Moses Basket Baskets
The story of the true “Moses” basket, as told in Exodus 2:1-10. KJV
Moses – “Because I drew him out of the water”.
In the days when the Egyptians ruled, the king became fearful of the Israelites because they grew so mighty in number, and so the king issued a command to all his people: “take every newborn Hebrew boy and throw him into the Nile, but let all the girls live”. During this time a man from the tribe of Levi married a woman of his own tribe, and she bore him a son. When she saw what a fine baby he was, she hid him for three months. But when she could hide him no longer, she took a basket made of reeds and covered it with tar to make it watertight. She put the baby in it, in the tall grass at the edge of the river. The king’s daughter noticed the basket in the tall grass, and sent a slave girl to get it. The princess opened it and saw a baby boy, and took him as her own son. And she called his name Moses and she said, “because I drew him out of the water”.
Today’s “Moses” basket:
The original reed basket was created thousands of years ago to keep a beautiful, young baby safe. Recently, the reed basket has become highly desirable by mothers wishing to keep their infants safe, secure, and close by their side. Today, tar, and a simple Hebrew blanket, have been replaced with soft cushions and padding, with beautiful fabrics designed to dress the basket and gently blanket your precious newborn.
In the United Kingdom, the Moses basket is the third item on the soon-to-be mother’s shopping list. There are a number of reasons for this: 1) A newborn baby needs that very close relationship with his/her mother. 2) Mother desires to have her newborn close to her at all times. The size of the Moses basket offers a very warm, snug environment (as baby has spent 9 or so months in mommy’s tummy), and unlike the traditional bassinet, it is easily portable, and can even be placed on the bed at night. (I wish I would have had a Moses basket when my grandbaby was born, as I could never sleep at night when she was with me, for fear I was going to roll on top of her.)
Approximate dimensions at base are: 30”L x 12”W x 9”D
Woven Moses baskets and cribs are for use during your baby's first few months and are designed to provide a small and cosy environment for a newborn. Neither item is an essential buy, but they can make life easier. Moses baskets in particular are very portable and both items fit easily into your own bedroom if this is where you want your baby to sleep during her early days. Transferring your baby into her own bedroom can also be made easier if a moses basket is used, by putting the basket inside the cot gradually to acclimatise your baby to her new environment.
Moses baskets provide a secure, lightweight and cosy sleeping environment for your baby. Most baskets are made from palm, although they can be made from maize or the more expensive versions from wicker. Wicker baskets tend to be the most long lasting. They have carrying handles so that you can move them easily from room to room. Moses baskets usually come complete with a set of bedding and a fabric-covered hood. They also usually come with their own foam mattress.
Moses baskets can be used on the floor, or you can buy a separate stand so that they can be placed at a more convenient height next to your bed.
The Pros of Moses Baskets:
• Very portable -- easy to move from room to room
• Your baby may feel more secure in a Moses basket than a cot
The Cons of Moses Baskets:
• Only used for the first three months or so
an expensive purchase if you buy new
Check when buying a Moses basket that its handles are sturdy and meet in the middle. Carry the basket with the basket handles together and with one hand underneath supporting your baby. If you're at all worried, take your baby out of the basket before you move it.
If you want to gradually get your baby used to being in his cot, start by putting your baby to sleep in his Moses basket inside the cot.
2005 - 2010 © Simply Baskets
