Wondering what your baby should sleep in downstairs?
This was one of the many, many questions I had when on the steep learning curve of parenthood with a newborn baby.
If baby needed to sleep in the same room as me for the first six months, where is the best place for them to nap in the day when I am awake?
I’ve found that the Moses basket is the easiest option for newborn naps downstairs, but we’re going to explore the pros and cons further plus some other options!
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You may also like: Do you need a Moses basket?
Where to put baby for daytime nap downstairs?
There are a few options for when your baby needs to sleep downstairs:
- Moses basket
- Travel cot
- Carry cot section of travel system pushchair/stroller
- Play mat
- Sling or wrap
- Baby Box (Scotland and Finland)
Where should baby nap?
One of the most important pieces of advice given by healthcare professionals is that your baby should sleep in the same room as you for the first six months. This applies both day and night.
It is the official advice from the NHS and CDC.
So that means their naps should be in the same room as you – and chances are you don’t want to spend half of the day upstairs in a dark bedroom!
And just to add it actually helps you to teach your baby the difference between night and day if you can get them sleeping in a dark bedroom at night, but napping in a different environment in the day.
This is just one thing that can help to reinforce the message that their big sleep happens overnight.
To make life easier, and to follow health professionals’ safe sleep guidance, you’ll want a safe place for your baby to sleep downstairs.
According to the Lullaby Trust: “The safest place for a baby to sleep is in their own clear, flat, separate sleep space, such as a cot or Moses basket. We recommend a firm, flat, waterproof mattress.”
What should baby sleep in downstairs?
A Moses basket is the simplest solution for where to put your baby down to sleep downstairs.
It’s super easy to move around the house, depending on which room you’re using, and safe for baby’s sleep.
Plus you can get stands that raise it off the floor if you wish, making it easier to lift baby in and out of the basket.
But there are a few downsides to using a Moses basket:
- Baby will grow out of it pretty rapidly. My babies used their Moses basket for around eight weeks before they were too big.
- Expensive. Moses baskets don’t come cheap. Because the basket lasts only a few weeks you may well feel short-changed. Then you’ll have a large basket that you need to find space in your home for, unless you resell it after your baby is done.
Here are the practicalities of the other options.
Carrycot
You probably don’t want to bring your entire pram – muddy wheels and all – into your home so your baby can nap in it.
But if you own a travel system that lets you detach the carrycot from the wheels then that can be a good solution.
Pros
- Simple solution that means you don’t need to invest in anything else.
- Baby is familiar with it.
Cons
- You may not have a travel system pram in which case this won’t be an option.
Travel cot
A travel cot is a collapsable crib that generally lasts baby for the first year, and often up until they’re ready for the railings to be removed from their bed at age two.
These are a must-have if you plan to travel, or go to visit a loved one who doesn’t have a crib for your baby. But they also come in useful for naps downstairs.
Pros
- Can be folded down and stored easily.
- Can also be used as a safe space for baby to play downstairs.
Cons
- Larger models will take up more space than a Moses basket or carrycot.
- Having to pop them up and down again may become irritating.
Play mat
Both of my kids nodded off on their play mats a few times when they were babies. Clearly their play mat wasn’t as stimulating as I had hoped!
Whenever this happened I covered them with a blanket up to their armpits and watched them snooze while I had a sit down.
Pros
- Does not require you to purchase anything extra.
- Easy to store.
- Takes up less space.
Cons
- Baby may struggle to settle in a place they normally play.
Baby box
New parents in Scotland and Finland receive a free cardboard baby box containing key essentials.
Once empty the box can be used as a place for baby to sleep.
If you have received one of these boxes it could be a handy place for baby to nap downstairs.
Pros
- Versatile box can be used for storing baby mementos once they have outgrown it.
Cons
- The evidence on whether baby boxes are safe for sleep is unclear.
Baby sling or carrier
Wearing your baby in a sling or infant carrier while they nap is a good option if you’re going to be trying to get chores done around the house.
And many babies find it easier to settle if they are being carried, so this is a good hands-free option.
Experts say you shouldn’t sleep while wearing your baby in a carrier however – so do bear that in mind if you are thinking of dozing off yourself during your baby’s nap time.
While doing this occasionally can work well, it’s worth nothing the American Academy of Pediatrics says you shouldn’t routinely allow babies to sleep in a carrier.
This comes back to the advice about the ideal sleeping environment being flat on their back on a flat, firm mattress.
Pros
- Convenient if you need to get stuff done.
- Doesn’t take up as much space as other options.
Cons
- Experts advise against letting your baby sleep in the sling routinely.
- You are advised against falling sleep while wearing your baby.
Other sleep essentials you need
Apart from the bed, there are a few other key essentials that will come in handy for whatever sleep space you set up for your baby downstairs:
- Fitted sheets that fit your mattress
- Blankets or Baby sleeping bags
- Room thermometer
What does baby sleep in downstairs after Moses basket?
Once your baby is too big for their Moses basket the next best – and cheapest option – is to use the carry cot section of your pram or a travel cot.
In terms of places to avoid, it’s best not to allow your baby to sleep for too long in their car seat.
This is a tricky one for parents, as babies so often are lulled to sleep by the movement of travelling in a car.
However sleep safety experts warn that a baby should be sleeping flat on their back, which isn’t possible in the curved shape of a car seat.
So while your baby may nod off and snooze during long car journeys, it’s best not to use a car seat for daily naps at home.
It’s a similar story with bouncy chairs, which also often lull babies to sleep due to the movement.
If you do want to utilise movement to get your baby to sleep then the pram or a baby sling are the best options.
Final thoughts
As you can see a Moses basket is the best option for those early weeks when it comes to baby naps downstairs. After this a carrycot is a sound option.
The advice from the NHS and others is to have your baby sleeping in the same room as you for the first six months. After this they can nap in their own bedroom in a cot or cot bed.
If you’re getting ready to welcome your baby you may like this nursery essentials checklist and this guide to preparing your home for a baby.
