Buying Guide | All About Baby Nests

Think of a nest as a little cocoon that mimics the feeling of being held or growing in Mum’s tummy. They’re soft, squishy and come in all sorts of shapes and designs. The idea is to create a relaxing environment for your baby which helps to promote calmness and a sense of being protected whilst also offering an extra layer of warmth.

Many of our designs can also be unzipped or opened out to create a soft surface, either to create a flexible changing space or to pop under their baby play gym. They really are a vertaile addition to the nursery. 

Think of a baby nest as a place for taking a pause, whether that's for play, bonding, or a supervised snooze. Thanks to their lightweight, cushioned design, they're easy to move around and transport, ensuring that you find the optimum spot for your baby to take in their surroundings, all the while giving you peace of mind that they are comfortable and cushioned. Nests come in plenty of different designs, either fully enveloped, perfect for the colder months, or open with high sides, preventing baby from rolling and wriggling around too much — this could be a good option for things like trimming their nails (a delicate task that requires a more controlled environment), baby massage time, or just giving you a spare moment to have a shower. 

When it comes to safety, The Lullaby Trust recommends that nests should not be used for sleeping, but instead, are for supervised moments only, like enjoying visits from friends and family or using to help support infants as they learn to sit. A sleeping bag, however, as the name suggests, is designed to be slept in. They vary in togs and come with well-designed features for a safe snooze which you can read about in our handy sleeping bag guide.
 

If your baby does decide to have a nap in their nest, then it's important to consider the following:
 

• Ensure the nest is placed on a firm, flat surface to prevent the material from collapsing in and covering your baby's face.
   
• Never leave your baby unattended in a baby nest. Nests are for supervised moments only. 
   
• Consider the temperature. Nests come in a variety of thicknesses and materials; avoid padded and thicker material weights for warmer months to prevent your baby from overheating. 
   

If you’re shopping for a nest to present your baby on a special day, then beautiful details like bows and embroidery will add to their starring moment. As if they weren’t the centre of attention already, these designs will wrap them in an extra layer of cuteness. For something a little more practical, brands like Elodie, Mayoral Newborn and Uzturre combine functional features, including holes for car seat straps, water-repellent finishes and fold-out hoods, with a range of modern colour palettes and soft fabrics designed for everyday use.

Talking of fabrics, you’ll find that a lot of baby nests will be made from cotton. Not only is cotton soft against your baby’s delicate skin, but it is also breathable and helps to regulate temperature. For colder days, we’ve got styles in fleece, cashmere and wool to keep them cosy when out and about, and some are padded to offer additional warmth for even colder snaps.

Our designers haven't forgotten about Mum and Dad either. Poppers, zips, and fold-out sections make getting baby in and out a breeze, plus we’ve got lots of styles labelled with every parent’s favourite word: machine washable.

Image by Tartine et Chocolat