Bedside Crib Vs Cot

A bedside crib (also called co-sleeper) allows your baby to rest close to you during the night. It's important that you follow 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 to its slim frame.

Safety

Many new moms desire the intimacy of their baby whilst they sleep, and cribs that are placed near the bed can be a safe alternative for families who want to co-sleep. However, NHS Safe Sleep advice suggests parents have a separate bed for their baby and avoid sharing a bed to reduce the risk of suffocation, heat exhaustion and rollovers.

It is important that when choosing a crib for your child, you examine it to ensure that it complies with European safety standards. Also, make sure that the crib is compliant with Lullaby trust codes of safe sleep to make sure that he is sleeping in a place where he is safe and secure. Bedside cribs that are adjustable in height settings can be combined with the bed frame of the parent to minimize the chance of infants getting trapped in gaps. They also come with a sturdy, flat mattress that is breathable and designed to promote healthy sleeping habits.

Most cribs for bed have a panel that can be lowered to allow you to comfortably see your baby throughout the night. This means you can comfortably provide them with food, comfort them and monitor them without needing to get out of bed, which can be especially helpful for mothers who are recovering from c-section births or those who are unable to move. Certain models, like the SnuzPod4, have a reflux incline feature for babies with reflux or digestive issues.

A lowered panel will also lower the risk of your baby falling over the edge of the bed. Many of these panels have mesh sides that prevent pillows and duvets from falling into the crib. This is essential in reducing the risk of SIDS. Babies who roll on their backs are more prone to suffocate.

It is recommended to keep any soft or dummy toys out of the crib, as these can also be a danger to your child's health if they are suffocated. A mattress that is breathable for the crib and regular checks for any gaps or loose bedding are essential to ensure your baby is secure. Once your baby is able to stand or sit (typically at the age of 6 months) they will require a cot, or another sleeping arrangement that is suitable. If you are concerned about this transition, speak to your GP or a health care professional.

Comfort

The best cribs for bedside offer an environment that is safe and comfortable for your baby to rest. They are designed to sit next to your bed so that you can care for your baby without leaving your bed. This gives you the chance to connect with your baby during the beginning months. This feeling of safety can help to establish positive nighttime routines and enhance the overall quality of your baby's sleep.

It is recommended to keep your child in a crib next to the bed until they reach 6 months or they are able to stand by themselves. At that point, you should change them to a traditional cot. bedside cots for newborns cribs are able to accommodate your child to this age, but you must review the guidelines for the crib.

When you are choosing a bedside cot be sure that it meets EN 1130 safety standards. It should be able to work with your existing bed (most are attached to standard bed frames but it is important to double-check the exact dimensions). It is crucial that the mattress of your bedside crib is firm, flat and breathable. This is crucial for the health of your baby.

The Chicco Next2me side sleeper is a popular choice among our mum testers. It comes with a height-adjustable base and can be used as a standalone crib or attached to the bed. It is lightweight and easy to set up. It provides excellent value for money. Another one of our favorites is the Silvercross Voyager, which our testers love for its versatility, breathable mattress, and reflux incline feature.

Space

A bedside crib is an accessory that clips onto the bed's side. This lets you keep your baby close throughout the night without the danger of co-sleeping. This is not recommended by the NHS or The Lullaby Trust. Recent years have seen an increase in their popularity with mothers who want to bond with their infant while remaining safe.

Some have a lowering panel that you can use for secure viewing and touch of your baby. Some let you keep the panel down during the night and allow you to feed and monitor your child without hassle. Some have an incline function for reflux too, which many of our test moms loved for helping digestion and reducing discomfort for those babies suffering from reflux or wind.

A lot of cribs for bedside have adjustable height settings that allow you to set them at the same level as your mattress, ensuring there's no gap between the two that could let your baby climb or slip out. This is a big benefit for those recovering from C-sections because it can be difficult to get in and out of bed as your body heals.

The lowered sides also offer some privacy, making them ideal for new parents who are concerned about sharing a room with their newborn. However, it's important to remember that if you decide to sleep with your baby in a bedside crib (find out this here) or the cot, it's still a good practice to follow the guidelines for safe sleeping and avoid sharing your bed.

You'll also need to make sure your bedside crib is compatible with your existing bed frame before buying - some clip onto bedsteads while others are more suitable for divan beds. Don't forget to get a suitable mattress for bedside crib your crib, that is typically sold in addition to the crib and must meet the latest BS EN 1130:2019 safety requirements.

Some bedside co sleeper cribs can also be converted into toddler beds, which can increase to the life of parents who don't want to buy an additional crib for their older child. The SnuzPod4 frame is sleek that can be tucked away in 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 convenient bag for travel.

Convenience

A bedside crib makes it easy to get your child from bed to feed them, cuddle them and then soothe them back to sleep. Many cribs come with a side panel that can be lowered to allow you to communicate with your baby without waking them up. Some cribs have the side panel down all the time. This is great for parents who have had C-sections who wish to keep their baby close.

Some cribs have a tilt feature that can aid with colic or reflux. It is important to remember that tilting the crib should only be done by parents who know their baby's medical needs and the history.

Think about 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 come with waterproof covers to guard against leaky nappies, infant sick and dribbles. Some cribs come with bags for storage, making them ideal for travel if you have to take your baby along.

It's also important to take into consideration how heavy the crib will be, and if it's simple to move it from one room to another. Jasmine, our 2021 Mother & Baby Awards mum test subject, described the Red Kite Cozysleep alongside crib as "just right size and light enough to easily move around your home." It also folds flat and comes with a carry-on bag for trips to the grandparents."

We suggest that you look through our reviews and ratings to ensure you pick the best crib for your baby. Be aware that even though a crib may appear beautiful and sophisticated, it's important to remember that your baby's going to outgrow its small bedside cot size. Therefore, you'll need to put your baby in a cot bed before they start to outgrow it.