Bedside Cot 6 Months Plus
Bedside sleepers let you keep your baby in the same room as you, without the risks of bed-sharing. They're a great choice for infants.
Find models with an adjustable height position that will fit perfectly on the majority of bed frames. Also, look for fabrics with breathable fabric that are easy to clean.
Safety
A bedside cot is a bassinet-style cot that fixes to the side of your bed to ensure secure co-sleeping. You can use it to raise your baby towards you in the evening for feeding or comforting. it's also a great choice for a C-section. It is different from a Moses Basket or Cot as it has high walls so your baby won't fall out. Some models have a tilt feature that can help babies with colic and reflux. They are also slightly bigger than Moses baskets, making them easier to move from room room.
The NHS and The Lullaby Trust, a safe sleep charity, recommend that babies be placed in a bassinet or cot that is in the same room with their parents. They shouldn't be in your bed. This is because bed-sharing increases the risk of suffocation and overheating.
bedside cots offer the best of both worlds, giving your baby the opportunity to be close to you at night, but still in their own private and secure sleeping space.
Make sure that the crib is in compliance with the most current safety standards. It must be BS EN1130:2019. Also, ensure that there aren't any gaps or places where your child could become trapped. Find a mattress with a firm, flat surface. A sagging mattress or one that is too soft could increase the risk of SIDS for your child.
Finally, you should look for bedding that's fitted and free from any loose blankets or pillows. Pillows are a suffocation risk and duvets can get stuck to the baby's face. Use a fitted sheet, however, make sure it is fitted correctly.
Our MFM mother testers have discovered that the SnuzPod4 is a great choice for a bedside crib, being shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category. It is attached securely to the bed, and it is adjustable to ensure an ideal fit. It also has a rocking feature and can be set to an incline for reflux. It is a great choice for those who have bed sizes that are small or narrow, as it does not take up the entire space.
Design
It is essential to think about the style of your crib at night because this is the place where your baby will spend the majority of their time. A lot of cribs are available in a choice of colours to complement your decor. They also feature features such as mesh windows that keep your baby in view, or side panels that drop down that make it easier to reach. Some cribs also have incline features to help with reflux.
The majority of cribs can be lowered and raised to the same height as your bed, making it easy to get into and out of the bed at night. Some cribs can serve as travel cots. This is a great option when you travel or visiting relatives.
Leya Leya, an MFM mother and home tester, found that the SnuzPod 4 was a great fit for her bedroom decor. She also liked its compact fold, which helped save space. She also appreciated that one side of the crib drops down so that she can pick up her sleeping baby without leaving her bed. This is particularly helpful in the event that you've had an emergency C-section or are recovering from the effects of a Caesarean because it allows you to sleep close to your baby for longer.
Jasmine is another mum who liked using the SnuzPod 4. She commented that it was easy for her to move the crib from one room to the next which she could not find with other bedside cribs. However, she noted that it required some effort to lift and lower the crib as the handle was quite stiff.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air is another crib for bed that is easy to fold and move. It was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards, in the Best Cot or Crib category. Its slim frame and neutral color options can be incorporated into all bedrooms, though some of our home testers felt the bars were a little too close, which means they could get caught on clothing or toys for babies. The bars' distance shouldn't exceed 6.5cm (2 inches) to avoid your baby's head from becoming stuck. This is a good crib for babies with reflux too because its ComfortAir breathability technology helps regulate temperature.
Comfort
You'll feel more secure if can quickly reach your baby to feed them during the middle of the night. You can easily do this without having leave your bed, with a crib right at your bedside. They also make it easy to soothe babies back to sleep. If you'd like to be able to sleep with your child but don't want the hassle of having to get up every time they're fed, a moses-basket can be an excellent option.
best bedside cot of cribs for bedside use can be positioned on the side of your bed that allows you to see and reach your baby easily. They usually come with a mesh window, so you can check on your baby without having to disturb them. They may also have a reflux setting to aid in colic or reflux.
This crib has a lot of features, but we're impressed by the ComfortAir air-tight Mattress that regulates your baby's body temperature and maximizes airflow. It's a bit smaller than some other bedside cribs, which may be helpful when space is tight. Our mom testers agree that this is an excellent choice for sleepless, long nights.
The cot is securely attached to the bed's side with adjustable straps. This minimizes the chance of gaps where your child may get trapped. It also comes with a firm, flat mattress that meets safety standards and encourages healthy sleeping habits.
One thing to bear in mind is that your baby may begin to leave the crib once they're tall enough to sit at around six months. This is the reason it's crucial to place them in a cot or other sleeping arrangement once they outgrow the crib.
A cot that is lightweight and suitable for travel is a further feature to consider. Some of our mums really love the fact that this crib can be dismantled to make it easy to transport, whereas others find it difficult to assemble and reassemble. It is also difficult to keep clean and you'll need to regularly wipe it down with a cloth and cleaning product.
Storage
A bedside cot for 6 months plus is a bassinet-style cot which is fixed to the side of your bed for a safe and secure co-sleeping. They are great for feeding at night and calming babies to sleep and allowing mothers who have had an e-csection to keep their baby close.
It is essential to select cribs that are in line with the current safety standards. Check that the bars on the crib are positioned sufficiently apart to prevent your child's head from becoming trapped. Also, ensure that the drop-down sides are safe and doesn't fall open accidentally. Do not place stickers or transfer on the floor of the cot as they could pose an choking risk.
Emily's top pick for a bedside cot is the Next2me Magic, which was shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. It's a decent size and has lots of storage space for all the baby necessities. It's also lightweight and compact enough to fit in a travel bag in case you have to transport it from room to room. If you're looking for something less complicated she suggests Shnuggle Air alongside Crib.