If, like many parents, you decide that baby should sleep in a moses-basket or carry cot to begin with, you can buy specially sized sheets and blankets for this purpose. This makes it easier to ensure that there isn’t an excess of fabric that baby could potentially wriggle down under and have their breathing restricted by. I highly recommend buying the right-sized bedding for the sleeping solution you choose. Although, there are a variety of fabrics available, I would suggest you consider the stretch-cotton sheets as these are less likely to become loose in the night and taking them off and putting them back on is a doddle.

Sleeping bags are a great solution to baby’s night-time needs but although they are availble for newborns, most parents prefer to start using them after the baby is about one -three months old.

For me, the main advantage of sleeping-bags for babies is that they can’t be wriggled off in the night and therefore, baby is less likely to protest during the night that he or she is too cold.

You will only need a few bottom sheets for the cot if you’re using a sleeping bag but if it’s an especially cold night you may want to put an extra sheet or blanket on top of the bag. You should never use a duvet or quilt with a sleeping bag as baby would be far to hot.

It is also essential that you find the right sized sleeping bag because if it’s too large baby may slide down inside the bag which would greatly restrict air flow and could become very dangerous.

Duvets and pillows should not be used until baby is at least one year old.  This is because they can restrict movement, provide excessive warmth and pose a suffocation risk to young babies.  After a year, you may wish to swap the sleeping bag or blanket/sheet arrangement for a duvet or quilt.  If so, it is a wise idea to look for hypoallergenic one with a cover of 100 percent cotton.

• Separation Anxiety. This deserves a post of its own.

• Temperature. Is he too hot or cold? Be careful not to overdress him and see the table at the end of this post for the right temperatures.

• Dressed for sleep. In the early months, many babies like to “sleep tight,” securely swaddled in a cotton baby blanket. Older infants like to sleep “loose,” and may sleep longer stretches with loose coverings that allow them more freedom of movement.

• Distractions. Is his room too noisy or too light? Block out disturbing backing noise with a soothing lullaby CD. Purchase darkening blinds to shut out the light which may be awakening him. This may also lead to an extra hour of sleep in the morning.

• Blocked nose. In the early months, babies need clear nasal passages to breathe. Later they can alternatively breathe through their mouth if their nose is blocked. Reduce the amount of problem-causing articles from baby’s room as these can cause stuffiness (cigarette smoke, baby powder, paint fumes, hair spray, animal dander, plants, clothing, stuffed animals, feather pillows and fuzzy toys that collect dust.) If your baby is particularly allergy-prone, a HEPA-type air filter will help. Consider buying a salt-water nasal dropper and give baby a few drops if he has a stuffy nose. Consult your doctor or pharmacist first. (Lavin, Glaser 2007).

Correct Room Temperatures