Baby Boxes

Hi everyone,

Come here for parenting advice. In 8 weeks time we are due our first child. We're in the process of purchasing all necessary equipment. Yet, still undecided on what sleeping arrangement for baby before 6 months.

Has anybody used or know of anybody who has used these baby boxes? Been used in Finland since the 1930s and they have the one of the (if not the lowest) mortality rate in the world largely attributed to them.

Their appeal is that there are no surrounding 'bumpers', small enough that they struggle to wiggle onto their front, can be stowed away, and it's a nice keep-sake for the baby when older mixed with photos and memorabilia you can put inside.

The cheapest I can find (i.e. just box, mattress and waterproof lining) is £50, which isn't too bad compared to how much you can spend on moses baskets.

Just seeking people's experiences/thoughts?

I got a second hand moses basket for free.  A moses basket is nice because you can move it around the house without disturbing baby. 

I have heard good things about the boxes, but I would struggle to pay £50 for a box!

I also picked up a crib for £10 second hand, which we used after my daughter outgrew her moses basket.  While larger than a moses basket, it's much smaller than a cot and allowed her to stay in our room longer.  We've kept both the basket and crib for #2. 

Personally, I'm all about second hand.  You can pick up baby stuff so cheap.  And you can buy replacement mattresses for very little money from any of the baby shops.

It's getting close, you must be getting excited (and scared out of your mind)!

Oh I was thinking this was going to be a post about the baby boxes being given away for free in Scotland for all new babies.  Piloting right now, I think, but going all over in the summer.  Would be curious about that one when anyone has any experience with these. 

I got a second hand moses basket for free.  A moses basket is nice because you can move it around the house without disturbing baby. 

I have heard good things about the boxes, but I would struggle to pay £50 for a box!

I also picked up a crib for £10 second hand, which we used after my daughter outgrew her moses basket.  While larger than a moses basket, it's much smaller than a cot and allowed her to stay in our room longer.  We've kept both the basket and crib for #2. 

Personally, I'm all about second hand.  You can pick up baby stuff so cheap.  And you can buy replacement mattresses for very little money from any of the baby shops.

It's getting close, you must be getting excited (and scared out of your mind)!

Yes and yes! Just started the NHS classes and during the class we touched on sleeping arrangements (although this is covered in the next session extensively). It got us thinking as we'd never discovered if we'd go moses or whichever way.

From your experience, how long did the moses basket last until your daughter outgrew it? We've got a cot already so will be putting baby straight into cot after initial moses/box sleep arrangement

Oh I was thinking this was going to be a post about the baby boxes being given away for free in Scotland for all new babies.  Piloting right now, I think, but going all over in the summer.  Would be curious about that one when anyone has any experience with these. 

Yes I believe they started piloting them from January 1st 2017 would be keen to know their feedback

Yes and yes! Just started the NHS classes and during the class we touched on sleeping arrangements (although this is covered in the next session extensively). It got us thinking as we'd never discovered if we'd go moses or whichever way.

From your experience, how long did the moses basket last until your daughter outgrew it? We've got a cot already so will be putting baby straight into cot after initial moses/box sleep arrangement

Well, my daughter was VERY tiny when she was born.  Only 4 pounds.  So she probably could have stayed in the basket for a full six months.  lol!  But I saw the crib on a selling site for £10 and jumped on it.  She was only 15 pounds at a year old.

I would say for most people a moses basket lasts 2-3 months.  Which around 3 months or so, your baby will probably have a decent enough sleep pattern to go into the cot without much fuss. 

That is tiny! Bless her.

Baby boxes are difficult to find on the likes of Gumtree, probably due to their unknown existence and popularity. The wife and I will weigh up our options tonight I think!

One thing's for sure, babies are expensive!

Can I give you some advice on buggys? 

You will only use the first one for a few months because the baby has to lie flat.  The lie flat function makes it heavy, expensive and difficult to fold.   You shouldn't spend much money on this buggy, even get it used if possible.  This is contrary to your instinct to spend a ton on your baby, but it will be wasted.

After a few short months your baby can do without lying flat so it's worth it to spend money on a quality buggy that will last. 

Congrats on the baby!  I've never been happier than since my kids were born even though I freely admit infants can be a bit boring .  Kids are more interesting when they are old enough to argue and think. 

Thanks jimbo!

Fortunately, my parents have bought the buggy which is a 3-in-1. It was fairly "cheap". It's this one http://uberchild.com/uberchild-evo/uberchild-evo-3-in-1-travel-system-funky-zebra.html

One thing I do not want to go cheap on is a toddler car seat. A lot of research will be spent on getting a good, safe seat.

One thing I do not want to go cheap on is a toddler car seat. A lot of research will be spent on getting a good, safe seat.

We have the Cybex Sirona.  Top rated and swivels.  I'd HIGHLY recommend getting one that swivels!!!

We have the Cybex Sirona.  Top rated and swivels.  I'd HIGHLY recommend getting one that swivels!!!

I started to look at swivelling ones. A lot of people recommend who have them. Did yours come with an ISOFIX harness?

Don't forget to be really sure that it's fitted correctly.  I guess the ISO mount makes that a lot more straightforward.

By the way KFDancer you may want to ask your midwife for some tips on introducing kid #1 to kid #2.  A little planning goes a long way there. 

For example, ours told us to make sure that new baby was in the cot so that older kid would be unimpeded in saying hello to mom and giving hugs.  The last thing you want is to have to say "no cuddles, Im holding baby, step back ".   
 
I remember that we made a big deal out of buying a present for the older one to give to the baby, and a good present from the baby as well.