Bedside Cot 6 Months Plus
Bedside sleepers allow you to keep your baby in the same room as you without the risk of bed-sharing, which is associated with an increased risk of death from suffocation. They're a great choice for babies.
Look for models that have an adjustable height which gives a perfect fit on most bed frames. Find fabrics that are easy to clean and comfortable to breathe.
Safety
A bedside cot could be described as a bassinet which is attached to the bed's side for safe cosleeping. It can be used to pull baby closer to you in the evening for feeding or comforting. it's also a great choice in the event of an c-section. It differs from a Moses Basket or Cot in that it has high walls, so your baby cannot escape. Some models come with a tilt feature that can aid babies suffering from colic and reflux. They're also a bit bigger than Moses baskets, which could 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 with their parents. They shouldn't be sleeping in your bed. Bed-sharing increases the risks of overheating or suffocation. Bedside cribs give you the best of both worlds by giving your baby the opportunity to be close to you at night, but in their own private and secure sleeping space.
When selecting a crib that is bedside make sure it is in compliance with the latest safety standards (it must be BS EN 1130:2019) and doesn't have any gaps or parts that could cause your baby to be trapped. Also, look for travel cot bedside that is sturdy and flat. A soft or sagging mattress could increase your baby's risk of SIDS, so go for a brand new mattress instead of a second-hand.
Find bedding that is fitted and without pillows or blankets that are sloppy. Pillows are a suffocation risk and duvets can be a hazard on the baby's face. It's best to use a fitted sheet instead but ensure it's sized correctly.
The SnuzPod4 was rated highly by our MFM mum test participants as a crib that is suitable for bedside use. It was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the category of Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib. It is secure to the bed and comes with an adjustable height to ensure the perfect fit. It has a rocking feature and can be adjusted to an inclined position for reflux. It is also an excellent option for those with small or narrow beds as it doesn't take up any space.
Design
The design of a bedside crib is crucial as it will be the place where your child will spend the majority of their time. There are many cribs available with a variety of colors to complement your decor. They also have features like mesh windows that keep baby in view, or drop-down sides that allow for easier access. Some cribs also have incline features to aid in reflux.
The majority of cribs can be lowered and raised to match the height of your bed, making it simple to get into and out of your bed at time of night. There are even some that are designed to function as travel cots, which is great when you're traveling or visiting relatives.
Leya, a MFM mother and home tester, discovered that the SnuzPod 4 was a great fit for her bedroom decor. She also appreciated its compact fold that saved space. She also liked that one side of the crib is lowered and allows her to pick up her sleeping baby without having to leave her bed. This is especially helpful if you've had an Caesarean or are recovering from one. You can remain close to your baby for a longer period of time.
Another mom who loved using the SnuzPod 4 was Jasmine who noted that it was easy to move from room room - something she couldn't discover with other cribs she looked at for bedside use. However, she did notice that the handle was stiff and required an enormous amount 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 as the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. The neutral colours and slim frame will fit in with most bedrooms. However some of our testers found that the bars were too close together. bedside cosleeper could cause them to get caught on baby toys or clothes. The distance between bars should not exceed 6.5cm (2 inches) to avoid your baby's head from becoming stuck. This is a great crib for reflux babies too, as its ComfortAir breathability technology helps regulate temperature.
Comfort
Keeping your baby close throughout the night will give you peace of mind, but you need to be in a position to be able to get them quickly during the night for feeding. With a crib that is placed near the bed it is possible to do this easily without getting out of bed. These cribs make it easy to help babies sleep. If, however, you'd like to sleep with your baby but don't like the idea of getting out of bed for every feed A moses basket is the better option.
Most cribs that are bedside can be attached to the bed's side and allow you to view and access your baby easily. They usually come with a mesh window, which allows you to observe your baby without having to disturb them. They might also include a reflux setting to help with colic or reflux.
We're amazed by the amount of features included in this crib, including the ComfortAir breathable mattress that works to regulate your baby's temperature as well as increase airflow. It's a bit smaller than some other bedside cribs which can be useful when space is tight. However, our mum testers are in agreement that it's an excellent choice for those long nights.
The cot is secured to the bed's side by means of adjustable straps. This reduces the possibility of gaps in which your child might get trapped. It is equipped with a flat, firm mattress that is safe and promotes good sleep habits.
It is important to be aware that your baby will begin to leave their crib once they are able to sit upright typically about six months old. This is the reason it's crucial to put them in a cot or another sleeping arrangement when they've outgrown the crib.
A cot that is lightweight and suitable for travel is an additional option to think about. Some of our mums really appreciate the fact that this crib is able to be dismantled to make it easy to transport, whereas others find it difficult to assemble and then reassemble. It is also difficult to keep clean, so you'll need regularly clean it with a cloth and cleaning product.
Stores
A bedside cot for six months and up is a bassinet style cot that attaches to the side of your mattress for safe co-sleeping. These are great for soothing babies to sleep, for night feedings and allowing mums who had a c-section to keep their baby close.
It's important that you choose cribs that meet current safety standards. Verify that the bars are far enough apart to avoid your child's head from being trapped and check that any sides that drop down are secured and don't open abruptly. Do not place stickers or transfer on the surface of the cot since they may pose the risk of choking.
Emily's bedside cot of choice 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 great size, with plenty of space for the essentials of your baby. It is also compact and light enough to be able to fit into a travel bag if you need to move it around. If you're looking for something simpler her recommendation is Shnuggle Air in addition to Crib.