Bedside Crib Vs Cot

A large bedside crib crib, sometimes referred to as a cosleeper lets your baby sleep close to you during the night. It's important that you adhere to the official safe sleep 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 mothers desire the intimacy of their child while they sleep, and cribs that are placed near the bed are a good option for families who are embracing co-sleeping. NHS Safe Sleep advises parents to use a separate surface for their baby, and avoid sharing a mattress, in order to reduce the risk of suffocation as well as overheating.

When you are choosing a crib for your bed, it is important to ensure that the crib is compliant with European safety standards and conforms to Lullaby Trust codes for safe sleep, to ensure your baby is sleeping in a secure and safe environment. Bedside cribs with adjustable height settings can be set to match to the parent's bed frame which reduces the chance of gaps in which babies might be trapped. They also come with a firm, flat mattress that is breathable and designed to promote healthy sleeping habits.

Most cribs for bed have the option of a panel that can be lowered to allow you to safely monitor your baby during the night. This allows you to easily provide comfort, feed and supervise your child without having to get up. This is particularly beneficial for mothers who are recovering from c section births or with limited mobility. Certain models, such as the SnuzPod4, also have the ability to tilt your reflux for babies who have reflux or digestive issues.

A lowered panel will also lower the risk of your child falling over the edge of the bed. A lot of these panels come with mesh sides to prevent pillows and duvets from falling into the crib. This is crucial to reduce the chance of SIDS as babies who fall off their backs are more at risk of dying from suffocation.

Keep soft toys and dummies away from your child as they could pose risky for suffocation. A breathable crib mattress and regular inspections for gaps or loose bedding are also crucial to keep your baby secure. Once your baby can stand or sit (typically at the age of 6 months), they will need an cot bedside, or a different sleeping arrangement that is suitable. If you are worried about this transition, it's worth speaking to your GP or health care professional.

Comfort

The best cribs for bedside offer a safe and comfortable space for your baby to sleep. They are designed to sit close to your bed, so you can take care of your baby without leaving your bed. This gives you the opportunity to bond with your baby in the beginning months. This sense of security will help you establish a positive bedtime routine and improve your baby's overall sleep quality.

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 the age of 6 months, you can change to a traditional cot. bedside rocking crib cribs can be used to accommodate your child until this age, but it is important to be sure to read the instructions for the product.

When selecting a bedside crib be sure it is in line with EN 1130 safety standards and is compatible with your bed (most will attach to the standard bed frame, but it is important to verify the exact dimensions). It is essential that the mattress of your crib is firm, flat and breathable. This is essential for your baby's health.

Our mom testers have been talking about the Chicco Next2me Side Sleeping Crib, which has a height-adjustable base and can be used as a stand-alone crib or attached to your bed. It is lightweight, easy to assemble and provides great value for money. Silvercross Voyager is another of our favourites. Our test subjects love it for its flexibility, breathable mattresses, and the feature of incline reflux.

Space

A bedside crib is a sleeping space that can be secured to the side of your bed, allowing you to keep your baby close during the night without any risk of co-sleeping (which is not recommended by the Lullaby Trust and NHS). Recent years have seen an increase in their popularity with mothers who want to spend time with their baby bedside cot while remaining safe.

Some feature a lowering panel which you can use to ensure safe viewing and touching of your baby. Some let you keep the panel in place during the night so that you can feed and monitor your child with no anxiety. Some models also have an incline feature for reflux, which was a favorite among many of our testers for reducing discomfort and aiding digestion for babies suffering from reflux or wind.

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

The lower sides provide privacy and are ideal for new parents worried about sharing their bedroom with a baby. However, it's important to note that if you decide to sleep with your child in a crib that is near to bed or a cot, it's still best practice to adhere to the official safe sleeping guidance and not share your own bed.

You'll also have to ensure that the bedside crib is compatible with your bed frame prior to purchasing some that clip onto bedsteads while others are better suited to divan beds. And don't forget you'll need a mattress that is suitable for your crib, that is typically sold in addition to the crib itself and should comply with the latest BS EN 1130:2019 safety requirements.

Some bedside cribs can also be converted into toddler beds, which can increase longevity for parents who don't want to invest in a separate crib for their older child. The SnuzPod4 is an example, with an elegant, slim frame that fits neatly into the corner of your bedroom, and provides plenty of space for your child to rest comfortably. It is also easy to put together and comes with a handy bag for traveling.

Convenience

A crib that is placed near the bed makes it easy to lift your child from bed to feed them, cuddle them and soothe them to sleep. A lot of cribs come with an upper panel that slides down, so you can be able to touch and talk with your little one without having to wake them to disturb their sleep. There are cribs that keep the panel in place constantly which is ideal for new parents who may be recovering from a C section and want to keep their newborn close.

Some cribs come with tilt features that can aid in colic or reflux. It's important to note that tilting the crib must be done with care and only by a parent who is aware of the medical history of their child and requirements.

Another thing to consider is how easy it is to clean, and if it can be washed by machine or you need to wash it by hand it. Some cribs come with waterproof covers to guard against leaky nappies, baby sick and dribbles. Some cribs also come with a storage bag, making them perfect for travelling if you need to take your baby away with you.

It's also important to consider the weight of the crib be and if it's easy to move it from one room to another. Our 2021 Mother & Baby awards mum tester Jasmine said that the Red Kite Cozysleep next to the crib as "just the right size and lightweight enough to be able to move around the house. It folds flat, and comes with a carry-on bag for trips to the grandparents.

If you're thinking about buying a bedside crib we suggest that you go through our comprehensive reviews and ratings of the best cribs on the market to make sure you get the best model for your baby and life style. Be aware that even though the crib may look beautiful and stylish, it's crucial to keep in mind that your newborn will quickly grow out of its small size. Therefore, you'll need to move your baby into a cot bed before they start to grow out of it.