Bedside Crib Vs Cot

A bedside crib (also known as co-sleeper) allows your baby to rest close to you during the night. It is essential to adhere to the official safe sleeping guidelines from the NHS and Lullaby Trust.


Our mum testers love the SnuzPod's breastfeeding-friendly drop side, 30-second open and fold mechanism and reflux incline function. Plus, its slim frame makes it easy to move from room room.

Safety

Bedside cribs are a great alternative for families who co-sleep. However, NHS Safe Sleep advice suggests parents use a separate sleeping surface for their baby and avoid sharing a bed to minimize the risk of overheating, suffocation and rollovers.

When selecting a bedside crib, it is important to ensure that the crib is compliant with European safety standards and conforms to Lullaby Trust codes for safe sleep, to ensure your baby is in a secure and safe environment. Bedside cribs that have adjustable height settings can be matched to the bed frame of the parent and reduce the risk of gaps where babies could become trapped. The cribs come with an even, firm mattress designed to promote healthy sleep habits.

The majority of cribs with a bedside panel that can be lowered to allow you to safely see your baby during the night. This means that you can comfortably provide them with food, comfort them and monitor them without getting out of bed. This can be especially helpful for mothers who are recovering from c-section births or those who have limited mobility. Some models, like the SnuzPod4, even offer an incline feature for reflux babies with reflux or digestive issues.

A panel that is lower will lower the risk of your baby falling over the edge of the bed. Many of these panels have mesh sides that stop pillows and duvets from falling into the crib. This is essential in reducing the risk of SIDS. Babies who roll off their backs are more likely to suffocate.

Be sure to keep soft toys and dummies away as they can be suffocation risks. A breathable crib mattress and regular checks for gaps or loose bedding are vital to keep your baby secure. When your baby is able to sit or stand, usually at the age of 6 months, they will need to move to a cot or other suitable sleeping arrangement. If you have any concerns about this transition, talk to your GP or a health visitor.

Comfort

The best cribs for bedside use provide a secure and comfortable environment to sleep your baby. They are designed to be placed beside your bed so you can take care of your child without leaving your bed. This will give you the chance to connect with your baby during the early years. This sense of security will help establish a positive bedtime routine and enhance your baby's overall sleep quality.

bedside crib or cot www.cots4tots.co.uk should be kept in a crib beside the bed until they reach 6 months old or are able to stand by themselves. At that point, you should switch them to a traditional cot. Bedside cribs are able to accommodate your child until this age, but you should check the product guidelines.

When choosing a bedside cot, ensure that it meets EN 1130 safety standards. It must also be compatible with your current bed (most attach to standard bed frames, but you should always double check the exact dimensions). It is crucial that the mattress of your crib is flat, firm and breathable. This is essential for your baby's health.

The Chicco Next2me side sleeping crib is a popular choice among our mum testers. It features a height-adjustable base that can be used as a stand-alone crib or attached to a bed. The crib is light, easy to assemble and provides great value for money. Silvercross Voyager is another of our favourites. Our test subjects are awestruck by its flexibility, breathable mattresses and the reflux incline feature.

Space

A bedside crib is a sleeping space that is secured to the side of your own bed, allowing you to keep your baby close throughout the night without any risk of co-sleeping (which is not recommended by the Lullaby Trust and NHS). They've been gaining popularity with mums looking for a way to bond with their infant while staying safe.

Some have a lowering panel that allows secure viewing and touch of your baby. Others allow you to keep the panel down during the night and allow you to feed and monitor your child with no fuss. Some models also have an incline feature for reflux, which was loved by many of our test subjects for reducing discomfort and aiding digestion for babies with reflux or wind.

Many bedside cribs also come with adjustable height settings which allows you to put them at the same level as your mattress. This eliminates any gaps that could allow the baby to slip or climb out. This is an important benefit for those recovering from C-sections, as it can be hard to get in and out of bed as your body heals.

The lowered sides also offer some privacy, which makes them perfect for new parents who are concerned about sharing a space with their infant. But, it's important to note that if you decide to sleep with your baby in a bedside crib or the cot, it's still a good practice to adhere to the guidelines for safe sleeping and avoid sharing your bed.

You'll also need to ensure that the bedside crib is compatible with your bed frame before buying some that clip onto bedsteads while others work better with divan beds. Don't forget to get a suitable mattress for your new crib, which is typically sold separately to the crib itself and should be in line with the most recent BS EN 1130:2019 safety requirements.

Some cribs that are bedside can be converted into toddler beds, which can provide the longevity of parents who don't want to buy an additional cot for their older child. The SnuzPod4 is one such example, with an elegant, slim frame that can be easily tucked into the corner of your bedroom and offers plenty of room for your child to rest comfortably. It is also easy to put together, and comes with a handy bag for travel.

Convenience

A crib that is placed near the bed makes it easy to lift your child out of bed to feed them, cuddle them and soothe them back to sleep. Many cribs have a side panel which can be adjusted to allow you to talk and touch your baby without disturbing them. Some cribs keep the side panel open all the time. This is ideal for parents recovering from C-sections and want to keep their child close.

Some cribs come with tilt options, which can help with colic and reflux. It's important to note that tilting the crib must be done with care and only by a person who knows their baby's medical history and their needs.

Think about how easy it is to clean your crib and whether you can machine wash it or if you will need to wash it manually. Some cribs are equipped with waterproof covers that protect against leaky diapers, baby sickness, and dribbles. Some cribs also come with a storage bag, making them ideal to travel with if you want to take your baby with you.

Also, you should consider how heavy the crib is and is it easy to move from room to room. Jasmine the 2021 Mother & Baby Awards mum test subject, described the Red Kite Cozysleep beside the crib as "just right size and light enough to easily move around the house." It also can be folded flat and comes with a travel bag for trips to the grandparents."

If you're considering purchasing a crib for your bed we suggest you read our complete reviews and ratings of the best cribs on the market to ensure that you buy the ideal crib for your baby and your life style. Keep in mind that a crib can appear beautiful and elegant, but your baby will soon outgrow it. You'll need to get your baby into an cot before they grow out of the crib.