What could be more touching than a beautiful cradle in a baby's room, just before he or she arrives?
We imagine it dressed all in wood, with bars, or in a refined style.
We know: as soon as he's back from the maternity ward, baby will start sleeping through the night in the bed you've chosen for him. Since he sleeps 18 hours a day, this is where he'll spend most of his time. But how do you choose the ideal cot for your baby's sleep and growth?
The wide variety of models available in nursery shops can make your head spin! From cribs to travel cots, from cots with bars to co-sleeping cots, which solution should you choose? We take a look at the different types of cots, so that you can order the ideal cot for you and your little one.
The bed with bars
The crib with bars is the most popular newborn cot.
The reason is simple: they are often less expensive than other types of cot. These cots are very safe, leaving the child free to move around without the risk of rolling onto his or her side. The bars allow air to circulate around the baby. He can smell the flow of traffic, the smell of cooking, your perfume when you arrive...
The cot often has castors. In this case, it's easy to move around.
Finally, because a cot is designed to accompany baby for several years, it is more economical in the long term than all other cots for newborns (co-sleeping, cradle, bassinet, etc.).
Be careful, you mustn't put anything in the cot: no bed braid, pillow, comforter or blanket. Simply put your little one in a sleeping bag.
The cradle
The cradle is usually installed in the parents' bedroom or in the newborn's bedroom. Ideal for the first few months after birth, it offers baby the comfort of a cosy nest. This smaller cot reminds the baby of the softness of the womb. He won't feel lost in this little bed, where he can touch the sides by stretching out his arms and legs. The cradle is easy to transport and allows you to place baby next to you during a nap, or when you have guests. On the other hand, this little cradle quickly becomes too small for the toddler and needs to be changed fairly quickly.
The bassinet
The bassinet is even smaller than the cradle. It's a portable cot that you can easily move from room to room. Very cocooning, the bassinet forms a cosy nest in which the child can snuggle up and fall asleep peacefully.
If you're getting a family bassinet, it's really advisable to replace the old mattress with a brand new one. That way, you'll give your baby a quality bed.
The co-sleeping bed
The co-sleeping bed is a small bed that attaches directly to the parents' bed. The child sleeps right next to mum and dad and feels reassured. It reminds them of the time when they were comfortably snuggled up in their mum's tummy. This way, you can keep an eye on your baby at all times. What's more, if you're breastfeeding, you can respond more quickly and easily to your little one's needs. No need to get up to feed your baby: you can do it quietly in bed and put him back to sleep as soon as his little eyes fall asleep...
Umbrella bed
The cot is a nomadic bed that's easy to transport. It folds and unfolds in just a few seconds, providing baby with a comfortable sleeping surface. However, although the system is very practical, you should bear in mind that it is only a back-up solution. You can use it when you go out to dinner with friends, for example, and have baby sleep in a room next door. However, this cot, which is available from birth, is not comfortable enough for your newborn to sleep for 18 hours a day. You'll need to opt for a cot, cradle or co-sleeping bed, and keep the nomad bed for certain occasions such as holidays or dinner with the in-laws.