Bedside Cot 6 Months Plus
Bedside sleepers let you have your baby in the same space with you without the risk associated with bed-sharing. They're also a great option for babies.
Find models with an adjustable height that allows for a perfect fit on most bed frames. Look for fabrics that are easy-to-clean and comfortable to breathe.
Safety
A bedside cot can be described as a bassinet-style cot that fixes to the side of your bed to allow secure co-sleeping. You can use it to pull baby closer to you at night for feeding or soothing. it's also a great choice if you have an C-section. It's different from a Moses basket or cot due to the fact that it has high sides so your baby can't be pushed out. Some have a tilt function that can aid babies with reflux and colic. They are also slightly bigger than Moses baskets, which makes them easier to move from room room.
The NHS and safe sleep charity The Lullaby Trust advise that newborns should be placed in their own bassinet or cot in the same room with their parent however, not in your bed. This is because sharing a bed increases the risk of suffocation as well as overheating. Bedside cribs give you the best of both worlds, allowing your baby to be close to you throughout the night, but still in their own secure and private sleeping space.
Make sure that the crib is in compliance with the most current safety standards. It should be BS EN1130:2019. Also, ensure that there aren't any gaps or places where your child could become trapped. Find a mattress with a firm, flat surface. A sagging or too soft mattress can increase your baby's risk of SIDS, so choose for a brand new mattress, instead of second-hand.
Make sure your bedding is well-fitted and does not have loose blankets or pillowcases. Pillows are a suffocation risk and duvets can be a hazard to baby's face. Use a fitted sheet, however, make sure it is properly fitted.
The SnuzPod4 was highly rated by our MFM mom testers as a crib suitable for use at bedtime. It was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards under the category of the Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib. It is secured to the bed, and it has an adjustable height for an ideal fit. It also comes with a rocking function and can be adjusted to incline for reflux. It's also a great choice for those with small or narrow beds because it does not take up a lot of room.
Design
The layout of a bedside crib is crucial as it is the area where your baby will spend most of their time. Many cribs are available in a variety of colours that will match your decor. Some come with features such as mesh windows to keep your baby visible or drop-down sides to facilitate access. Some cribs have incline features to help with reflux.
You can adjust the height of the majority of cribs to match the height of your bed which makes it easier to get in and out of the bed. You can even find some that are designed to function as travel cribs, which are ideal if you're travelling or visiting relatives.
Home tester and MFM mom Leya discovered that the SnuzPod 4's sleek Scandi styling complements her bedroom decor and added that its compact fold was ideal for space-saving. She also appreciated that one side of the crib can be lowered so that she can take her newborn baby to bed without leaving her bed. This is especially beneficial in the event that you've had C-sections or are recovering from the effects of a Caesarean because it allows you to stay close to your newborn for longer.
Jasmine is another mum who loved using the SnuzPod 4. She said it was easy for her to move the crib from one room to the next which she could not discover with other cribs for bed. However, she noted that it required some effort to raise and lower the crib as the handle was quite stiff.
Another crib that's easy to fold and move is the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, which was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for best Cot Crib, Moses Basket. The neutral colors and slim frame will fit in with most bedrooms. However some of our testers found that the bars were too close together. This could cause them to get 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 suitable for babies suffering from reflux because the ComfortAir air-flow system assists in regulating their body temperature.
Comfort
You'll feel more secure if you can reach your baby quickly to feed them during the middle of the night. You can easily do this without having to get out of bed with a crib at your bedside. They also make it easy to help babies fall asleep. However, if you want to lay down with your baby, but don't want the hassle of waking up to feed your baby moses baskets are the better option.
Most cribs that are bedside can be attached to the sides of your bed, allowing you to see and get to your baby easily. Some have mesh windows, so you can monitor your baby without disrupting him. You can also find an option for reflux that aids with colic and reflux.
This crib has a lot of options, but we're particularly amazed by the ComfortAir breathable Mattress that regulates the temperature of your baby's body and increases airflow. It's a bit smaller than other cribs for bedside use and can be useful where space is limited. However, our mom testers are in agreement that it's an excellent option for those long nights.
The cot is securely attached to the side of the bed by means of adjustable straps. This reduces the possibility of gaps in which your child may get trapped. It also comes with a sturdy flat mattress that is in line with safety standards and promotes safe sleep practices.
One thing to keep in mind is that your baby could begin to climb out of the crib once they're tall enough to sit, usually around six months. This is why it's essential to put them in a cot or other sleeping arrangement when they've outgrown the crib.
A lightweight cot that is suitable for travel is another aspect to consider. Some of our mothers love the fact that this crib can be dismantled to make it easy to transport, whereas others find it difficult to assemble and reassemble. It can also be difficult to keep clean, so you'll need regularly clean it with a cloth and a cleaning product.
Storage
A bedside cot for 6 months and up is a bassinet-style cot that attaches to the side of your mattress for secure co-sleeping. bedside travel cot for night feeds, soothing babies back to sleep and allowing mothers who've had a c-section to keep their baby close.
It's important that you choose cribs that meet the current safety standards. Verify that the bars on the crib are positioned sufficiently apart to prevent your child's head from being trapped. Also, ensure that the drop-down side is safe and doesn't fall open accidentally. Avoid placing stickers or transfers onto the surface of the cot as they could be the risk of choking.
Emily's favorite bedside cot for her baby is the Next2me Magic. It was selected for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the categories of Best Crib or Cot, and Best Moses Basket. It's a decent size and has plenty of storage for all your baby's essentials. It's also compact and light enough to be able to fit in a bag for travel, should you want to move it around. If you want something simpler, she recommends Shnuggle Air in addition to Crib.