WHEN DO I NEED IT? From birth.

WHAT IS IT? A small easily transportable sleeping ‘pod’. Its neat size ensures a safe, secure fit for a newborn to six-month-old.

Traditionally made from wicker – or indeed, in Moses’ case from reeds covered in tar to make it watertight – today’s Moses baskets and bassinets are state of the art, often supremely designer chic and even come in a range of zingy colours (not so great for blending into the reeds, though)

WHY DO I NEED IT? A Moses basket or bassinet is extremely useful in that its proportions mean you don’t have to worry about your baby slipping under blankets in a more extensive cot. It is also extremely adaptable, as you can move your baby from room to room so you can be with your baby at all times whilst he is happily sleeping; many can be taken with you as a travel cot option as well. A Moses basket can also be used during your baby’s transition stage from cradle to cot; simply have your baby sleep inside their Moses basket in the cot.

FEATURES TO CONSIDER Make sure the bassinet is a decent size (a larger birthweight baby will quickly outgrow a too-bijou affair) while still being cutely snug. Also check on Moses baskets that the handles meet easily and are comfortable to carry. For bassinet/cradles make sure the proportions will fit through your doorways so it can be moved from room to room. Aesthetics play a big role, too, so choose one that appeals to your personal taste. Consider whether you will be happy with a motionless cradle, or whether you want a rocking option – there’s also the option of buying a stand for a Moses basket, so keep this rocking option in mind here too. Also, consider whether you will be able to place your baby in a ‘head elevated’ position if you prefer.

WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS? Your baby needs a place to rest her head, and a cradle or Moses basket provides a very palatable option. There is the tres moderne Moba Moses basket made from eco-friendly recyclable material which comes in a stunning range of colours. Stand out cradle designs include the Leander Cradle/Crib that can either be a standing cradle or hung from the ceiling. Then there is the dreamy Le Petit Voyage Crib by Kenneth Cobonpue; or the gorgeous Lavi Dreamer and Lavi Cruiser Cradles from Gloria Lavi. The Rockid crib from Ontwerpduo with an integral seat is another MyLittleStyleFile favourite.

Keep in mind that a cradle is ostensibly a scaled-down cot, so you could also opt for a full-size cot; a cotbed (as the name suggests, a cot than can be converted into a toddler bed, and sometimes a daybed too) or a bedside cot, which can be attached to your bed so your baby is close but also has her own space. These categories will appear later in our New Baby Checklist…

SEE THE FULL ‘NEW BABY CHECKLIST’ FEATURE HERE for all those other baby essentials…