1. In Germany, babies sleep in a "beistellbett," which is a crib with only three sides that attaches to the mother's side of the bed.
The beistellbett, which literally translates to "bedside bed," helps them feel cozy and secure, allowing them to sleep next to their mom without actually being in the bed with her. Plus, for nighttime feeding, the mother doesn't have to get out of bed, or even lift her baby over the crib, which can be a big help during those exhausting first months.
2. In the Philippines, babies gently sway in a woven cradle, or "duyan," until they drift off.
The duyan is widely used in Filipino culture to help babies swing lightly and comfortably into dreamland. Then, once they're sound asleep, they're moved to a traditional handwoven sleeping mat called a "baníg" for the rest of the night.
3. In Finland, which has one of the world's lowest infant mortality rates, babies sleep in cardboard boxes.
No, parents aren't just using any ol' cardboard box. The boxes are actually the containers for maternity packages that are given to them as they leave the hospital. The boxes contain 64 different items, including gender-neutral clothes, diapers, toys, and prenatal and parenting information. Once all of those goodies are removed, the box becomes the baby's new bed.
4. In India, babies drift off in a hammock made from their mother’s saree.
Popular in the south of India, this tradition is super comforting for the region's little ones. Not only does the saree offer them the soothing, familiar scent of their mother, it also allows the parents to gently rock the baby to sleep while they sing them a lullaby.
5. In Japan, parents sleep next to their baby on bamboo or straw mats, or futons.
Though the American Academy of Pediatrics is against co-sleeping, evidence that it causes higher rates of sleep-related infant deaths is debatable. In fact, Japan's infant mortality rate is one of the lowest in the world. There, bed-sharing, or "kawa no ji," is viewed as an opportunity to bond with the baby, increase the closeness they desire, and respond more quickly to their hungry cries at night.
6. Many British newborns are tucked into a Moses basket next to the mother's side of the bed.
What's the benefit of the Moses basket? Well, besides the fact that it's snug and able to be rocked, it's also easy to transport from room to room. No matter where a parent goes in their home, they can carry the basket with them and keep the baby comfy. Plus, it's convenient to bring along for travel, instead of buying or renting one on the trip. The baby eventually graduates to a crib, or as the Brits call it, a cot.
