Bedside Crib Vs Cot
A bedside crib (also known as co-sleeper) lets your baby sleep with you throughout the night. It's important that you adhere to the official safe sleeping 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 its slim frame.
Safety
Many new mums desire the intimacy of their child while they sleep, and cribs that are placed near the bed can be a great option for families who are embracing co-sleeping. However, NHS Safe Sleep advice suggests that parents use a separate sleeping surface for their baby and avoid sharing a bed in order to reduce the risks of suffocation, heat exhaustion and rollovers.
When you are choosing a crib for your bed, it is important to ensure that the crib meets European safety standards and conforms to Lullaby Trust codes for safe sleep, so that your child is sleeping in a secure and safe environment. Bedside cribs that have adjustable height settings can be fitted to the parent's bed frame which reduces the chance of gaps that infants may be trapped. They also come with a firm flat mattress that is breathable and designed to promote healthy sleeping habits.
Most bedside cribs have a panel that can be lowered, so that you can safely see your baby during the night. This lets you easily comfort, feed, and monitor your child without having to get up. This is especially helpful for mothers who are recovering from csection births or those who have mobility issues. Some models, like the SnuzPod4, even offer the ability to tilt your reflux for babies with reflux or digestive issues.
A lower panel can also lower the risk of your child falling over the edge of the bed. A lot of these panels have mesh sides to prevent pillows and duvets from falling into the crib. This is important for reducing the risks of SIDS. discover this who roll on their backs are more prone to suffocate.
It is advised to keep any dummy or soft toys away from the crib as well as they could be a danger to your child's health if they are suffocated. A breathable crib mattress and regular checks for any gaps or loose bedding are also crucial to keep your baby secure. When your baby is able to sit up or stand, generally at the age of 6 months, they will need to move to an cot or another suitable sleeping arrangement. If you are worried about this transition, it's important to speak with your GP or health professional.
Comfort
The best bedside cribs offer a safe and comfortable space for your baby to sleep. They are designed to rest next to your bed so that you can take care of your child without having to leave your bed. This gives you the opportunity to connect with your baby during the early years. This sense of security will help establish a positive routine for your night and enhance the quality of sleep for your baby.
It is recommended to keep your baby in a crib at night until they reach six months old or are able to get up and at that point, you can move to an old-fashioned crib. The bedside crib will usually be capable of accommodating your child until they reach this age, but it is crucial to review the specific specifications of the product.
When you are choosing a bedside cot make sure it is in compliance with EN 1130 safety standards. It must be able to work with your current bed (most clip onto traditional bed frames, however it is important to double-check the exact dimensions). You should also ensure that your chosen bedside crib has a firm and flat mattress that is breathable. This is essential for the health of your baby.
The Chicco Next2me side sleeping crib is a popular choice among our mum testers. It features a height adjustable base that can be used as a standalone crib or connected to a bed. This crib is lightweight and easy to put together. It also provides excellent value for money. Silvercross Voyager is another of our favourites. Our testers appreciate its versatility, breathable mattresses and reflux incline feature.
Space
A bedside crib is a sleeping space that clips securely onto the sides of your bed which allows you to keep your baby close throughout the night without the danger of co-sleeping (which is not recommended by the Lullaby Trust and NHS). They've seen a rise in popularity recently with mums looking for ways to bond with their newborn while staying safe.
They usually have an incline panel that you can use to safely be able to touch and observe your baby, and some that allow you to put the panel down at night to allow for the convenience of feeding your baby without fuss and monitoring. Some models also have an incline feature for reflux which was loved by many of our testers for its ability to reduce discomfort and assist digestion for babies with reflux or wind.
Some cribs with a bedside also come with adjustable height settings allowing you to place them at the exact same level as your mattress. This eliminates any gap which could cause the baby to slide out or climb. This is particularly beneficial for those who are recovering from C-sections since it can be difficult to climb into and out of bed.
The lower sides provide privacy and are great for new parents worried about sharing their room with a baby. It's important to remember that even if you decide to sleep with your baby in a crib or cot by your bed, it's still best to follow the official guidelines for safe sleeping and avoid sharing your bed.
You'll also have to ensure that your bedside crib is compatible with your bed frame before buying some that clip onto bedsteads while others work better with divan beds. Don't forget to buy the right mattress for your crib. They are typically sold separately from the crib and should conform to the latest BS EN1130 safety standards.
Bedside cribs can be converted into toddler beds. This is a great option for parents who do not need to buy a separate crib. SnuzPod4 has a sleek frame that can fit into the corner of any room and offers plenty of space for your child to rest comfortably. It is also easy to put together and comes with a handy bag for travel.
Convenience
A bedside crib allows you to easily lift your child out of bed to feed, cuddle and soothe them back to sleep. bedside cots uk of cribs come with a side panel that drops down, allowing you to be able to touch and talk with your baby without having to wake them completely or disrupt their sleep. Some cribs keep the side panel in place all the time. This is perfect for parents who have had C-sections who want to keep their baby close.
Some cribs are equipped with tilt features that can aid with colic or reflux. It's important to note that tilting the crib must be done with care and only by a parent who knows the medical history of their child and requirements.
Consider how easy it is to clean the crib, and if you are able to machine wash it or if you'll need to wash it manually. Some cribs have waterproof covers to guard against leaky diapers, infant sickness and dribbles. Some cribs have a storage bag that makes them ideal for travel when you need to bring your baby along.
Finally, it's worth considering how heavy the crib is and whether it's easy to move from room to room. 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 the house. It also folds flat and comes with a travel bag for trips to grandparents."
If you're thinking about purchasing a crib for your bed, we recommend you read our complete reviews and ratings of the top cribs available, to ensure that you buy the ideal crib for your baby and life style. And remember that although a crib might look lovely and elegant, it's important to keep in mind that your newborn will quickly outgrow its small size. So you'll need to move your baby into a cot bed before they start to outgrow it.