Bedside Cot 6 Months Plus
Bedside sleepers allow you to keep your baby in the same room with you without the risk associated with bed-sharing. They are also a great choice for infants.
Models with adjustable height settings will fit perfectly on most bed frames. Find fabrics that are easy-to-clean and breathable.
Safety
A bedside cot could be described as a bassinet which is attached to the side of a bed for safe cosleeping. You can use it to lift baby up towards you at night to feed, soothing or comforting and it's a great option for a c-section. It differs from a Moses Basket or Cot as it has high walls so your baby cannot escape. Some models have tilt features that can help babies with colic and reflux. They are also slightly bigger than Moses baskets, which could make them easier to carry from room to room.
The NHS and the safe sleep charity The Lullaby Trust advise that newborns should be in their own cot or bassinet in the same room with their parent, but not in your bed. Sharing beds increases the risk of suffocation or overheating. Bedside cribs offer the best of both worlds, giving your baby the opportunity to be close to you during the night, but still in their own private and secure sleeping space.
When you are choosing a crib for your bed make sure it is in compliance with the most recent safety standards (it should be BS EN 1130:2019) and does not have any gaps or parts that could cause your baby to become trapped. Also, look for mattresses that are solid and flat. A sagging or too soft mattress can increase your baby's risk of SIDS, so opt for a brand new mattress, instead of second-hand.
Make sure your bedding is fitted and without pillows or blankets that are loose. Duvets and pillows can choke your baby, while pillows can stick to their face. It is a good idea to opt for a fitted sheet however, make sure it's fitted correctly.
The SnuzPod4 was rated highly by our MFM mother testers as a crib suitable for use in bed. It has been nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the category of the Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib. bedside crib and cot is attached securely to the bed and is adjustable to ensure a perfect fit. It comes with a rocking function and can be set to an inclined position for reflux. It's a great option for people with narrow or small beds as it does not take up a lot of space.
Design
The design of a bedside crib is important because it is the place where your child will spend most of their time. There are many cribs available in a variety of colors to complement your decor. They also have features like mesh windows that keep your baby in view, or sides that drop down that allow for easier access. Some cribs are equipped with incline options to aid in reflux.
Most cribs can also be adjusted to the same height as your bed, making it easy to get into and out of your bed at the end of the night. Some cribs can serve as travel cots. This is a great option when you travel or visiting family.
Home tester and MFM mum Leya found the SnuzPod 4's stylish Scandi design complemented her bedroom decor, adding that its compact fold was ideal to save space. She also liked the fact that one side of crib can be lowered, allowing her to pick up her child without having to leave the bed. This is particularly beneficial when you've had a Caesarean or are recovering from one. You can stay close to your baby for a longer period of time.
Jasmine is another mom who loved using the SnuzPod 4. She commented that it was easy to move the crib from one room to the next which she could not find with other bedside cribs. However, she noted that it took some effort to lift and lower the crib, as the handle was quite rigid.
Another crib for bedside that is easy to fold and move is the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, which was shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for The Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. Its slim frame and neutral colour options can be incorporated into the majority of bedrooms, but some of our home testers felt the bars were a little too close, which means they could get caught on clothing or toys for babies. The distance between bars should be no more than 6.5cm (2.5 inches) to ensure that your baby's head can't become trapped. This crib is also suitable for babies suffering from reflux as the ComfortAir air-tight system assists in regulating their body temperature.
Comfort
A close and secure baby throughout the night will give you peace of mind, however, you need to be in a position to be able to get them quickly during the night for feeding. You can accomplish this without having to get up from bed by having a crib by your bedside. These cribs make it simple to soothe babies into sleep. If you'd like to sleep with your baby, but don't like the idea of getting out of bed for every feeding, a moses basket is a better choice.
Most bedside cribs can be positioned on the sides of your bed and allow you to view and access your baby easily. They often have a mesh window which allows you to observe your baby without disturbing them. They might also have a reflux setting to aid in reflux or colic.
The crib is loaded with a variety of features, but we're most amazed by the ComfortAir air-tight Mattress that regulates the temperature of your baby's body and increases airflow. It's smaller than other cribs for bedside use which can be beneficial in areas that are limited in space. However, our mum testers agree that it's an excellent option for those long sleeps.
The cot is securely attached to the side of your bed with adjustable straps, which reduces the possibility of gaps where your baby could get trapped. It is equipped with a firm, flat mattress that meets safety regulations and promotes healthy sleeping habits.
One thing to bear in mind is that your baby could start to climb out of the crib when they're able to sit up typically around six months. This is why it's essential to place them in a cot or other sleeping arrangement once they outgrow the crib.
A cot that is lightweight and suitable for travel is a further aspect to consider. Some of our mothers appreciate the fact that this crib can be taken apart to make it easy to transport, whereas others find it difficult to assemble and rebuild. It can be difficult to clean so you will need to wipe it down often using a cleaning product and a cloth.
Stores
A bedside cot 6 months plus is a bassinet-style cot which is fixed to the bed's side for safe co-sleeping. These are great for soothing babies to sleep, allowing night feedings and also allowing mothers who had a c-section to keep their baby close.
It is essential to select cribs that meet the current safety standards. Check that the bars on the crib are sufficiently far apart to keep your child's head from getting trapped. Also, make sure that any drop-down side is safe and doesn't fall open accidentally. Also, stay clear of any transfer or stickers that are placed on the cot's surface since they could be a choking hazard.
Emily's preferred bedside cot for her baby is the Next2me Magic. It was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the categories of Best Crib or Cot and Best Moses Basket. It is a good size, with plenty of space for all your baby's essentials. It's also lightweight and compact enough to fit in its travel bag in case you have to transport it from room to room. If you want something simpler, she recommends Shnuggle Air alongside Crib.