Gear

Do I need a Moses basket for my newborn?

Q: Do I need a Moses basket for my newborn?

No. You need one firm, flat sleep space in your room for six months — that can be a Moses basket, a bedside crib or a cot. A basket is worth it only if you want something cheap and portable for a few weeks. If night feeds without standing up matter more, skip the basket and buy a next-to-me or put a cot in your bedroom.

What a Moses basket is actually for

A Moses basket is a short-life, portable first bed. Most babies outgrow it by around 3–4 months, and you still have to sit up to lift. It is not safer than a cot. It is more convenient than a cot if you move rooms a lot in the day and you already have a cot waiting.

When to skip it

You have had a caesarean or know you will resent standing up at 3am — that is a bedside crib job.
You have floor space for a cot in your room from night one.
You would only use it for a fortnight. Borrow one.

The decision in one line

You do not need a basket and a crib and a cot. Pick one overnight space, buy a new firm mattress for it, and room-share for six months. The longer version is our Moses vs bedside crib vs cot guide.

Go deeper: Moses vs bedside crib vs cot

Buying guide: Best bedside cribs UK

Health answers describe NHS guidance and are not medical advice — for anything urgent, call 111 (or 999 in an emergency). Spotted something out of date? Email editors@clevermum.co.uk.