Bedside Cot 6 Months Plus

Bedside sleepers let you keep your baby in the same room as you do without the danger of sharing beds, which comes with an increased risk of being suffocated. They're also a great option for newborns.

Models with adjustable height positions will fit perfectly on all bed frames. Also, look for fabrics with breathable fabric that are easy to clean.

Safety

A bedside cot can be described as an old-fashioned bassinet cot that can be fixed to the bed's side for secure co-sleeping. It can be used to lift your baby toward you to comfort them, feed them or to soothe your baby at night. It's also a great alternative if you've had a c-section. It is different from a Moses Basket or Cot as it has walls that are high so your baby won't escape. cots4tots come with tilting features that help babies with colic and reflux. They're also a bit larger than Moses baskets, which could make them easier to carry from room to room.

The NHS and The Lullaby Trust, a safe sleep charity, recommend that infants be placed in a bassinet or cot that is in the same room as their parents. They should not be in your bed. This is due to bed sharing increasing the risk of suffocation as well as overheating. Bedside cribs offer the best of both worlds, permitting your child to sleep close to you at night, but still in their own private and secure sleeping space.

When selecting a crib that is bedside make sure it is in compliance with the most recent safety standards (it must be BS EN 1130:2019) and doesn't have any gaps or parts that could cause your baby to get trapped. Look for a mattress with an even, firm surface. A soft or sagging mattress could increase your baby's risk of SIDS, so choose for a brand new mattress, rather than second-hand.

Find bedding that is well-fitted and does not have pillows or blankets that are sloppy. Duvets and pillows can suffocate your baby, while pillows can get stuck to their face. It's best to opt for a fitted sheet however, make sure it's fitted correctly.

The SnuzPod4 was rated highly by our MFM mom testers as a crib suitable for use at bedtime. It was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the category of Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib. It attaches securely to the bed and features an adjustable height that allows for the perfect fit. It also has a rocking function and can be set to an incline for reflux. It is also a great option for those with narrow or small beds because it doesn't take up much space.

Design

The design of a crib for the bed is crucial as it is the area where your baby will spend most of their time. A lot of cribs are available in a variety of colors to match your decor and have features like mesh windows that keep baby in view, or sides that drop down that allow you to reach it. Some cribs also have incline features to help with reflux.

Most cribs can also be raised and lowered to fit the height of your bed, making it simple to get into and out of bed at the end of the night. Some cribs can serve as travel cots. This is great for when you travel or visiting family.

Home tester and MFM mom Leya found the SnuzPod 4's stylish Scandi design complemented her bedroom decor and said that its compact fold was perfect to save space. She also liked the fact that one side of the crib can be adjusted to lower, letting her to pick up her child without having to get out of bed. This is particularly helpful in the event that you've had an emergency C-section or are recovering from an Caesarean because it allows you to stay close to your newborn for longer.

Jasmine is another mom who loved using the SnuzPod 4. She commented that it was easy to move the crib from one room to the next and back again - something she didn't discover with other cribs for bed. She did note that the handle was stiff and required quite a bit of effort to raise the crib.

Another crib for bedside that is easy to fold and move is the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, which was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot Crib, Moses Basket. Its slim frame and neutral colors will work well in all bedrooms, though some of our home testers felt the bars were a little too close together, meaning they could get caught on clothing or baby toys. The distance between the bars should not exceed 6.5cm (2.5 inches) to ensure that your baby's head can't become trapped. This is a great crib for reflux babies too, as its ComfortAir breathing technology helps regulate temperature.


Comfort

Keeping your baby close throughout the night will give you peace of mind, however, you need to be in a position to be able to get them quickly for middle-of-the-night feeding. You can do this without having to leave your bed, by having a crib by your bedside. They make it simple to soothe babies to sleep. If you'd like to to lay down with your child but do not want to hassle with getting up every time they need to be fed, a moses-basket can be an ideal option.

The majority of cribs for bedside use can be affixed to the side of your bed, allowing you to see and get to your baby easily. They often have a mesh window which allows you to observe your baby without disturbing them. You can also find an option for reflux that aids with colic and reflux.

The crib is loaded with a variety of options, but we're particularly amazed by the ComfortAir air-tight Mattress that regulates your baby's body temperature and increases airflow. It's a little smaller than some other cribs for bedside use and can be useful where space is limited. Our mum testers agree that this is an excellent option for those long, sleepless nights.

The cot is securely attached to the side of the bed by means of adjustable straps. This reduces the possibility of gaps in which your child could become trapped. It also comes with a firm flat mattress that is in line with safety standards and promotes safe sleep habits.

It is important to be aware that your baby will start to climb out of their crib when they're standing up, which is usually around six months. It's important that you place your child in a cot, or another sleeping arrangement after they've outgrown their crib.

A lightweight cot that is suitable for travel is an additional aspect to consider. Some of our mothers are thrilled that this crib is able to be disassembled to transport it, but others aren't able to put it together. It's also a challenge to keep clean and therefore you'll have to regularly wipe it down with a cloth and a cleaning product.

Storage

A bedside cot for 6 months and up is a bassinet-style bed that can be attached to the side of your mattress to allow safe co-sleeping. These are great for calming babies to sleep, for night feedings, and for mothers who had a csection to keep their baby close.

It's important that you choose a crib that meets the latest safety standards. Check that the bars on the crib are positioned sufficiently apart to keep your child's head from becoming trapped. Also, make sure that the drop-down side is safe and doesn't fall open accidentally. Avoid placing stickers or transfers onto the surface of the cot since they could be a choking risk.

Emily's preferred bedside cot for her baby is the Next2me Magic. It was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the categories of Best Crib or Cot and the Best Moses Basket. It's a good size and offers plenty of storage space for everything your baby needs. It's also compact and light enough to fit in its travel bag if you need to transport it from room to room. If you're looking for something a little easier, she suggests the Shnuggle Air next to the crib.