Bedside Crib Or Co-Sleeper
A bedside crib is a bassinet-style cot that attaches to your bed. It allows you to reach your baby's side to feed them at night or soothe them to sleep. They are particularly useful for mothers recovering from c-section births.
Our parent testers praised the SnuzPod 4, which has many technical features for busy new parents including a reflux incline setting and calm centre with amber nightlight and floorlight with two levels of vibration. It's also light and easily moves from room to room.
Safety
A bedside crib, also known as a cosleeper (or baby bassinet), allows your infant to sleep with you at night in their crib. This keeps them safe from overheating or SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). You should follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer regarding weight limits, and make sure that your child's bed is snugly fitted. It is important to avoid gaps as they increase the chance of being entangled. This is a major risk. It is also crucial to keep blankets, pillows and toys out of the crib.
Choose a crib that has an open side panel that which your child can see through, and a sturdy, flat, breathable mattress. The slats shouldn't be wider than 2 3/8 inch apart and the headboard should not be higher than the footboard. This will prevent your child from getting out of the crib. A lot of cribs come with a built-in changer, shelves to store diapers and wipes as well as music, rockers, and night lights. These are fantastic features to have, but remember that your baby should stay in their own crib until they are able to stand or sit at the age of 6 months old, at which point they're able to sleep in a different crib.
It's also important to pick a crib that does not have corner posts, since they can be dangerous to your baby's health by creating areas where their limbs or heads could get trapped. You should consider removing these posts from your crib in order to avoid your child from becoming entangled with their toys or clothing. Keep the crib away form window blind cords and drape cords as your baby may become entangled and fall or strangle.
If you're using a secondhand cot, ensure that it's safe to use. It should be in good condition and sturdy, with no loose pieces. It shouldn't have rough surfaces or holes. It is also important to ensure that the cot was stripped down and repainted. Cots manufactured prior to 1973 could have had lead paint, which could be harmful to babies.
Ease of Use
A bedside crib, also known as a bassinet or cot is designed to be set on top of the parent's mattress. This allows newborns to sleep near their parents without the dangers of co-sleeping. They're a great option for parents who find it difficult to get up to feed their children and comforting, particularly in the event of a difficult birth. They are also used as an infant Moses Basket or infant carrycot to offer a more flexible and secure sleeping option away from the crib.
Bedside cribs attach securely to the side of the parent's bed by straps that secure them and some come with the ability to swivel their base and adjust height settings that can be used with different types of beds. Many have mesh sides to improve visibility and airflow, too. Some models have a side that can be lowered or removed to give parents direct access to their child. This is useful for feeding at night and calming.
Some cribs can be tilted at one end, which can encourage the most natural sleeping position for babies with reflux or colic. However it is recommended to use this method with extreme care and only under the advice of a medical professional.
MFM home tester Jasmine was impressed by the size of the crib - "it's a lot bigger than the majority of Moses baskets, and feels sturdy and robust it's a bit like an investment piece, but not so costly that it's unaffordable." She also appreciated how easy it was to use, especially its base that swivels, and she said: "You can just spin it around to reach over when you want to check on babyand when you're ready to go back to bed you can simply pull it up."
She also liked how simple it was to shut and open the door, even if she was tired at the end of the night. Get More Information appreciated the amount of space was available within the crib to store nappies, blankets and other necessities. She also liked that the mattress was comfortable and a good size compared to other cribs we tested. She added: "Plus the sheets are easily machine washable, which is a major bonus when you're exhausted from every feed!"
Portability
A bedside crib can be placed right beside the bed of a parent. This makes it easy for parents to reach their baby in the night to soothe or breastfeed. It also helps prevent baby falling over, which can often lead to suffocation. A good quality crib should have sides that can be easily opened, which makes it simple for bleary-eyed parents during the night, as well as a mesh window that lets you monitor your baby.
The SnuzPod 4 is a popular choice, with its sleek design in Scandi and a reasonable price. It comes in a range of colors, including gender neutral grey and wood effect, and is specifically designed to work with divan beds, however you might require longer straps to ensure it is compatible with your mattress. The side panel that opens, anti reflux incline, and adjustable mattress heights make it simple to use even for parents who are new.
It's a little bulkier than other cribs, and it isn't able to fold flat. But it's still large enough to fit in its handy bag for transport when traveling. Moms on the BabyCentre forums commented that it was easy to set up with its clear instructions and simple mechanism. She also points out that the fabric can wrinkle when it is taken out of the bag for travel.
You can also opt for the Joie Roomie Glide, which is a bedside cot with wheels, which makes it more maneuverable and folds completely flat. It's a bit more expensive than the SnuzPod but has some additional features, including a storage shelf, six different height adjustments, and an optional reflux inclined. It also has a zipper-up mesh window for easy cleaning and a durable, breathable mattress, although some mums were a bit disappointed that it was a bit smaller than other models. It comes with a bag for carrying, which is useful for keeping it dust-free and clean in storage between uses.
Style
A bedside crib, also known as a co-sleeper, is designed to fit by your bed. It allows you to view and reach your baby throughout the night, which can help with night feeds and nappy changes. This makes it ideal for parents who want to keep their baby close, but don't want to take on the dangers of bed-sharing (such as suffocation and overheating). It's also a great option for couples who do not share a bedroom with their child.
There are many different styles to choose from. Some models come with a side panel which can be removed. This allows you to be able to see and touch your child throughout the night, but prevents the accidental sharing of beds. Some pop-ups lower to let the baby to be lifted off the bed, but then automatically raise again.
You'll also have to think about the dimensions of your bed as well as the width or how narrow you want your crib to be. Some cribs are smaller and more compact than others, which could be important if space is limited in your home. Some are bigger and more durable, which is great for older children who may be beginning to roll over or get up at night.
Choose a crib that is easy to clean, and has breathable fabric and mesh windows that allow for ventilation. twin bedside cot have a removable mattress that can be washed in the machine and is fitted with a sheet that is easier to clean than the standard mattress for a cot. Some also come with an anti-reflux incline feature, which can be useful for people suffering from reflux.
Safest and most convenient are cribs that can be attached securely to the bed of the parents by straps or a locking mechanism that keeps it in place when not in use. Some cribs have adjustable legs that work with a range of different bed heights. This is useful for those with a divan or another unusually-shaped bed. Other features you could look at include a detachable 4th wall, which can be used as a play pen or babysitter during the day, and a removable changing tray.