Bedside Crib Or Co-Sleeper

A bedside crib is a bassinet type crib that is attached to your bed. Discover More lets you reach your baby to feed them at night or help soothe them to sleep. They are especially useful for mothers recovering from births via c-section.

Our parents who tested it praised the SnuzPod 4, which has many technical features for busy new parents including the ability to set incline for reflux as well as a soothing centre with amber floorlight and nightlight with 2 vibration levels. It is also light and is able to be easily moved from room to room.

Safety

A bedside crib, sometimes referred to as a cosleeper (or baby bassinet) allows your baby to sleep with you during the night in their own crib. This keeps them safe from overheating and SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). It is recommended to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer regarding weight limits, and make sure that your child's bed is snugly fitted. It is crucial to avoid gaps as they can increase the risk of entrapment. This is a major hazard. It is also important to keep pillows, blankets, and toys away from the crib.

Choose a crib that has an open side panel that which your child can see through, and a sturdy and breathable, flat mattress. The slats should be spaced at a minimum of 2 3/8 inches apart, and the headboard should be lower than the footboard so your baby isn't able to climb out of the crib or raise their head over the footboard. Many models come with a built-in changer, shelves to store wipes and diapers aswell with music, rockers and night lights. These are all great features, but your baby should stay in the crib until they can sit up or stand. This usually happens about 6 months old.

It's also important to pick a crib that does not have corner posts as they can pose a danger to your baby's safety by creating spaces where their limbs or heads might be trapped. Consider removing the posts from your crib to stop your child from getting entangled with their toys or clothing. Also, make sure to keep the crib clear of drapery cords and window blinds because your child could become entangled and fall off or get strangled.

If you're using an old cot, ensure that it is still safe to use. It should be in good working order and sturdy, without loose pieces. It should also not have rough surfaces or holes. It is also important to check that the cot was stripped down and repainted. Cots manufactured prior to 1973 may have had leaded paint, which could be toxic for babies.

Ease of Use

Bedside cribs are cot or bassinet designed to be placed safely next to a parent's bed and allow newborns to rest close to their parents without any of the dangers that come with co-sleeping (rooming-in). These are an excellent option for parents who have a hard getting out of the bed to feed their child or to comfort them during the night, especially after a difficult delivery. They can also be used as a Moses basket or a baby carrycot to provide safe and flexible sleeping options away from the crib.

Bedside cribs are secured to the parent's side using a strap. Some come with a swivel and adjustable height settings, so they can be used with various types of beds. Many have mesh sides for improved visibility and airflow, too. Some have a drop-down feature that lowers or removes to allow direct access to the baby from the parent's bed that aids in feeding at night and comforting.

Some cribs can be tilted at one end, allowing a more natural sleep position for babies with reflux or colic. This should only be done under the supervision of a medical professional and extreme caution.

MFM home test Jasmine liked the size of this crib - "it's significantly larger than the majority of Moses baskets and feels sturdy and robust - a bit like an investment piece, but not so costly that it's impossible to afford." She also appreciated the ease of use, especially its pivoting base, stating: "You can just spin it around to reach it in case you need to check on baby -and when you're ready to go back to bed you can simply pull it up again."

She also liked how easy it was for her to shut and open the door, even if she was exhausted at the end of the night. She also liked the amount of space inside the crib to store blankets, nappies, and other essentials. She also loved that the mattress was comfortable and spacious compared to the other cribs we tested. She added: "Plus the sheets are easily machine washable. This is a major bonus when you're exhausted from every feed!"


Portability

One of the great things about a bedside crib is it can be set right next to the parent's own bed which makes it easy to reach baby at night for feeding or to comfort. It also helps prevent baby rolling over, which could sometimes cause death. A good quality crib should have sides that can be open, making it easy for parents with a bleary eye at the end of the night, and also a mesh window so you can keep an eye on your little one.

The SnuzPod 4 is a popular choice, with its stylish Scandi design and great price tag. It comes in a range of colors, including gender neutral grey and wood effect, and is specifically designed to be compatible with divan beds, however, you may need to buy longer straps to ensure it is compatible with your mattress. The opening side panel as well as the anti-reflux incline and adjustable mattress heights make it simple to use, even for new parents.

It's a bit larger than other cribs and does not fold completely flat. But it's still a good enough size to fit in its convenient carry bag when travelling. The mother on the BabyCentre forums noted it was easy to set up, thanks to its simple instructions and easy to use mechanism. However, she notes that the fabric is prone to creasing when it's being removed from its bag for travel.

You could also consider the Joie Roomie Glide. It is a crib that is placed at the bedside with wheels, making it much easier to move. It also folds completely flat. It's a little pricier than the SnuzPod, but it has several additional features that may be appealing, such as a storage shelf, six height adjustments, and an optional reflux tilt. It also has a zip-up mesh window to make cleaning easy and a breathable, sturdy mattress, although some mums felt it was a bit shallower than other options. It comes with a carry bag that is helpful for keeping it dust-free and clean in storage between uses.

Style

A bedside crib, sometimes referred to as co-sleeper, was designed to be placed beside your bed. It allows you to see and reach your baby throughout the night, which can help with night feeds and nappy changes. This makes it ideal for parents who want to keep their baby close, but don't want to risk the dangers of sharing a bed (such as overheating or suffocation). It's also a great option for couples who do not share the bedroom with their child.

There are bedside cot mattress of designs available. Some have an upper and lower panel that can be lowered to let you be able to touch and see your baby at night, but also stops the possibility of bed sharing. Some pop-up designs lower to allow you lift your baby from the bed, and then automatically raise it.

You'll also need to consider the dimensions of your bed and the width or how narrow you want your crib to be. Some cribs are smaller and compact which is essential when you are limited on space in your home. Some are bigger and more durable, which is great for older babies who might be beginning to roll over or pull themselves up in the night.

Pick a crib that is mesh windows, breathable fabric and easy-to-clean surfaces. Some cribs come with a removable mattress, which can be machine-washed and fitted with a sheet. This makes it much easier to clean than the regular crib mattress. Some have an anti-reflux option that can be helpful for reflux sufferers.

The most secure and practical options are those that fasten securely to the bed of your parents, either using straps or an locking mechanism that holds it in place even when not in use. Some cribs have adjustable legs that can be used with different bed heights. This is useful if you have an unusually shape bed or a divan. You may also think about the crib with an adjustable 4th wall that can be used as a playpen or as a babysitter during the daytime.