Bedside Cot 6 Months Plus
Bedside sleepers let you have your baby in the same room as you without the risk of sharing a bed. They are also a great choice for babies.
Find models with an adjustable height position that will fit perfectly on all bed frames. Look for fabrics that are easy to clean and ventilated.
Safety
A bedside cot can be described as an old-fashioned bassinet cot that can be fixed to the side of your bed to allow safe co-sleeping. It can be used to pull your baby toward you for comfort, feeding or to soothe your baby at the end of the night. It's also an excellent alternative if you've had a c-section. It differs from a Moses Basket or Cot as it has high walls so your baby won't fall out. Some models have a tilt feature that can help babies with colic or reflux. They are also slightly larger than Moses baskets, which makes them easier to move from room to 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 however, not in your bed. This is due to bed sharing increasing the chance of suffocation and overheating. Bedside cribs offer the best of both worlds, allowing your baby to be close to you at night, but in their own private and secure sleeping space.
Check that the crib meets the latest safety standards. It should be BS EN1130:2019. Also, ensure there aren't any gaps or places where your child could become trapped. Find a mattress with a firm, flat surface. A sagging mattress or one that is too soft may increase the risk of SIDS for your child.
Lastly, look for a bedding that's fitted and free of loose blankets or pillows. Pillows can cause suffocation and duvets could get stuck to baby's face. Use a fitted sheet, but make sure that it is properly fitted.
Our MFM mom testers have discovered that the SnuzPod4 is a great option for a bedside crib, being shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category. It is attached securely to the bed, and has an adjustable height for the perfect fit. It also has a rocking function and can be adjusted to incline for reflux. It is also an excellent choice for those who have narrow or small beds because it doesn't take up much space.
Design
It is important to consider the design of your bedside crib since this is where you baby will spend the majority of their time. There are a variety of cribs available in a range of colors that can be matched to your decor. Some have features like mesh windows to keep your baby visible or drop-down sides that make it easier to access. Some cribs are equipped with incline options to aid with reflux.
You can raise and lower the majority of cribs to match the height of your bed making it easier for you to get into and out of the bed. Some cribs can serve as travel cots. This is a great feature when you travel or visiting relatives.
Home tester and MFM mom Leya found the SnuzPod 4's stylish Scandi design was a perfect match for her bedroom and said that its compact fold was perfect for sizing up space. She also liked the fact that the crib's one side can be adjusted to lower, letting her to pick up her baby without needing to get out of bed. This is particularly helpful in the event that you've had a C-section or are recovering from an Caesarean because it allows you to sleep close to your baby for a longer period of time.
Another mom who loved using the SnuzPod 4 is Jasmine who noted that it was simple to move from room to room - something she didn't discover with other bedside cribs she tested. She did mention that the handle was a bit stiff and required quite a bit of effort to move the crib.
Another crib that's easy to fold and move is the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, which was shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. The neutral colors and slim frame will fit in with the majority of bedrooms. However, some of our testers found that the bars were too close to each other. This could result in them getting caught on baby toys or clothing. The distance between bars should not exceed 6.5cm (2 inches) to avoid your baby's head from getting trapped. This crib is also good for babies who have reflux, due to the ComfortAir air-tight system helps regulate their body temperature.
Comfort
A close and secure baby throughout the night will give you peace of mind, however, you need to be capable of reaching them quickly during the night for feeding. With a bedside crib it is possible to do this without having to get out of bed. These cribs make it simple to soothe babies to sleep. However, if you want to sleep with your baby but don't want the hassle of waking up for every feeding, a moses basket is the better option.
Most bedside cribs are connected to the bedside so you are able to easily see and reach your baby. Most have mesh windows which allow you to watch your baby without disrupting him. They may also include a reflux setting to help with colic or reflux.
We're impressed with the number of features that are included on this crib, particularly the ComfortAir air-tight mattress that helps to regulate your baby's temperature and maximize airflow. It's smaller than other cribs for bedside use that could be useful in areas that are limited in space. Our mum testers agree that this crib is a great choice for those long, sleepless nights.
The cot is secured to the side of the bed using adjustable straps. This reduces the possibility of gaps in which your child could become trapped. It also comes with a sturdy and flat mattress that meets safety standards and encourages safe sleep practices.
It is important to be aware that your baby will begin to get out of their crib when they are standing up, which is usually about six months old. It's crucial to put your baby in a cot or in a different arrangement for sleeping when they've outgrown their crib.
A cot that is light and suitable for travel is an additional feature to consider. Some of our mothers enjoy the fact that the crib can be dismantled for easy transport, but others find it difficult to assemble and then put back together. It is also difficult to keep clean, so you'll need to clean it regularly with a cloth and cleaning product.
Storage
A bedside cot for six months and older is a bassinet shaped bed that can be attached to the mattress's side to allow safe co-sleeping. They are great for feeding at night and calming babies to sleep and allowing mothers who've had a c-section to keep their baby close.
It's important that you choose cribs that are in line with the latest safety standards. Verify that the crib's bars are positioned sufficiently apart to prevent your child's head from being trapped. Also, ensure that any drop-down side is secure and doesn't open unintentionally. Do not place stickers or transfer on the floor of the cot as they could pose a choking risk.
Emily's favorite bedside cot 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 decent size, with plenty of space for your baby's necessities. It's also compact and light enough to fit into its travel bag in case you need to transport it from room to room. If cotsfortots looking for something a little simpler, she recommends the Shnuggle Air on the side of the crib.