Bedside Cot Crib
A bedside cot crib allows you to safely co-sleep with your baby without putting your baby at risk of overheating or death by suffocation. Designed to attach to the sides of your bed, they're especially useful for mothers who find getting out of bed painful.
Emily, a MFM home tester was pleased with the bedside crib to be easy to assemble and liked the mesh windows that allow airflow and visibility of baby. It folds flat and put into bags for travel.
Safety
A bedside crib is a unique crib that is seamlessly connected to the parents' bed to provide a comfortable method for them to take care of their infant at night. The crib lets parents reach their baby easily so they can feed or soothe their child without having to leave the bed, which is useful for new parents who suffer from sleep deprivation in the early months. It promotes healthy growth in the baby by creating an environment that is safe and secure.
A good quality bedside cot crib will have solid connections and an anti-slip design for the bed's foot which reduces the risk of accidents that could result in harm to your baby. They also have to meet safety standards such as BS EN 1130:2019, which helps to ensure your baby is safe and secure when they sleep. Make sure that the mattress you have in your crib is firm and not soft. Also, check for any holes or gaps that could increase your child's risk of suffocation.
Avoid using pillows, duvets or baby bumpers to your baby's crib, except if they were specifically made to be used with a crib. They can be an extremely risk to safety, and may not meet the safety standards. It is also important to ensure that any toys your baby utilizes in the crib are securely secured and does not extend out too far.
Ask other parents for advice in case you are uncertain about a piece of equipment. Also, search for products that are modern and meet the current safety standards instead of ones that were passed down or second-hand. If you're going to buy an older crib, make sure you check it thoroughly for damage and make sure all the parts are there before purchasing it.
A bassinet is a different option. It is like a crib but is usually fixed to your bed. It does not have legs. They are great for babies and are especially beneficial when you're recovering from a C-section as they're a perfect way to keep your baby close and at your side at all times.
Size
Sweet2Sleep's crib for bed allows you to keep your baby close by throughout the night. Perfect for midnight feeds or heartfelt cuddles, as well as check-ups on your comfort while you're cosy in your own bed, this smart crib is loaded with features to help you bond and soothe your newborn. Simply lift or bedside cots uk of the crib with just one hand to soothe and comfort your baby or for secure monitoring of sleep. It features soft rocking functions and an incline feature to aid in relieving symptoms like indigestion and stomach pain.
It has a large storage compartment underneath the crib, which is ideal for blankets and nappies. And it's designed to work with divan beds (check the specifications as some may require straps that are longer) So you don't have to fret about the frame of your bed. One of our mum testers, Gulhan Arapoglu, said it's a good size, sturdy and easy to move from room to room. She also said it's a bit heavier than some cribs for beds but that's due to the extra features such as the rocking mode and the reflux incline.
Firm mattresses are one of the most important things to look for when selecting a crib. Soft mattresses could increase the risk of SIDS, also known as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. A mattress that is firm will be better for your baby's wellbeing, as it is more comfortable and encourages healthy spinal development.
You can buy the crib mattress separately. We recommend that you invest in the best quality mattress to give your baby the best possible rest. Check that the mattress meets British safety regulations and is the correct size for your child.
If you're thinking of buying a bedside crib it's worth doing an extensive search to ensure you're getting the best deal. Utilizing Black Friday sales is a excellent option to save money on these useful cribs. Just remember that it's still best to buy a crib from the manufacturer directly so you can be sure of its quality and that it meets the required safety standards.
Style
A bedside crib is a baby bassinet that can be attached to the side of your bed. These cribs are great to keep your baby close enough that you can reach them easily for evening feedings and help them back to sleep during nap time. They're also a blessing for mothers recovering from c section births, who may struggle to get out of bed to tend to their baby during the night.
There are many different styles to choose from but you should look for the following qualities:
How easy is it to keep it clean? Can it be cleaned by hand or is an easy-to-clean mattress cover essential? What is the size of the mattress and can it be lowered or raised adjusted to accommodate your bed? It is easy to move, but how heavy is it?
Mum test subject Jasmine particularly liked the fact that this crib can swivel, which made it easier to reach in and out of to grab her newborn. She also admired the size of it although she said it's not as large as a standard crib, but is bigger than typical Moses baskets and is a comfortable crib for babies. It is also easy to put together and folds up flat for easy transport. Some mums found it a little heavy, however, and this may be an issue for those with mobility issues.
The Maxi-Cosi Lora is another option to look into. It won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot or Crib. The crib differs from the rest because it doesn't have a drop down panel and instead has an adjustable side that you can lower to allow you to reach your baby. It's not quite as compact as other bedside cribs once dismantled, however it's still mobile and comes with an included travel bag.
Some cribs can be converted into a toddler bed or cot using an expansion kit. This feature can be useful for families who wish to increase their baby's sleeping space beyond the baby stage. However, it's not always necessary.
Budget
The best bedside cribs are ones that sit right next to your bed, so that you can keep an eye on baby and take care of night feeds and nappy changes without having to get out of your own bed. It is easy to fold or zip the sides so you can access them in the dark. They must also be breathable to offer comfort. The majority will have an upholstered bed, which is ideal as you do not want it to be too hard or clumpy.
You must also consider the ease of assemble - some are much more simple than others, and the more complicated models likely costing more. Be sure to consider whether the crib will fit your bed or not. Some cribs may only work with a specific kind of divan base, and this could be a problem if you have a unique bed frame.
The popular Next2me Magic crib is a great option for parents with divan beds, and was shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for The Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. It was well-made and has a high mesh side so you can see the baby's face. bedside cots uk liked it and gave it a thumbs-up. It has a shelf for nappies or blankets, and weighs just 10kg.
The SnuzPod4 is an alternative. It comes in a variety of colors, and our mothers love it. They appreciate the fact that it's slim and elegant, yet still offers ample space for their baby to sleep comfortably. they love the additional features, like an incline option to aid with reflux, as well as the soothing rocking mechanism.
Both of these cribs are sold for PS99 or less, which makes them more affordable than a Moses basket when you're trying to save money on your initial investment. It is important to adhere to the safe sleep guidelines though, and check that the crib you buy conforms to the Lullaby Trust code for safety.