Bedside Crib Vs Cot
A bedside crib, also known as a cosleeper, allows your baby to sleep with you during the night. It is essential 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 thanks to its slim frame.
Safety
Many new moms want the closeness of their child while they sleep, and bedside cribs can be a safe option for families who are embracing co-sleeping. However, NHS Safe Sleep advice suggests parents have a separate bed for their baby and avoid sharing a bed to reduce the risk of overheating, suffocation and rollovers.
It is essential that when selecting the crib you will use for your child, you examine it to ensure that it complies with European safety standards. Also, ensure the crib complies with Lullaby trust codes for safe sleep to ensure he is sleeping in a space that is secure and safe. Bedside cribs with adjustable height settings can be set to match to the parent's bed frame and reduce the risk of gaps where babies may be trapped. They also come with a firm, flat mattress that is airy and designed to encourage healthy sleeping habits.
The majority of cribs with a bedside feature an adjustable panel that can be adjusted so that you can securely monitor your baby during the night. This allows you to easily soothe, feed, and monitor your baby without leaving the bed. This is particularly beneficial for new mothers recovering from csection births or those who have limited mobility. Some models, like the SnuzPod4, offer an incline feature for reflux babies who have reflux or digestive issues.
A lower panel can reduce the risk of your child slipping off the crib's edge Some come with mesh sides to stop stray duvets or pillows from falling into. This is essential for reducing the risk of SIDS, as babies that fall off their backs are more susceptible to suffocation.
It is recommended to keep any dummy or soft toys from the crib as well, as these can also be suffocation hazards. A mattress that is breathable for the crib and regular checks for gaps or loose bedding are also essential to ensure your baby is secure. Once your baby can sit up or stand, generally at the age of 6 months they will have to move into a cot or other suitable sleeping arrangement. If you are concerned regarding this transition, talk to your GP or a health professional.
Comfort
The best cribs for bedside offer a safe and comfortable space for your baby to rest. They are designed to be placed close to your bed, so you can look after your baby without leaving your bed. This gives you the chance to bond with your baby in those early months. This feeling of safety can help establish positive routines for your night and improve the overall quality of your baby's sleep.
You should keep your child in a crib next to the bed until they reach 6 months or can stand up by themselves. At that point, you should change to an older cot. Bedside cribs are able to accommodate your child up to this age, but it is important to be sure to read the instructions for the product.
When you are choosing a bedside crib ensure that it complies with EN 1130 safety standards and is compatible with your bed (most will clip onto a standard bed frame but you should always check the exact dimensions). It is important that the mattress of your crib is flat, firm and breathable. This is essential for your baby's health.
The Chicco Next2me side sleeping crib is a favorite among our mom testers. It has an adjustable height base and can either be used as a stand-alone crib, or attached to a bed. The crib is light and easy to put together. It also offers excellent value for money. One of our top picks is the Silvercross Voyager, which our testers love for its versatility, breathable mattress and reflux incline function.
Space
A bedside crib is an attachment that clips onto the side of the bed. This allows you to keep your child close all night long without the risk of co-sleeping, which is not recommended by the NHS or The Lullaby Trust. They've been gaining popularity with mums looking for ways to bond with their infant while remaining safe.
They usually have an incline panel that allows you to be able to touch and observe your baby, and others that allow you to keep the panel down at night for the convenience of fuss-free feeding and monitoring. Some come with an incline function for reflux too that many of our test mums loved for helping digestion and alleviating discomfort for babies who are suffering from reflux or wind.
A lot of cribs for bedside have adjustable height settings too that allow you to set them at the same height as your mattress, ensuring there's no gap between the two that could allow baby to climb up or slide out. baby bedside cot is especially beneficial for those who are recovering from C-sections since it can be difficult to get into and out of the bed.
The lowered sides offer some privacy and are ideal for parents who are concerned about sharing their room with a newborn. It's important to remember that if you decide to sleep with your baby in a crib that is near to bed or a cot, it's still best practice to adhere to the official safe sleeping guidance and avoid sharing your bed.
You'll also have to ensure that the bedside crib is compatible with your existing bed frame prior to purchasing - some clip onto bedsteads while others work better with divan beds. Also, don't forget that you'll require a mattress that is suitable for your new crib which is typically sold separately to the crib and must meet the latest BS EN 1130:2019 safety requirements.
baby bedside cot that are bedside can be converted into toddler beds, which can provide to the life of parents who don't want to invest in an additional crib for their older child. SnuzPod4 has a sleek frame that can fit into the corner of any bedroom and offers plenty of space for your child to sleep comfortably. It's also easy to assemble and comes with a handy travel bag.
Convenience
One of the great things about a crib that is placed near the bed is that it's easy to lift your baby in and out of bed during nighttime cuddles, feedings and getting to sleep. A majority of cribs have a side panel that drops down, allowing you to touch and talk to your baby without having to wake them completely or disturb their sleep. There are cribs that keep the panel in place all the time - this is great for parents who might be recovering from a C-section and wish to keep their newborn close.
Some cribs have tilting features that may help with reflux or colic. It is important to note that tilting the crib should only be done by parents who are aware of their baby's medical needs and history.
baby bedside sleeper to consider is how easy it is to clean and whether it's machine washable or will you need to wash it by hand it. Some cribs have waterproof covers to guard against leaky nappies, infant sick and dribbles. Some cribs are equipped with bags for storage, making them ideal for taking on trips if you have to take your baby along.
Also, you should consider how heavy the crib is and is it easy to move from room to room. Our 2021 Mother & Baby awards mum tester Jasmine has described the Red Kite Cozysleep next to the crib as "just the right size and light enough for it to be easy to move around your house. It folds flat and comes with a bag to take on trips to visit grandparents.
If you're considering buying a crib that is bedside, we recommend that you go through our comprehensive reviews and ratings of the top cribs on the market to make sure you get the most suitable model for your child and your life style. Be aware that even though the crib may look beautiful and sophisticated, it's important to keep in mind that your baby will soon outgrow its small size. You'll have to get your baby into an cot before they grow out of the crib.