Bedside Crib Or Co-Sleeper
In essence, a bedside crib is a bassinet-style cot that fixes to your bed and lets you be close to your baby during evening feedings or to help calm them to sleep. They're especially handy for mums recovering from C-section births.
Our parent testers praised the SnuzPod 4, which has lots of technical features for busy new parents including an incline setting for reflux and a soothing centre with amber nightlight and floorlight with 2 vibration levels. It's also light and easily moves from room to room.
Safety
A bedside crib, also referred to as cosleeper (or baby bassinet) allows your baby to sleep next to you during the night in their crib. This protects them from overheating and SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Follow the instructions of the manufacturer for weight limits, and ensure that your child's crib is a good fit. It is essential to keep gaps out of the way as they increase the chance of being entangled. This is a major risk. It is also important to keep pillows, blankets, and toys away from the crib.
Choose cribs that have a mesh side panel which your child can see through, and a sturdy air-conditioned, flat, and comfortable mattress. The slats should be no more than 2 3/8 inches apart and the headboard should not be higher than the footboard. This will stop your child from climbing out of the crib. Many models also feature an integrated changing table, shelves to store diapers and wipes, rockers, night lights and music. These are all wonderful features, but your baby should remain in the crib until they can sit up or stand. This is usually around 6 months.
It's also important to pick a crib without corner posts, as these could pose a risk to your baby's health because they create spaces where their head or limbs might be trapped. If bedside crib and cot have a crib that has these, consider removing them to avoid your child getting caught in their clothes or toys. Keep the crib clear of window blind cords and drape cords since your baby could get caught and fall or strangle.
If you're using a second-hand cot, make sure it is still safe to use. It shouldn't have rough surfaces, holes or peeling paint and must be solid and well-maintained with no loose parts. It is also essential to verify that the cot was taken down and repainted. Cots manufactured prior to 1973 may have contained leaded paint, which can be harmful to babies.
Easy to Use
A bedside crib, also referred to as a cot or bassinet is designed to be positioned next to a parent's mattress. This lets newborns sleep near their parents without the dangers of co-sleeping. These are a great option for parents who have a difficult time getting out of the bed to feed their infant or to comfort them during the night, particularly after a difficult delivery. Some can also serve as an infant Moses Basket or a baby carrycot to give infants a more flexible and secure sleeping option away from the crib.
Bedside cribs fasten securely to the the parent's bed using a secure strap, and some include a swivel base and adjustable height settings to fit different beds. Some have mesh sides for improved airflow and visibility, too. Some have a drop-down feature that can be lowered or removed to allow direct access to the baby from the bed of the parent and helps with nighttime feeding and comforting.
Some cribs tilt at one end, allowing the most natural sleeping position for babies suffering from reflux or colic. However it should be done with extreme care and only under the advice of a health 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 solid and sturdy It's almost like an investment piece, but not so expensive that it's not affordable." She also appreciated how easy it was to use, particularly its swivel base, saying: "You can just spin it around to reach over when you want to check on your baby- and when you want to go back to sleep, you can simply pull it up again."
She also liked how easy it was to open and close the door, even if she was exhausted at night. She also appreciated the amount of space within the crib to store nappies, blankets and other essentials. She also appreciated that the mattress was comfortable and was a good size in comparison to some of the other cribs we've tested. She added: "Plus, the sheets can be washed easily - which is a major plus in the event that you're exhausted from every meal!".
Portability
One of the best things about a bedside crib is that it can be positioned near the bed of the parent, making it easy to reach the baby at night to nurse or comfort. It also can help to keep the baby from rolling over and suffocating. A crib that is of good quality should have sides that can be easily accessible, making it easy for parents who are tired in the middle of the night, and also a mesh window that lets you monitor your child.
The SnuzPod 4 is popular because of its sleek, modern design and low cost. 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 may need to buy longer straps to ensure it is compatible with your mattress. Its open side panel, anti-reflux incline and adjustable mattress heights are all easy to operate, even for bleary-eyed new parents.
It's a bit bulkier than other cribs, and it doesn't fold down completely flat, but it's still an ideal size to fit in its handy carry bag for travelling. Mum on the BabyCentre forums says that it's a breeze to set up, with clear instructions and easy-to-use mechanisms. However, she notes that the fabric is susceptible to creasing when it's being taken out of its bag for travel.
You can also opt for the Joie Roomie Glide. It is a crib that is placed at the bedside with wheels, making it easier to maneuver. It also folds completely flat. It's a bit more expensive than the SnuzPod but it has a few extra features, like a storage shelf, six different height adjustments, and an option to reflux inclined. It has a mesh window which zips up for easy cleaning, and a sturdy mattress that is breathable. Some mums found it a bit smaller, but. It comes with a carry bag that is handy for keeping the mattress clean and dust free in storage.
Style
A bedside crib can also be called a "co-sleeper" and is designed to fit close to your bed. It allows you to be able to see and touch your baby during the night, which helps with feeding your baby at night and changing nappy. This is ideal for parents who want to keep their child close but don't want to take on the dangers of sharing a room with a child (such as suffocation or overheating). It's also a good option for couples who do not share a bedroom with their child.
There are many different styles to choose from. Some models have a side panel which can be adjusted to lower. This allows you to see and touch your child at night, but also prevents the accidental sharing of beds. Others have a pop-up design that lowers to allow you to lift your baby out and then raises automatically.
You'll also need to consider the dimensions of your bed as well as the width or how narrow you would like your crib to be. Some are slimmer and more compact than others, which can be important if space is restricted in your home. Some are larger and more durable, which is perfect for older children who may be beginning to roll over or slouch in the night.
Pick a crib that is breathable fabric, mesh windows and easy-to-clean surfaces. Some have a removable mattress that is machine washable and fitted with a sheet, which is easier to keep clean than a standard crib mattress. Some also have an anti-reflux incline option, which can be useful for people suffering from reflux.
The most secure and safest are cribs that can be securely attached to the bed of the parents, either with straps or a locking system that holds it in place even when it is not in use. Some cribs have adjustable legs that can be used with different bed heights. This is helpful if you have an unusually shape bed or a divan. Other features you could consider include a detachable 4th wall that can be used as an infant sitter or play pen during the day, and a removable changing tray.