Questions about bedding...

[emsyj]

I'm currently 16+6 with my first baby and we're starting to think about the things we'll need. I know NOTHING - it's scary. Today's question is quite specific though - what bedlinen do babies need and when do they 'graduate' to duvets & pillows??

I'm assuming newborn needs no pillow, then a base sheet over the mattress (do you use a plastic mattress protector or is that gross???), then layers of sheets and blankets depending how cold it is???

How old would the baby be when it started to sleep with a pillow and duvet? My godson is 2 tomorrow and in the last few weeks has graduated to his 'big boy bed' (his cotbed with the sides removed and a guard in place) and he now has duvet & pillow, but can't remember him having them before now.

You need LOTS of cot sheets, due to volumes of vomit and up and over shitty nappies.

Its easier to just sling them in in the wash and not have to worry about getting them dry (although yours will eb a spring baby so you will be able to get yours out on the line to dry.

Duvets and pillow when toddling and able to climb out of the cot and greet you in the mornings!!

I used to worry about this. I used grobags to ease the problem! I use a fitted sheet on the moses basket / cot, pop baby in grobag and done!

Grobags come in different togs - high summer, summer and winter really. Then depending on how hot / cold it is you might put no clothes, a vest or a long sleeve vest on them. You also dont need to worry about them kicking this off, it going over their head, them getting too cold etc

I didnt really use mattress protectors - used them once under sheet and found them quite hot and sticky. Mattresses tend to be wipe clean if they are sick and it soaks through.

DS was in a grobag til he was about 2 I think. Then he had a duvet. He still doesnt bother with a pillow.

It is dangerous to use a pillow or duvet with a baby under 12 months. Your main worry is putting too much on them (which is why grobags are good) and them over heating rather than them getting cold. Start with less and put more on if they feel cold if you use blankets.

I've heard a few people recommend grobags. Do you use the branded ones or will any do just as well? The branded ones are quite a lot more expensive than the 'no-name', are they any better??

No pillow before age 1, and I don't think my DD had one until she was at least 18 months old. I would avoid duvets until they go into a bed too.

In a moses basket/cot I would use fitted bottom sheets, a breatheable washable mattress protector (not plastic). I swaddle babies so they don't kick off all their covers and get cold and use cotton blankets on top.
From about 3 months I like to use grobags - the lowest tog you can buy - again to prevent the baby from kicking off the sheets.

Your baby will be born in summer so hopefully you won't need too much in the way of blankets to start with.

Agree with mrshappy and others. Fitted bottom sheet (buy lots) and swaddling blanket for first couple of months, then grobags/sleeping bags until in a bed.

I don't like the plastic mattress protectors. We bought a very nice one from Blooming marvellous (made of tencel?) which is great but tbh an extra sheet would probably do the job too. John Lewis do good fitted sheets.

You will find sleeping bags that you like/don't like. We tend to use M&S for the warmer ones, and Grobag or Mamas and Papas for the lighter weights. You will also want a couple of lightweight blankets for mix and match when temperatures vary. (You will be given lots of booklets about how to tuck in blankets to avoid cot death risk.)

Gosh, I sound like an old hand at this! I was exactly the same as you before DD. All the best.

all grow bags are the same, except that they come in different thicknesses, like ordinary duvets. There is a thick one and a thinner one. Apart from that, it makes no difference which brand you buy. I had some excellent ones from tesco and also got some branded ones cheap in tk maxx. the thickness thing only matters because you have to be carefull not to let the baby get too hot so obviously on a summers day, you would not put them in a thick grow bag with lots of extra blankets as they will be too hot.
I think it is recommended that you buy cellular blankets, which are the ones with holes in them. The reason for this is that they are very warm (like a string vest) and also if the baby pulls them over their head, they can still breathe through the holes!
I would def get a mattress protector, in fact probably 2 (1 off and 1 in the wash). Plus lots of sheets and blankets, that way you have plenty if baby is sick or anything and in cold weather you can put on lots of extra layers which is warmer than 1 big thick layer.
If money is an issue, remember that you do not need to buy a moses basket, you can put baby straight into a cot or cot bed. And if you do buy moses basket, you don't need to buy the special tiny size sheets, you can just fold over a bigger one!
Places like tesco are good for sheets as they are cheaper. If you go to mamas and papas you will spend a fortune. Also tk maxx again is good for bedding.
Hope that helps and wasn't patronising!!