How to make a newborn's crib and what bedding to choose

Where to place a newborn's crib?

Children's doctor, Evgeny Olegovich Komarovsky, notes that the place of sleep has a certain impact on the development of the child. Parents need to know where is the best place to place their newborn's crib. A well-known pediatrician claims that a baby up to one year old should sleep in the same room with mom and dad.

Bedroom with cot

The wrong choice of location for a crib can have the following consequences for the child:

increased incidence of colds and other diseases;
superficial, light sleep;
problems falling asleep;
decreased physical activity;
increased nervous excitability;
injury.

When choosing a place for a crib, you should adhere to the following recommendations from experts:

place the sleeping area away from bookshelves, non-closing cabinets, and soft toys. Bacteria and microbes accumulate in dusty things, which can cause certain diseases in a newborn;
Do not place the baby bed next to heating devices or open windows. It is important that there is no draft. The bed should not be on the window-door line. Hypothermia and overheating are dangerous for a child. The optimal temperature for a newborn varies between +18-22 degrees;
parents must have free access to the crib;
It is better for the baby to sleep in a room with a balcony. Fresh air has a good effect on baby falling asleep. Regular ventilation of the room will increase the body's resistance to various pathogens;
Place the newborn's crib with its side facing the wall. Then the child will feel protected;
There should not be absolute silence in the room where the baby sleeps. Otherwise, in the future the baby will wake up from every rustle. Parents should teach their child to fall asleep to street noise and conversations. It is better to remove the computer, TV, stereo system from the room. This technique negatively affects the nervous system of the newborn;
You should place your baby’s crib in a well-lit place with maximum visibility. Then the child will explore the space around him with interest. This will have a beneficial effect on his development;
Do not place the baby crib near sockets or electrical appliances. There should be no lamps above it. It is important to remember the safety of the child!

Psychologists recommend taking a newborn into the parent’s bed in the first month. Being close to the mother, feeling the smell of her body, the baby will sleep peacefully and soundly.

Types of crib bases

Choosing the right crib size and its location in the room is a responsible and important task for parents. It should be away from direct sunlight and drafts, and not close to heating appliances. The standards for the length and width of a crib for modern models are 60*120 (for the first two years) and 70*140 (up to school age).

Baby crib "Promtex" with slatted base

The basis is:

Solid – flat bottom made of plywood, MDF sheet;
Slatted or lamellar - a frame on which rows of bent-glued wooden planks are fixed. This type of base is preferable because it helps to properly distribute the weight load and form a healthy posture for the baby.

How to choose bedding for a baby?

For newborns and infants, it is important to buy high-quality and safe bedding. Babies are very sensitive. The wrong choice of kit can lead to the development of allergic reactions, poor sleep, and a number of other problems.

Bed linen for a child must meet the following requirements:

naturalness _ It is important that the material is hypoallergenic, hygroscopic, and breathable. A bedding set made of cotton, calico, satin, flannel and cambric is well suited for a newborn. It is recommended to choose bed linen fabric taking into account the season and indoor microclimate;
absence of rhinestones, beads, beads, buttons, bows and other small details . They are suitable for older children. For newborns, such elements can be dangerous: there is a risk that the baby will accidentally swallow a button or bead. Bows and ribbons can cause discomfort during sleep in a child;
compliance with GOST . Domestic manufacturers have the right to produce children's bedding only from natural fabrics. Foreign companies may add synthetic fibers. It is important to read the label before purchasing the kit;
quality of internal seams . They should be inconspicuous, smooth, and not cause discomfort to the child.

When choosing sleeping bedding for a newborn, you should pay attention to the following points:

color . It shouldn't be bright. This has a stimulating effect on the nervous system. It is better to give preference to sets of pastel shades. It is important to take into account the gender of the child. Pale pink colors are suitable for girls, and blue ones for boys. White, cream and beige bed linen are considered universal. Small patterns are allowed;
set dimensions . For newborns, a duvet cover with a width of 112 and a length of 147 cm is suitable. The sheet should be 110x150 cm. It is important to measure the crib before going to the store for bed linen. For the cradle, you need to choose a slightly smaller set;
company manufacturer . It is better to give preference to well-known brands. Reputable and popular companies are unlikely to produce low-quality products for children;
availability of documents confirming the quality of children's bed linen . It is recommended to ask the seller to provide a certificate for the product being sold.

Many new parents are interested in how many sets of bedding a newborn needs. If the baby sleeps in a diaper, then 2-3 copies are enough. If you plan to sleep your child without a diaper, you will need more sets.

Is it possible to buy things for a newborn in advance?

There is a belief according to which sewing, knitting or buying things for an unborn child is prohibited until birth - this is considered a bad omen. Some especially superstitious women take this sign very seriously and, until the last moment, do not go shopping, which the newborn will definitely need in the very first months.

