The newborn requires a lot of sleep so a bed or baby bed is at a central and focal position in his or her life. The same principle that applies to the nursery furniture also applies here: choose something practical and functional, strong and durable, stable and with round corners. It should not contain toxic substances and should “grow” with the child.
Choose a baby bed with strong, closely placed bars to avoid the playful child getting his or her feet stuck between the bars. The distance between the bars on the sides should not exceed 6.5 cm to prevent the child’s head from passing through.
Obviously a child’s room will have many decorative items, but please note that ribbons and strings have no place around the baby bed. If you use a pacifier on a chain, the chain must be shorter than the circumference of the child’s neck and it must be affixed to the clothes. Surrounding the baby bed with cloth is not necessary. A cot is suitable for the first few months, but will quickly become too small.
Mattresses
The mattress must be sufficiently rigid to support the body in every position. Active movement should not affect it. The mattress must be of a material that absorbs moisture and is washable.
When choosing a mattress, go for the most non-toxic material available. The following labels might help you decide: the eco-label “European Alliance of Ecological Manufacturers” guarantees that the product is free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), pesticides, heavy metals and hazardous paint substances. The QUL quality label “Quality alliance for environmentally-friendly latex mattresses” ensures that the mattresses are free of hazardous chemicals.
Usually the mattresses are aired out prior to delivery by the retail seller, but it wouldn’t hurt to air them out yourself as well. Avoid products that have been treated with any kind of substances against dust mites.
Sleep tight
Now you can take your child to the bed where he or she will hopefully sleep peacefully. Air out the room and regulate the lighting so the child can sleep calmly. If necessary, leave a weak and indirect light on for the night. A pillow is not needed.
At first it’s preferable for the child to sleep in the same room as the parents, because the sounds of parents sleeping will calm the child. It’s also a good idea to avoid the long trip if you can hear the child cry, if you need to change diapers or feed the baby.
