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What does baby sleep in downstairs?

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A lot of parents focus on ensuring that their baby has the perfect sleeping environment all set up upstairs, but forget to plan ahead for the naps that will inevitably occur when you’re all downstairs during the day. 

In your bedroom, you’re likely to have a Moses basket or bedside cot that enables you to easily gain access to your baby during the night, but what does baby sleep in downstairs if all of this is set up as a permanent fixture in your room? In the early days, you’ll find that your baby will probably want to fall asleep on you; as baby ages, there are several options that you can look into, each with their own set of pros and cons. 

Felix lying in a king size bed with white sheets sleeping

Let’s take a closer look at some of the most popular sleep solutions for the question, “what does baby sleep in downstairs?”

When it comes to raising children, the important thing to remember is that you are in charge of making the best decisions for your child, after all, no one knows your baby better than you. With that in mind, there are several sleep solutions for those parents wishing to keep an eye on their baby’s whilst they nap. The most common sleep solutions for downstairs naps are: 

  • A Carry Cot 
  • A Moses Basket
  • The Baby Box (Scotland Only)
  • A Sling/Baby Wearing
  • A Travel Cot

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each sleep solution in turn.

Felix asleep in his moses basket wearing beige dungarees and a vest

A Carry Cot

A popular sleep solution for those questioning, “what does baby sleep in downstairs?” is to use the baby’s carry cot. The carry cot is the part of your pram or travel system that allows your baby to lie flat when out and about in their pram. This part of your travel system is essentially a small crib or moses basket that can be detached from your pram and carried inside to create a safe, comfortable bed for your baby. 

Pros: The carry cot allows your baby to lie flat and sleep in a safe environment that has been specifically designed to support your baby during their sleep. It’s safe, comfortable, and convenient due to you likely already having one as part of your pram set up.

Cons: Carry cots take up a lot of room and can be quite bulky. They also do not have stands unless you set up your entire travel system each time your baby needs to nap.

A Moses Basket

The most common item parents purchase in order to solve the dilemma of ‘what does baby sleep in downstairs?’ is a moses basket. Moses baskets make great first beds for babies and they’re also brilliant solutions for those who are seeking something safe for their baby to sleep in downstairs. Some moses baskets come with stands, others do not, so this is something to bear in mind when purchasing a moses basket.

Pros: Moses baskets are lightweight and easy to move around. They do not take up a lot of space and when fitted to the base, you are able to gently rock your baby to sleep.

Cons: Moses baskets are small, which means that your baby is likely to grow out of them quite quickly. 

Felix wearing a blue sleepsuit lying on a white duvet with a face looking as if he is about to cry

The Baby Box (Scotland Only)

If you’re fortunate enough to live in Scotland, you will already have the ideal solution for the frequently asked question, ‘what does baby sleep in downstairs?’. Every baby born in Scotland is given their own baby box. The baby box contains lots of useful items for both the parents and babies, but the key item in this package that is relevant to today’s post is actually the box itself. The Scottish government provides a box that’s the perfect size for your baby to sleep in; they also provide a mattress and sheets that fit inside to create a safe sleeping environment.

Pros: This is a free bed for your baby to sleep in and all parents in Scotland are entitled to The Baby Box. It’s lightweight and portable and comes with a mattress and sheets.

Cons: The Baby Box isn’t as aesthetically pleasing as some other beds that are designed for babies to sleep in.

A Sling/Baby Wearing

For parents who find their baby sleeps much better whilst being cuddled, a useful solution that allows your baby to nap peacefully when downstairs is to use a sling. Baby wearing is a growing trend again in the UK and there are many benefits to allowing your child to nap on you in this way.

Pros: Baby wearing helps to improve breast milk production and decreases the risk of SIDS. 

Cons: Although you have your hands free, you’re still limited as to what you can do during your baby’s nap.

A Travel Cot

Travel cots are actually a fantastic answer to the question ‘what does baby sleep in downstairs?’. This is because, not only does a travel cot provide a safe environment for your baby to nap in, but it is also a useful item to have as your baby grows and you begin to travel or spend nights away from home. 

Pros: Travel cots can be packed away for storage and have a multitude of uses, including a safe place to sleep or a playpen. Owning a travel cot means you never have to worry about where your baby can sleep when you stay overnight with grandparents or pop off on your holidays.

Cons: They take up quite a large amount of room and can be tricky to pack away at first. They’re not as cushioned or as comfortable as other, more long-term sleeping solutions. 

Is it safe for your baby to sleep in a car seat?

We’ve all been there…Baby has just drifted off to sleep in the car and the very last thing you want to do as a parent is to wake them up, so you find yourself asking, is it safe to let a baby sleep in their car seat? 

Unfortunately for sleep deprived parents, it’s not recommended for babies to sleep in their car seats. In fact, many car seat manufacturers recommend your baby spending no more than 2 hours in a car seat within a 24 hour period. This is due to the risk of breathing difficulties that can occur when young babies travel in an upright position for too long. 

It’s recommended that babies be taken out of their car seats once home, even if that means having to wake them up. 

How to prevent SIDS. 

Keeping your baby downstairs at nap time means that you’re able to keep a close eye on them and monitor them for any signs of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, commonly known as SIDS. Although rare, it’s important to be aware of how to prevent SIDS, so here are a few things you can do: 

  • Always put your baby to sleep on their back
  • Make sure your baby doesn’t get too hot in their sleep
  • Ensure the mattress your baby sleeps on is firm
  • Do not put toys, pillows, cot bumpers, or loose bedding in the cot with your baby
  • Keep your baby away from cigarette smoke 

Conclusion

If you’ve found yourself asking questions such as, “what does baby sleep in downstairs?” or “how do I put my baby down for a nap safely?”, this article should have informed you and given you the knowledge needed to make the best decision about your baby’s sleeping habits. If you are still worried or require some extra guidance, it may be worth seeking advice from your midwife or health visitor.

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