Newborn Napping: Where Should Your Baby Sleep During The Day?

Newborns can sleep up to 16-18 hours a day, napping for 2-4 hours at a time. While night-time sleeping arrangements are often more straightforward, figuring out where your newborn should nap during the day can be more complicated. There are several options for where newborns can sleep during the day, including cribs, bassinets, carrycots, Moses baskets, and play yards. Newborns may also nap on a parent's chest or in a baby carrier, allowing for more flexibility and mobility. It is important to prioritize safety and comfort in the sleep environment, ensuring that newborns sleep on their back on a firm surface without loose bedding or toys.

Cribs and bassinets

Cribs

The crib is a reliable choice for both nighttime and daytime napping. It provides a peaceful and familiar environment for your baby, away from the hustle and bustle of the household. Consistency is key—using the crib for daytime naps in the same location as nighttime sleep can help establish a routine and signal to your baby that it's time to snooze. Ensure that the crib meets safety standards and is free from loose bedding and toys.

Bassinets

Bassinets are compact and cosy spaces, perfect for newborns. They are portable and keep your baby within arm's reach, making it convenient for frequent check-ins. When using a bassinet, ensure it has a firm, flat mattress, and avoid adding any pillows or blankets that could pose a suffocation hazard. Like cribs, bassinets help create a safe and consistent sleep environment for your newborn.

General Tips

• Lighting: A dimmed, softly lit room is suitable for daytime naps. Avoid harsh or glaring light in your baby's sleep area.
• Sound: Ambient noise can be beneficial, as it helps your baby learn to sleep through a bit of background noise. Consider using a white noise machine or playing a gentle lullaby to drown out any sudden sounds.
• Comfort: Ensure your baby's sleep area is comfortable. Maintain a comfortable temperature, and avoid loose blankets or pillows for safety.
• Routine: Establish a consistent daytime sleep routine to help program your baby's internal body clock.
• Sleep Cues: Learn your baby's sleepy cues, such as staring off into space, fussing, or rubbing their eyes. Use these cues to determine when it's time for a nap.
• Safe Sleep Habits: Always place your newborn on their back to sleep, and avoid co-sleeping. Keep the crib or bassinet free from soft bedding, bumpers, toys, or other potential hazards.

Remember, every baby is unique, and you may need to find the right balance that suits your little one's daytime slumbers.

Carrycots and Moses baskets

Carrycots

Carrycots are a fantastic choice for parents seeking a portable sleeping solution. They provide a flexible and familiar environment for your baby's daytime naps. Here are some advantages and considerations of using a carrycot:

• Portability: Carrycots are lightweight and easy to transport, allowing you to move them around the house or even when you're out and about. This flexibility ensures your baby has a comfortable sleeping space no matter where you are.
• Safety: While carrycots offer convenience, it is crucial to prioritise safety. Always place the carrycot on a safe, stable, and flat surface. Ensure your baby is not in a draft or direct sunlight, and avoid using the carry handle while your baby is inside.
• Convenience: Carrycots provide a travelling mini-bedroom for your newborn. They offer a familiar and cosy environment that can help establish a sense of consistency in your baby's sleep routine.

Moses Baskets

Moses baskets are another popular choice for newborn daytime sleep. They are lightweight, portable, and renowned for their convenience. Here are some key features and considerations for Moses baskets:

• Portability: Moses baskets are lightweight and easy to move from room to room. You can place them in any part of your house, creating a cosy napping nook for your baby.
• Comfort: These baskets are crafted with soft, comfortable linings, providing a snug and idyllic haven for your baby's daytime naps.
• Safety: While Moses baskets offer a cosy space, always prioritise safety. Place the basket on a flat, sturdy surface, away from pets or small children. Do not carry your baby in the basket, and ensure it meets safety standards.
• Convenience: Moses baskets are a convenient option when a crib or carrycot is not accessible. They are easy to set up and provide a portable sleeping solution for your newborn.

Both carrycots and Moses baskets offer safe and comfortable options for newborn daytime sleep. They provide portability, convenience, and a familiar sleeping environment for your baby. Remember to follow safety guidelines and use your best judgment to create a peaceful and secure napping space for your little one.

Babywearing and slings

Babywearing is a great way to bond with your baby and has been practised for thousands of years. It can help to soothe a colicky baby and makes it easier to breastfeed in public. Research has shown that babies who are carried cry less, and a 2018 study found that mothers who wear their babies are more likely to practice responsive feeding. Babywearing can also help to stabilise a baby's heart rate, improve their breathing patterns, and increase oxygen saturation levels.

