Bedside Cot 6 Months Plus
Bedside sleepers allow you to keep your baby close in the same room with you do without the danger of sharing beds, which comes with a higher chance of death from suffocation. They're also a great option for babies.
Models with adjustable height settings will fit perfectly on most bed frames. Look for fabrics that are easy to clean and breathable.
Safety
A bedside cot is basically an upholstered bassinet that is attached to the bed's side to ensure secure co-sleeping. It can be used to lift your baby toward you to comfort them, feed them or soothing at night. It's also a great alternative if you've had a c section. It is different from a Moses Basket or Cot in that it has high walls so your baby isn't able to fall out. Some come with a tilt feature which can help babies suffering from reflux and colic. They are also slightly bigger than Moses baskets, which could make them easier to carry from room to room.
The NHS and The Lullaby Trust, a safe sleep charity, recommend that babies be placed in a bassinet or cot in same room as their parents. They should not be in your bed. Sharing beds increases the risk of overheating or suffocation. Bedside cribs allow your child to sleep with you, but in a safe and separate space.
Make sure that the crib is in compliance with the most recent safety standards. travel cot bedside should be BS EN1130:2019. Also, ensure that there are no gaps or places where your child could become trapped. Find a mattress with an even, firm surface. A sagging or overly soft mattress can increase your baby's risk of SIDS, so go for a brand new mattress, instead of second-hand.
Lastly, look for a bedding that is fitted and free of loose blankets or pillows. Duvets and pillows can choke your baby, and pillows can get stuck to their face. It is a good idea to opt for a fitted sheet but ensure it's fitted correctly.
The SnuzPod4 was rated highly by our MFM mother testers as a crib suitable for bedside use. It has been nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the category of Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib. It is secured to the bed and can be adjusted to ensure a perfect fit. It has a rocking feature and can be set to an inclined position for reflux. It is also a great option for those with small or narrow beds, as it does not take up the entire space.
Design
The layout of a bedside crib is important because it will be where your baby will spend most of their time. There are many cribs available in a range of colors that match your decor. Some have features like mesh windows to keep your baby visible or drop-down sides that make it easier to access. Some cribs even have incline functions to help with reflux.
You can adjust the height of the majority of cribs to your bed's height, making it easier to get in and out of bed. You can even find some that are designed to function as travel cots, which are great if you're travelling or visiting relatives.
Home tester and MFM mum Leya found that the SnuzPod 4's stylish Scandi design was a perfect match for her bedroom and said that its compact fold was ideal for space-saving. She also loved that one side of the crib drops down, allowing her to pick up her sleeping newborn without leaving her bed. This is particularly helpful if you have had a C-section or recovering from an Caesarean which allows you to sleep close to your newborn for longer.
Jasmine is a mother who also enjoyed using the SnuzPod 4. She said it was easy to move the crib from one room to another which she could not see with other cribs. However, she said that it took some effort to lift and lower the crib, because 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 their Best Cot or Crib category. Its slim frame and neutral colour options will fit in with most bedrooms, although some of our home testers felt the bars were too close together, meaning they could catch on clothes or baby toys. The bars' distance shouldn't exceed 6.5cm (2 inches) to avoid your baby's head from becoming stuck. This crib is also suitable for babies who have reflux, as the ComfortAir air-flow system helps regulate their body temperature.
Comfort
Staying close to your baby all night will give you peace of mind, however, you need to be able to reach them quickly for middle-of-the-night feeding. With a crib that is placed near the bed it is possible to do this without getting out of your bed. These cribs make it simple to soothe babies to sleep. If you'd like to be able to sleep with your child, but do not want to hassle with getting up each time they need to be fed, a moses's-basket is an ideal option.
Most cribs with a bedside are connected to the bedside so you can easily be able to see and reach your baby. They often have a mesh window which allows you to observe your baby without having to disturb them. You can also find a reflux setting that helps with colic and 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 and maximize airflow. It's a bit smaller than some other bedside cribs and can be useful in areas where space is scarce. Our mum testers agree that this is still an excellent choice for those long, sleepless nights.
The cot is secured to the side of the bed by means of adjustable straps. This reduces the possibility of gaps where your child could become trapped. It also comes with a firm, flat mattress that meets safety standards and promotes healthy sleeping practices.
It is important to be aware that your baby is likely to climb out of their crib when they are capable of sitting upright at around six months. It's crucial to put your child in a cot, or in a different arrangement for sleeping after they've outgrown their crib.
Another aspect to consider is how lightweight the cot is and whether it's suitable for travel. Some of our mothers are thrilled that this crib is able to be disassembled for transport however, others aren't able to put it together. It can be difficult to clean, so you'll have to wipe it clean frequently using the aid of a cleaner and a cloth.
Storage
A bedside cot suitable for 6 months and up is a bassinet-style cot that attaches to the side of your mattress for safe co-sleeping. They're ideal for feeding your baby at night and calming babies back to sleep and allowing mothers who've had an e-csection to keep their baby close.
When you are choosing a crib for your bed it's crucial to ensure that it is in line with current safety standards. Verify that the crib's bars are sufficiently far apart to prevent your child's head from becoming trapped. Also, make sure that the drop-down sides are secure and doesn't open unintentionally. Also, beware of any transfer or stickers that are placed on the cot's surface since they could pose dangerous to choking.
Emily's top pick for a bedside crib is the Next2me Magic, which was shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot Crib, Crib, or Moses Basket. It is a good size with plenty of storage for the essentials of your baby. It's also compact and light enough to be able to fit in a travel bag, if you're planning to move it around. If you're looking for something less complicated, she recommends Shnuggle Air in addition to Crib.