Bedside Crib Or Co-Sleeper
A bedside crib is a bassinet-style cot that can be attached to your bed. It lets you reach your baby's side to feed them at night or soothe them to sleep. These are especially useful for mothers recovering from C-section births.
Our parent testers praised the SnuzPod 4, which comes with numerous technical features that are ideal for parents with busy schedules, including a reflux incline setting and soothing centre with amber floorlight and nightlight with two vibration levels. It's also light and easily moves from room to room.
Safety
A bedside crib (also known as a baby bassinet or co-sleeper) allows your infant to rest with you at night but in their own crib, which keeps them safe from the dangers of overheating and SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). It is important to adhere to the manufacturer's guidelines regarding weight limits and that your child's mattress fits snugly. If there are gaps they could increase the risk of being entangled, which is a risk that is serious. It is also important to keep pillows, blankets and toys out of the crib.
Choose cribs that have an open side panel that you can see your child through, as well as a firm air-conditioned, flat, and comfortable mattress. The slats should be placed no wider than 2 3/8 inches apart, and the headboard should be lower than the footboard, so that your child is unable to climb out of the crib or put their head over the footboard. A lot of cribs have an integrated changing table, shelves for storing diapers and wipes, rockers, night lights and music. These are all great features, but your baby should remain in the crib until they are able to stand up or sit. This is usually about 6 months old.
It is also advisable to select a crib without corner posts. They can be dangerous for your baby because they create spaces where their head and limbs might be stuck. If you have a crib that contains these, you should consider taking them out to avoid your child becoming entangled in their clothes or toys. Also, ensure that you keep the crib free of drape and window blind cords, as your baby could become entangled in them and fall, or even be strangled.
If you're using a secondhand cot, make sure it's still safe to use. It must be in good shape and sturdy, and free of loose pieces. It should also not have any rough surfaces or holes. It is also essential to verify whether the cot has been stripped down and repainted. Cots made before 1973 could have had lead paint, which can be dangerous for infants.
User-Friendliness
A bedside crib, also known as a cot or bassinet is designed to be positioned on top of the parent's mattress. This lets newborns rest with their parents without the risks of co-sleeping. These are an excellent option for parents who have a difficult time getting out of the bed to feed their child or to comfort them during the night, particularly after a difficult birth. Some also double up as a Moses basket or a carrycot for infants to offer comfortable and safe sleeping options away from the crib.
Bedside cribs attach securely to the side of the parent's bed using straps that secure them, and some include an adjustable base with a swivel and swivel height settings to fit different types of beds. Some have mesh sides to improve visibility and airflow, too. Some models have sides that can be moved up or down to give parents direct access to their baby. This is helpful to feed your baby at night and is a great comforter.
Some cribs tilt at one end, which encourages a more natural sleep position for babies with reflux or colic. However it is recommended to use this method with extreme caution and only with the guidance of a healthcare professional.
MFM home test Jasmine loved the crib's size - "it is a lot larger than most Moses baskets and feels solid and sturdy - almost like an investment piece but not too expensive to be unaffordable." Jasmine also appreciated its ease of use and its swivel bottom and said: "You just spin it around if you need reach over to look over your babyand then, when you're ready to go back to sleep, you simply pull it back."
She also appreciated how easy it was to open and close the door, even if she was tired at the end of the night. She also appreciated the amount of space was available within the crib to store nappies, blankets and other necessities. She also appreciated how the mattress was comfortable and was a decent size compared to other cribs that we tested. She added: "Plus, the sheets are washable, which is a major plus when you're exhausted after a feed!".
Portability
A bedside crib could be set right beside the bed of a parent. cheap bedside cot makes it simple for parents to reach their baby at night to comfort them or breastfeed. It also helps prevent baby rolling over, which could often lead to suffocation. A crib that is safe should have easily-openable sides to ensure that exhausted mothers can open it in the middle of the night. It should also come with a mesh window to keep an eye on the baby.
The SnuzPod 4 is a popular option, thanks to its sleek Scandi design and a reasonable price. It is available in a variety of colours, including gender-neutral grey and wood effect, and is specifically designed to work with divan beds, however you might require a longer strap to make it compatible with your mattress. Its opening side panel, anti-reflux incline and adjustable mattress heights are all simple to operate even for sleepy new parents.
It's a little bulkier than other cribs, and it does not fold completely flat. However, it's nevertheless a decent size to fit in its convenient bag for transport when traveling. The mother on the BabyCentre forums noted it was easy to set up, thanks to its simple instructions and easy to use mechanism. However, she notes that the fabric is susceptible to creasing when taken out of its travel bag.
If you prefer, you can choose the Joie Roomie Glide, which is a bedside cot with wheels, which makes it easier to manoeuvre, and it folds down completely flat. It's more expensive than the SnuzPod, but it has some extra features that might make it more appealing, such as a storage shelf, six different height adjustments and an optional reflux tilt. It also has a mesh-lined window that zips up for simple cleaning, and a durable mattress with breathable air. Some mums found it a bit smaller, but. It comes with a carrying bag that is handy to keep the mattress clean and dust free when it is stored.
Style
A bedside crib, also known as co-sleeper, was designed to be placed beside your bed. It lets you see your baby's face and reach them throughout the night. This is helpful to feed your baby at night and change the diapers. This is ideal for parents who want to keep their child close but don't want to take on the dangers of bed-sharing (such as suffocation and overheating). It's also a great choice for couples who don't share a bedroom with their child.
There are many different styles to choose from. Some come with an upper and lower panel that can be adjusted to let you see and touch your baby during the night but still prevents accidental bed-sharing. Some pop-ups lower to let you lift your baby from the bed, and then automatically raise again.
You'll also have to think about the size of your bed and how wide or narrow you want your crib to be. bedside cots for newborns are slimmer and more compact than others, which could be crucial if space is restricted in your home. Some are larger and more robust, which is ideal for older babies that may be starting to roll over or get up in the night.
Look for a crib that is easy to clean, and has mesh windows and breathable fabric that can help with ventilation. Some cribs come with mattresses that are removable, and can be machine-washed and equipped with a sheet. This makes it much easier to clean than the regular crib mattress. Some come with an anti-reflux option that can be helpful for those suffering from reflux.
The most secure and safest cribs can be secured to the parents' bed using straps or a locking mechanism that holds it in place when not in use. Some cribs have adjustable legs that be able to work with different bed heights, which is useful if you have a divan or other unusually-shaped bed. Other features to consider include a detachable 4th wall, which can be used as an infant sitter or play pen during the day, and a removable changing tray.