Bedside Cot 6 Months Plus
Bedside sleepers let you keep your baby in the same space with you without the dangers of bed-sharing. They're an excellent choice for babies.
Models with adjustable height settings will fit perfectly on the majority of bed frames. Look for fabrics that are easy-to-clean and breathable.
Safety
A bedside cot can be described as an upholstered bassinet that is attached to the side of your bed to ensure safe co-sleeping. It can be used to bring your baby towards you for comfort, feeding or to help soothe them at the night. It's also a great option if you have had a c section. It's different from a Moses basket or cot as it has high sides, so your baby can't fall out. Some come with a tilt feature that can aid babies with reflux and colic. They're also a bit bigger than Moses baskets, which may 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 with their parents. They should not be sleeping in your bed. This is due to bed sharing increasing the risk of suffocation as well as overheating. Bedside cribs give you the best of both worlds, allowing your baby to be close to you at night, but still in their own private and secure sleeping space.
Check that the crib meets the most recent safety standards. It should be BS EN1130, 2019. Also, ensure there aren't any gaps or parts where your child could become trapped. Look for a mattress with a flat, firm surface. A sagging or overly soft mattress can increase your baby's risk of SIDS, so go for a new one instead of a second-hand.
Look for bedding that is well-fitted and does not have pillows or blankets that are loose. Pillows are a suffocation risk and duvets could get stuck to the baby's face. It is a good idea to make use of a fitted sheet instead however, make sure it's sized correctly.
The SnuzPod4 was highly rated by our MFM mom testers as a crib suitable for use in bed. It has been shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards under the category of Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib. It is secured to the bed and can be adjusted to ensure a perfect fit. It also comes with a rocking function and can be adjusted to incline for reflux. It's a great option for those with narrow or small beds because it doesn't take up too much 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. Many cribs are available in a range of colors that match your decor. Some cribs have features such as mesh windows to keep your baby visible or drop-down sides to allow easier access. Some cribs come with incline features to aid in reflux.
The majority of cribs can be lowered and raised to the same height as your bed, making it easier to get into and out of the bed at time of night. Some cribs can also be used as travel cots. This is a great option when you travel or visiting relatives.
Leya, a MFM mom and home tester, found that the SnuzPod 4 was a great design for her bedroom. She also appreciated its compact fold, which helped save space. She also liked that one side of the crib drops down and allows her to pick up her sleeping baby without having to leave her bed. This is particularly helpful when you've had an Caesarean or are recovering from one. You can stay near your baby for longer.
Another mom who was happy using the SnuzPod 4 was Jasmine, who commented that it was simple to move from room to room - something she couldn't find with some of the other cribs for bedside that she tried. She did note that the handle was a bit stiff and required quite a bit of effort to move the crib.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air is another crib for bed that is easy to fold and move. It was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Crib category. The neutral colours and slim frame are perfect for the majority of bedrooms. However, some of our testers felt that the bars were too close together. This could cause them to get caught on baby toys or clothes. The distance between bars should be no more than 6.5cm (2.5 inches) to ensure your baby's head can't become trapped. This crib is also ideal for babies suffering from reflux due to the ComfortAir air-flow system helps regulate body temperature.
Comfort
You'll feel more secure if can quickly reach your baby to feed them during the middle of the night. With a bedside crib it is possible to do this without getting out of bed. They also make it easier to calm babies back to sleep. If you want to to sleep with your child, but don't want to hassle with getting up every time they need to be fed, a moses-basket can be an ideal alternative.
Most bedside cribs can be affixed to the sides of your bed and allow you to view and access your baby easily. Many have mesh windows so you can monitor your baby without disrupting the baby. They might also include a setting for reflux to help with reflux or colic.
The crib is loaded with a variety of features, but we're amazed by the ComfortAir breathable Mattress that regulates your baby's body temperature and increases airflow. It's smaller than other cribs for bedside use which can be beneficial in areas that are limited in space. However, our mum testers agree that it's still an excellent option for those long nights.
The cot securely attaches to the bed's side with adjustable straps, which reduces the risk of gaps that your child may get caught. It also comes with a sturdy flat mattress that is in line with safety standards and encourages the safest sleeping habits.
One thing to bear in mind is that your baby can begin to get out of the crib once they're tall enough to sit typically around six months. This is why it's important to put them in a cot or another sleeping arrangement once they outgrow the crib.
Another aspect to consider is how lightweight the cot is and whether it's suitable for travel. Many of our moms love the fact that this crib is able to be dismantled for easy transport, while others find it a bit tricky to assemble and rebuild. It isn't easy to clean, so you'll have to wipe it clean often using a cleaning product and a cloth.
Storage
A bedside cot that is 6 months old plus is an upholstered bassinet cot that can be fixed to the bed's side for a safe and secure co-sleeping. They are great for feeding at night and calming babies to sleep and allowing mothers who have had an e-csection to keep their baby close.
When selecting a crib that is bedside, it's important to make sure that it complies with current safety standards. Verify that the bars are spaced enough apart to avoid your child's head from being stuck, and make sure the sides that drop down are secure and won't pop open suddenly. Do not place stickers or transfer onto the surface of the cot because they could be an choking risk.
Emily's favorite 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's a great size and offers plenty of storage space to store everything your baby needs. It is also compact and light enough to fit in its travel bag if you need to move it around. If bedside crib travel cot looking for something a little easier, she suggests the Shnuggle Air next to the crib.