Bedside Cot 6 Months Plus
Bedside sleepers let you have your baby in the same room with you without the risk associated with sharing a bed. They are also a great choice for newborns.
Find models with an adjustable height which will fit perfectly on all bed frames. Also, look for breathable fabrics that are easy to clean.
Safety
A bedside cot can be described as a bassinet which is attached to the bed's side to ensure safe cosleeping. It can be used to pull your baby towards you to comfort them, feed them or soothing at the night. It's also an excellent option if you had a c section. It's different from a Moses basket or cot as it has high sides to ensure your baby isn't able to 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 may make them easier to move from room to room.
The NHS and the safe sleep charity The Lullaby Trust advise that newborns should be kept in their own bassinet or cot in the same room as their parent however, not in your bed. Sharing beds increases the risk of overheating or suffocation. Bedside cribs offer the best of both worlds by permitting your child to sleep close to you at night, but in their own private and secure sleeping space.
Check that the crib meets the latest safety standards. It should be BS EN1130:2019. Also, make sure that there aren't any gaps or places where your child could become trapped. Look for a mattress with a firm, flat surface. A sagging mattress or one that is too soft could increase the risk of SIDS for your baby.
Lastly, look for a bedding that is affixed and free from any loose blankets or pillows. Pillows can cause suffocation and duvets can get stuck to the baby's face. Use a fitted sheet however, make sure it fits properly.
The SnuzPod4 was highly rated by our MFM mum testers as a crib suitable for use in bed. It was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the category of Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib. It is secured to the bed and comes with an adjustable height that allows for a perfect fit. It also comes with a rocking function and can be set to an incline for reflux. It's a good choice for those with small or narrow beds as it does not take up a lot of room.
Design
The design of a bedside crib is important because it will be where your baby will spend most of their time. There are many cribs available in a choice of colours to match your decor and have features like mesh windows that keep baby in view, or side panels that drop down that make it easier to reach. Some cribs are equipped with incline options to aid with reflux.
Many cribs can also be adjusted to fit the height of your bed, making it simple to get out and in to the bed at time of night. There are even some that are designed to function as travel cribs, which are ideal for those who are traveling or visiting relatives.
Home tester and MFM mother Leya found the SnuzPod 4's sleek Scandi styling complements her bedroom decor and said that its compact fold was perfect to save space. She also appreciated the fact that one side of crib can be raised, letting her to pick up her child without having to get out of bed. This is especially helpful for those who have had C-sections or are recovering from an Caesarean which allows you to stay close to your baby for longer.
Another mom who loved using the SnuzPod 4 is Jasmine who said that it was easy to move from room to room - something she couldn't get with other cribs for bedside that she tried. However, she did notice that the handle was a bit stiff and required a lot of effort to lift the crib.
Another crib for bedside that is easy to fold and move is the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, which was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. The neutral colors and slim frame are perfect for most bedrooms. However some of our test subjects found that the bars were too close to each other. This could cause them to catch on baby toys or clothing. The distance between each bar should be no more than 6.5cm (2.5 inches) to ensure your baby's head doesn't get caught in. This crib is also ideal for babies suffering from reflux as the ComfortAir air-tight system assists in regulating their body temperature.
Comfort
You'll feel more secure when you can reach your baby quickly to feed them during the middle of the night. With a crib that is placed near the bed it is possible to do this without getting out of bed. They also make it simple to soothe babies back to sleep. If you want to be able to sleep with your child, but don't want to hassle with getting up each time they're fed, a moses-basket can be an excellent alternative.
bedside travel cot of cribs for bedside use can be positioned on the side of your bed and allow you to view and get to your baby easily. Many have mesh windows to allow you to monitor your baby without disturbing him. They might also include a reflux setting to help with reflux or colic.
The crib is loaded with a variety of features, but we're impressed by the ComfortAir breathable Mattress that regulates the temperature of your baby's body and increases airflow. It's smaller than other bedside cribs which can be useful when space is tight. However, our mom testers agree that it's still an excellent choice for those long nights.
The cot securely attaches to the bed's side using adjustable straps. This minimizes the chance of gaps that your child could get trapped. It is equipped with an even, firm mattress that meets safety regulations and encourages good sleep habits.
One thing to bear in mind is that your baby may start to get out of the crib once they're able to sit at around six months. This is why it's essential to place them in a cot or another sleeping arrangement when they've outgrown the crib.
Another feature to think about is how light the crib is, and if it's suitable for travelling. Many of our moms enjoy the fact that the crib can be taken apart for easy transport, while others find it difficult to assemble and then put back together. It's also a challenge to keep clean, so you'll need to clean it regularly with a cloth and cleaning product.
Storage
A bedside cot suitable for 6 months and over is a bassinet-style crib that is attached to the mattress's side for safe co-sleeping. They are ideal for calming babies to sleep, allowing night feedings and also allowing mothers who had a c-section to keep their baby close.
When you are choosing a crib for your bed it is important to make sure that it meets current safety standards. Verify that the crib's bars are sufficiently far apart to prevent your child's head from becoming trapped. Also, ensure that any drop-down side is secure and doesn't open unintentionally. Do not place stickers or transfer on the surface of the cot since they could be a choking risk.
Emily's favorite bedside cot for her baby is the Next2me Magic. It was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the categories of Best Crib or Cot and Best Moses Basket. It is a good size with plenty of storage for the essentials of your baby. It's also compact and light enough to be able to fit into a travel bag, if you want to move it around. If you're looking for something a bit easier, she suggests the Shnuggle Air next to the crib.