When you first bring your baby home, he or she will be sleeping for long stretches at a time during the day. Perhaps you will want the flexibility of having your baby sleep in the same room as you. However, you can't push your heavy nursery crib from room to room, and even moving a bassinet or Pack 'n Play around sometimes feels like too much work. In this case, a Moses basket may be the right option for you.
A Moses basket is a handled oval basket that is just big enough to fit a sleeping baby. It is usually woven from palm leaves or other plant fibers, though some versions made of sturdy cloth are also now available. It is light enough to be portable from room to room in your home, and you can even take it with you for napping on the go in someone else's home. Just remember, you should never carry it while your child is in it!
Generally, bedding for a Moses basket includes a padded liner, a mattress pad, and a sheet. Some Moses baskets (such as the Badger Basket line or ones by Wendy Anne) come with a hood that can be attached to shade your baby if you are using the basket outside in the sun. You can also purchase separately a hardwood stand on rockers so you have the option of rocking your baby gently to sleep.
The cost for a Moses type basket with bedding varies depending on the brand and the materials used to make the basket and bedding. Basically, you want a Moses basket that is deep, durable, and comes with removable and washable bedding. Beyond that, it is up to you how fancy you want to get.
Economical, entry-level Moses style baskets include those from brands such as Tiddliwinks, Tadpoles, Trend Lab, and Badger Basket. These baskets come in various colors (natural, honey, dark brown), so you are sure to find one that coordinates with your furniture. The bedding also comes in an array of fashionable colors such as pink/brown, sage, ecru, and lavender, and a range of materials/patterns such as cotton, denim, paisley, polka dot, striped, and damask.
If buying natural products is an important consideration, look into getting a Moses basket from a brand such as little merry fellows or Purely Natural Baby. You can find baskets made from bamboo or maize fibers and ones that have never been sprayed with chemicals. You can also find bedding made from organic cotton, organic white sateen, hemp silk charmeuse, and other organic designer fabrics.
Some higher-end Moses basket brands include Maddie Boo (known for interesting textures and fabric choices and combinations) and Hoohobbers (which come with very deep, flexible baskets and bumpers with an innovative duvet design). For a touch of luxury, look into Wendy Anne's line of Moses basket bedding in gorgeous fabrics such as chenille, toile, and velour. Or, for a Moses basket with a stylish twist, invest in a Sausalito Moses basket from serena & lily made out of heavy-weight cotton duck with brightly colored canvas trim in pink, green, or chocolate.
The pros to using a Moses basket are that it does not take up much room, is portable, and is lovely and stylish to look at. One con is that you will only get a few months use out of it as a sleeping place for your baby. You must move your baby to sleep elsewhere once he or she is about 15-18 pounds or able to push up and roll over.
However, even after your baby has outgrown your Moses basket, you can still get a lot of use out of it. It is the perfect storage place for folded nursery linens, stuffed animals, or other baby toys. Or, if you have opted to get one made of cloth, you can use it as a sturdy beach or library book tote later. With a little care in selecting one, you should find yourself using your Moses basket in one way or another for years to come.
