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 to feed them at night or soothe them to sleep. They're particularly useful for mothers recovering from c-section births.
Our parent testers have praised the SnuzPod 4 for its many features. It has a reflux incline and soothing centre, with an amber nightlight as well as floorlights with two vibration levels. It's also lightweight and can be moved easily from one room to another.
Safety
A bedside crib (also called a co-sleeper or baby bassinet) allows your child to sleep close to 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 essential to follow the manufacturer's guidelines for weight limits and that the mattress of your child fits comfortably. If there are gaps this could increase the risk of getting trapped, which is a serious hazard. It is also crucial to keep blankets, pillows and toys out of the crib.
Find cribs that have a mesh side panel which your child can see through, as well as a firm, flat, breathable mattress. The slats should be no larger than 2 3/8 inches apart and the headboard should not be higher than the footboard. This will stop your child from getting out of the crib. Many models come with a built-in changer, shelves for storing diapers and wipes as well as music, rockers, and night lights. These are all great features, but your baby should stay in the crib until they can stand up or sit. This is usually about 6 months old.
It's also important to pick a crib that doesn't have corner posts as they can be dangerous to your baby because they create spaces where their head or limbs could be entangled. Take care to remove the posts from your crib in order to avoid your child from getting entangled with their toys or clothes. Keep the crib clear of window blind cords and drape cords, as your child might get caught in them and fall or strangle.
If you're using an old cot, ensure that it is still safe to use. It should not have rough surfaces holes, peeling paint or holes, and it should be solid and in good condition with no loose components. It is also crucial to make sure that the cot has been stripped down and repainted, since the cots manufactured prior to 1973 may have leaded paint on them, which can be toxic for babies.
Ease of Use
A bedside crib, also referred to as a cot or bassinet, is designed to be placed close to the mattress of a parent's. This lets babies sleep with their parents, without the dangers of co-sleeping. These are an excellent option for parents who have a hard time getting out of bed to feed their baby or to comfort them during the night, especially after a difficult delivery. Some also double up as a Moses basket or a carrycot for infants to offer secure and flexible sleeping arrangements away from the crib.
Bedside cribs attach securely to the side of the parent's bed by straps that secure them, and some include the ability to swivel their base and adjust height settings that can be used with different beds. Some have mesh sides to improve airflow and visibility. Some models have a side that can be moved up or down to give parents direct access to their child. This is helpful to feed your baby at night and is a great comforter.
Some cribs are tiltable at one end, which encourages a more natural sleep position for babies with reflux or colic. However it should be done with extreme caution and only with the guidance of a healthcare professional.
MFM home test Jasmine was impressed by the size of this crib It's "it's much larger than most Moses baskets, and it feels sturdy and robust - a bit like an investment piece, but not so expensive that it's impossible to afford." She also liked how easy it was to use, especially its swivel base, saying: "You can just spin it around to reach over when you want to check on baby -- and when you want to go back to bed you just pull it back up again."
Another thing she was impressed with was the ease with which it was to shut and open the door from outside, especially when you're tired and drowsy in the darkness. She also appreciated the amount of space was available in the crib to store blankets, nappies and other essentials. She also liked that the mattress was comfortable and was a decent size in comparison to other cribs for bedside we've tried. She added: "Plus, the sheets are washable, which is a huge plus when you're exhausted after a feed!".
Portability
One of the most appealing aspects about a bedside crib is that it can be positioned close to the bed of the parent and makes it simple to reach baby during the night to nurse or comfort. It also helps prevent baby falling over, which can sometimes cause death. A good quality crib should have sides that can be easily opened, which makes it simple for bleary-eyed parents in the middle of the night, and a mesh window so you can keep an eye on your baby.
The SnuzPod 4 is a popular choice due to its sleek Scandi design and a reasonable price. It comes in a range of colors, including gender neutral grey and wood effect, and is designed to be compatible with divan beds, although you may need to buy longer straps to ensure it is compatible with your mattress. Its open side panel as well as the anti-reflux incline, and the adjustable mattress heights are all easy to use, even for bleary-eyed new parents.
It's heavier than some of the other crib options, and it doesn't fold completely flat, but it's still a good size to fit in its handy carry bag for travelling. Moms on the BabyCentre forums noted that it was easy to set up, thanks to its simple instructions and easy to use mechanism. However, she points out that the fabric is prone to creasing when it's being pulled out of its bag to travel.
You can also opt for the Joie Roomie Glide. It is a crib for babies that can be placed on the bed equipped with wheels, which makes it easier to maneuver. It also folds completely flat. It is a little more expensive than the SnuzPod but it has a few extra features, such as a storage shelf, six different height adjustments, and an option to reflux inclined. It comes with a mesh window that zips up for easy cleaning, and a durable mattress that is breathable. Some mothers thought it was a little deeper, however. It comes with a carry bag that is helpful to keep it dust-free and clean in storage between uses.
Style
A bedside crib is known as a "co-sleeper" and is designed to be placed close to your bed. It lets you see your baby and reach them during the night. This is helpful for feeding at night and changing the nappy. This makes it a great choice for parents who want to keep their baby close but don't want to risk the dangers of sharing a room with a child (such as suffocation or overheating). It's also a great choice for couples who don't share a bedroom with their child.
There are many different styles available. Some models come with an upper and lower panel that can be adjusted to lower. This allows you to see and touch your child at night, but it also prevents accidental sharing of beds. Others have a pop-up design that lowers to let you lift your baby out but then raises automatically.
You'll also need to consider the size of your bed and the width or how narrow you want your crib to be. Some cribs are smaller and compact which is essential in case you are restricted by space in your home. Some are larger and more durable, which is great for older babies who might be beginning to roll over or pull themselves up in the night.
Look for a crib that is easy to clean, and has mesh windows and breathable fabric which can aid in ventilation. Some have a removable mattress that can be washed in the machine and is fitted with a sheet that is easier to clean than a standard cot mattress. Some also have an anti-reflux incline feature, which can be useful for reflux sufferers.
cot bedside and most practical choices are those that secure securely to the bed of your parents, either using straps or a locking mechanism that keeps it in place when in use. Some cribs have adjustable legs that can work with a range of different bed heights, which could be useful if you have a divan or other unusually-shaped bed. It is also possible to consider a crib with an adjustable 4th wall that can be used for playpen or a babysitter during the day.