Bedside Cot 6 Months Plus
Bedside sleepers let you have your baby in the same room with you without the dangers associated with sharing a bed. They're an excellent choice for newborns.
Look for bedside crib to cot with an adjustable height that gives a perfect fit on most bed frames. Look for fabrics that are easy to clean and comfortable to breathe.
Safety
A bedside cot is basically an upholstered bassinet that is attached to the side of your bed to ensure safe co-sleeping. It is a great way to raise your baby towards you at night for feeding, soothing or comforting and it's a great option in the event of a c-section. It's different from a Moses basket or cot because it has high sides to ensure your baby isn't able to be pushed out. Some models have tilt features that can help babies with colic and reflux. They are also a bit larger than Moses baskets which makes them easier to move from room room.
The NHS and The Lullaby Trust, a safe sleep charity, recommend that babies be placed in a bassinet or cot in the same room with their parents. They should not be sleeping in your bed. Bed-sharing increases the risks of overheating or suffocation. Bedside cribs allow your child to rest close to you however, in a secure and private space.
Make sure that the crib is in compliance with the most current safety standards. It should be BS EN1130:2019. Also, make sure that there aren't any gaps or areas where your child could become trapped. Find a mattress with a flat, firm surface. A sagging or overly soft mattress could increase your baby's risk of SIDS, so go for a brand new mattress, instead of a second-hand.
Make sure your bedding is fitted and without pillows or blankets that are loose. Duvets and pillows could suffocate your baby, and pillows can get stuck to their face. It's a good idea to opt for a fitted sheet, but make sure it fits properly.
Our MFM mom testers have discovered that the SnuzPod4 is a great choice for a bedside crib, selected for 2021's Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot, Crib, or Moses Basket category. It attaches securely to the bed and has an adjustable height to ensure a perfect fit. It comes with a rocking function and can be adjusted to an inclined angle for reflux. It's also a great choice for those with small or narrow beds because it does not take up a lot of room.
Design
It is important to consider the style of your crib at night since this is the place where your baby will spend the majority of their time. There are many cribs available in a variety of colors that match your decor. Some cribs have features like mesh windows to keep the baby's view or drop-down sides to facilitate access. Some cribs come with incline features to aid in reflux.
Most cribs can also be lowered and raised to match the height of your bed, making it easy to get out and in to bed at the end of the night. You can also find a few that are made to work as travel cribs, which are ideal for those who are traveling or visiting relatives.
Leya Leya, an MFM mom and home tester, discovered that the SnuzPod 4 was a great design for her bedroom. She also loved its compact fold which saved space. She also appreciated the fact that one side of the crib can be raised, letting her to pick up her baby without needing to get out of bed. This is especially beneficial in the event that you've had C-sections or recovering from an Caesarean which means you can sleep near your newborn for longer.
Jasmine is a mother who also loved using the SnuzPod 4. She noted that it was easy for her to move the crib from one room to another which she could not discover with other cribs for bed. However, she noted that it required some effort to raise and lower the crib, since the handle was stiff.
Another bedside crib that's simple to fold and move is the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, which was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for best Cot Crib, Moses Basket. Its slim frame and neutral colors can be incorporated into most bedrooms, although some of our testers at home felt the bars were a little too close together, meaning they could catch on clothes or toys for babies. The bars' distance shouldn't exceed 6.5cm (2 inches) in order to keep your baby's head from becoming trapped. This is a good crib for babies who have reflux, as its ComfortAir breathability technology helps regulate temperature.
Comfort
You'll feel more secure if you can quickly reach your baby to feed them during the middle of the night. With a crib that is placed near the bed, you can do this without getting out of the bed. These cribs make it simple to soothe babies into sleep. If you want to be able to sleep with your child but don't want the hassle of having to get up every time they're fed, a moses-basket is an excellent alternative.
The majority of cribs for bedside are connected to the bedside which allows you to see and reach your baby. They usually come with a mesh window, so you can check on your baby without disturbing them. There is also a reflux setting that helps with reflux and colic.
We're amazed by the amount of features that are included on this crib, particularly the ComfortAir mattress, which is breathable and works to regulate your baby's temperature and maximise airflow. It's smaller than some other bedside cribs, which may be helpful in areas where space is scarce. Our mom testers are of the opinion that this is an excellent option for those sleepless nights.
The cot securely attaches to the side of your bed using adjustable straps. This reduces the risk of gaps where your baby might get trapped. It has a flat, firm mattress that complies with safety standards and encourages good sleep habits.
One thing to bear in mind is that your baby could start to leave the crib when they're tall enough to sit typically around six months. It's important that you place your child in a cot or in a different arrangement for sleeping, once they outgrow their crib.
Another feature to think about is how light the cot is and whether it's suitable for traveling. Many of our mothers appreciate that this crib is able to be disassembled for transport However, some aren't able to put it together. It isn't easy to clean, so you'll have to clean it frequently using an appropriate cleaning product and cloth.
Storage
A bedside cot for six months and up is a bassinet-style crib that is attached to the side of your mattress to ensure safe co-sleeping. They are great for feeding at night and calming babies back to sleep and allowing mothers who have had a c-section to keep their baby close.
When selecting a crib that is bedside it's crucial to ensure that it is in line with current safety standards. Check that the bars are far enough apart to prevent your baby's head becoming trapped and check that the sides that drop down are secure and won't pop open suddenly. Do not place stickers or transfer on the surface of the cot as they could pose the risk of choking.
Emily's top choice for a bedside crib is the Next2me Magic, which was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot Crib, Crib, or Moses Basket. It's a great size with plenty of storage for the essentials of your baby. It's also compact and light enough to fit into its travel bag should you need to move it from room to room. If you're looking for something a bit simpler, she recommends the Shnuggle Air beside crib.