Cardboard box as baby's first bed?

[lian_83]

Hi ladies, just a naive question, i read about a famous article about Finns using a cardboard box as baby's first bed.. We thought of doing the same or perhaps a cabinet drawer instead. Partly because of financial concerns and partly because our room is really quite small to fit a crib.

Anyone else opting for a box or drawer? Thanks.

 

[bassdesire]

Drawer works fine for a month or two I guess!! Lots have done it, but just co-sleep baby will be so cozy!!

 

[Bambola]

I don't think it matters lovely, as long as you read the guidelines on SIDS and follow them in whatever bed you use and as long as its comfy for baby, no drama good luck!

 

[onceisenough1]

Can you get a bassinet instead? CHeaper than a crib and smaller

 

[The Alchemist]

I don't think there's anything wrong with using that. It's still the same concept as crib or bassinet. If I didn't have room and money is hard, I'd get "creative and just use a box too. Really don't see a problem.

 

[ama]

Agree with PP about co sleeping but if that's not for you then a box is fine long as bubs is safe and cosy xx

 

[J.D.]

Almost all my aunts and uncles started life in dresser drawers so I can't see the problem there. Just follow the SIDS safety stuff (no loose blankets, etc) and you should be fine. The boxes in Finland are designed for baby use -- have a mattress, have never been used for anything else, etc.

 

[monkee12]

Its not something I would do however plenty have done it and I don't see the harm aslong as baby is comfy x

 

[whittnie117]

I agree with the pp that said that as long as you follow SIDS guidelines, there is nothing wrong with a drawer or a box as long as baby is comfy. Co-sleeping might also be an option for you. There are small bassinets available at walmart for 40 dollars too (it took us a bit to save up for a bassinet and was on layaway). I don't know where you live though. We have a tiny room and limited budget too. I utilized layaways as much as I could. I'd also check consignment shops as well. Sometimes you can find a small something for really super cheap if there is any extra monies. I know it's hard though.

 

[CharCharxxx]

What country are u in? I'm UK & there's a website called netmums and there is a section called nearly new of people selling stuff like baby equipment etc.. I always see people selling their Moses baskets/cribs for such a cheap price! If not go on eBay! Just wash all the inside bits when u get it and will be fine I sold mine on there for £10 including the mattress & bedding x x

 

[randomrach]

Almost all my aunts and uncles started life in dresser drawers so I can't see the problem there. Just follow the SIDS safety stuff (no loose blankets, etc) and you should be fine. The boxes in Finland are designed for baby use -- have a mattress, have never been used for anything else, etc.

^wss

The boxes are designed for baby as part of a 'welcome set' from the government and have a mattress to fit correctly. An ordinary new cardboard box would probably be ok but you might have trouble finding a mattress to fit and it may be expensive. A drawer would probably be ok too but it wouldn't last until baby was old enough for their own room. Personally I would buy a bassinet/ Moses basket or co-sleep.

 

[Pearls18]

Can you look for a second hand small Moses basket or similar, some people give them away or they're very cheap, you could use the carry cot of your push chair (Not the car seat though babies need to lie flat for their main sleep). The cardboard boxes the Finns use as a Pp says are specifically designed for this purpose, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22751415

The only thing that would worry me about any other cardboard box is they can be quite musty and one of the most important things for babies is good air flow so you'd need to be careful about size also. I'm paranoid about mattresses too and spent quite some time looking into what mattress to get, I am overly paranoid about SIDS though, I am sure it would be absolutely fine as others have said it was done for many years I would just make sure you do your research

 

[mummy2be...]