This behavior cannot be called correct. It will be better for mother and baby if all the necessary things are purchased in advance. Immediately after giving birth, a woman has so many new responsibilities that there is no time left for shopping and pharmacies. The need to constantly buy more diapers, clothes or medications will lead to unnecessary stress, and this will not have the best effect on mother and baby.

The question of when to buy things for a child should be decided in advance. Many mothers prefer to do this slowly throughout pregnancy, while others begin preparations a month in advance. However, if the expectant mother does not want to purchase anything until the birth, she will still have to make a shopping list and give it to the baby’s father or close relatives.

How to lay it correctly?

In order to cover a place for a child to sleep, you will need a couple of oilcloths, a mattress, a set of bed linen, and a blanket. If you prepare the crib for rest incorrectly, this will lead to a number of problems.

How to make a crib for a newborn:

put a mattress in the crib. It is recommended to choose it with medium hardness. It is important that the filler is natural. The mattress must match the size of the bed;
put oilcloth on top. Even if the baby sleeps in a diaper, there is a possibility of the mattress getting wet due to leakage of the diaper;
lay a sheet on the oilcloth. In summer it is better to use calico, and in winter - baize;
lay another diaper (half or the whole bed). This is necessary for those babies who are put to bed without a diaper.

It is important that the sheet does not bunch up. The skin of a newborn baby is very sensitive. Folds can cause irritation of the dermis. Pediatricians recommend buying diapers with elastic.

How to secure a baby's crib

A newborn baby is completely helpless, and the parents’ task is to think through everything to the smallest detail so that the crib meets all safety requirements.

It is better to place a newborn’s crib in the same room where the parents sleep - this will help you keep an eye on the baby and be calmer yourself.
The color of the crib should be a neutral color (not bright) so as not to tire the baby.
If you plan to place the baby crib close to yours (the parent's), make sure that when you remove one side the others will not move apart. For strength, you can screw on an additional board.
For safe sleep, do not place anything unnecessary with your child, including soft toys (they collect dust and can cause suffocation), diapers, and containers with baby cosmetics.
Before you have time to look back, you will notice that the child is turning onto his stomach. At this moment, he may hit his head on the bars - then the soft sides will not interfere. But, as soon as the baby begins to move more confidently, remove them - there is no need for extra dust collectors. For the same reason, it’s also not worth spending money on a canopy for a crib. True, a light canopy may be relevant for sleeping outdoors as protection from insects, for example in the country, when it is possible to sleep in a crib outside.
For the first couple of months, the bottom of the crib can be placed on the top level, but as soon as the baby starts trying to roll over, immediately move the bottom to a lower level. By the time the baby starts to stand up, the bottom will have to be lowered even lower. If the levels are uncomfortable for mom (the height is “neither here nor there”), she can ask dad to drill additional holes and set the bottom to a comfortable height.

There should not be any loose ropes hanging in a child's bed - this poses a suffocation risk.

Setting up a bed for a newborn is one of the most enjoyable activities for new parents. Just do it with love, and our tips and parental instincts will help you organize a comfortable sleeping place for your newborn.

Tips for parents

Many young parents do not know whether a pillow is needed for a newborn. Her pediatricians do not recommend putting a baby in a crib. This item is worth buying for children over one year old. The body of a newborn child is not strong. A pillow can cause serious damage to the spine.

In Soviet times, pediatricians recommended that a newborn instead of a pillow should be given a diaper folded 4 times.
As a result, the baby's head was slightly elevated. This did not harm the baby’s spine and made regurgitation safe. Experts also give parents the following advice:

The baby's blanket should be light and soft. It is recommended to purchase flannelette for the summer and wool for the winter;
Do not hang up the sides until the age of three months. These elements interfere with air circulation in the crib;
It is worth hanging a canopy over the child’s sleeping area. The main purpose of this item is protection from dust. In summer, sand, dirt, and dust can enter the room through an open window. Even when performing wet cleaning regularly, a certain amount of dust still remains in the air;
It is necessary to fill the crib with clean, ironed bed linen.

What should you pay attention to when choosing outfits?

When purchasing things for your baby, you need to choose comfortable ones so that they do not restrict the newborn’s movements. It will be very reliable and convenient not only for the mother, who will be able to easily put on things, but also for the child - he will feel comfortable.

Textile

When purchasing, you need to choose high-quality items made from natural materials. To determine the quality of the fabric, you can run your hand over it; if you have any unpleasant sensations, you should refuse to purchase the product. Also, the fabric should not only be soft, but also delicate, since babies’ skin is very sensitive. When buying clothes, it is better to avoid synthetic products, as these things can cause skin irritation in your baby.

It is also worth paying attention to the fact that clothes for the baby should be of good quality and wash well - the skin of newborns is very sensitive to various infections, and you will have to wash it quite often

Buttons or snaps?

When buying clothes for the first time for a newborn, you should refuse things that are put on over the head; it is better to purchase products with buttons or snaps. If you are faced with a choice of which clothes are better with buttons or snaps, give preference to the second option, since button loops will stretch over time and a blouse or other product based on them will come unbuttoned.

