Bedside Crib Vs Cot

A bedside crib (also called a co-sleeper) lets your baby rest close to you during the night. It is important to adhere to the official safe sleep 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 simple 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 have a separate bed for their child and avoid sharing a bed to reduce the risk of suffocation, overheating and rollovers.

When choosing a crib for your bed it is essential to ensure that the crib is compliant with European safety standards and conforms to Lullaby Trust codes for safe sleep, to ensure your child is sleeping in a safe and secure environment. Bedside cribs that have adjustable height settings can be combined with the parent's bed frame to minimize the chance of babies becoming trapped in gaps. They also come with a firm, flat mattress that is ventilated and designed to help promote healthy sleeping habits.

Most cribs for bed have a panel that can be moved to allow you to safely see your baby during the night. This lets you easily comfort, feed, and supervise your child without leaving the bed. This is particularly beneficial for mothers who have just recovered from c-section births or those who have mobility issues. Some models, like the SnuzPod4, come with an incline feature for reflux babies with reflux or digestive issues.

A panel that is lower will reduce the chance of your baby rolling over the edge of the bed. A lot of these panels have mesh sides that stop duvets and pillows from falling into the crib. This is essential in reducing the risk of SIDS. Babies who roll off their backs are more likely to suffocate.

It is recommended to keep any soft or dummy toys away from the crib as they could be suffocation hazards. A crib mattress that is breathable and regular checks for any gaps or loose bedding are vital to keep your baby secure. When your baby can sit up or stand, generally around 6 months old, they will need to move to a cot or another suitable sleeping arrangement. If you have any questions about this transition, talk to your GP or a health visitor.

Comfort

The best cribs for bedside offer an environment that is safe and comfortable for your baby to sleep. They are designed to be placed beside your bed so you can look after your child without leaving your bed. This will give you the chance to connect with your baby during the beginning months. This sense of security can help you establish a positive routine for your night and improve your baby's overall sleep quality.

You should keep your baby in a crib by the bed until they are six months old or able to get up, at which point you should move them to a traditional crib. Bedside cribs can be used to accommodate your child until this age, but you should check the product guidelines.

When choosing a Bedside Co Sleeper Cot cot be sure that it meets EN 1130 safety standards. It should also be compatible with your existing bed (most clip onto standard bed frames but you should always double check the exact dimensions). It is also important to ensure that your chosen crib has a firm and flat mattress that is breathable - this is vital for baby's health.

Our mom testers have been glowing about the Chicco Next2me Side Sleeping Crib, which has a height-adjustable base and 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. Another one of our favorites is the Silvercross Voyager, which our testers are awed by for its versatility, air-tight mattress and reflux incline function.

Space

A bedside crib is a device that attaches to the side of the bed. This lets you keep your baby close throughout the night without the risk of co-sleeping. This is not recommended by the NHS or The Lullaby Trust. Recent years have seen a rise in their popularity among mums who want to bond with their baby while being secure.

They typically feature an incline panel that you can use to safely feel and see your baby, as well as some that allow you to keep the panel down at night for the ease of fuss-free feeding and monitoring. Some models have the ability to tilt your baby's stomach that many of our test moms loved for helping digestion and reducing discomfort for those infants who are suffering from reflux or wind.

Many bedside cot mattress cribs have adjustable height settings too that allow you to set them at the same level as your mattress, which means there's no gap between the two that could allow baby to climb or slip out. This is especially useful for those who are recovering from C-sections since it can be difficult to climb into and out of the bed.

The lowered sides offer some privacy and are ideal for new parents worried about sharing their room with a baby. But, it's important to note that if you decide 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 avoid sharing your bed.

You'll also need to ensure that the bedside crib is compatible with your own bed frame prior to buying it - some bedsteads clip onto bed frames while others work better with divan beds. Make sure you purchase the right mattress for your crib. They are typically sold separately from the crib, and must be in line with the most recent BS EN1130:2019 safety standards.

Some cribs that are bedside can be converted into toddler beds, which can add the longevity of parents who don't want to invest in an additional crib for their older child. The SnuzPod4 frame is sleek that can fit into the corner of any bedroom and offers ample space for your child to rest comfortably. It's also simple to put together, and comes with a convenient bag for travel.

Convenience

One of the best things about a bedside crib is that it's easy to lift your baby in and out of bed during nighttime cuddles, feeds, and calming back to sleep. A majority of cribs have an upper panel that slides down, allowing you to be able to touch and talk with your baby without having to wake them to disturb their sleep. Some cribs have the side panel down all the time. This is great for parents recovering from C-sections and wish to keep their baby close.

Some cribs offer a tilt option, which can aid in reducing reflux and colic. It is important to note that the tilting of the crib should only be done by parents who are aware of their baby's medical needs and the history.

Consider how easy it is to clean the crib, and if you can machine wash it or if you'll need to wash it manually. Some cribs have waterproof covers that guard against leaky diapers, baby sickness, and drips. Some also have a handy storage bag, making them ideal for travel if you have to take your baby away with you.

It is also important to think about the weight of the crib be and whether it is simple to move it from one room to another. Our 2021 Mother & Baby awards mum tester Jasmine said that the Red Kite Cozysleep beside crib as "just the right size and light enough for it to be easy to move around your house. It folds flat and comes with a travel bag for trips to visit the grandparents."

If you're thinking of buying a bedside crib, we recommend that you go through our comprehensive reviews and ratings of the best cribs on the market to ensure that you buy the most suitable model for your baby and your lifestyle. Keep in mind that a crib can look beautiful and sophisticated but your child will quickly outgrow it. Therefore, you'll have to move your baby bedside crib into a crib bed before they begin to outgrow it.