Bedside Cot 6 Months Plus
Bedside sleepers let you keep your baby close in the same room with you are without the risk of sharing a bed, which is associated with a higher risk of suffocation. They're an excellent choice for newborns.
Models with adjustable height positions will fit perfectly on all bed frames. Also, look for fabrics with breathable fabric that are easy to clean.
Safety
A bedside cot can be described as an upholstered bassinet that is attached to the side of your bed for secure co-sleeping. It can be used to pull your baby towards you for comfort, feeding or soothing at the end of the night. It's also a great option if you had a c-section. It's different from a Moses basket or cot because it has high sides, so your baby can't be pushed out. Some models come with tilting features that help babies with colic or reflux. They're also a bit larger than Moses baskets, which can make them easier to move from room to room.
bedside cosleeper and The Lullaby Trust, a safe sleep charity, suggest that babies be placed in a bassinet or cot that is in the same room as their parents. They should not be sleeping in your bed. Bed-sharing increases the risks of overheating or suffocation. Bedside cribs give you the best of both worlds, permitting your child to sleep close to you throughout the night, but still in their own secure and private sleeping space.
When choosing a bedside crib make sure it is in compliance with the most recent safety standards (it must be BS EN 1130:2019) and has no gaps or parts that could cause your baby to become trapped. Also make sure you choose a mattress that is firm and flat. A sagging or overly soft mattress can increase the risk of SIDS, so choose for a new one instead of a second-hand.
Lastly, look for a bedding that is affixed and free from any loose blankets or pillows. Pillows can cause suffocation and duvets can get stuck to baby's face. It's best to opt for a fitted sheet, but make sure it's fitted correctly.
Our MFM mom testers have discovered that the SnuzPod4 is an excellent option for a bedside crib, selected for 2021's Mother&Baby Awards in the best Cot, Crib, or Moses Basket category. It is secure to the bed and comes with an adjustable height that allows for an ideal fit. It also has a rocking feature and can be set to an incline to prevent reflux. It is also a great choice for those who have narrow or small beds because it doesn't take up much space.
Design
The layout of a bedside crib is important as it is the place where your child will spend most of their time. A lot of cribs are available in a variety of colors to match your decor and feature features such as mesh windows that keep your baby in view, or side panels that drop down that allow you to reach it. 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 into and out of the bed. You can also find a few that are designed to function as travel cots, which are great for those who are traveling or visiting relatives.
Leya Leya, an MFM mum and home tester, found that the SnuzPod 4 was a great choice for her bedroom. She also appreciated its compact fold that saved space. She also appreciated that one side of the crib is lowered and allows her to pick up her sleeping newborn without having to leave her bed. This is particularly helpful when you've been through an Caesarean or are recovering after one. You can stay near your baby for a longer time.
Jasmine is another mum who loved using the SnuzPod 4. She said it was easy to move the crib from one room to the next - something she did not find with other bedside cribs. However, she said that it took some effort to raise and lower the crib, since the handle was stiff.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air is another crib for bed that is easy to fold and move. It was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards, in the Best Cot or Crib category. Its slim frame and neutral colors will fit in with all bedrooms, though some of our testers at home felt the bars were a little too close together, which means they could catch on clothes or toys for babies. The distance between the 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-flow system assists in regulating their body temperature.
Comfort
Keeping your baby close throughout the night will give you peace of mind, but you need to be able to reach them quickly to feed them in the middle of the night. You can do this without having leave your bed, by having a crib by your bedside. They also make it easy to help babies fall asleep. If you'd like to be able to lay down with your child but don't wish to be a burden of having to get up every time they need to be fed, a moses's-basket is an ideal alternative.
The majority of cribs for bedside use can be affixed to the sides of your bed, allowing you to see and get to your baby easily. They typically come with a mesh window, so you can check on your baby without disrupting them. You may also find a reflux setting that helps with reflux and colic.
The crib is loaded with a variety of options, but we're particularly amazed by the ComfortAir air-tight Mattress that regulates the temperature of your baby's body and maximizes airflow. It's smaller than other cribs for bedside use that could be useful in areas with limited space. However, our mum testers agree that it's still a great option for those long sleeps.
The cot is securely attached to the bed's side by means of adjustable straps. This eliminates the risk of gaps where your child can get trapped. It also comes with a sturdy, flat mattress that meets safety standards and promotes the safest sleeping practices.
One thing to keep in mind is that your baby can begin to get out of the crib once they're tall enough to sit typically around six months. This is why it's essential to place them in a cot or another sleeping arrangement when they've outgrown the crib.
Another feature to think about is how light the crib is, and if it's suitable for travelling. Many of our mothers appreciate that this crib can easily be disassembled to transport it However, some aren't able to put it together. It isn't easy to clean, so you'll need to wipe it down regularly with an appropriate cleaning product and cloth.
Stores
A bedside cot 6 months plus is an upholstered bassinet cot that can be fixed to the side of your bed to ensure safe co-sleeping. They're ideal for feeding your baby at night, soothing babies back to sleep and enabling mums who have had C-sections to keep their baby close.
When selecting a crib that is bedside, it's important to make sure that it meets current safety standards. Verify that the bars on the crib are positioned sufficiently apart to prevent your child's head from becoming trapped. Also, ensure that any drop-down side is secured and doesn't open accidentally. Also, beware of any transfer or stickers that are placed on the cot's surface as they can be dangerous to choking.
Emily's top choice for a bedside crib is the Next2me Magic, which was shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It's a good size and has plenty of storage space to store all your baby essentials. It is also compact and lightweight enough to fit into a bag for travel, should you're planning to move it around. If you want something simpler she suggests Shnuggle Air beside Crib.