Bedside Cot 6 Months Plus
Bedside sleepers allow you to keep your baby in the same room as you without the risk associated with bed-sharing. They're a great choice for babies.
Look for models that have an adjustable height which will fit perfectly on the majority of bed frames. Also, look for breathable fabrics that are easy to clean.
Safety
A bedside cot is a bassinet-style cot that fixes to the bed's side for safe co-sleeping. It can be used to bring your baby to you to comfort them, feed them or to soothe your baby at night. It's also an excellent option if you had a c-section. It differs from a Moses Basket or Cot in that it has high walls, so your baby cannot fall out. Some models come with tilt features that can help babies with colic and reflux. They are also slightly bigger than Moses baskets, which makes them easier to move from room to room.
The NHS and The Lullaby Trust, a safe sleep charity, recommend that newborns be kept in a bassinet or cot in the same room with their parents. They should not be sleeping in your bed. Sharing beds increases the risk of suffocation or overheating. Bedside cribs offer the best of both worlds, allowing your baby to be close to you at night, but in their own safe and separate sleeping space.
Check that the crib meets the most current safety standards. It should be BS EN1130, 2019. Also, make sure that there aren't any gaps or places where your child could become trapped. Also, look for mattresses that are solid and flat. A sagging or overly soft mattress could increase the risk of SIDS, so opt for a brand new mattress, instead of second-hand.
Finally, you should look for bedding that's fitted and free of any loose blankets or pillows. Pillows are a suffocation risk and duvets can get stuck on the baby's face. It's best to use a fitted sheet instead, but make sure it's fitted correctly.
Our MFM mum testers have found that the SnuzPod4 is an excellent option for a crib that is positioned near the bed, shortlisted in 2021's Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category. It is secure to the bed and comes with an adjustable height to ensure an ideal fit. It also has a rocking feature and can be set to an incline for reflux. It is also a great choice for those who have bed sizes that are small or narrow because it doesn't take up the entire space.
Design
The layout of a bedside crib is important as it will be the area where your baby will spend the majority of their time. There are many cribs available in a choice of colours to complement your decor. They also feature features such as mesh windows that keep baby in view, or side panels that drop down that allow you to reach it. Some even have incline functions to ease reflux.
You can adjust the height of the majority of cribs to your bed height making it easier for you to get in and out of bed. Some cribs can serve as travel cots. This is a great option when you travel or visiting relatives.
Leya Leya, an MFM mum and home tester, realized that the SnuzPod 4 was a great fit for her bedroom decor. She also appreciated its compact fold which saved space. She also appreciated that one side of the crib is lowered and allows her to pick up her sleeping baby without leaving her bed. This is especially beneficial in the event that you've had an emergency C-section or are recovering from an Caesarean, as it means you can sleep near your baby for a longer period of time.
Another mom who was happy using the SnuzPod 4 was Jasmine who said that it was easy to move from room room - something she couldn't get with other cribs she looked at for bedside use. However, she said that it required some effort to lift and lower the crib, since the handle was stiff.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air is another bedside crib which is easy to fold and move. It was nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards, in the Best Cot or Crib category. Its slim frame and neutral color options will fit in with the majority of bedrooms, but some of our home testers felt the bars were too close together, which means they could catch on clothes or toys for babies. The distance between bars should not exceed 6.5cm (2 inches) in order to keep your baby's head from getting trapped. This crib is also ideal for babies suffering from reflux due to the ComfortAir air-tight system helps regulate body temperature.
Comfort
You will feel more secure if you can reach your baby quickly to feed them in the middle of the night. It is easy to do this without having leave your bed, by having a crib by your bedside. These cribs make it simple to soothe babies to sleep. If you want to be able to lay down with your child but do not wish to be a burden of getting up each time they're fed, a moses's-basket is an excellent option.
Most cribs that are bedside can be attached to the sides of your bed, allowing you to see and access your baby easily. Some have mesh windows, so you can monitor your baby without disturbing the baby. There is also a reflux setting that helps with reflux and colic.
We're impressed with the number of features on this crib, especially the ComfortAir breathable mattress that works to regulate your baby's temperature and maximize airflow. It's a bit smaller than other bedside cribs and can be useful in areas where space is scarce. Our mum testers agree that this is still a great choice for sleepless, long nights.
The cot is securely attached to the side of your bed with adjustable straps, which reduces the possibility of gaps that your child could get trapped. It is equipped with an even, firm mattress that complies with safety standards and promotes good sleeping habits.
It is important to be aware that your baby is likely to get out of their crib when they're able to sit upright at about six months old. This is why it's essential to place them in a cot or other sleeping arrangement when they've outgrown the crib.
Another aspect to consider is how lightweight the crib is and if it's suitable for traveling. Some of our mothers love the fact that this crib can be dismantled to make it easy to transport, whereas others find it tricky to assemble and put back together. It's also a challenge to keep clean and you'll need regularly clean it using a cloth or cleaning product.
Stores
A bedside cot for six months and older is a bassinet-style bed that can be attached to the mattress's side to ensure safe co-sleeping. They are ideal for calming babies to sleep, for night feedings, and for mothers who had a c-section to keep their baby close.
It's crucial to choose a crib that meets current safety standards. Verify that the bars on the crib are sufficiently far apart to keep your child's head from being trapped. Also, make sure that the drop-down side is secured and doesn't open accidentally. Do not place stickers or transfer on the floor of the cot as they could be a choking risk.
Emily's top pick for a bedside cot is the Next2me Magic, which was shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot Crib, Crib, or Moses Basket. It's a decent size and has plenty of storage for all your baby's essentials. It's also compact and lightweight enough to fit in a travel bag, if you're planning to move it around. If cotsfortots seeking something a bit more simple, she suggests the Shnuggle Air beside crib.