Bedside Cot 6 Months Plus
Bedside sleepers let you have your baby in the same space with you, without the risks of bed-sharing. They're a great choice for infants.
Models with adjustable height settings will fit perfectly on all bed frames. Also, look for breathable fabrics that are easy to clean.
Safety
A bedside cot is described as a bassinet that is attached to the bed's side for safe sleeping. It can be used to pull your baby toward you for comfort, feeding or to help soothe them at night. It's also an excellent alternative if you've have had a c section. It's different from a Moses basket or cot due to the fact that it has high sides, so your baby can't fall out. Some models have tilting features that help babies with colic or reflux. They are also a bit larger than Moses baskets, which makes them easier to move from room to room.
bedside cots uk and The Lullaby Trust, a safe sleep charity, recommend that newborns be kept in a bassinet or cot in same room as their parents. They should not be in your bed. Sharing a bed increases the risk of suffocation or overheating. Bedside cribs allow your baby to sleep close to you but in a secure and private 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 has no gaps or parts that could cause your baby to become trapped. Also, look for a mattress that is firm and flat. A sagging mattress or one that is too soft could increase the risk of SIDS for your child.
Find bedding that is well-fitted and does not have loose blankets or pillowcases. Duvets and pillows can suffocate your baby, and pillows can get stuck to their faces. Use a fitted sheet, but make sure that it is fitted correctly.
Our MFM mum testers have found that the SnuzPod4 is a great option for a crib that is positioned near the bed, selected for 2021's Mother&Baby Awards in the best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category. It attaches securely to the bed and comes with an adjustable height setting for an ideal fit. It also comes with a rocking function and can be set to an incline to prevent reflux. It's a good choice for people with narrow or small beds because it doesn't take up too much room.
Design
The design of a crib for the bed is crucial as it will be the place where your child will spend most of their time. Many cribs come in a variety of colors to match your decor and have features like mesh windows that keep baby in view, or drop-down sides that allow for easier access. Some cribs come with incline features to help with reflux.
You can adjust the height of the majority of cribs to your bed height which makes it easier to get into and out of the bed. Some cribs can also be used as travel cots. This is great for when you travel or visiting family.
Leya Leya, an MFM mum and home tester, discovered that the SnuzPod 4 was a great fit for her bedroom decor. She also appreciated its compact fold, which helped save space. She also liked the fact that the crib's one side can be lowered, allowing her to pick up her child without having to get out of bed. This is especially beneficial in the event that you've had a C-section or are recovering from a Caesarean which allows you to stay close to your baby for longer.
Another mom who loved using the SnuzPod 4 was Jasmine who said that it was easy to move from room to room, something she didn't find with some of the other cribs for bedside that she tried. However, she did notice that the handle was stiff and it took a lot of effort to raise the crib.
Another crib that's easy to fold and move is the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, which was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards as the Best Cot Crib, Moses Basket. The neutral colors and slim frame are perfect for most bedrooms. However some of our testers found that the bars were too close to each other. This could cause them to get caught on baby toys or clothing. The distance between bars should be no more than 6.5cm (2.5 inches) to ensure that your baby's head doesn't get caught in. This crib is ideal for babies with reflux too because its ComfortAir breathable technology helps regulate temperature.
Comfort
A close and secure baby throughout the night will give you peace of mind, but you should be in a position to be able to get them quickly for middle-of-the-night feeding. With a crib that is placed near the bed it is possible to do this easily without getting out of bed. They also make it easy to calm babies back to sleep. If you want to be able to sleep with your child but do not want to hassle with getting up every time they're fed, a moses-basket can be a good alternative.
Most bedside cribs are connected to the bedside so you are able to easily be able to see and reach your baby. They often have a mesh window which allows you to observe your baby without disturbing them. There is also an option to treat reflux that can help with reflux and colic.
We're awestruck by the variety of features included in this crib, particularly the ComfortAir air-tight mattress that helps to regulate your baby's temperature and maximize airflow. It's smaller than other bedside cribs which can be beneficial in areas that are limited in space. However, our mum testers agree that it's still an excellent choice for those long sleeps.
The cot securely attaches to the bed's side with adjustable straps, which reduces the risk of gaps that your child may get caught. It also comes with a firm flat mattress that is in line with safety standards and promotes safe sleep habits.
You should be aware that your baby will begin to climb out of their crib when they are able to sit upright, which is usually about six months old. This is why it's important to put them in a cot or other sleeping arrangement once they outgrow the crib.
A lightweight cot that is suitable for travel is another feature to consider. Some of our mums really enjoy the fact that the crib can be taken apart to make it easy to transport, whereas others find it difficult to assemble and then reassemble. It isn't easy to clean so you will have to wipe it clean frequently using the aid of a cleaner and a cloth.
Storage
A bedside cot 6 months plus is an upholstered bassinet cot that can be fixed to the side of your bed to ensure safe co-sleeping. They are ideal for calming babies to sleep, allowing night feedings and allowing mums who had a csection to keep their baby close.
It's crucial to choose cribs that are in line with the current safety standards. Verify that the bars are enough apart to avoid your baby's head becoming stuck, and make sure any drop-down sides are secure and don't open unexpectedly. Also, beware of any stickers or transfers on the cot surface as they could be dangerous to choking.
Emily's top choice for a bedside cot is the Next2me Magic, which was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It's a decent size and offers plenty of storage space to store everything your baby needs. It's also compact and light enough to fit in a travel bag if you need to transport it from room to room. If you're seeking something a bit simpler, she recommends the Shnuggle Air beside crib.