Bedside Crib Vs Cot
A bedside crib, sometimes referred to as a cosleeper, allows your baby to sleep right next to you at night. It is important to adhere to the official safe sleep guidelines of the NHS and Lullaby Trust.
Our mum testers love the SnuzPod's breastfeeding-friendly drop side, 30-second open and fold mechanism and reflux incline function. It's also easy to move around due its slim frame.
Safety
Bedside cribs are an excellent option for families that co-sleep. However, NHS Safe Sleep advice suggests that parents make sure that they have a separate sleeping area for their child and avoid sharing a bed in order to reduce the risk of overheating, suffocation and rollovers.
When choosing a crib for your bed, it is important to ensure that the crib conforms to European safety standards and adheres to Lullaby Trust codes for safe sleep, to ensure your baby is in a safe and secure environment. Bedside cribs that have adjustable height settings can be combined with the parent's bed frame to reduce the risk of infants getting trapped in gaps. They also come with a sturdy flat mattress that is breathable and designed to promote healthy sleeping habits.
Most bedside cribs feature a panel which can be lowered so that you can securely monitor your baby at night. This means that you can comfortably soothe them, feed them and monitor them without having to get out of bed. This can be especially helpful for new mums recovering from c-section births or those with limited mobility. Some models, like the SnuzPod4, also have an incline feature for reflux babies with reflux or digestive issues.
A lowered panel can also reduce the risk of your child slipping off the edge of the crib, and many have mesh sides to prevent any pillows or duvets that are stray from falling in. This is essential in reducing the risk of SIDS. Babies who roll on their backs are more likely to drown.
Keep dummies and soft toys away as they can be suffocation risks. To ensure that your baby is safe and secure, make sure that the crib mattress is airy and regularly check for any gaps or loose sheets. Once your baby can sit up or stand, generally at the age of 6 months they'll need to move to an cot or another suitable sleeping arrangement. If you are concerned about this transition, it's worth speaking to your GP or health care professional.
Comfort
The best bedside cribs offer a safe and comfortable space for your baby to sleep. They are designed to rest next to your bed so that you can look after your child without having to leave your bed. This gives you the opportunity to bond with your baby in the early years. This feeling of safety can help establish positive routines for your night and enhance the overall quality of your baby's sleep.
You should keep your baby in a crib at night until they reach the age of six months old or able to push themselves up and at that point, you should switch to a traditional crib. The bedside crib will usually be capable of accommodating your child until they reach this age but it is important to check the specific product guidelines.
When selecting a bedside crib be sure it is in line with EN 1130 safety standards and is compatible with your bed (most will attach to the standard bed frame, however you must always verify the exact dimensions). You should also make sure that the bedside crib has a firm and flat mattress that is breathable - this is essential for the health of your baby.
Our mom testers have been talking about the Chicco Next2me Side Sleeping Crib It has a height-adjustable base and can be used as a standalone crib or attached to your bed. It is lightweight and easy to set up. It offers excellent value for price. bedside sleeper cot is another of our favourites. Our testers love it for its versatility, comfortable mattresses, and the feature of incline reflux.
Space
A bedside crib is an attachment that clips onto the bed's side. This allows you to keep your baby close throughout the night without the risk of co-sleeping. This is not recommended by the NHS or the Lullaby Trust. They've seen a rise in popularity recently with mothers looking for a way to bond with their infant while also being secure.
Some feature a lowering panel which you can use to ensure secure viewing and touch of your baby. Some allow you to keep the panel in place at night, allowing you to feed and monitor your child without hassle. Certain models also have an incline feature for reflux, which was loved by many of our test subjects for reducing discomfort and aiding digestion for babies with reflux or wind.
Some cribs with adjustable height settings, enabling you to position them at the same level as your mattress, which means there's no gap between the two that could allow baby to climb or slip out. This is especially useful for those who are recovering from C-sections as it can be difficult to climb into and out of bed.
The lowered sides offer some privacy and are great for parents who are worried about sharing their room with a baby. It's important to remember that even if you choose to sleep with your baby in a crib, or cot near your bed, it is recommended to follow guidelines for safe sleeping and avoid sharing your bed.
It is also important to make sure your bedside crib is compatible with your own bed frame prior to purchasing some that clip onto bedsteads while others are more suitable for divan beds. Also, bedside sleeper cot forget that you'll require a suitable mattress for your new crib, which is usually sold separately to the crib and must be in line with the most recent BS EN 1130:2019 safety requirements.
Some bedside cribs also convert into toddler beds, which can provide the longevity of parents who don't want to buy an additional cot for their older child. The SnuzPod4 frame is sleek that can be tucked away in the corner of any room and offers ample space for your child to rest comfortably. It's also easy to put together and comes with a convenient bag for travel.
Convenience
A crib that is placed near the bed makes it easy to lift your child out of bed to feed them, cuddle them and comfort them to sleep. A majority of cribs have a side panel which can be lowered so that you can speak to your baby and hold him without disturbing them. Some cribs keep the panel lowered constantly This is great for parents who are about to be recovering from a C section and want to keep their baby close.
Some cribs come with tilting features that may aid with colic or reflux. It's important to note that tilting the crib must be done with care and only by a parent who is aware of their baby's medical history and requirements.
Take note of how easy it is to clean the crib, and if you are able to machine wash it or if you will need to wash it manually. Some cribs have waterproof covers to guard against leaky nappies, infant sick and drips. Some cribs have a storage bag that makes them ideal for travel in case you need to take your baby along.
It's also important to consider the weight of the crib be and if it's easy to move it from one room to the next. Jasmine, our 2021 Mother & Baby Awards mum tester, described the Red Kite Cozysleep alongside crib as "just right size and light enough to be easily moved throughout your home." It folds flat, and comes with a bag to take on trips to the grandparents.
If you're thinking about buying a crib that is bedside, we recommend you read our complete reviews and ratings of the top ones on the market, to ensure that you buy the most suitable model for your baby and life style. And remember that although the crib may look beautiful and elegant, it's important to keep in mind that your baby will soon outgrow its tiny size. So you'll need to move your baby into a cot bed before they start to outgrow it.