Are Baby Nests Worth It – What To Know Before Buying
Some of the links below are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.
The modern age has brought many products that haven’t existed just a few years ago. One of those products is a baby nest – a specially created nest to make the baby feel comfortable and secure.
Baby nests imitate the environment of a womb, making the baby feel secure, protected, and cuddled in. They are good for babies who are not used to being left alone on the bed or in the cot. Though they are not necessary if you have a sleep routine in mind or decide they aren’t right for you.
However, baby nests are not irreplaceable, and there are some alternatives you can use instead of them. Keep reading to find out the pros and cons of using a baby nest, and to learn what alternatives you could use.
What Is A Baby Nest?
When babies spend nine months in the womb, they get used to feeling safe and sound. When they are born, they can have a hard time adjusting to the new environment, like the cots, beds, and open space in general.
This is why in the first few months, the baby seeks a lot of the mother’s attention and likes to be held and cuddled. This feeling reminds the baby of the time it has spent in the womb. To imitate this feeling, baby nests were invented.
The baby nest is basically a small cushion bed with raised edges that you can place in the baby’s cot or you can put it on any flat surface (like a bed). The baby nest is helping the baby not to feel too exposed to the surroundings.
This product is usually made from very comfortable material, so the baby can feel calm and relaxed while in it. Baby nests are great for all newborn babies who are having issues adapting to the new world.
If you feel like your baby cannot stand being separated from you, or you feel like the baby is having troubles sleeping and resting in the cot on its own, then you should definitely try this product.
What Age Can You Use Baby Nests For?
Baby nests are perfect for newborn babies, so they can be used straight after birth, from day one. Deciding when to start using the nest is not an issue, the trouble is to decide at what point you should stop using it.
This is very individual. It is generally recommended that you stop using the nest at three months since that is the period a baby usually will start rolling and moving around. Before that time, babies are not able to turn by themselves in the nest, so the nest poses no risk to them at all.
However, if you feel like your baby doesn’t need the nest anymore at any point, you should stop using it. Using a baby nest is not something you have to do for full three months, per se. It is a rather individual thing and is adjusted to each baby.
On the other hand, if your baby after three months is still rather very calm and doesn’t move around in sleep, then you can safely continue to use the nest. Be careful to observe your baby – as soon as you notice the baby is becoming too big for the nest, stop using it.
Some baby nests can be transformed into another product that the baby can continue using, even after three months. Make sure to consult the manufacturer to check if the nest you have bought has this feature.
What Are The Benefits Of Using A Baby Nest?
There are several benefits of using a baby nest, so all the things that will be mentioned further down below are something you need to take into consideration before buying a nest.
Babies Feel Safer
One of the biggest benefits of a baby nest is that the baby will feel safe and protected while it is in the baby’s nest, away from its parents. Naturally, babies seek attention right after they are born, and that change of environment can be very stressful for them.
Being able to reassure the baby while it is on its own in the cot means a lot to parents since the baby can become stressed if it doesn’t feel the right way.
Also, the parents don’t have to worry if the baby is feeling sad or lonely. Sometimes it is normal that they have to leave the baby on its own while they focus on finishing other tasks (usually household ones).
The baby nest helps a lot when babies have separation anxiety, even though the parents are present in close vicinity to the baby.
It Is Portable
A baby nest is a product that you can easily pack and take with you when you are on the go. It doesn’t matter if you are just going to your friend’s house for a Sunday lunch, or you are going on a holiday trip.
This product is extremely lightweight, so you don’t have to worry about that. Also, sometimes it is important to take with you the object the baby is familiar with. A baby nest is something the baby is used to and feels comfortable when around.
What Are the Drawbacks of Using a Baby Nest?
Using It for Too Long
Sometimes the parents are not well informed and tend to use the baby nest for longer than they are supposed to. The primary design of a baby nest allows the air to flow normally while the baby is not moving around.
Once the baby starts rolling and moving around, you are risking the baby suffocating by turning to its belly. This is a very serious matter, so make sure that you stop using the nest at the right moment.
Also, always try to use the nest by following the instructions the manufacturer has provided. This is the only way you can make sure that you are doing the right thing and using the nest safely.
It Can Be Risky
The issue with the baby nest is that you as a parent may get too relaxed, or not read the instruction manual properly. Although it may sound silly that a baby nest comes with an instruction manual, the thing is that there are some things you should follow while using the nest.
The first thing is to avoid placing any objects inside the nest, like blankets or toys, especially if the baby is a little older. If a baby can flip inside the nest, it can easily get tangled in the blanket.
Baby nests are also supposed to be put on a hard surface, but parents often tend to believe their babies need some extra support underneath. This is why they often put another mattress underneath the nest.
This is the wrong thing to do since placing the nest in the wrong position can make it unstable. A nest that lays on a slippery surface can easily move and hurt the baby, so make sure that you are following the guide correctly.
Are Baby Nests Expensive?
Baby nests can cost somewhere from £80 to £150 on average. In general, there are no differences between the products. All baby nests out on the market serving the same purpose. The only difference that there is can be the quality of the production and the materials being used.
There are some products on the market that cost more than this aforementioned average price. These products usually have some extra features included, and that is why the price difference may be significant.
These extra features may come in the form of extended usage, or the product transforming into another useful product you can use after the baby no longer needs a baby nest.
Basically, you need to look for a baby nest that has a firm mattress, so the baby lies on a hard surface (this is beneficial to the baby’s back and proper physical development). You should also look for the nests that seem to have the best airflow available. This way, you can be sure the baby will get enough fresh air.
Besides this, nests that provide a greater flow of fresh air also prevent the baby from overheating while being in the nest. This is important since overheating can generate loads of other problems.
Are There Any Alternatives to Baby Nests?
When the baby is at the newborn stage, there might be some old-school alternatives you could use. First of all, try to hold the baby until it falls asleep. Although many other parents would not recommend this, since the baby will get used to being in your arms, this is actually the most beneficial for the baby.
Babies need to feel comfortable and secure, and what better place can provide that other than parents’ hug. After the baby is asleep, you can put it down in the cot.
If this is not an option for you, and you don’t want to make the baby too used to be carried around, then you can try placing a pillow behind the baby’s back while it’s lying aside in the cot. This will produce almost the same effect as the baby nest.
When the baby is older and using a baby nest is not an option anymore, you can try out the sleeping bags. They are perfect for older babies who are still in need of that snuggling feeling while they are sleeping.
How To Save Money On Buying A Baby Nest?
Although baby nests are not considered too expensive, they can have a big impact if you are tight. This is why buying a new baby nest should be your last resort in this situation.
The best thing you could do is to get one from your friend or a family member who has recently got a baby or to borrow it from someone else. Baby nests are not a product that can wear out easily, so they can be used for several generations until you see the signs of normal wear and tear.
Sometimes the sellers may have a promotion going on baby nests, so make sure to follow that if you are looking to buy a new one. Getting a baby nest on promotion could save you loads of money.
In the end, if you really don’t want to spend money on a baby nest, just look for the aforementioned alternatives.
Are Baby Nests Worth Buying?
Baby nests are not considered to be too expensive but can have a big impact on your budget. This is why it is not absolutely necessary to have one, especially given the fact that you can find some alternatives.
However, if you don’t believe in alternatives, then you should definitely go for it, since there is no replacement for how your baby will feel while in the nest. It is a good product to calm the baby down, so you can finish with your everyday activities.