10 No-Fuss Methods For Figuring Out Your Bedside Crib Or Cot

Bedside Crib Or Co-Sleeper

Essentially, a bedside crib is a cot that resembles a bassinet that fixes to your bed and allows you to reach your baby for night feedings or to calm them back to sleep. They're especially handy for mums recovering from c-section births.

Our parents who tested it praised the SnuzPod 4, with numerous technical features that are ideal for parents who are busy, including an incline setting for reflux and a calm centre with amber light for the night and floor with 2 vibration levels. It's also lightweight and can easily be moved from room to room.

Safety

A bedside crib, also referred to as a cosleeper (or baby bassinet) lets your child to sleep with you at night in their crib. This helps to protect them from overheating and SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Follow  bedside baby sleeper  of the manufacturer for weight limits, and make sure that your child's bed is snugly fitted. If there are gaps they could increase the chance of getting trapped, which is a serious hazard. It is also crucial to keep pillows, blankets, and toys away from the crib.

Look for a crib with an open side panel that you can see your child 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 must 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 for storing wipes and diapers as well as rockers, music, and night lights. These are all great features however, your baby should remain in the crib until they are able to stand up or sit. This usually occurs around 6 months.

It's also essential to select a crib that does not have corner posts, since they can pose a danger to your baby's safety by creating spaces where their head or limbs could get trapped. Take care to remove these posts from your crib to prevent your child from getting entangled with their toys or clothes. Keep the crib away form drape cords as your baby might get caught in them and fall or strangle.

If you're using a secondhand cot, make sure it is still safe to use. It should not have rough surfaces, holes or peeling paint and must be solid and well-maintained with no loose parts. It is also important to ensure that the cot was stripped down and painted. Cots that were made prior to 1973 may have had leaded paint, which could be toxic for babies.

Easy to Use

A bedside crib, also referred to as a bassinet or cot is designed to be placed close to the mattress of a parent's. This lets newborns rest with their parents without the dangers of co-sleeping. They are a great choice for parents who have a difficult time getting out of the bed to feed their infant or comfort them at night, especially after a difficult delivery. Some are also used as a Moses Basket or a baby carrycot to give infants an easier and safer sleeping space away from the crib.

Bedside cribs attach securely to the the parent's bed by a secure strap and some come with a swivel base and adjustable height settings to fit various types of beds. Many cribs have mesh sides to increase airflow and visibility. Some have a drop-down feature that lowers or removes to allow direct access to the baby from the parent's bed, which helps in feeding at night and comforting.

Some cribs can be tilted at one end to encourage a more natural sleeping position that's safer for babies with reflux, colic, and other digestive issues. This is only done under the guidance of a medical professional and extreme caution.

MFM home test Jasmine loved the crib's size - "it is a lot bigger than most Moses baskets and feels solid and sturdy - almost like an investment piece but not too costly to be out of reach." Jasmine also appreciated its ease of use particularly its swivel base she said: "You just spin it around if you need to reach over to look over your babyand then, when you want go back to sleep, you just pull it again."

She also liked how simple it was to shut and open the door, even if she was exhausted at late at night. She also appreciated the space was available inside the crib for stashing nappies, blankets and other necessities. She also liked that the mattress was comfortable and that it was a decent size compared to other cribs that we've tested. She added: "Plus, the sheets can be washed easily - which is a major plus when you're exhausted after a feed!".

Portability

One of the great things about a crib for bed is that it can be placed right next to the parents' bed, making it easy to reach baby at night for feeding or to comfort. It can also help stop the baby from rolling over and becoming suffocated. A good quality crib must have sides that are open, making it simple for bleary-eyed parents at the end of the night, and a mesh window so you can monitor your child.

The SnuzPod 4 is a popular choice, with its stylish Scandi design and great price tag. It comes in a variety of colours including gender neutral gray and wood effect. It is designed to fit divan beds. However, you may require longer straps in order to match your mattress. The opening side panel as well as the anti-reflux incline and adjustable mattress heights make it simple to use even for the new parents.

It's a bit larger than other cribs and isn't able to fold flat. But it's nevertheless a decent size to fit in its convenient carry bag when travelling. The mother on the BabyCentre forums said it was easy to set up, thanks to its simple instructions and easy to use mechanism. However, she warns that the fabric is susceptible to creasing when taken out of its travel bag.

Alternatively, you could choose the Joie Roomie Glide, which is a bedside crib with wheels that means it's easier to manoeuvre, and it folds down completely flat. It's a bit more expensive than the SnuzPod however, it has several additional features that may appeal, including a storage shelf, six different height adjustments and an optional reflux incline. It also comes with a zip-up mesh window that makes it easy to clean and a breathable, sturdy mattress, although some mums found it a little shallower than other options. It comes with a carry bag which is great for keeping it dust-free and clean in storage between uses.

Style

A bedside crib is also known as 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 feedings at night and changing nappy. It is ideal for parents that want to keep their children close but do not want to risk suffocation or overheating. It's also a great option for couples who don't share bedrooms with their child.

There are many different styles to choose from. Some models feature an upper and lower panel that can be lowered. This allows you to see and touch your child throughout the night, but also prevents accidental sharing of beds. Some have a pop-up design that lowers to let you lift your baby out but then raises automatically.

It is also important to consider the dimensions of your bed and how wide or narrow you want your crib to be. Some cribs are smaller and more compact than others, which could be crucial if space is restricted in your home. Some are larger and more robust, which is ideal for older children who may be starting to roll over or slouch in the night.

Find a crib that is easy to clean, and has mesh windows and breathable fabric that can help with ventilation. Some cribs have mattresses that are removable, and can be machine-washed and is fitted with a mattress. This makes it much easier to clean than a standard crib mattress. Some come with an anti-reflux option that could be beneficial to those suffering from reflux.

The most secure and practical options are those that fasten securely to the bed of your parents with straps or a locking mechanism that keeps it in place even when not in use. Some cribs have adjustable legs to accommodate different bed heights, which is useful for those with an unusually-shaped divan or bed. You may also think about a crib that has a removable 4th wall that can be used for a playpen or as a babysitter during the day.