Bedside Cot 6 Months Plus
Bedside sleepers let you have your baby in the same room as you, without the risks associated with bed-sharing. They're also a great option for newborns.
Find models with an adjustable height that will fit perfectly on the majority of bed frames. Also, look for breathable fabrics that are easy to clean.
Safety
A bedside cot can be described as a bassinet that is connected to the bed's side for safe cosleeping. It can be used to lift your baby to you to comfort them, feed them or to help soothe them at the end of the night. It's also an excellent option if you have had a c section. It differs from a Moses Basket or Cot as it has high walls so your baby cannot escape. Some models have a tilt function which can help babies with reflux and colic. They are also slightly larger than Moses baskets, making them easier to move from room to room.
The NHS and safe sleep charity The Lullaby Trust advise that newborns should be placed in their own bassinet or cot in the same room with their parent however, not in your bed. This is due to bed sharing increasing the risk of suffocation as well as overheating. Bedside cribs provide the best of both worlds by permitting your child to sleep close to you during the night, but in their own safe and separate sleeping space.
When you are choosing a crib for your bed ensure that it meets the most recent safety standards (it must be BS EN 1130:2019) and has no gaps or parts that could cause your child to get trapped. Also, look for a mattress that is firm and flat. A sagging or too soft mattress could increase the risk of SIDS, so choose for a new one rather than second-hand.
Make sure your bedding is fitted and without pillows or blankets that are sloppy. Duvets and pillows can suffocate your baby, while pillows can get stuck to their faces. Use a fitted sheet but ensure that it is properly fitted.
The SnuzPod4 was highly rated by our MFM mom testers as a crib suitable for use in bed. It was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards under the category of Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib. bedside crib travel cot is secured to the bed and comes with an adjustable height to ensure the 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 people with narrow or small beds since it doesn't take up too much room.
Design
It is essential to think about the design of your bedside crib since this is the place where your baby will spend the majority of their time. Many cribs are available in a variety of colours that will match your decor. Some come with features such as mesh windows to keep your baby visible or drop-down sides that facilitate access. Some cribs are equipped with incline options to aid in reflux.
Most cribs can also be raised and lowered to fit the height of your bed, making it simple to get into and out of your bed at time of night. You can even find some that are designed to function as travel cots, which is great if you're travelling or visiting relatives.
Leya, a MFM mother and home tester, found that the SnuzPod 4 was a great fit for her bedroom decor. She also appreciated its compact fold that saved space. Leya also appreciated that one side of the crib can be lowered, allowing her to pick up her baby without having to get out of bed. This is particularly helpful if you have had an emergency C-section or recovering from an Caesarean which means you can sleep near your baby for a longer period of time.
Another mum who enjoyed using the SnuzPod 4 was Jasmine, who commented that it was simple to move from room room - something she couldn't discover with other cribs she looked at for bedside use. She did note that the handle was a bit stiff and it took quite a bit of effort to raise 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 their Best Cot or Crib category. The neutral colours and slim frame will fit in with the majority of bedrooms. However some of our testers felt 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 ideal for babies with reflux too because its ComfortAir breathability technology helps regulate temperature.
Comfort
You will feel more secure if are able to reach your baby quickly to feed them in the middle of the night. With a bedside crib you can do this without getting out of the bed. They also make it simple to calm babies back to sleep. If you want to to sleep with your child, but do not wish to be a burden of having to get up every time they're fed, a moses's-basket is an ideal option.
Most bedside cribs can be positioned on the bed's side, allowing you to see and access your baby easily. Many have mesh windows to allow you to monitor your baby without disrupting the baby. 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, including the ComfortAir air-tight mattress that helps to regulate your baby's temperature and maximize airflow. It's smaller than other cribs which can be beneficial in areas that are limited in space. But our mum testers all agree that it's still an excellent option for those long nights.
The cot is secured to the bed's side by means of adjustable straps. This reduces the possibility of gaps in which your child might get trapped. It also comes with a sturdy flat mattress that is in line with safety standards and promotes healthy sleeping habits.
You should be aware that your baby will start to leave their crib once they are standing up at about six months old. It is essential to place your child in a cot, or a different sleeping arrangement after they've outgrown their crib.
A lightweight cot that is suitable for travel is a further option to think about. Many of our mothers appreciate that this crib can easily be disassembled for transport however, others find it difficult to assemble. It's also a challenge to keep clean and you'll need regularly clean it using a cloth or cleaning product.
Storage
A bedside cot that is 6 months old plus is a bassinet-style cot which is fixed to the bed's side to ensure safe co-sleeping. These are great for soothing babies to sleep, allowing night feedings and also allowing mothers who had a csection to keep their baby close.
It's important that you choose a crib that meets current safety standards. Check that the bars on the crib are sufficiently far apart to keep your child's head from getting trapped. Also, ensure that the drop-down sides are secured and doesn't open accidentally. Avoid placing stickers or other objects on the surface of the cot because they could pose the risk of choking.
Emily's top pick for a bedside cot is the Next2me Magic, which was shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. It's a great size and offers plenty of storage space to store all your baby essentials. It is also compact and lightweight enough to fit into a bag for travel, should you're planning to move it around. If you're looking for something simpler, she recommends Shnuggle Air alongside Crib.