Bedside Cot 6 Months Plus
Bedside sleepers let you have your baby in the same room as you without the dangers associated with sharing a bed. They're a great choice for babies.
Find models with an adjustable height which allows for a perfect fit on the majority of bed frames. Choose fabrics that are easy to clean and comfortable to breathe.
Safety
A bedside cot can be described as an old-fashioned bassinet cot that can be fixed to the side of your bed to ensure secure co-sleeping. It can be used to lift your baby to you for comfort, feeding or to help soothe them 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 cannot fall out. Some come with a tilt feature that can aid babies with reflux and colic. They're also a bit larger than Moses baskets, which may make them easier to transport 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 as their parents. They shouldn't be in your bed. This is because bed-sharing increases the risk of suffocation and overheating. Bedside cribs offer the best of both worlds, giving your baby the opportunity to be close to you during the night, but in their own private and secure sleeping space.
When you are choosing a crib for your bed make sure it is in compliance with the latest safety standards (it should be BS EN 1130:2019) and does not have any gaps or parts that could cause your child to be trapped. Find a mattress with a flat, firm surface. A sagging or too soft mattress could increase your baby's risk of SIDS, so go for a new one instead of a second-hand.
Lastly, look for a bedding that is fitted and free from any loose blankets or pillows. Pillows are a suffocation risk and duvets can get stuck on the baby's face. Use a fitted sheet, but ensure that it is properly fitted.
The SnuzPod4 was highly rated by our MFM mother testers as a crib suitable for bedside use. It was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the category of the Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib. It is attached securely to the bed, and it can be adjusted to ensure the perfect fit. It features a rocking feature and can be set to an inclined position to prevent reflux. It is a great choice for those who have narrow or small 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. A lot of cribs are available with a variety of colors to suit your decor and feature features such as mesh windows that keep your baby in view, or side panels that drop down that allow for easier access. Some cribs have incline features to aid in reflux.
Many cribs can also be lowered and raised to fit the height of your bed, making it simple to get into and out of your bed at night. You can even find some that are designed to work as travel cots, which is great for those who are traveling or visiting relatives.
Leya Leya, an MFM mother and home tester, discovered that the SnuzPod 4 was a great design for her bedroom. She also appreciated its compact fold, which helped save space. Leya also appreciated that one side of the crib can be raised, letting her pick up her baby without having to leave the bed. This is especially helpful for those who have had an emergency C-section or are recovering from the effects of a Caesarean because it allows you to stay close to your baby for a longer period of time.
Jasmine is a mother who also loved using the SnuzPod 4. She said it was easy for her to move the crib from one room to another which she could not see with other cribs. She did note that the handle was a bit stiff and required quite a bit of effort to move the crib.
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. Its slim frame and neutral color options will work well in the majority of bedrooms, but some of our home testers thought the bars were a little too close together, which means they could catch on clothes or toys for babies. The distance between each bar should not exceed 6.5cm (2.5 inches) to ensure that your baby's head can't become trapped. This crib is also good for babies who have reflux, as the ComfortAir breathable system helps regulate their body temperature.
Comfort
A close and secure baby all night will provide peace of mind, however, you must be able to reach them quickly for middle-of-the-night feeding. With a bedside crib, you can do this without getting out of your bed. These cribs make it easy to help babies sleep. If you want to to lay down with your child but don't want the hassle of having to get up every time they need to be fed, a moses-basket is an excellent option.
Most cribs that are bedside can be affixed to the side of your bed that allows you to see and access your baby easily. They typically feature a mesh-like window which allows you to observe your baby without having to disturb them. They might also include a reflux setting to help with colic or reflux.
This crib comes with a wide range of features, but we're most impressed by the ComfortAir mattress that is breathable and regulates your baby's body temperature and increases airflow. It's smaller than other cribs for bedside use which can be beneficial in areas that are limited in space. However, our mum testers agree that it's still an excellent option for those long sleeps.
The cot is attached securely to the side of the bed by means of adjustable straps. This minimizes the chance of gaps in which your child can get trapped. It also comes with a sturdy, flat mattress that meets safety standards and encourages safe sleep habits.
One thing to keep in mind is that your baby can begin to get out of the crib once they're tall enough to sit, usually around six months. It's important that you place your baby in a cot or in a different arrangement for sleeping, once they outgrow their crib.
A cot that is lightweight and suitable for travel is a further feature to consider. Some of our mums really love the fact that this crib can be dismantled for easy transport, while others find it difficult to assemble and then put back together. It isn't easy to clean, so you'll have to wipe it clean regularly with the aid of a cleaner and a cloth.
Stores
A bedside cot that is 6 months old plus is a bassinet-style cot that fixes to the side of your bed for safe co-sleeping. Recommended Reading for feeding your baby at night and calming babies to sleep, and enabling mums who have had C-sections to keep their baby close.
When you are choosing a crib for your bed, it's important to ensure that it complies with current safety standards. Make sure that the bars on the crib are sufficiently far apart to ensure that your child's head isn't becoming trapped. Also, make sure that the drop-down sides are safe and doesn't fall open accidentally. Also, stay clear of any transfer or stickers on the cot's surface since they could be dangerous to choking.
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 great size and has plenty of storage space to store all your baby essentials. It's also compact and light enough to fit in its travel bag if you need to move it from room to room. If you're looking for something less complicated, she recommends Shnuggle Air beside Crib.