Bedside Crib Vs Cot
A bedside crib (also called a co-sleeper) allows your baby to sleep close to you during the night. It's important that you adhere to the official safe sleeping guidelines from 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. Plus, its slim frame means it's easy to move from room to room.
Safety
Bedside cribs are a great option for families that co-sleep. However, NHS Safe Sleep advice suggests parents have a separate bed for their child and avoid sharing a bed to reduce the risk of suffocation, overheating and rollovers.
It is crucial to ensure that when you select a crib for your infant, you verify to ensure it is in compliance with European safety standards. Also, ensure the crib complies with Lullaby trust codes for safe sleep to make sure that he is sleeping in a place where he is safe and secure. Bedside cribs with adjustable height settings can be matched with the bed frame of the parent to reduce the risk of infants getting trapped in gaps. They also come with a firm, flat mattress that is ventilated and designed to help promote healthy sleeping habits.
Most cribs for bed have the option of a panel that can be adjusted to let you securely monitor your baby at night. This lets you easily soothe, feed, and monitor your child without leaving the bed. This is especially beneficial for mothers who have just recovered from c section births or those who have limited mobility. Certain models, such as the SnuzPod4, even offer the ability to tilt your reflux for babies suffering from reflux or digestive issues.
A lowered panel can also reduce the risk of your child slipping off the edge of the crib Many have mesh sides to prevent stray duvets or pillows from falling in. This is crucial to reduce the risk of SIDS, as babies that roll off their back are at greater risk of being suffocated.
It is recommended to keep any dummy or soft toys from the crib as they could be suffocation hazards. To ensure your baby's safety and secure, make sure that the mattress of your crib is breathable and check regularly for any gaps or loose sheets. When your baby is able to sit or stand, usually at the age of 6 months they'll need to move to an cot or another suitable sleeping arrangement. If you have any questions about this transition, speak to your GP or a health care professional.
Comfort
The best cribs for bedside use offer a safe, comfortable place to sleep your baby. Built to sit beside describes it , they will allow you to take care of your baby without needing to get out of bed. They will also allow you to bond with your infant during those crucial early months. This feeling of security can help establish positive routines at night and improve the overall quality of your baby's sleep.
Your child should be kept in a crib near the bed until they reach the age of 6 months or they are able to stand by themselves. At the age of 6 months, you can change to an older cot. The bedside crib is likely to be able to accommodate your child until this age, but it is important to check the specific product guidelines.
When you are choosing a bedside cot be sure that it meets EN 1130 safety standards. It must be able to work with your bed (most are attached to traditional bed frames, however you should always double check the exact dimensions). It is essential that the mattress of your bedside crib is flat, firm and breathable. This is essential for your baby's health.
Our mom testers have been raving about the Chicco Next2me Side Sleeping Crib that has a height-adjustable base and can be used as a standalone crib or affixed to your bed. The crib is light and easy to set up. It provides great value for price. Silvercross Voyager is another of our top picks. Our testers are awestruck by its versatility, breathable mattresses and reflux incline feature.
Space
A bedside crib is a sleep space that clips securely onto the sides of your bed which allows you to keep your baby close during the night without any risk of co-sleeping (which is not recommended by The Lullaby Trust and NHS). They've been gaining popularity with mums looking for ways to bond with their newborn while staying safe.
They typically feature a lowering panel, which allows you to feel and see your baby, as well as some that let you put the panel down at night for the ease of fuss-free feeding and monitoring. Certain models also have an incline feature for reflux, which was loved by many of our test subjects for reducing discomfort and aiding digestion for babies with reflux or wind.
Many bedside cribs have adjustable height settings as well which allows you to place them at the same level as your mattress, ensuring there's no gap which could allow your baby to climb up or slide out. This is particularly beneficial for those who are recovering from C-sections as it can be difficult to climb into and out of bed.
The lower sides provide privacy and are ideal for new parents worried about sharing their space with a baby. However, it's important to remember that if you choose to sleep with your child in a crib that is near to bed or a crib, it is still a good practice to adhere to the official guidelines for safe sleep and avoid sharing your bed.
Before buying, you'll need to check whether your crib for bedside is compatible with your bed frame. Some cribs clip onto bedsteads, whereas others are more suitable for divan beds. Make sure you purchase an appropriate mattress for your crib. These are usually sold separately from the crib and should conform to the latest BS EN1130 safety standards.
Some bedside cribs also convert into toddler beds, which can add to the life of parents who don't want to buy an additional crib for their older child. The SnuzPod4 is a prime model, sporting a sleek, slim frame that easily fits into the corner of your bedroom and gives plenty of room for your little one to rest comfortably. It's also simple to put together and comes with a convenient bag for travel.
Convenience
A bedside crib makes it easy to get your child from bed to feed, cuddle and then soothe them back to sleep. Many cribs come with an attached side panel that can be set to a lower level to allow you to talk and touch your baby without disturbing them. Some cribs have the side panel down all the time. This is ideal for parents who have had C-sections and want to keep their child close.
Some cribs have tilting features that may aid in colic or reflux. It is important to keep in mind that tilting the crib should only be done by parents who are aware of the medical needs of their child and history.
Consider how easy it is to clean the crib, and if you can machine wash it or if you'll need to wash it manually. Some cribs come with waterproof covers that protect against leaky diapers, baby sickness, and dribbles. And some have a handy storage bag, making them ideal to travel with if you want to take your baby away with you.
It is also important to think about the weight of the crib be and if it's easy to move it from one room to the next. Jasmine who was our 2021 Mother & Baby Awards mum tester, described the Red Kite Cozysleep with the crib as "just right size and light enough to easily move around the house." It folds flat and comes with a travel bag for trips to grandparents."
We recommend you look through our reviews and ratings to make sure you pick the best crib for your baby and you. Be aware that even though the crib may look beautiful and elegant, it's important to remember that your baby will soon grow out of its small size. So you'll need to transfer your baby into a crib bed before they begin to get out of it.