they arrive home.
Expert advises
By knowing when to prepare a crib for a newborn baby, you can plan other necessary activities well in advance. If, for example, renovation works are necessary before furnishing and equipping the space for a child, they should be absolutely completed 2-3 weeks before the planned delivery, so as not to expose the newborn to inhaling vapors of paints, varnishes, etc.
What about a crib for a newborn and infant? How to prepare a crib for a newborn?
What bedding and cover?
These are essential accessories for a baby's crib, so questions about what bedding to choose for a newborn often arise long before the baby is born. It's important that it's made from the right materials . Among the options highlighted for their properties, worth mentioning are cotton bedding with added bamboo fibers and covers made of polyester knit fabric with a cotton and bamboo blend, which are Oeko-Tex Standard Class I certified.
It is a certificate confirming that textile products and textile toys for children under three years of age are completely free from harmful and potentially harmful substances, such as azo dyes, nickel and other heavy metals or chlorinated phenols.
Which mattress should I choose for a child?
When planning a crib for a newborn , it's crucial to consider the mattress. Long-term research conducted by the Institute of Mother and Child suggests that an improperly selected mattress not only reduces the baby's comfort but can also contribute to postural defects. It should be a resilient, medium-firm product that provides solid support for the body, especially the rapidly developing spine. Recommended mattress materials include:
- latex, which provides even support for the body, but in some cases may cause allergies,
- polyurethane (PU) foam, with high density, which does not adapt to the shape of the body - just like in mattresses for adults,
- highly flexible foam (HR), durable, breathable and high-density, resistant to permanent dents
- plant mats, e.g. made of flax, coconut fibers, hemp or buckwheat husk, having fungicidal and bactericidal properties. Some of them, for example coconut mats, can cause allergies, so if there are allergies in the family, it is better to refrain from buying.
The mattress filling, like the bedding, pillowcase, and hygienic topper, should be made from materials with the Oeko-Tex Standard Class I safety certificate. The most universal mattress size is 120 x 60 x 70 cm. It is recommended to purchase it with a mattress protector.
Detailed information on choosing the best crib mattress can be found here: How to choose the first crib and mattress for your baby?
What sheet for a baby?
Fitted sheets are the most practical and safe choice for babies, as they help the material adhere securely to the mattress, reducing the risk of it slipping off. This is especially important if your little one is active and doesn't sleep well.
What to cover?
These include a sleeping bag, a swaddle, or a wrap. These covers are an alternative to the classic duvet and blanket. Their advantage is that there's no risk of a baby accidentally putting them on their face, as can happen with a blanket and quilt.
Expert advises
A sleeping bag or swaddle for a child must be of the right size. Too small will oppress the baby. It is worth buying a size larger model that will last longer. If the sleeping bag has openings for handles, make sure that they are finished with welts that effectively block the baby's hands from slipping inside. In this way, we will avoid the risk that the baby's head will get inside the sleeping bag during sleep. Each cover should be made of a natural fabric with appropriate approvals and adjusted in terms of thickness to the current season.
Baby pillow: needed or not?
According to pediatricians and orthopedists, a baby under one year old doesn't need a pillow at all, and in fact, it's not recommended. Lying on a flat, medium-firm surface, on their back, is a natural position for both newborns and older infants . A pillow makes it difficult to turn the head freely, and the back, neck, and nape muscles aren't yet ready for lifting, which can lead to various muscle strains that will require rehabilitation in the future. A pillow is only recommended for babies with breathing problems (e.g., a cold), which forces their head to be positioned higher during sleep. However, even then, it's better to elevate the entire mattress at an angle rather than using a pillow.
Another argument against the use of pillows in infants is the position of the American Academy of Pediatrics, which has issued recommendations on safe sleep for children and preventing sudden infant death syndrome ( SIDS ). According to the recommendations, 3,5 babies die in their sleep in the US each year, 25% of whom slept on a pillow.
This doesn't mean that the presence of a pillow directly causes SIDS, but it is undoubtedly a risk factor that can impede a baby's breathing and, in the worst case, lead to suffocation. The same applies to blankets or stuffed animals. If a pillow is to be introduced, it should be after the first year of life, preferably one without feathers and not too high.
