Bedside Cot 6 Months Plus
Bedside sleepers allow you to keep your baby in the same room as you are without the risk of sharing beds, which comes with a higher risk of being suffocated. They are also a great choice for newborns.
Look for models that have an adjustable height that allows for a perfect fit 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 attached to the side of a bed to ensure safe cosleeping. It can be used to bring your baby to you to provide comfort, feed or soothing at the end of the night. It's also a great option if you had a c-section. It's different from a Moses basket or cot because it has high sides, so your baby won't be pushed out. Some models have a tilt feature that can aid babies suffering from colic and reflux. They're also a bit bigger than Moses baskets, which can make them easier to carry from room to room.
The NHS and The Lullaby Trust, a safe sleep charity, recommend that newborns be kept in a bassinet or cot in same room as their parents. They shouldn't be sleeping in your bed. This is due to bed sharing increasing the chance of suffocation and overheating. Bedside cribs allow your child to sleep close to you but in a secure and private space.
When choosing a bedside crib make sure it is in compliance with the latest safety standards (it must be BS EN 1130:2019) and doesn't have any gaps or parts that could cause your child to get trapped. Also consider a mattress that is sturdy and flat. A mattress that is sagging or that is too soft could increase the risk of SIDS in your baby.
Make sure your bedding is well-fitted and free of loose blankets or pillowcases. Pillows are a suffocation risk and duvets can get stuck to the baby's face. It's best to make use of a fitted sheet instead however, make sure it fits properly.
The SnuzPod4 was rated highly by our MFM mum testers as a crib suitable for use at bedtime. It has been nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the category of Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib. It is secured to the bed and features an adjustable height that allows for a perfect fit. It comes with a rocking function and can be set to an inclined angle for reflux. It's also a great choice for people with narrow or small beds as it does not take up much room.
Design
It is important to consider the style of your crib at night because this is the area where your baby will spend the majority of their time. There are many cribs available in a variety of colors that match your decor. Some cribs have features such as mesh windows to keep your baby's view or drop-down sides to facilitate access. Some cribs come with incline features to aid in reflux.
The majority of cribs can be raised and lowered to match the height of your bed, making it easier to get into and out of bed at time of night. You can even find some that are designed to function as travel cribs, which are ideal when you're traveling or visiting relatives.
Leya Leya, an MFM mother and home tester, discovered that the SnuzPod 4 was a great fit for her bedroom decor. She also appreciated its compact fold that saved space. She also appreciated that one side of the crib is lowered, allowing her to take her newborn baby to bed without having to leave her bed. This is especially beneficial for those who have had an emergency C-section or recovering from a Caesarean, as it allows you to stay close to your baby for longer.
Another mom who was happy using the SnuzPod 4 was Jasmine who noted that it was simple to move from room room, something she didn't discover with other cribs for bedside that she tried. However, she did notice that the handle was a bit stiff and required an enormous amount of effort to raise the crib.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air is another bedside crib which is easy to fold and move. It was nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in their Best Cot or Crib category. Its slim frame and neutral color options will work well in all bedrooms, though some of our home testers felt the bars were too close together, which means they could get caught on clothing or baby toys. The bars' distance shouldn't exceed 6.5cm (2 inches) in order to prevent your baby's head from getting stuck. This is a good crib for babies who have reflux, as its ComfortAir breathable technology helps regulate their temperature.
Comfort
You will feel more secure when you can reach your baby quickly to feed them in the middle of the night. You can easily do this without having to get up from bed by having a crib by your bedside. They make it simple to help babies sleep. If you'd like to to sleep with your child, but do not wish to be a burden of getting up every time they need to be fed, a moses-basket can be an excellent option.
Most bedside cribs can be affixed to the sides of your bed and allow you to view and access your baby easily. Some have mesh windows, which allow you to watch your baby without disturbing the baby. You can also find an option to treat reflux that can help with colic and reflux.
We're amazed by the amount of features that are included on this crib, including the ComfortAir breathable mattress that works to regulate your baby's temperature as well as increase airflow. It's smaller than other cribs that are bedside and can be useful where space is limited. However, our mom testers are in agreement that it's a great option for those long sleeps.
The cot is attached securely to the bed's side with adjustable straps. This minimizes the chance of gaps in which your child can get trapped. It comes with a firm, flat mattress that complies with safety standards and promotes good sleeping habits.
One thing to bear in mind is that your baby could begin to get out of the crib when they're tall enough to sit, usually around six months. It's crucial to put your baby in a cot or a different sleeping arrangement after they've outgrown their crib.
Another feature to think about is how light the cot is and whether it's suitable for travel. Some of our mums really love the fact that this crib can be dismantled for easy transport, but others find it difficult to assemble and put back together. It is also difficult to keep clean and you'll need to clean it regularly with a cloth and a cleaning product.
Stores
A bedside cot for 6 months and up is a bassinet-style bed that can be attached to the side of your mattress to ensure safe co-sleeping. They're ideal for feeding your baby at night, soothing babies back to sleep and enabling mums who have had a c-section to keep their baby close.
When selecting a crib that is bedside it is important to make sure that it meets current safety standards. Verify that the crib's bars are spaced sufficiently apart to keep your child's head from becoming trapped. Also, ensure that the drop-down sides are secure and doesn't open unintentionally. Also, avoid any transfer or stickers on the cot surface as they could be a choking hazard.
Emily's top pick for a bedside cot is the Next2me Magic, which was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. It's a great size and has plenty of storage for all your baby's essentials. cots4tots 's also light and compact enough to fit in its travel bag in case you need to transport it from room to room. If you're looking for something a little more simple, she suggests the Shnuggle Air on the side of the crib.