Moses Basket Sibéal

Sibéal was 4 days old when she slept in the Moses basket for the first time. The support legs were long gone so it was sitting inside the cot, that she would progress to when she got too big for the basket. She looked so small and cuddly in there and it was lovely to know that she was the first of the next generation to sleep in the same bed that her mother, aunts and uncles had all slept in.

Moses Basket Maurice

24 April 2006, that was the day when my feet first landed in Ireland to work as a nurse. I was assigned in Tullamore Hospital - Dialysis Unit, there I met a very nice person who eventually became a very good friend and a Godmother of my son. Her name is Mary.  On 26 of June 2008, I delivered a healthy baby boy named Frank Maurice. On the very next day we arrived at home, we got a visitor. Yes, Mary came to visit us. She saw me laying Maurice in the couch while we were talking. She ask me then if I already got a Moses Basket, I said “no”. I actually didn’t know what was she talking about as we don’t have such a thing in the Philippines (not that I know) except for a crib or a pram for the baby. Anyway, she told me she will lend me her Moses basket which I gladly accepted. She then came to give the basket which Maurice was able to use for several months until she got it back to be given again to another lucky baby.  Lucky, because the Moses basket is like an heirloom being handed to different generations of babies and one of them is my son. Thank you very much Mary. 

Moses Basket Amy

Nearly five years after my last child was born, I was thrilled to discover I was pregnant.  My other children were at school and crèche so I was looking forward to having a baby in the house again.  At that time my sister was expecting her first baby so I decided not to tell anyone about my news.  In previous pregnancies I usually looked like I was ready to give birth from the moment I knew I was “with child” as they say.  My morning sickness was not as bad as other times so things were going well.  January 1986 my sister gave birth to a beautiful daughter and she named her Emma.  I went to visit her in hospital and was very pleased that nobody knew I was pregnant.  I had loaned my Moses basket to a friend who was expecting twins, so it was time once again to get the basket back and have it prepared for my baby. The other children were told they were going to have a new baby and were very excited.  This time there was no debate about whether it should be a boy or girl, thank heavens. July was coming round fast and thankfully school holidays had arrived.  It gave me a break from car journeys.  My sister Celestine came down to give a hand with the children while I was in hospital. My sister lived in Dublin, and she told us she was going to fly down to Cork and was picked up at the airport.  My kids thought this was magical and all the friends were informed.  Back in 1986 it was a big deal to travel by air other than going abroad.  I had an appointment with my Gynaecologist on the 2nd of July in the Victoria Hospital and was told to bring my case with me.  After the visit he told me he was going to admit me with the possibility of inducing me the next morning.  I was both pleased and nervous as I had hoped to go into labour myself and this was not going to plan.  I was admitted later that night and about 7.20am the next morning I knew I was going into labour.  I was taken down to the labour ward. Again no time for Epidural!  At one minute to 8 on July 3rd 1986 my daughter Amy Pamela was born, she was beautiful.  It was just the two of us as there was no time for anyone to get in from Aghada.  She was so peaceful and content and very alert.  Some hours later we were returned to my room and she slept so peacefully.  I had to wake her for her bottles she was so content. I was allowed to go home on the Saturday and the trusty Moses basket once more made its way into Cork.    All her brothers and sisters were so pleased to see her.  They all were big enough to be able to help with feeding and changing nappies.  True to form our dog took up his guarding position at the base of mosses basket stand.  Eight years ago last February, it was a great joy to see Amy’s own daughter and my granddaughter Eva sleeping in that same basket.  It brought back all those memories and she looked so much like Amy it was uncanny.  I do hope in future years that the basket will still be used and give some lasting memories for the parents and lovely stories for the occupants.  One little story regarding the plane, Amy’s sister Sarah went to the airport to see her aunt off.  She was watching the plane waiting to take off at the end of the runway, when she said look its like its taking a deep breath before it goes into the sky.

Moses Basket Louise

In 1976 I was expecting my second child.  I was attending the Coombe Hospital and at that time it was the policy of the hospital that you delivered on the date you were due so I was admitted to be induced.  I came to Dublin the night before as my admission was very early the next morning.  This time the Moses basket came with me.  My daughter Louise was born and weighed 6.5 lbs but was unable to keep her temperature steady so was in an incubator for 48 hours.  At last she was able to return to my room.  We were allowed to go home.  I was delighted and at the same time wondering how big brother would react to this new baby.  It went well and over the next few weeks he was constantly checking on her and fixing the blankets.  My father in law spent his time shaking the basket in order to wake up the ‘wain’! Word used in Donegal to describe child.  Louise always looked so comfortable in the basket, and she remained in it till she was two months old.  The last two weeks I used to put Moses basket into the cot as big brother was becoming a bit too helpful and she was safer in cot.  That was nearly 40 years ago and nearly 14 years ago her own daughter used the same basket.  It was lovely to see it still of service and as cosy as ever.

