Bedside Cot 6 Months Plus
Bedside sleepers let you have your baby in the same room with you, without the risks of bed-sharing. They're an excellent choice for babies.
Look for models that have an adjustable height which gives a perfect fit on all bed frames. Choose 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 allow secure co-sleeping. It is a great way to pull baby closer to you in the evening for feeding, soothing or comforting and it's also a great choice if you have a C-section. It's different from a Moses basket or cot due to the fact that it has high sides so your baby can't fall out. Some models have a tilt feature that can help babies with colic or reflux. They're also a bit larger 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 infants be placed in a bassinet or cot in the same room as their parents. They shouldn't be in your bed. This is because bed-sharing increases the chance of suffocation and overheating. Bedside cribs allow your baby to sleep close to you however, in a secure and separate space.
When choosing a bedside crib ensure that it meets the most recent safety standards (it should be BS EN 1130:2019) and does not have any gaps or parts that could cause your child to get trapped. Also, look for a mattress that is solid and flat. A soft or sagging mattress could increase your baby's risk of SIDS, so opt for a new one instead of second-hand.
Look for bedding that is well-fitted and free of pillows or blankets that are loose. Duvets and pillows can suffocate your baby, while pillows can get stuck to their faces. Use a fitted sheet, but make sure that it is fitted correctly.
Our MFM mum testers have found that the SnuzPod4 is an excellent option for a crib that is positioned near the bed, shortlisted in 2021's Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category. It attaches securely to the bed and comes with an adjustable height setting for a perfect fit. It also has a rocking function and can be adjusted to incline for reflux. It's also a great choice for those with narrow or small beds as it doesn't take up too much room.
Design
The layout of a bedside crib is crucial as it is the area where your baby will spend the majority of their time. There are many cribs available in a range of colors that will match your decor. Some come with features like mesh windows to keep the baby's eyes open or drop-down sides to allow easier access. Some even have incline functions to aid in reflux.
Most cribs can also be lowered and raised to fit the height of your bed, making it easy to get in and out of your bed at night. There are even some that are designed to work 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. She also liked that one side of the crib can be lowered so that she can pick up her sleeping baby without leaving her bed. This is especially helpful in the event that you've had an emergency C-section or recovering from an Caesarean, as it allows you to sleep close to your newborn for longer.
Another mom who was happy using the SnuzPod 4 was Jasmine, who commented that it was easy to move from room to room - something she didn't find with some of the other cribs she looked at for bedside use. However, she said that it required some effort to lift and lower the crib as the handle was quite rigid.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air is another crib that is easy to fold and move. describes it was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Crib category. Its slim frame and neutral colour options will work well in most bedrooms, although some of our home testers thought the bars were a little too close together, meaning they could catch on clothes or baby toys. The bars' distance shouldn't exceed 6.5cm (2 inches) to avoid your baby's head from becoming trapped. This crib is also ideal for babies who have reflux, as the ComfortAir air-tight system helps regulate body temperature.
Comfort
A close and secure baby all night will give you peace of mind, however, you need to be able to reach them quickly to feed them in the middle of the night. You can easily do this without having to leave your bed, by having a crib by your bedside. They also make it easier to soothe babies back to sleep. If, however, you'd like to lay down with your baby but don't like the idea of waking up to feed your baby moses baskets are a better choice.
Most bedside cribs are connected to the bedside which allows you to access and touch your baby. They usually come with a mesh window, to allow you to check on your baby without disrupting them. You may also find a reflux setting that helps with colic and reflux.
describes it has a lot of features, but we're amazed by the ComfortAir breathable Mattress that regulates your baby's body temperature and maximizes airflow. It's a bit smaller than other cribs for bedside use, which may be helpful when space is tight. Our mom testers agree that this is a great choice for those sleepless nights.
The cot is securely attached to the bed's side using adjustable straps. This eliminates the risk of gaps in which your child may get trapped. It also comes with a firm and flat mattress that meets safety standards and encourages safe sleep practices.
It is important to know that your baby will start to get out of their crib when they are able to sit upright typically around six months. This is the reason it's crucial to place them in a cot or other sleeping arrangement as they grow out of the crib.
Another feature to take into consideration is how light the crib is, and if it's suitable for traveling. Many of our mothers appreciate that this crib can easily be taken apart for transport, but others find it difficult to assemble. It can be difficult to clean so you will need to wipe it down frequently using an appropriate cleaning product and cloth.
Stores
A bedside cot that is 6 months old plus is a bassinet-style cot that fixes to the bed's side to ensure safe co-sleeping. They are ideal for calming babies to sleep, for night feedings and allowing mums who had a c section to keep their baby close.
When choosing a bedside crib it is important to make sure that it meets current safety standards. Make sure that the bars on the crib are spaced sufficiently apart to ensure that your child's head isn't getting trapped. Also, make sure that the drop-down side is secured and doesn't open accidentally. Do not place stickers or transfer on the surface of the cot because they may pose the risk of choking.
Emily's top pick for a bedside crib 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 space for all your baby essentials. It's also lightweight and compact enough to fit into its travel bag in case you need to transport it from room to room. If you're looking for something less complicated her recommendation is Shnuggle Air alongside Crib.