I think if your going to do that you need to make sure you have mattress that fits really well, not even an inch to big or small- if you can't find one then I don't think it's worth the risk.....not even worth considering

 

[wannabenewmum]

I made the mistake last time of buying a crib and never used it I ened up giving it too my local children centre, it's always worth asking , but for me baby just slept in the crook of my arm and that's more than likely what I shall do this time

 

[snowfia]

My gran always says I should just use a drawer as it's what they did :L
We had a moses basket for DD but she never slept in it and never had a cot either. DD is now in a toddler bed and this baby doesn't have anything as it will be in our bed

 

[amjon]

Can you look for a second hand small Moses basket or similar, some people give them away or they're very cheap, you could use the carry cot of your push chair (Not the car seat though babies need to lie flat for their main sleep). The cardboard boxes the Finns use as a Pp says are specifically designed for this purpose, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22751415

The only thing that would worry me about any other cardboard box is they can be quite musty and one of the most important things for babies is good air flow so you'd need to be careful about size also. I'm paranoid about mattresses too and spent quite some time looking into what mattress to get, I am overly paranoid about SIDS though, I am sure it would be absolutely fine as others have said it was done for many years I would just make sure you do your research

Ours sleep in Rock N Plays which are inclined and the doctor recommended continuing with them. They do not need to be flat but a car seat is also not recommended for night sleep. I know ours get quite warm in theirs and they have all the straps.

 

[Pearls18]

Can you look for a second hand small Moses basket or similar, some people give them away or they're very cheap, you could use the carry cot of your push chair (Not the car seat though babies need to lie flat for their main sleep). The cardboard boxes the Finns use as a Pp says are specifically designed for this purpose, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22751415

The only thing that would worry me about any other cardboard box is they can be quite musty and one of the most important things for babies is good air flow so you'd need to be careful about size also. I'm paranoid about mattresses too and spent quite some time looking into what mattress to get, I am overly paranoid about SIDS though, I am sure it would be absolutely fine as others have said it was done for many years I would just make sure you do your research

Ours sleep in Rock N Plays which are inclined and the doctor recommended continuing with them. They do not need to be flat but a car seat is also not recommended for night sleep. I know ours get quite warm in theirs and they have all the straps.

Here it is recommended babies sleep flat on their backs, I think they change the advice to slightly reclining the mattress with a towel underneath if baby is having colic/digestive problems. DS did sleep in his bouncer in the day, but he always slept flat in cot at night. I think as with anything it'll depend on the situation, if your doctor recommended it for you that's fine but I think the OP would need to speak to her own health professional if she was to decide to sleep baby in something that wasn't flat on a long term basis, just to be sure.

 

[MrsEngland]

Honestly its not something I would be comfortable doing but each to their own and like everyone else has said just follow SIDS guidelines.

 

[lian_83]

Thanks all for the suggestions.

I'm in Australia, just arrived several months ago so we're still settling down and the flat we're renting is under contract for a year. Dh just got a job and though he is paid well, we accumulated so much debt from the bills.

I looked at ebay and placed some bids for a 2nd hand Moses basket or bassinet. They start around $30 but is continuously rising. One of our bids is at $60 already and the auction still has 4 hours to go. I think we don't want to spend more than $80 for a second hand item since Ikea has a cot for $80 and matress for $20.

 

[whittnie117]

Thanks all for the suggestions.

I'm in Australia, just arrived several months ago so we're still settling down and the flat we're renting is under contract for a year. Dh just got a job and though he is paid well, we accumulated so much debt from the bills.

I looked at ebay and placed some bids for a 2nd hand Moses basket or bassinet. They start around $30 but is continuously rising. One of our bids is at $60 already and the auction still has 4 hours to go. I think we don't want to spend more than $80 for a second hand item since Ikea has a cot for $80 and matress for $20.

I honestly suggest checking to see if there are any second hand baby shops near you. We have one about 30 minutes away and they often have much lower prices on bassinets. If there is a Walmart near you (I know they are international, but don't know where exactly) they have a bassinet for under 40 dollars new mattress and all. It's small, so should fit in a smaller space and would work for a long time if needed.

Also, on amazon.com if you search moses basket you will come up with a lot of really good priced items. Some as low as 35 dollars. Here is a link to one.

https://www.amazon.com/Badger-Baske...8&qid=1382752130&sr=8-1&keywords=moses+basket

Also, if you do have enough room for a pack and play, you can find them for under 80 dollars pretty easily on amazon, walmart, and many other places. Babies can sleep fine in the upper portion of them.

Good luck!