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Preparing the bedroom for when the grandchildren come to stay

By Sarah Rodrigues

Grandmas are invaluable when it comes to helping with the children - after all, not only have you done it all before, but you did so with the very people who have now given you grandchildren - so you have living proof of the fact that you are eminently capable and well-versed in all things child-related.

Nevertheless, a lot of things have changed since your babies were, well, babies. Or, perhaps more importantly, there's a lot more known about how to keep children safe and healthy. A generation or so ago, mums may not have thought twice about smoking while pregnant; now we know that cigarette smoking can harm your unborn baby.

It's not just an unborn baby that smoking can affect. Research into cot death has shown a strong link between cigarette smoke and SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) so it's important that you keep your home free of cigarette smoke when your grandchildren come to stay, particularly when they are very young. Even once they are older and the risk of SIDS has diminished, it's still important that children aren't subjected to the effects of passive smoking.

Other safe sleep guidelines from the FSID (Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths) include:

1. Putting children on their backs - not on their front or side - to go to sleep.
2. Placing the child in the "feet to foot" position - with their feet at the end of the cot, so that they can't wriggle down beneath the bedclothes. It's important that their head is left uncovered, so no hats or hoods.
3. Making sure that children are neither too warm nor too cold when they sleep. The ideal room temperature is 16-20C, with 18° being just right. Since it's hard to gauge temperature, it's worth buying a room thermometer so that you can adjust the child's clothing and coverings accordingly.
4. Dummies have been shown to reduce the risk of cot death, if used as an aid to falling asleep. Once the child is sleeping, you don't need to replace it if it falls out. Make sure that you know what the parents' stance on pacifiers is, however - if they've made a point of not using them, they may not appreciate you giving one to the child.
5. Babies should sleep in the same room as you until they are six months old, but not in the same bed.

Where's your grandchild going to sleep when they come to stay? Most parents will have a travel cot for their children, which they could bring with them to your house, but if your grandchild is a regular overnight guest, it may be worth investing in one yourself. They're relatively inexpensive, take up little room and, given the amount of paraphernalia that parents have to pack for their children, they're bound to appreciate having one less item to think about. Mothercare have good range for under £100; you could also try eBay.co.uk, of course, but may not feel comfortable about buying a used piece of baby furniture.

When it comes to second-hand furniture, many grandparents will have a crib or bed that they used when their children were young, and that they've kept in readiness for the day that their grandchild comes to stay. While, in this instance, you're not likely to have the same issues with cleanliness that you may have with a purchased second-hand item, the FSID still recommends that each new child have a brand new mattress. Look for environmentally sound options, available from stockists like Little Green Earthlets or ethicalonestopshop.com - they are a little pricier than standard options, such as you'd find at Mothercare, but have various advantages. For instance, the Little Green Earthlets Coco Mat mattresses feature lambswool treated with extracts of lavender, lemon and eucalyptus, which make them anti-dust mite.

If you're going the whole hog and buying a cot so that your grandchild has their own room at your house, it makes sense to buy a cotbed, which will grow with the child beyond baby- and toddlerhood. For both these and children's beds, Mothercare has a good and reasonably priced range, but if you're after something a bit more special, try an independent company like The Children's Furniture Company.

Almost any department store - and even many of the larger supermarkets - sell a range of children's bedding, so you'll have no trouble finding something to suit your particular budget. Older grandchildren don't present much of a problem when it comes to linen, since they can use the same items - pillows, duvets and so on - that adults use. Babies and toddlers, however, are better off with a sleeping bag, which allows air to circulate freely around their body while keeping them at a safe and comfortable temperature. Other benefits include the fact that the child can't kick their bedclothes off, nor can they move freely enough to be able to climb out of their cot! Most nursery retailers sell baby sleeping bags, but grobag® works in partnership with the FSID; there's a huge range of togs and designs available, which are priced at under £35 through Bumpto3.

Finally, don't forget items like nightlights, mobiles, soft toys and fun, removable wall stickers to brighten the place up and make your grandchild feel secure and comfortable in their bedroom at Granny's house. After all, it's important that your grandchild is as happy when they come to stay, as they are safe from harm !

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