Bedside Crib Vs Cot
A bedside crib (also known as co-sleeper) lets your baby sleep with you throughout the night. It is important to follow the official safe sleeping guidelines of 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. Additionally, its slim frame makes it easy to move from room to room.
Safety
Bedside cribs are an excellent alternative for families who co-sleep. However, NHS Safe Sleep advice suggests parents have a separate bed for their infant and avoid sharing a bed in order to reduce the risk of suffocation, overheating and rollovers.
When selecting a bedside crib, it is important to ensure that the crib is compliant with European safety standards and conforms to Lullaby Trust codes for safe sleep, so that your child is sleeping in a secure and safe environment. Bedside cribs with adjustable height settings can be set to match to the parent's bed frame and reduce the risk of gaps where babies may be trapped. They also come with a sturdy, flat mattress that is breathable and designed to promote healthy sleeping habits.
The majority of cribs with a bedside feature an adjustable panel that can be raised to allow you to be able to monitor your baby's health at night. This means you can easily provide them with food, comfort them and monitor them without needing to get out of bed. This can be especially helpful for mothers recovering from c-section births, or those who have limited mobility. Certain models, like the SnuzPod4, have the option of inclining reflux for babies suffering from digestive issues or reflux.
A lowered panel will also reduce the chance of your child falling over the edge of the bed. A lot of these panels come with mesh sides that stop pillows and duvets from falling into the crib. This is important to reduce the risk of SIDS. Babies who roll off their backs are more prone to suffocate.
Keep dummies and soft toys away from the area as they could pose suffocation risks. A mattress that is breathable for the crib and regular checks for gaps or loose bedding are essential to ensure your baby is secure. Once your baby is able to sit or stand, typically at around 6 months they'll need to move into a cot or another suitable sleeping arrangement. If you are worried about this transition, it is important to speak with your GP or health care professional.
Comfort
The best cribs for bedside offer an environment that is safe and comfortable for your baby to sleep. Built to sit beside your bed, they allow you to tend to your infant without having to get out of bed and will also allow you to bond with your infant in those precious early months. This sense of security will help you establish positive nighttime routines and enhance the overall quality of your baby's sleep.
You should keep your baby in a crib by the bed until they reach the age of 6 months old or can get up, at which point you can move to a traditional crib. The bedside crib should be suitable for your child until the age of 6 months, but it's crucial to review the specific guidelines for the product.
When selecting a bedside crib, ensure that it meets EN 1130 safety standards. It should also be compatible with your bed (most clip onto standard bed frames but it is important to double-check the exact dimensions). Also, ensure that your chosen crib has a firm, flat mattress which is breathable. This is essential for the health of your baby.
The Chicco Next2me side sleeper is a top pick among our mum testers. It comes with an adjustable height base and can either be used as a standalone crib or attached to the bed. It is lightweight and easy to set up. It offers excellent value for money. Silvercross Voyager is another of our favourites. Our testers are awestruck by its flexibility, breathable mattresses and reflux incline feature.
Space
A bedside crib is an attachment that attaches to the bed's side. This lets you keep your child close all night long without the risk of co-sleeping, which isn't recommended by the NHS or the Lullaby Trust. Recent years have seen an increase in their popularity among mums who want to spend time with their infant while remaining safe.
Some feature a lowering panel which you can use to ensure secure viewing and touch of your baby. Others allow you to keep the panel down in the night and allow you to feed and monitor your child with no anxiety. Some models have the ability to tilt your baby's stomach which many of our test moms liked for helping digestion and alleviating discomfort for those children who are suffering from reflux or wind.
Some cribs with a bedside also come with adjustable height settings, allowing you to place them at the same level as your mattress. This eliminates any gap that could allow your baby to slide out or climb. This is particularly beneficial for those who are recovering from C-sections as it can be difficult to get in and out of bed.
The lower sides provide privacy and are perfect for new parents worried about sharing their bedroom with a newborn. It is important to keep in mind that even if you choose to sleep with your baby in a crib, or cot by your bed, it is important to follow the official guidelines for safe sleeping and avoid sharing your bed with anyone else.
You'll also have to ensure that the bedside crib is compatible with your bed frame prior to purchasing - some clip onto bedsteads while others work better with divan beds. And don't forget you'll need an appropriate mattress for your crib, that is typically sold in addition to the crib and must comply with the latest BS EN 1130:2019 safety requirements.
Bedside cribs can be converted into toddler beds. This is a great solution for parents who don't need to buy a separate crib. SnuzPod4 has a sleek frame that can fit into the corner of any room and offers plenty of space for your child to sleep comfortably. It is also easy to put together, and comes with a handy bag for traveling.
Convenience
One of the great things about a crib that is placed near the bed is that it's easy to lift your baby into and out of bed during nighttime cuddles, feedings and getting back to sleep. A majority of cribs have an upper panel that slides down, allowing you to contact and talk to your little one without having to wake them to disturb their sleep. Some cribs have the side panel down all the time. This is perfect for parents recovering from C-sections and want to keep their child close.
Some cribs have a tilt feature that can help with reflux or colic. It is important to remember that tilting the crib must be done with caution and only by a parent who is aware of their baby's medical history and their needs.
Take note of how easy it is to clean the crib, and whether you can machine wash it or need to wash it manually. Some cribs have waterproof covers to guard against leaky diapers, infant sickness, and dribbles. Some cribs are equipped with a storage bag that makes them perfect for traveling if you have to take your baby along.
Also, you should consider how heavy the crib is and whether it's easy to move from room room. bedside cot newborn & Baby awards mum tester Jasmine described the Red Kite Cozysleep beside crib as "just the right size and light enough to be easy to move around your house. It can be folded flat and comes with a travel bag for trips to grandparents."
We recommend that you go through our reviews and ratings to make sure you pick the best crib for you and your baby. And remember that although the crib may look beautiful and sophisticated, it's important to remember that your newborn will quickly outgrow its small size. Therefore, you'll have to put your baby in a cot bed before they start to outgrow it.