Safety

When making a shopping list, do not forget that all purchased items must be safe for the baby - this also applies to the choice of clothes for him. You should not buy things with ribbons and bandages that are tied around the baby’s neck. It is also worth giving up clothes on which various decorations are poorly attached: beads, ribbons, buttons and more; all this beauty can come off in the baby’s hands, he will pull it into his mouth and may choke

When choosing clothes for a newborn, you need to pay attention to the seams of the product, they should be on the outside. Internal seams can damage the newborn's skin and make him feel uncomfortable.

It is very important to prepare a list of necessary things for a newborn in advance. After all, the lack of what your baby needs can seriously upset you.

Do not buy too many clothes for your baby, as in the first months of his life he grows very quickly, and after 1-2 months things will be too small for him

We will try to make the most accurate list of things for a newborn for the first time.

Preparing for childbirth brings a lot of worries and troubles to the expectant mother. To ensure that the onset of childbirth is not accompanied by panic and hasty packing, obstetricians recommend packing things for the maternity hospital starting from the 34th week of pregnancy.

Prepare two spacious bags for things. First, collect things that will be needed in the delivery room, and second, collect clothes and supplies for mother and baby that will be needed after childbirth.

So, in the maternity room you need to prepare the following things for the baby:

Sliders - 1 pc.
Vest – 1 pc.
Socks - 1 pair
Hat with ties – 1 pc.
Warm flannelette diaper – 1 pc.
Blanket – 1 pc.

a) cotton diaper – 1 pc.; b) diapers - 10 pcs.

The newborn will be dressed in these things immediately after birth. Also in the labor room you will need wet wipes and disposable diapers.

Things your baby will need after birth:

It is also important to think in advance about what you will wear when taking your baby home. The event is important and responsible, so prepare a separate bag with things for checkout

It should contain:

Warm diaper 1 pc. and a thin diaper 1 pc.
Socks.
Hat with ties.
Blanket.
Diaper.

6) Bodysuit (“man”) with clasps or romper and vest 7) Envelope

Children's mattress and how to cover it

It is important to choose a mattress exactly according to the size of the crib (an error of 1-2 cm is acceptable). Then later the question of the gaps between the mattress and the side walls will not arise, because the legs or arms of an actively crawling or standing child can fall through or get stuck there

Some mattresses have two sides: a softer side and a denser side. In the first months of the baby’s life, for safety reasons, it is recommended to place the baby on the firmer side of the mattress. The baby still has weak neck muscles, and if he accidentally rolls onto his stomach, he will not be able to lift and turn his head on the soft surface of the bed in order to breathe freely.

To prevent your baby from getting the mattress wet, you can put diapers on it: special oilcloth-fabric waterproof ones or disposable paper ones. But remember that all such moisture-proof diapers or oilcloths have the effect of overheating, and the child lying on them will be hot and uncomfortable, and diaper rash may even appear on the skin.

As an eco-friendly option, you can use felted sheep wool bedding. It is warm, soothing, absorbs moisture perfectly and, interestingly, even when wet, retains heat well. Another simple way to keep your baby’s bed dry is to put several cotton or flannelette diapers on the mattress in a thick layer, which will not cause overheating and will save the mattress.

We cover the top of the mattress with a suitable cotton or flannelette diaper or a stretch sheet with an elastic band. Large diapers perform two functions at once: they can be used both as a sheet and for swaddling the baby. The decent dimensions of such diapers will allow you to wrap your baby comfortably and with plenty of fabric. Usually, after a couple of minutes of active struggle with the diaper that is “correct” in size, the child resigns himself and calmly falls asleep. When a young mother unknowingly tries to swaddle a screaming baby in a small diaper, then, in principle, a convenient method of calming children discredits itself.

Other gadgets for newborns.

These are optional products, but they are often offered to parents, assuring them that they are indispensable!

Video baby monitor and baby monitor.

These are devices that help you keep an eye on your baby if you are not in the room with him. But in reality, such gadgets are needed if you live in a large house, especially a two-story one. In a familiar apartment, even a large one, you will always hear the cry of a child. And you shouldn’t leave your baby for a long time even with a video baby monitor.

Cocoonababy.

Fashionable cradle for a newborn. However, you won’t be able to buy a cocoonababy inexpensively. And it will be useful to the child for a maximum of 1 month. Therefore, think carefully about the purchase, because its price is in the range of 10-12 thousand rubles. But you can ask for this gadget as a gift.

ITherm. Fashionable smart thermometer.

Allows you to measure your child's temperature in real time. Placed on the baby's shoulder like a bracelet and synchronized with a smartphone. It costs about 5,000 rubles, so it is also a controversial item on the list of necessary purchases for a newborn.

At first glance, the above list for a child is huge! However, everything can be acquired gradually, as needed and possible.

Remember that first of all, a child needs the love and care of his parents - this is paramount for him.