Moses Basket Question

I'm a first time mum to be and have no idea what I'm doing
I bought a Moses Basket over the weekend but am now having second thoughts. Are these safe to use instead of a bassinet? The one I got is a Nature Baby one but the mattress seems to sit very high up in the basket (about 15cm below the top of the basket) Is this normal?
Also (and this is going to sound silly) Do I just use a sheet over top of the mattress or should there be a blanket or something underneath? And do I wrap baby, then cover with a sheet and blanket? I have had people commenting that a blanket can ride up and suffocate baby.

We used a moses basket for Callum and it was perfectly safe Ours came with this wee blanket thingee but we didn't use that, just put the sheet on the mattress, wrapped C and at first also covered him with a cotton cell blanket tucked in tightly at the sides and bottom of the basket.

Oh by the way, mine's a Nature Baby basket too and doesn't have a lining. I worry about Bean scratching on the basket and wondered if anyone knew where you could buy linings from? Am keeping an eye on TradeMe and ask every store I go to but they all say no!

Newborns cant really move .. so I wouldnt worry about the height of the mattress vs the side of the basket.

Bub wont stay in the basket long anyway (size wise) ..

Also when they are wrapped, I also wouldnt worry about lining the basket .. but it looks pretty I suppose lol

Great topic! This could be the place to answer all my stupid new mum questions.

Hi ya FattyKat. Rest assured you aren't the first new mum feeling like they have no idea! I had my first in April last year and felt the same! You will be a great mum and its amazing how instinct kicks in and you slowly get the knack of it all.

Re the Moses basket. I was given one and used it for my baby. It was the perfect size and was great to use - both my baby and I loved it! My baby stayed in it until around 8 weeks (she grew too long for it so we then transferred her into a cot).

A friend bought me one of those Dr Spock plastic mattress covers. It kept the mattress clean and free of dust etc but to be honest I don't really think its needed. A sheet over the mattress will be fine.

For the top sheet I was given a really great tip by a nanny friend. You get a cot flannelette or cotton sheet (depending on the season) and fold it in half lengthways. Lift the mattress up and place the centre of the folded sheet under the mattress so the two ends are hanging out over the sides of basket.

When putting baby to bed you place your wrapped baby into the moses basket and take the folded sheet from one side and bring it over the baby's body (up to shoulder height) and tuck it firmly in and under the mattress on the other side and then repeat with the other side. There is no need for any more blankets as baby has a double layer of sheets over top (unless its really cold and then you can put an extra air cell blanket on top). It also keeps baby nice and firm and swaddled which they seem to love as it reminds them of being bundled up tightly in the womb.

The other plus is its easy to get the baby in and out of the basket withought having to remake the sheets each time and the sheets will never ride up over baby's face as theyw ill be well and truly secured. I found it really useful.

Sorry for the long winded post but I hope this helps and makes sense. :) Best wishes for your new arrival.

I bought a moses basket off TM (new) and just loved it. Also bought a stand and I was able to move it around the house, room to room (lounge or bedroom etc). It was just fantastic. Also took it away when travelling (so was like a port-a-cot for newborn!) and also to friends houses when we'd go for dinner/bbq.

All the best :)

Check out www.babytrenz.co.nz , they make the liners for moses baskets, and sell them with stands.