Bedside Cot 6 Months Plus
Bedside sleepers let you have your baby in the same room with you without the dangers associated with sharing a bed. They're also a great option for newborns.
Look for models that have an adjustable height which allows for a perfect fit on all bed frames. Also, look for fabrics with breathable fabric that are easy to clean.
Safety
A bedside cot is an old-fashioned bassinet cot that can be fixed to the side of your bed for secure co-sleeping. It can be used to lift your baby towards you for comfort, feeding or to soothe your baby at the night. It's also an excellent option if you had 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 come with a tilt feature which can help babies with reflux and colic. They are also slightly bigger than Moses baskets, which can make them easier to move from room to room.
The NHS and The Lullaby Trust, a safe sleep charity, recommend that babies be placed in a bassinet or cot that is in the same room as their parents. They should not be in your bed. Sharing beds increases the risk of overheating or suffocation. Bedside cribs allow your baby to sleep close to you but in a secure and private space.
Make sure the crib is compliant with the most current safety standards. It should be BS EN1130:2019. Also, ensure that there aren't any gaps or places where your baby could get trapped. Choose a mattress that has an even, firm surface. A soft or sagging mattress can increase your baby's risk of SIDS, so go for a brand new mattress, instead of a second-hand.
Finally, you should look for bedding that is affixed and free of any loose blankets or pillows. Duvets and pillows could suffocate your baby, and pillows can get stuck to their face. It's a good idea to use a fitted sheet instead, but make sure it's fitted correctly.
The SnuzPod4 was rated highly by our MFM mum testers as a crib suitable for bedside use. It was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the category of the Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib. It is secured to the bed and features an adjustable height that allows for an ideal fit. It also comes with a rocking function and can be adjusted to incline for reflux. It's a great option for people with narrow or small beds since it does not take up a lot of room.
Design
The design of a crib for the bed is crucial as it is where your baby will spend the majority of their time. Many cribs are available in a variety of colours that match your decor. Some cribs have features like mesh windows to keep your baby visible or drop-down sides to allow easier access. Some even have incline functions to aid in reflux.
You can raise and lower the majority of cribs to match your bed height making it easier for you to get in and out of the bed. Some cribs can be used as travel cots. This is a great feature when you're traveling or visiting relatives.
best bedside cot for newborn , a MFM mother and home tester, discovered that the SnuzPod 4 was a great design for her bedroom. She also loved its compact fold that saved space. She also loved that one side of the crib drops down, allowing her to pick up her sleeping baby without leaving her bed. This is particularly helpful for those who have had an emergency C-section or recovering from a Caesarean, as it allows you to stay close to your baby for a longer period of time.
Another mom who was happy using the SnuzPod 4 is Jasmine who noted that it was easy to move from room to room, something she didn't find with some of the other cribs for bedside that she tried. She did note that the handle was a bit stiff and it took a lot of effort to raise the crib.
Another bedside crib that's simple to fold and move is the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, which was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for The Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. The neutral colours and slim frame will fit in with most bedrooms. However some of our testers felt that the bars were too close to each other. This could result in them getting caught on baby toys or clothing. The bars' distance should not exceed 6.5cm (2 inches) in order to keep your baby's head from getting trapped. This crib is also suitable for babies who have reflux, due to the ComfortAir air-flow system helps regulate their body temperature.
Comfort
Staying close to your baby throughout the night will give you peace of mind, but you must be capable of reaching them quickly to feed them in the middle of the night. With a crib at your bedside it is possible to do this easily without getting out of the bed. They make it simple to soothe babies to sleep. If you want to be able to sleep with your child, but do not wish to be a burden of getting up each time they need to be fed, a moses-basket can be an ideal alternative.
Most bedside cribs are attached to the bedside, which allows you to be able to see and reach your baby. Many have mesh windows to allow you to monitor your baby without disturbing him. You may also find a reflux setting that helps with colic and reflux.
We're awestruck by the variety of features included in this crib, especially the ComfortAir mattress, which is breathable and works to regulate your baby's temperature and maximize airflow. It's smaller than other cribs which could be useful in areas that are limited in space. But our mum testers all are in agreement that it's a great option for those long nights.
The cot is secured to the side of your bed using adjustable straps. This reduces the risk of gaps that your child may get caught. It also comes with a firm flat mattress that is in line with safety standards and promotes safe sleep practices.
One thing to bear in mind is that your baby may begin to climb out of the crib once they're able to sit up, usually around six months. This is why it's essential to place them in a cot or another sleeping arrangement as they grow out of the crib.
Another aspect to think about is how light the crib is, and if it's suitable for traveling. Many of our moms enjoy the fact that the crib can be dismantled for easy transport, but others find it a bit difficult to assemble and put back together. It's also a challenge to keep clean and you'll need to regularly wipe it down using a cloth or cleaning product.
Storage
A bedside cot for 6 months and up is a bassinet style bed that can be attached to the side of your mattress to ensure safe co-sleeping. They are ideal for calming babies to sleep, allowing night feedings and allowing mums who had a c-section to keep their baby close.
It's crucial to choose cribs that are in line with current safety standards. Check that the crib's bars are positioned sufficiently apart to prevent your child's head from being trapped. Also, ensure that the drop-down side is secure and doesn't open unintentionally. Also, avoid any transfer or stickers that are placed on the cot's surface since they can be a choking hazard.
Emily's top choice for a bedside cot is the Next2me Magic, which was shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. It's a great size and has plenty of storage for your baby's necessities. It's also compact and light enough to fit in its travel bag should you have to transport it from room to room. If you're looking for something a little simpler, she recommends the Shnuggle Air next to the crib.