Moses Basket Elaine

Around the end of February 1981 I was delighted to discover that I was pregnant again.  I always suffered with morning sickness but this time it seemed worse. I had four other children and as we lived in the countryside, I was always on the road bringing them to their different activities so maybe this made my sickness seem worse. That involved all into the car whether they were involved in the activity or not.  That made me very popular as play time was interrupted, so many a row was had by all!  Summer arrived and that offered some relaxation.  We always went camping to Killmuckridge in Wexford, so that year was no exception.  The weather was glorious as it always was and believe it or not it was more restful than being at home.  Soon September had come around and it was back to the hectic runs again.  My GP was concerned that I might deliver at home again so visits were more frequent.  My due date was in early December.   I had my bags ready and the Moses basket had been taken down and aired along with blankets and baby sheets. There was a great air of expectation in the house and endless questions as to when baby was coming and most importantly was it a boy or a girl? That was a very contentious matter, as we had two boys and two girls.  It had been decided by my Gynaecologist and GP that I should be brought into hospital before my due date so as to avoid any emergencies!!  I agreed and thought I will avail of an Epidural, as on previous births I went into labour so fast I had no pain relief.  I was admitted on the 26th November and told I would have my waters broken the following morning.  The next morning I was told, due to an emergency it would be after dinner before my procedure could take place.  My waters were broken, I was in full labour and twenty minutes later my daughter Elaine was born weighting in at 9lbs.  There was great excitement and of course the girls were gloating!  They were in the majority and my eldest daughter Louise decided they were in charge!  Once again the Moses basket made its way into the Erinville Hospital. Sometime before I knew I was pregnant we had got a new dog, a King Charles whose name was Zing.  At that time a new video about the life of Judy Garland had been released.  It was a firm favourite in our house, it had some lovely tunes one of which was called “Zing goes the strings of my heart”.  This was the most popular song and it was decided to name the dog Zing.  He was a great hit among the children.  I wondered how he would take to the new arrival.  I need not have worried as he lay at the base of the basket as if he were guarding it.  He was on occasion found at the end of the basket when she was had been taken out of it to be nursed!  All these years later she herself is married and had two King Charles one of which she named Zing.

Moses Basket Gareth

In late August 1979 we moved to live in Aghada Co Cork.  As our house was not yet vacant we moved into a mobile home in Shangarry for a few weeks.  This was to facilitate my two older children attending school and play school.  I was at this time three months pregnant and feeling well. In October we finally moved into our house in Aghada.  Life was hectic and before I knew it my oldest child and his father were off to see Pope John Paul the second as he was coming to Limerick. One memory that stands out for me, was on that same day the sheep in the field behind our house broke through the fence and sat down in our garden.  They remained there till the farmer came for them and then they calmly walked back to the field.  I had not told any of the children that they were going to have a new baby as I felt it was too soon, but as I was washing dishes at the sink my youngest Sarah said to me “you are getting a new baby”.  The following day a friend of mine called to return the Moses basket I had loaned her for her new baby. What a coincidence!  Life moved along and I was getting tired and suddenly Christmas was here.  Mid January I went for my check up and the doctor said he felt it would be mid February before I would deliver.  On the night of January 30th I went to bed as usuaI.  I was feeling very well and looking forward to a visit to a friend the next day minus any children!  I woke at 5 am and was going to the bathroom with the usual pregnancy bladder problems.  I got back into bed and I had an unexplained feeling and within a minute I knew I was in labour.  We lived 30 minutes from the Erinville hospital in Cork and as all my pregnancies had been very quick I knew I would not make it by car.  I phoned my GP who told me in no uncertain terms that I should be calm after all this was my fourth child and I should know better!  Well as it turned out I did know better because ten minutes later I had delivered my second son Gareth he weighed in at 9lbs.  Five minutes later my GP arrived and was very upset that he had missed the event.  Gareth was the first child in 29 years to be born at home in Aghada and his own father was the one who delivered that child.  As I am rhesus neg and my other half was positive I still had to go to hospital. We travelled by ambulance and my new son travelled in his Moses basket.  I found my journey very uncomfortable but the baby had a lovely snug trip.  I don’t know how I coped with all the help I had! The Moses basket was once again the centre of attention in our house.  All my helpers took such an interest in the baby, and because it was at such a nice height nobody felt excluded.  If Moses baskets could talk!!

