Moses Baskets
Moses Baskets are generally made from palm, strong maize, or wicker, and provide a secure and cozy environment for your baby to sleep in. Wicker baskets are the most expensive type of Moses basket, although they tend to be more durable. All Moses baskets normally come with a padded cotton lining and quilt, thin foam mattress, fabric-covered hood, and carry handles to enable you to move baby around with you. They can be placed directly onto the floor, or put on a special stand, although these stands are rarely included in the price and are generally purchased separately.
Toddler Bed Rail
Cribs
Cribs provide a slightly larger sleeping environment for a young baby than a Moses basket and are usually made of wood, with two or more slated sides. They have the additional feature of a rocking or swinging action, and are usually bought flat-packed.
Carrycots
If your pram and pushchair has a carrycot, you can also use this as your baby's first bed. They have a carry handle for lifting. Stand-alone carrycots can also be found in specialist mail-order catalogues and websites.
Baby Hammocks
Baby hammocks are available from specialist websites and mail order catalogues. The hammock looks like a sling and comes with a metal frame from which the baby cradle hangs. It is designed to mimic the feeling of support and security provided in utero, and the hammock can be gently rocked to soothe your baby to sleep. The head of the baby is slightly elevated in the hammock, which is ideal for babies who suffer with reflux, and the hammock's rocking motion can ease symptoms of colic too. The hammock comes complete with sheets, a mattress, and mattress cover.
Cots
A cot is the most popular choice, and is likely to be your baby's main bed until they are at least two or three years old, and should be strong and sturdy for this reason. Cots are generally made from wood, and come in all different shapes, sizes, and costs, so it is best to look around before buying. As well as the traditional rectangular shaped cots, you can also buy oval shaped cots that convert into junior beds, and corner shaped cots that fit neatly into the corner of a room. In addition, bedside cots which have a removable side and stand right next to your own bed, to allow you easy access to your baby for night-time feeding.
Cots usually come with a drop-side mechanism, which allows one of the side railings to be lowered to make it easier for you to lift baby in and out. They also have an adjustable base height, where the base can be lowered as your baby grows older. There are normally three base heights to chose from, the highest position being suited to a newborn or young baby, and the lowest being appropriate once your baby is old enough to start sitting and pulling themselves up. Another feature is a protective plastic coating around the edges of the cot sides to allow your child to gnaw on the rail when teething, without damaging the cot. Cot mattresses are not normally included with the cot and must be purchased separately.
Cot Beds
Cot beds are longer and wider than standard cots, and have removable sides which convert it into a junior bed once your child grows out of the cot. Mattresses are not normally included in the price.