Bedside sleepers let you have your baby in the same room with you without the dangers associated with sharing a bed. They’re also a great option for newborns.
Look for models that have an adjustable height that allows for a perfect fit on most bed frames. Find fabrics that are easy-to-clean and ventilated.
Safety
A bedside cot can be described as a bassinet-style cot that fixes to the side of your bed for secure co-sleeping. It can be used to bring your baby to you to provide comfort, feed or to soothe your baby at night. It’s also a great option if you had a c-section. It is different from a Moses Basket or Cot as it has high walls so your baby won’t be pushed out. Some have a tilt function which can help babies with reflux and colic. They are also slightly bigger than Moses baskets, which could make them easier to move from room to room.
The NHS and The Lullaby Trust, a safe sleep charity, suggest that babies be placed in a bassinet or cot in the same room as their parents. They shouldn’t be in your bed. Sharing a bed increases the risk of suffocation or overheating. bedside cot 6 months plus cribs give you the best of both worlds, permitting your child to sleep close to you during the night, but still in their own secure and private sleeping space.
Check that the crib meets the most recent safety standards. It should be BS EN1130:2019. Also, ensure that there aren’t any gaps or parts that could allow your child to get trapped. Find a mattress with an even, firm surface. A sagging or too soft mattress could increase your baby’s risk of SIDS, so go for a brand new mattress rather than second-hand.
Lastly, look for a bedding that’s fitted and free of any loose blankets or pillows. Pillows pose a risk of suffocation and duvets could get stuck on the baby’s face. It’s best to make use of a fitted sheet instead, but make sure it’s fitted correctly.
Our MFM mom testers have discovered that the SnuzPod4 is an excellent choice for a bedside cot wooden crib, selected for 2021’s Mother&Baby Awards in the best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category. It is secure to the bed and comes with an adjustable height setting for the perfect fit. It also comes with a rocking function and can be adjusted to incline for reflux. It is also an excellent option for those with bed sizes that are small or narrow as it doesn’t take up any space.
Design
It is important to consider the style of your crib at night, as this will be where you baby will spend the majority of their time. Many cribs come in a variety of colors to complement your decor. They also feature features such as mesh windows that keep baby in view, or drop-down sides that allow you to reach it. Some cribs even have incline functions to aid in reflux.
You can adjust the height of the majority of cribs to match the height of your bed, making it easier to get into and out of the bed. Some cribs can also be used as travel cots. This is great for when you travel or visiting relatives.
Leya, a MFM mum and home tester, found that the SnuzPod 4 was a great design for her bedroom. She also loved its compact fold, which helped save space. She also appreciated that the crib’s one side is lowered and allows her to pick up her sleeping baby without having to leave her bed. This is particularly beneficial in the event that you’ve been through a Caesarean or are recovering from one. You can stay near your baby for a longer time.
Jasmine is another mom who liked using the SnuzPod 4. She noted that it was easy for her to move the crib from one room to another and back again – something she didn’t discover with other cribs for bed. However, she did note that it required some effort to lift and lower the crib because the handle was stiff.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air is another bedside crib which is easy to fold and move. It was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in their best bedside cot for newborn Cot or Crib category. The neutral colours and slim frame are perfect for most bedrooms. However, some of our testers found that the bars were too close together. This could cause them to catch on baby toys or clothes. The distance between bars should not exceed 6.5cm (2 inches) in order to prevent your baby’s head from becoming stuck. This is a good crib for babies with reflux too, as its ComfortAir breathable technology helps regulate temperature.
Comfort
You will feel more secure when you can reach your baby quickly to feed them in the middle of the night. With a bedside crib, you can do this easily without getting out of the bed. These cribs make it easy to soothe babies into sleep. If you’d like to to sleep with your child but don’t wish to be a burden of getting up every time they need to be fed, a moses’s-basket is an excellent alternative.
Most cribs with a bedside are attached to the bedside, so you can easily be able to see and reach your baby. They usually come with a mesh window, to allow you to check on your baby without disrupting them. You can also find a reflux setting that helps with reflux and colic.
We’re amazed by the amount of features on this crib, especially the ComfortAir air-tight mattress that helps to regulate your baby’s temperature and maximise airflow. It’s a little smaller than some other bedside cribs and can be useful in areas where space is scarce. However, our mum testers agree that it’s a great option for those long sleeps.
The cot is securely attached to the bed’s side with adjustable straps. This minimizes the chance of gaps in which your child may get trapped. It also comes with a firm flat mattress that is in line with safety standards and promotes safe sleep habits.
One thing to keep in mind is that your baby could begin to climb out of the crib when they’re able to sit, usually around six months. This is the reason it’s crucial to place them in a cot or another sleeping arrangement as they grow out of the crib.
Another thing to think about is how light the crib is, and if it’s suitable for travelling. Some of our mothers are thrilled the fact that this crib can be disassembled for transport However, some find it difficult to assemble. It can be difficult to clean so you will need to wipe it down often using a cleaning product and a cloth.
Stores
A bedside crib travel cot for 6 months plus is an upholstered bassinet cot that can be fixed to the bed’s side for a safe and secure co-sleeping. They are ideal for calming babies to sleep, night feedings, and for mothers who had a csection to keep their baby close.
It is essential to select a crib that meets the current safety standards. Check that the bars on the crib are spaced sufficiently apart to keep your child’s head from getting trapped. Also, make sure that any drop-down side is secure and doesn’t open unintentionally. Also, avoid any transfer or stickers on the cot’s surface since they could be a choking hazard.
Emily’s preferred bedside cot for her baby is the Next2me Magic. It was selected for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the categories of Best Cot or Crib, and Best Moses Basket. It is a good size, with plenty of space for your baby’s necessities. It’s also small and light enough to fit into a bag for travel, should you need to move it around. If you’re looking for something simpler, she recommends Shnuggle Air in addition to Crib.