Moses Basket Sarah

Dear Sarah,

On the 4th August 1977 I was living in Ferbane Co Offaly and expecting my third child.  This time I had decided to attend Ballinasloe in Co Galway.  I was enjoying a quiet time at home the other two children were in bed.  Suddenly I had pains that from previous experience told me I should be on my way to the hospital.  I got into the car and as the bags were already there for “that just in case”. Neighbours were called and we were on our way at 10.30pm.  We made it to Shannon Bridge and were waiting for traffic lights on bridge to turn green.  They did and we were quarter way across when we got a puncture.  At that stage I thought I was going to give birth on the bridge!  Tyre changed and on our way again and we arrived in the main street.  Just as we approached Hayes Hotel the pains vanished.  I had been induced on my previous birth and did not find it a pleasurable event I decided I would like a cup of coffee.  Needless to say my other half did not appreciate this stop off! We were only minutes from the hospital and I wanted to be in control of the situation. As we entered the hotel I could see that a wedding was in progress so we sat in the foyer.  People wandered in and out and two elderly ladies came and sat beside us.  They were discussing what everyone was wearing. At one time one of them asked me when my baby due and I was half tempted to say any minute now! We left the hotel at 11.40 as the pains were starting again.  We got to hospital and I was taken straight into the Labour ward.   As it happened the Gynecologist I was attending was there so at one minute past midnight my beautiful daughter Sarah was born and she weighted 8.9lbs.  Some time later I was taken to my room and there in the corner was the Moses basket.  In all the excitement it had been brought in with the baby bags.  Two days later I was allowed to go home and baby Sarah travelled home in the basket.  There was great excitement with her brother and sister both wanting to put her in and out of basket at feeding times.  Sarah remained in the Moses basket for nearly four months as she seemed to like the snugness of the basket.  That of course was you Sarah and it was lovely to see you put your own son, my grandson Loki into it fourteen months ago.

Love Mam xx

Moses Basket Dermot

On Saturday 30th March I was visiting a friend who sadly had a miscarriage two days earlier.  I was not very comfortable for two reasons, one I myself was very heavily pregnant and due to have my baby in two weeks time.  I was conscious of how my friend was feeling and hoped my visit would not be more upsetting for her.  Secondly I was feeling a bit uneasy in myself and as this was my first baby I was not sure what to expect.  Earlier that day I had placed a bet on a horse called Sunny Lad as far as I know he is still running!  I left my friend and went home later that night I was admitted to the Rotunda Hospital and within  minutes I had delivered my son.  I remained in hospital for three days. On the Monday the Moses basket had to be collected from the Blind Craft shop.  I was discharged on Tuesday so the basket was brought in the car and Dermot my son travelled home in it on the back seat of car.  Probably would be arrested with today's health and safety.  We remained in Dublin in my mothers house.  I don't think anyone except baby got any sleep as we were so excited.  My mother kept coming into the room as she said just checking his breathing.  He was the first grandchild on both sides and my sister who was asked to be the Godmother was so thrilled she kept coming to check too.  He looked so small and comfortable in his basket I am not surprised he didn't wake.  Its funny to think that, that was 41 years ago this year.

Another story from a former occupant of the Moses Basket

The first time we placed Eva into her Moses basket was amazing. It was the first day we had brought her home and we just stared at her for hours. She looked so tiny in it. It was a lovely feeling as I knew I had slept in that very same basket as a baby too. It was great to have that to share with her.

A memory of the basket and Eva:

Eva was asleep and her aunty Louise and cousin Sibéal came in. Both of whom had slept in the Moses basket too. As Eva was asleep, everyone was being very quiet. Louise then started stomping around the place, trying to wake Eva up for a cuddle. Sibéal got really cross with her. She was 5 at the time.  It was very funny. Sibéal was upset with me too for not giving out to her mammy aswell. But I knew Eva wouldn't wake, she was a deep sleeper from day 1.

Moses Basket

In 1973 I was expecting my first child so naturally I was very excited.  I decided that I would like to get a Moses basket for the first couple of months as I felt a big cot was not very warm for a new born. I started looking around in all the nursery departments but was not impressed with the quality of the baskets on offer.  I was living in Ferbane in Co.Offaly and someone told me that The Blind Craft shop in Rathmines in Dublin made beautiful baskets.  I travelled to see what they had to offer and was so pleased with the quality and workmanship that I decided to order one there and then. They were made to order and came with a wicker stand similar to the wicker used in the basket.  It also had a mattress shaped to fit the basket which was cut from foam so it was a snug fit.  I was very pleased with my order.  The shop agreed to keep the Moses basket till my baby was born.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

My son was born two weeks early so after my stay in the maternity hospital I collected the basket and returned to Ferbane.  I had a very talented friend who made a cover which surrounded the inside of the basket and hood which protected the baby’s head from the bare wicker.  She also made me a matching duvet.  I had five more children and each one used the basket till at least two months old. My brother and his wife also made use of the basket for their two girls.  Through the years numerous people borrowed and used it too.  I would say that forty or more babies had the use of the basket.  I loaned to many work colleagues and apart from the stand which had an altercation with a DOG! it remains in perfect condition.  I am now a Granny and all my five grand children have used it.  I have a God child who is from the Phillipines and he used till he was five months old.  My latest grandson has broken that record by remaining in it till he was six months old! Not that we are trying to break records!!!!!!!!!!!!