How crucial is a moses basket?

[DivaSkyChick]

Mom sent me money to buy a gorgeous one from mamas and papas. A friend says it's a must, baby won't be happy in the big cot. Others here mention using it only a few times.

Do I buy or use the cash toward something else? We plan to swaddle, btw.

def buy 2nd hand, they are used for a few months absoulte max, better still try and borrow one. Mine preferred the cot anyway!

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I have 3 children and have never used a Moses basket.

We used the top of the pram for ds1 and dd, and bought a moses basket for ds2 (it was my luxury!). We really liked them. It was a bit of a pain carrying the pram top downstairs.

We used a moses basket until ds was 4 months and was too big for it. He definately preferred it to the cot. However you can get quite cheap moses baskets from places like argos (about £25). These will be fine. Or a CarGirl said try and borrow one. I would definately reccomend having a moses basket. We swaddled ds aswell.

I found my moses basket really useful both times, it was only used for a few weeks. There is no need to buy an expensive one from M&P, go for a cheaper one.

I prefer a solid wooden swing crib, they are more durable and a tad longer normally so you get more use out of them. They cost about the same too.

is the top bit a big deal either way? many of the less expensive ones seem to be open style.

i liked my moses basket, but both times have only used it for about 4 months, if that.

Dont get a mamas and papas one - cheaper will do!Argos, babies r us,etc. then spend the change on something else you need, like vests/sleepsuits!

well, how crucial is a set of marsh mallow toenail clippers?

I loved our moses basket, easily transportable too. (for weekends away etc)
no need for an expensive one though

(sorry, not helpful. But it's not necessary at all. I did use the carrycot from my pram, but a big cot would have been fine. dd had some naps in hers from the start)

Not at all crucial and the stands are a menace. Far too light so could easily tip over at a touch.

We used a MB for a few weeks only and put it on the floor or clothes chest.

We never used one. Ds went straight into his cot.

I never used a stand I kept it inside the cot or on the floor when in the living room.

john lewis have cheapest and least offesnisve

loved our wooden crib

ds was in it for 4 months, dd for 6

Used mine for about 3 wks max and then the cats moved in-they appreciated it far more than dd

NOT - use it for something else - like reuseable nappies!

Think that some people find moses baskets handier for daytime sleeps in your living room or somewhere similar than for use at night. We had a cot bed which was massive for a newborn baby so something in between was good, though we ended up co-sleeping anyway and needn't have spent any money at all. The motherecare moses basket we had was rubbish even with its limited use for us it was falling apart. My friend had a swing crib and that has served her better, think they got about 5 months use out of it.

You can have it in your room which saves you setting up the cot in your room and then re-setting it up in baby's room. So unless you plan to co-sleep, it's a boon.

ds1 hated it (flailed his arms against the sides and cried loudly) but I was glad I kept it as ds2 loves it and still naps in it twice a day at 9 months (its a bit cosy but he seems to like being enclosed, preferably with a muslin cloth draped over his head).

Ours was given to us after a friend used it for both of her daughters so it's now on its third child if you discount ds1 who wouldn't settle in it) It was originally from Toys r r us baby section and wasn't expensive but still looks good as new.

I would look for a second hand one in case your baby is like ds1 and won't settle in it. There are lots of other things to use your money for, like a set of reusable nappies or put towards a highchair.

DS1 had his until 4 months and DS2 is sleeping in it (or whinging in it) with a new matress currently. Great things and like others have said really good for taking if your visiting someone for the day or going on holiday too. I would just buy the cheapest you can find though.

We used a secondhand one with DS - we thought it would save the hassle of rearranging the bedroom. As it was, he grew out of it before 6 months, so it was only a postponement. Mind you, we won't be using it for the new baby. FAR too easily pushed over by DS.