Rungs in the cot: compliance with the so-called cot norm
Cribs are subject to European standards PN-EN 716-1 and PN-EN 716-2. Each crib must pass the so-called chain test during production . This test simulates the risk of a child strangling themselves on a pacifier chain that is hooked on the crib. While it might seem unlikely that such a situation could occur in reality, it's important to remember that a crawling infant is exposed to a multitude of hazards, including these. Therefore, a crib must be free of sharp edges and any protruding elements.
When it comes to crib slats, the recommended distance between them should be no less than 2,5 cm to prevent a child's hand or leg from getting trapped. However, this distance should also be no more than 6 cm to prevent their head from getting stuck. The height of the crib sides is also important; they should be at least 60 cm high, and with the mattress at its highest point, at least 30 cm high.
What accessories for a baby cot?
A wide variety of products are offered under the banner of " baby crib accessories ," often leaving expectant or new parents with a dilemma about what to choose. Where is the line between what's comfortable and necessary and what's unnecessary or downright harmful? It's a good idea to equip a toddler's crib with practical accessories that will be comfortable for both baby and parent . Here are some examples of functional solutions:
- it is worth installing next to the cot a practical organizer in which you can store diapers and cosmetics intended for baby care. The organizer should be free of sharp edges it should be hung or placed at a safe distance from the crib. Placed too close, it restricts the child's free access to light and air;
- a feeding chair located near the crib;
- lamp with muffled light;
- a changing table next to the cot;
- a cot with an adjustable bottom level, a very practical solution, thanks to which the cot is suitable for both a newborn and a two-three-year-old;
- removable rungs;
- partially lowered side;
- a closed drawer under the cot;
- rocking cot, if equipped with movement limiters;
- a cot in the form of a wicker basket Due to the dimensions and low sides, it can be used by a child no longer than 2-3 months.
What, for safety reasons, it is better to avoid when completing cot equipment?
Not everything is necessary, however. Below is a list of the most important items that, for safety reasons, should be avoided when equipping a crib for newborns and infants:
- too high casings and rung pads, having straps or ribbons of inappropriate length;
- plush mascots (similar risk as when using pillows for infants);
- canopies obstructing proper air circulation (in the worst case, the child may pull the canopy into the crib and wrap it around his neck);
- too much decorated bedding (for example with sewn-on applications);
- too loud music boxes, present in a carousel mounted above the cot (may damage the baby's hearing).
Hygiene: what, when and how often to wash?
When answering the question of what bedding to choose for a newborn's crib , it's important to remember to wash it frequently. The optimal frequency is once every two weeks, but if it gets dirty in the meantime, it should be washed more often. Any soaking, spills, or leaks require immediate washing. Otherwise, the risk of infection or even contamination increases. It's important to prevent the mattress from getting wet. A special hygienic cover is a useful addition, protecting the mattress from spills or wet diapers, and also protecting it from absorbing sweat.
Baby cots with equipment: Yes or no?
Currently, the market also offers fully equipped baby beds , often at attractive prices. Is this a shortcut, or is it more convenient and time-saving? If buying baby equipment is enjoyable and you have the time, you'll likely want to choose and assemble the individual pieces yourself.
When choosing a fully equipped bed, you usually don't have to worry about matching the bedding to the mattress, for example. However, it's worth taking a closer look at what exactly is included and whether all the components are of good quality.
The location of the cot in the room
A baby's crib should be positioned so as not to expose the baby to any drafts . Therefore, it shouldn't be placed too close to a window or door. It also shouldn't be placed too close to a radiator, to avoid overheating the baby.
The room in which the cot is located must be regularly aired, as free as possible from places where dust could accumulate, and ensure free air circulation.
Expert advises
The optimal location in the room is one that is well lit and facing the door. It is a good idea to move the crib from time to time so that the child can get to know the surroundings better and observe them from different perspectives. Remember that the toddler turns his head towards the light and in the direction of human sounds, so regular changes (e.g. every 2 weeks) in the location of the bed will avoid the risk of asymmetric development of the musculoskeletal system of the neck.
So now we know what to stock up on for a newborn's crib , and what to avoid. Maintaining moderation, or even minimalism, is a much better approach than accumulating excess items, especially textiles, in the baby's environment. When choosing accessories for a baby's crib , avoid overdoing it, always keeping in mind whether a given item is truly necessary and, above all, safe.
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