The Complete Guide to Moses Baskets and Moses Basket Mattresses

Decisions, decisions - where do I sleep my baby? Moses basket, crib, next-to-me crib, cot, or cot bed?

There's lots for new parents to think about. You'll be offered advice from all sorts of friends and family, midwives, and even more from the internet and AI!

All of these options have more positives than negatives, and the biggest factor is that your decision may be affected by your lifestyle and your purse.

Moses Baskets

When you buy a Moses basket, the marketing blurb sells you the design and the fabric, using flowery, meaningless phrases like "Hypoallergenic, Superb mattress, Superb quality" - yuck!

Look at hundreds of Moses baskets and none of them boast in any detail about the superb quality and safety of the mattress. None of them describe the components and their benefits.

Your precious new arrival is going to use this Moses basket for 3-5 months, depending on your baby's activity level. That means they'll spend at least 1,300-2,000 hours in the basket - more time than they're awake! Be confident when you check out the mattress: does it offer a safe and comfortable welcome to our world?

Why the Mattresses Are So Poor

Virtually all Moses basket mattresses are a cheap, thin piece of fibre - they look like part of the packaging! The reason is that if a top-quality mattress were sold with the Moses basket, it would double the price, making it look uncompetitive and it wouldn't sell. It's Catch-22 for Moses basket manufacturers.

The Gap - Most Important

The most important thing is the gap between the side of the basket and the mattress. If you push the mattress to one side, you should not leave a gap bigger than the width of your two fingers.

Please don't get paranoid about the gap because you want it tight to the edge all the way round (looks nicer). When you lie your baby down, they don't move. They're not going to get anything stuck in a 3cm gap, and you do need to get your fingers down the side of the mattress to lift it out for maintenance.

Mattress Core Options

Your choice of Moses basket mattress is about two components: the base or core, and the cover. Think about waterproof protection to the core and breathability.

Fibre

Most Moses basket mattresses have fibre because it's cheap. The base is normally 3cm deep at best. Fibre's plus point is that it's made from recycled plastic bottles. However, fibre gives little support and has no recovery. It also attracts cheap covers to maintain a price point, with no investment in waterproof protection.

Foam

There are lots of different qualities of foam that affect the price. A good-quality foam mattress will have firm support and attract a quality cover - perhaps quilted microfibre, CoolMax, or bamboo - and hopefully a waterproof barrier. The cover will have a zip, be machine washable, and be 4-5cm deep.

Coir and Wool

If a company is manufacturing this product, price is not at the forefront of their mind. Their focus is on quality, comfort, safety, and durability. This natural mattress will have a firm, quality base with quality wool either side, held in with stockinette, then waterproof protection and a quality machine-washable cover.

Perhaps an opportunity to buy a spare cover for when the nappy fails at the normal inconvenient time! Look out for Outlux or Moulton fabric for a natural mattress.

Longevity

Moses baskets are in use for approximately 3 months, but a good-quality mattress will last years. Because it's washable, you can use it again and again. When you're done with it, you can loan it out or save it for the grandchildren. Lots come out of the loft with all the sentiment!

Pros and Cons

Positives

• Your baby looks comfortable and snug
• Looks the right size for a tiny baby
• You can move them around to wherever you are
• Buy a stand to go with it for convenience

Negatives

I have to mention these - you'll say "they don't pass the 'so what' test" and "do you think I'm an irresponsible parent?" But here goes anyway:

• Moses baskets have a short, limited lifespan - maybe only 3-5 months
• A safety risk if you leave your baby in it when they've learnt to lean over to the side
• Might pose a suffocation hazard if you use loose blankets
• Baskets don't have bars, so there's less air getting to your baby
• You might have to go to the extra expense of buying a Moses basket stand
• Be mindful how you carry it

I know, I was raising my eyebrows when I wrote that last paragraph!