What do I need for baby's cot?

[lou19]

I am 38 weeks pregnant and nesting heavily, we just got a lovely crib (bit late I know) and thinking of getting the jungle family range from mothercare for the bedding, but which bits?The crib is a family heirloom and comes with a wipeable mattress, do I need another one on top of that or can I just cover it with a fitted sheet? Clueless first timer so please do assume I know NOTHING :)

Hey lou - congratulations :) How decent is the mattress? If it's in good shape then all you should need is a fitted, plastic backed mattress cover and then a fitted cot sheet over the top. Can't really advise on all the other bits as we don't live in England and DS2 is still sleeping in his cot in just a short sleeved sleepsuit!! We do have cot bumpers though and when it does cool down he'll be sleeping in one of these Enjoy your little one :o

Usual advice is that you should get a new mattress for every baby, especially if it has been stored anywhere it could've got damp or dirty (attic, garage, etc).

Most baby mattresses these days have a waterproof layer so you do not need waterproof sheets.

So then you just get fitted sheets, flat sheets for over baby and a few cellular blankets to layer as needed (from 0-3 depending on room temp). How many of each you get depends on how often you want to have to do laundry!

Thanks ladies, will follow your advice :)

first timer here too but thought I'd add that I've been told it's a good idea to use a muslin cloth on top of sheet as it's easier to whip it off and replace it in the middle of the night than taking the whole sheet off and it reduces the washing load. I have so many muslin cloths now....

I'm a bit confused as to whether or not sleeping bag things are okay for newborns as have heard they can slip inside them if the neck's too big. I have one suitable from 8lbs+ but was planning on using sleepsuits to be safe, is that okay?

Just a sheet, top sheet and blankets. Nothing that isn't tucked in well as its a suffocation hazard. i.e. muslins to lie on. Or sheet on the bottom and sleeping bag if baby is over 7lb

Sleep suits are fine because they fit well usually. You are right about sleeping bags, some are from 7lb though.

I got the jungle set 'bed in a bag' for £50,it has all the bedding i need. Got 2 sleeping bags aswell

thank you captaincroc! the muslins I have are almost as big as the sheets so should tuck in but will double check

Our muslins all tucked under and were a complete lifesaver (and DD aged almost 4 still uses them as a comforter!)

Muslins are just dangerous if you can't fully tuck them in. They are fine if you can. Where did you buy such big ones or are we talking of moses basket or swinging crib?

Um, without looking I'm pretty sure they're from m&s and I'm going to use them (hopefully) in a crib.

If you've got a crib or moses basket make sure you buy the right size sheets and cellular blankets. The ones for cots are too big for cribs and moses baskets.
HTH