Making cot cosy

[Rosesandpears]

I've been co-sleeping with my 11 month old since birth and it's been lovely. I've had so much more sleep than when I had my eldest! However, I think it is time for him to start learning to sleep on his own. I need a little space. Where do I begin at this stage? I want to make his cot warm, cosy and inviting but obviously safe as well. Any advice on what mattress/mattress covers to use? Is he old enough to have a toddler flat pillow? Shall I introduce a toy to cuddle? He's still breastfed throughout the night. Shall I cut that down at the same time? Any advice would be really great.

Hi, I don't really know too much about this, but I found that when we moved our son out of his moses basket he absolutely hated his cot and would constantly wake up crying, and wouldn't settle himself to sleep at all. We swapped the cot for a travel cot with mesh sides, so still safe but feels more enclosed and cosy than the bars. Also got a new mattress, softer than the one in his previous cot, it is 10cm thick which is the maximum depth recommended although I'm not sure why.
He sleeps in his sleeping bag with his favourite blanket on top as he loves to hold it and rub it on his face etc, think it comforts him. It is a knitted one but it is thin and has lots of large holes so I don't worry too much about him not being able to breathe!
I'm not sure regarding a pillow but I would think it still best to avoid.
Also you could try giving him a toy/blanket or something which smells of you We have had a soft toy in our bed for the last couple of months which we plan to give him when he goes to his own room.

Thank you! Lots of good ideas.

You can get mesh cot sides that Velcro on instead of bumpers - John Lewis sells them. A toy is a good idea, I started always cuddling a special toy while breastfeeding and that helped my DS form an attachment.