When using a baby sling or carrier, it is important to follow safety guidelines to prevent suffocation, especially in babies under 4 months old. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends that parents and caregivers are cautious when using infant slings for babies younger than 4 months. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) also notes that some slings can cause a baby's body to curl into a C-shape, restricting their breathing. To avoid this, always ensure that:

• You can see your baby's face at all times
• Their neck is straight
• Their chin is not pressed against their chest
• Young infants always face inward, towards you

The "T.I.C.K.S." acronym is a helpful way to remember these key safety points:

• Tight: The sling or carrier should be tight enough to keep your baby close to you.
• In view at all times: You should be able to see your baby's face without moving the fabric.
• Close enough to kiss: Your baby's head should be close to your chin, so you can easily kiss their forehead.
• Keep chin off chest: Ensure there is at least a finger's width between your baby's chin and chest.
• Supported back: Your baby's back should be supported, so they are not slumped or curled into a C-shape.

There are several types of baby carriers and slings available:

• Baby wraps: A long piece of stretchy or woven material that you use to strap your baby to your chest or back. Wraps are very versatile and comfortable once you get used to them. They are great for newborns, but stretchy wraps may not support a toddler's weight.
• Ring slings and pouches: These are worn over one shoulder and provide a pocket for your baby. Ring slings are adjustable, while pouches are not.
• Soft-structured carriers: Similar to a backpack, with a waist strap and shoulder straps. These can be worn on the front or back and are fully adjustable.
• Meh dais: Asian-style carriers made with a rectangle of fabric and straps that tie over the waist and shoulders. These can be worn on the front, back, or hip.

When choosing a baby carrier, consider your baby's age and weight, as well as your own comfort and fit. Always follow the instructions that come with the carrier and be mindful of potential safety hazards.

Playpens and travel cots

When choosing a travel cot, consider the weight, ease of assembly and disassembly, age suitability, mattress quality, and extra functions. If you plan to use it frequently or for longer trips, opt for a more durable and comfortable model. If you're looking for something more temporary or occasional, there are budget-friendly options available that still prioritise your newborn's safety.

Bugaboo Stardust

• Best for easy assembly
• Suitable from birth to 2 years/15 kg
• Weighs 6.7 kg
• Quick pop-up assembly and collapsible sides
• Adjustable mattress height with two positions
• Priced at £225

Silver Cross Slumber 3-in-1

• Best multi-use travel cot
• Suitable from birth to approx. 3 years (up to 15 kg)
• Weighs 7.65 kg
• 3-in-1 functionality: bedside co-sleeper, travel cot, and playpen
• Includes a padded mattress and waterproof carry case
• Priced at £195

Graco Contour Electra

• Best for added extras
• Suitable from birth to 15 kg
• Weighs 10 kg
• Includes a cot-top changing unit, mobile, and battery-operated unit with tunes and vibration
• Newborn bassinet included
• Priced at £99

Red Kite Sleeptight Travel Cot

• Best budget buy
• Suitable from birth to 15 kg
• Weighs 8.7 kg
• Easy to assemble and disassemble
• Padded top rail and mesh sides for visibility and airflow
• Priced at £35

Cuggl Deluxe Superlight Travel Cot

• Best for occasional use
• Suitable from birth to 15 kg
• Weighs 6 kg
• Compact and lightweight, easy to transport and store
• Built-in mattress is 2.5 cm deep
• Priced at £109.99

Joie Kubbie Sleep

• Best budget travel cot for co-sleeping
• Suitable from birth to 15 kg
• Weighs 8.79 kg
• Simple drop-side feature for easy access to newborns
• Can be used as a travel cot and playpen
• Priced at £99.99

Baby rockers and bouncers

Rockers and bouncers are a great way to keep your baby entertained and engaged while you get some things done around the house. They can help your baby see and experience the world around them, providing them with a sense of comfort and security.

Baby bouncers and rockers are designed to be used in any room of the house and are easily portable. They come with various features such as toy bars, soothing melodies, calming vibrations, and adjustable recline settings. Some rockers even have different speed settings and optional vibrations, allowing you to adapt the seat to your baby's preferences.

When choosing a baby rocker or bouncer, you can opt for sleek and simple designs, with either manual or automatic functionality. Manual rockers and bouncers require a gentle push to start the motion, while automatic ones operate independently. Automatic options often have different speed settings and can be left to soothe your baby while you take a break.

It's important to note that baby bouncers are typically suitable from birth up to 9kg or until your baby can sit upright, which is usually around six months. On the other hand, baby rockers can often convert into toddler chairs, accommodating weights up to 18kg.

Frequently asked questions