Bedside Crib Vs Cot
A bedside crib (also known as 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. It's also easy to move around due to its slim frame.
Safety
Bedside cribs are an excellent option for families that co-sleep. However, NHS Safe Sleep advice suggests that parents use a separate sleeping surface for their infant and avoid sharing a bed in order to reduce the risks of suffocation, overheating and rollovers.
When choosing a crib for your bed, it is important to ensure that the crib is compliant with European safety standards and conforms to Lullaby Trust codes to ensure secure sleep to ensure your baby is in a safe and secure environment. Bedside cribs that are adjustable in height settings can be matched with the bed frame of the parent to minimize the chance of infants being trapped in gaps. The cribs have a firm, flat mattress designed to promote healthy sleep habits.
Most bedside cribs feature the option of a panel that can be raised to allow you to be able to monitor your baby's health during the night. This means that you can comfort them, feed and monitor them without needing to get out of bed, which can be especially helpful for new mums recovering from c-section births or those with limited mobility. Certain models, such as the SnuzPod4, offer a reflux incline function for babies suffering from reflux or digestive issues.
A lowered panel can also reduce the risk of your child falling off the crib's edge, and many have mesh sides to prevent any pillows or duvets that are stray from falling in. This is important in reducing the risk of SIDS. Babies who roll on their backs are more prone to suffocate.
Be sure to keep soft toys and dummies away from your child as they could pose suffocation risks. To ensure that your baby is safe and secure, make sure that the mattress of your crib is breathable and you check it regularly for any gaps or loose sheets. Once your baby can stand or sit (typically at the age of 6 months) they will require a cot or other sleeping arrangement that is suitable. If you have any concerns about this transition, speak to your GP or a health care professional.
Comfort
The best cribs for bedside offer an environment that is safe and comfortable for your baby to rest. They are designed to be placed close to your bed, so you can care for your child without leaving your bed. This will give you the chance to bond with your baby in the beginning months. This feeling of security can help you establish a positive bedtime routine and improve the overall quality of sleep your baby gets.
You should keep your child in a crib beside the bed until they reach 6 months or can stand up by themselves. At that point, you should change them to an older cot. Bedside cribs can be used to accommodate your child up to this age, but you should be sure to read the instructions for the product.
When choosing a bedside cot, ensure that it meets EN 1130 safety standards. It must also be compatible with your existing bed (most attach to standard bed frames but you must double-check the exact dimensions). It is important that the mattress of your crib is firm, flat and ventilated. This is crucial for the health of your baby.
Our mom testers have been glowing about the Chicco Next2me Side Sleeping Crib that features a height-adjustable base that can be used as a separate crib or affixed to your bed. This crib is lightweight and easy to set up. It provides great value for money. Silvercross Voyager is another of our top picks. Our testers are awestruck by its versatility, comfortable mattresses and reflux incline feature.
Space
A bedside crib is a sleeping space that clips securely onto the side of your own bed, allowing you to keep your baby close throughout the night without the danger of co-sleeping (which is not recommended by The Lullaby Trust and NHS). They've seen a rise in popularity recently with mums looking for ways to bond with their baby while also being secure.
Some feature a lowering panel that allows safe viewing and touching of your baby. Some let you keep the panel down at night, allowing you to feed and monitor your child without fuss. Some come with a reflux incline function too that most of our test mothers liked for helping digestion and reducing discomfort for children suffering from reflux or wind.
bedside cot mattress have adjustable height settings, allowing you to place them at the same level as your mattress. This will eliminate any gaps that could allow your baby to slip or climb out. This is especially useful for those who are recovering from C-sections as it can be difficult to climb into and out of bed.
The lowered sides offer some privacy and are perfect for new parents worried about sharing their bedroom with a baby. But, it's important to note 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 not share your own bed.
You'll also have to ensure that your bedside crib is compatible with your own bed frame prior to buying it - some clip onto bedsteads while others are better suited to divan beds. Make sure you purchase a mattress that is suitable for your crib. They are typically sold separately from the crib and should be in line with the most recent BS EN1130:2019 safety standards.
Some bedside cribs can also be converted into toddler beds. This is a great solution for parents who do not require a separate cot. The SnuzPod4 is a prime model, featuring a slim, sleek frame that fits neatly into the corner of your bedroom and offers plenty of room for your baby to rest comfortably. It is also easy to assemble, and comes with a convenient bag for travel.
Convenience
One of the most appealing aspects about a crib for bed is that it's easy to lift your baby in and out of bed for cuddles, feeds, and calming back to sleep. A lot of cribs come with a side panel that drops down, allowing you to contact and talk to your child without having to wake them up completely or disturb their sleep. Some cribs keep the side panel down all the time. This is great for parents recovering from C-sections who want to keep their baby close.
Some cribs come with a tilt feature that can aid in colic or reflux. It is important to remember that the tilting of the crib should only be done by parents who are aware of the medical needs of their child and history.
Another thing to think about is how easy it is to clean and whether it's machine washable or you have to wash it by hand it. Some cribs come with waterproof covers that protect against leaky nappies and baby sick and drips. Some cribs also come with a storage bag, making them ideal for travel if you have to take your baby with you.
It's also important to consider how heavy the crib will be and whether it is easy to move from one room to the next. Our 2021 Mother & Baby awards mum tester Jasmine said that the Red Kite Cozysleep on the side of the crib as "just the right size and lightweight enough for it to be easy to move around your home. It also can be folded flat and comes with a carry-on bag for trips to visit the grandparents."
We suggest that you go through our reviews and ratings to make sure that you select the right crib for your baby. Remember that while the crib may look beautiful and sophisticated, it's important to remember that your newborn will quickly outgrow its tiny size. So you'll need to transfer your baby into a cot bed before they start to outgrow it.