Bedside Cot 6 Months Plus
Bedside sleepers let you keep your baby in the same room with you without the risk of sharing a bed. They're also a great option for infants.
Find models with an adjustable height that will fit perfectly on the majority of bed frames. Look for fabrics that are easy to clean and comfortable to breathe.
Safety
A bedside cot can be described as an upholstered bassinet that is attached to the side of your bed for secure co-sleeping. You can use it to raise your baby towards you at night to feed or comforting. it's a great option in the event of an c-section. It differs from a Moses Basket or Cot because it has walls that are high so your baby cannot escape. Some models have 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 room.
The NHS and The Lullaby Trust, a safe sleep charity, suggest that babies be placed in a bassinet or cot in same room as their parents. They shouldn't be sleeping in your bed. This is because sharing a bed increases the risk of suffocation as well as overheating. Bedside cribs permit your baby to rest close to you but in a secure and separate space.
When you are choosing a crib for your bed ensure that it meets the most recent safety standards (it should be BS EN 1130:2019) and doesn't have any gaps or parts that could cause your baby to become trapped. Look for a mattress with a flat, firm surface. A sagging or too soft mattress could increase the risk of SIDS, so choose for a new one instead of a second-hand.
Finally, you should look for bedding that is affixed and free of any loose blankets or pillows. Pillows pose a risk of suffocation and duvets can be a hazard to the baby's face. Use a fitted sheet but make sure that it is properly fitted.
Our MFM mom testers have discovered that the SnuzPod4 is an excellent option for a bedside crib, being shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the best Cot, Crib, or Moses Basket category. It attaches securely to the bed and comes with an adjustable height to ensure a perfect fit. It also has a rocking feature and can be set to an incline to prevent reflux. It is a great option for those with small or narrow beds because it doesn't take up any space.
Design
It is important to consider the design of your bedside crib since this is the place where your baby will spend the majority of their time. There are many cribs available in a variety of colours that match your decor. Some cribs have features like mesh windows to keep the baby's view or drop-down sides that make it easier to access. Some cribs are equipped with incline options to help with reflux.
You can raise and lower most cribs to match your bed's height, making it easier to get in and out of the bed. You can also find a few that are designed to work as travel cots, which is great when you're traveling or visiting relatives.
Leya Leya, an MFM mum and home tester, realized that the SnuzPod 4 was a great choice for her bedroom. She also liked its compact fold, which helped save space. She also liked that one side of the crib is lowered, allowing her to take her newborn baby to bed without leaving her bed. This is particularly helpful if you've had an Caesarean or are recovering from one. You can stay near your baby for a longer time.
Another mum who enjoyed using the SnuzPod 4 was Jasmine, who commented that it was easy to move from room to room, something she didn't get with other bedside cribs she tested. However, she did note that it required some effort to lift and lower the crib, as the handle was quite stiff.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air is another crib for bed that is easy to fold and move. It was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Crib category. The neutral colours and slim frame will fit in with most bedrooms. However some of our test subjects felt that the bars were too close together. This could cause them to get caught on baby toys or clothing. The distance between each bar should be no more than 6.5cm (2.5 inches) to ensure your baby's head can't become trapped. This is a great crib for babies who have reflux, as its ComfortAir breathability technology helps regulate temperature.
Comfort
A close and secure baby all night will give you peace of mind, but you should be in a position to be able to get them quickly to feed them in the middle of the night. With a crib that is placed near the bed you can do this easily without getting out of the bed. These cribs make it easy to soothe babies to sleep. If you want to be able to lay down with your child but don't want to hassle with getting up every time they're fed, a moses-basket can be an excellent option.
The majority of cribs for bedside use can be attached to the bed's side, allowing you to see and get to your baby easily. Some have mesh windows, to allow you to monitor your baby without disrupting him. There is also a reflux setting that helps with reflux and colic.
We're amazed by the amount of features on this crib, including the ComfortAir air-tight mattress that helps to regulate your baby's temperature as well as increase airflow. It's smaller than other bedside cribs which could be useful in areas that are limited in space. Our mum testers agree that this is still a great choice for sleepless, long nights.
The cot is attached securely to the side of the bed using adjustable straps. This eliminates the risk of gaps in which your child can get trapped. foldable bedside crib comes with an even, firm mattress that meets safety regulations and encourages good sleeping habits.
You should be aware that your baby will begin to get out of their crib when they are capable of sitting upright, which is usually about six months old. This is why it's important to put them in a cot or other sleeping arrangement when they've outgrown the crib.
A cot that is lightweight and suitable for travel is an additional feature to consider. Some of our mothers love the fact that this crib can be disassembled for transport, but others find it difficult to assemble. It's also a challenge to keep clean and therefore you'll have to clean it regularly with a cloth and a cleaning product.
Stores
A bedside cot that is 6 months old plus is an upholstered bassinet cot that can be fixed to the bed's side for safe co-sleeping. They're great for night feeds, soothing babies to sleep and enabling mums who have had an e-csection to keep their baby close.
It's important that you choose a crib that meets current safety standards. Verify that the bars are far enough apart to prevent your child's head from getting trapped and check that the sides that drop down are secure and won't pop open suddenly. Also, beware of any stickers or transfers on the cot surface as they can be dangerous to choking.
Emily's top choice for a bedside cot is the Next2me Magic, which was shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot, 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 its bag for travel, should you want to move it around. If you want something simpler she suggests Shnuggle Air alongside Crib.