Bedside Cot 6 Months Plus
Bedside sleepers allow you to keep your baby in the same room as you without the risk associated with sharing a bed. They're an excellent choice for infants.
Models that have adjustable height settings will fit perfectly on all bed frames. Also, look for fabrics with breathable fabric that are easy to clean.
Safety
A bedside cot is a bassinet-style cot that fixes to the side of your bed to ensure safe co-sleeping. It can be used to raise your baby towards you in the evening for feeding or soothing. it's also a great choice for the need for a C-section. It differs from a Moses Basket or Cot in that it has high walls, so your baby won't be pushed out. Some have a tilt function which can help babies suffering from reflux and colic. large bedside cot are also slightly larger than Moses baskets, which makes them easier to move from room room.
The NHS and safe sleep charity The Lullaby Trust advise that newborns should be kept in their own bassinet or cot in the same room with their parents, but not in your bed. Bed-sharing increases the risks of suffocation or overheating. Bedside cribs offer the best of both worlds by permitting your child to sleep close to you during the night, but in their own private and secure sleeping space.
When selecting a crib that is bedside ensure that it meets the most recent safety standards (it must be BS EN 1130:2019) and does not have any gaps or parts that could cause your child to get trapped. Also consider a mattress that is firm and flat. A soft or sagging mattress can increase your baby's risk of SIDS, so go for a brand new mattress, instead of second-hand.
Also, make sure you choose bedding that is fitted and free from any loose blankets or pillows. Pillows are a suffocation risk and duvets could get stuck to the baby's face. Use a fitted sheet, but make sure that it fits properly.
Our MFM mum testers have found that the SnuzPod4 is an excellent option for a crib that is positioned near the bed, selected for 2021's Mother&Baby Awards in the best Cot, Crib, or Moses Basket category. It is attached securely to the bed, and it has an adjustable height for an ideal fit. It also comes with a rocking function and can be set to an incline to prevent reflux. It is also an excellent option for those with narrow or small beds as it doesn't take up the entire space.
Design
It is essential to think about the design of your bedside crib because this is the area where your baby will spend the majority of their time. A lot of cribs are available in a variety of colors to suit your decor and feature features such as mesh windows that keep baby in view, or sides that drop down that make it easier to reach. Some cribs have incline features to aid in reflux.
The majority of cribs can be raised and lowered to the same height as your bed, making it easier to get into and out of bed at time of night. Some cribs can also be used as travel cots. This is great for when you travel or visiting relatives.
Leya, a MFM mother and home tester, discovered that the SnuzPod 4 was a great choice for her bedroom. She also appreciated its compact fold which saved space. Leya also appreciated that one side of crib can be lowered, allowing her pick up her baby without needing to get out of bed. This is especially helpful when you've been through a Caesarean or are recovering after one. You can stay close to your baby for a longer time.
Jasmine is a mother who also enjoyed using the SnuzPod 4. She commented that it was easy to move the crib from one room to another and back again - something she didn't see with other cribs. However, she said that it took some effort to lift and lower the crib, since the handle was stiff.
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 the Best Cot or Crib category. Its slim frame and neutral color options will fit in with all bedrooms, though some of our testers at home felt the bars were too close together, meaning they could catch on clothes or toys for babies. The distance between bars should not exceed 6.5cm (2 inches) to avoid your baby's head from getting stuck. This is a good crib for babies with reflux too because its ComfortAir breathability technology helps regulate their temperature.
Comfort
Staying close to your baby throughout the night will give you peace of mind, however, you should be able to reach them quickly for middle-of-the-night feeding. With a bedside crib, you can do this easily without getting out of bed. large bedside cot make it easy to soothe babies to sleep. If, however, you'd like to lay down with your baby, but aren't keen on the idea of waking up to feed your baby moses baskets are the better option.
The majority of cribs for bedside use can be attached to the bed's side and allow you to view and get to your baby easily. They often have a mesh window to allow you to check on your baby without disturbing them. There is also an option for reflux that aids with colic and reflux.
We're amazed by the amount of features on this crib, especially the ComfortAir mattress, which is breathable and works to regulate your baby's temperature as well as increase airflow. It's a little smaller than other cribs that are bedside and can be useful when space is tight. However, our mum testers agree that it's still 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 where your child can get trapped. It also comes with a sturdy, flat mattress that meets safety standards and encourages safe sleep habits.
It is important to know that your baby is likely to leave their crib once they are capable of sitting upright typically about six months old. This is why it's important to place them in a cot or another sleeping arrangement when they've outgrown the crib.
A lightweight cot that is suitable for travel is an additional aspect to consider. Many of our mothers appreciate that this crib is able to be taken apart for transport however, others aren't able to put it together. It can be difficult to clean, so you'll have to wipe it clean often using a cleaning product and a cloth.
Storage
A bedside cot suitable for 6 months and older is a bassinet shaped bed that can be attached to the side of your mattress for safe co-sleeping. They are great for feeding at night, soothing babies to sleep and enabling mums who have had C-sections to keep their baby close.
When selecting a crib that is bedside it's crucial to make sure that it meets current safety standards. Check that the bars are far enough apart to prevent your child's head from being trapped and check that the sides that drop down are secure and won't pop open suddenly. Avoid placing stickers or transfers on the floor of the cot since they may pose an choking risk.
Emily's bedside cot of choice for her baby is the Next2me Magic. It was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the categories of Best Cot or Crib and Best Moses Basket. It's a great size and has lots of storage space to store all your baby essentials. It's also light and compact enough to fit into its travel bag in case you need to transport it from room to room. If you want something simpler, she recommends Shnuggle Air in addition to Crib.