Bedside Crib Vs Cot

A bedside crib, sometimes referred to as a cosleeper, allows your baby to sleep right next to you during the night. It is essential to adhere to the official safe sleep guidelines of 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 to room.

Safety

Many new mothers desire the intimacy of their baby whilst they sleep, and cribs that are placed near the bed can be a safe option for families embracing co-sleeping. However, NHS Safe Sleep advice recommends that parents should make sure that they have a separate sleeping area for their infant and avoid sharing a bed in order to reduce the risk of suffocation, heat exhaustion and rollovers.

When choosing a crib for your bed it is essential to check that the product conforms to European safety standards and conforms to Lullaby Trust codes to ensure secure sleep to ensure your child is sleeping in a secure and safe environment. Bedside cribs with adjustable height settings can be fitted to the parent's bed frame, reducing the risk of gaps in which babies could become trapped. They also come with a firm, flat mattress that is airy and designed to encourage healthy sleeping habits.

Most bedside cribs feature the option of a panel that can be raised so that you can be able to monitor your baby's health at night. This means that you can provide them with food, comfort them and monitor them without needing to get out of bed, which can be especially helpful for new mums recovering from c-section births or those with limited mobility. Certain models, like the SnuzPod4, offer an incline feature for reflux babies with reflux or digestive issues.

A lowered panel can also reduce the risk of your child falling off the edge of the crib Some have mesh sides to stop the stray pillows or duvets from falling into. This is crucial for reducing the chance of SIDS as babies who have their backs rolled off are at greater risk of suffocation.

It is advised to keep any dummy or soft toys out of the crib as they could be a danger to your child's health if they are suffocated. To ensure your baby's safety and secure, make sure that the crib mattress is breathable and check regularly for any gaps or loose sheets. Once your baby is able to sit up or stand (typically at around 6 months), they will need a cot, or another sleeping arrangement that is suitable. If you are concerned about this transition, it is worth speaking to your GP or health visitor.

Comfort

The best cribs for bedside use provide a secure and comfortable space to sleep your baby. They are designed to sit next to your bed so that you can look after your baby without leaving your bed. This gives you the opportunity to connect with your baby during the beginning months. This sense of security will help establish a positive routine for your night and improve the quality of sleep for your baby.

It is recommended to keep your baby in a crib at night until they reach the age of six months old or able to push themselves up, at which point you should move them to an old-fashioned crib. The bedside crib should be suitable for your child until the age of 6 months, but it's essential to read the product guidelines.

When choosing a bedside cot, ensure that it meets EN 1130 safety standards. It should be able to work with your bed (most clip onto standard bed frames, but you should always double check the exact dimensions). It is important that the mattress of your bedside crib is flat, firm and ventilated. This is essential for the health of your baby.

The Chicco Next2me side sleeper is a top pick among our mum testers. It features a height adjustable base and can either be used as a stand-alone crib, or connected to a bed. The crib is light and simple to assemble. It also offers great value for money. Silvercross Voyager is another of our top picks. Our testers love it for its flexibility, breathable mattresses, and the feature of incline reflux.

Space

A bedside crib is an accessory that is attached to the bed's side. This allows you to keep your baby close throughout the night without the risk of co-sleeping, which is not recommended by the NHS or the Lullaby Trust. They've seen a rise in popularity recently with mothers looking for a way to bond with their newborn while also being secure.

Some have a lowering panel which you can use to ensure secure viewing and touching of your baby. Some allow you to keep the panel in place in the night, allowing you to feed and monitor your child without anxiety. Some models also come with an incline feature for reflux, which was a favorite among many of our testers for reducing discomfort and aiding digestion for babies with reflux or wind.

Many bedside cribs also come with adjustable height settings, permitting you to place them at the exact same level as your mattress. This eliminates any gap that could allow your baby to slide out or climb. This is especially useful for those who are recovering from C-sections, as it can be difficult for them to get into and out of bed.

The lowered sides offer some privacy and are perfect for new parents worried about sharing their room with a baby. It's important to keep in mind that if you opt to sleep with your baby in a bedside crib or cot, it's still best to follow the official guidelines for safe sleep and not share your bed.

You'll also need to ensure that your bedside crib is compatible with your existing bed frame prior to buying it - some bedsteads clip onto bed frames while others are more suitable for divan beds. And don't forget you'll need a mattress that is suitable for your crib, that is typically sold in addition to the crib and must meet the latest BS EN 1130:2019 safety requirements.

Bedside cribs can be converted into toddler beds. This is a great option for parents who don't want to purchase an additional cot. rocking bedside crib is an example, with a slim, sleek frame that easily fits into the corner of your bedroom and offers plenty of room for your little one to rest comfortably. It's also easy to assemble and comes with a convenient travel bag.

Convenience

A crib that is placed near the bed makes it easy to get your child out of bed to feed them, cuddle them and comfort them back to sleep. A lot of cribs come with an upper panel that slides down, allowing you to touch and talk to your little one without having to wake them up completely or disrupt their sleep. There are cribs that keep the panel lowered all the time - this is great for parents who are about to be recovering from a C-section and want to keep their baby close.


Some cribs offer tilt options that can help with colic and reflux. It is important to keep in mind that the tilting of the crib should only be done by parents who know their baby's medical needs and the history.

Another thing to think about is how easy it is to clean, and if it can be washed by machine or you need to wash it by hand it. Some cribs have waterproof covers to guard against leaky diapers, infant sickness, and drips. Some cribs are equipped with an organizer bag, which makes them perfect for traveling if you have to take your baby along.

It is also important to think about how heavy the crib will be, and if it's easy to move it from one room to another. Jasmine who was our 2021 Mother & Baby Awards mum test subject, described the Red Kite Cozysleep beside the crib as "just right size and light enough to be easily moved throughout your home." It can be folded flat and comes with a travel bag for trips to visit the grandparents."

We suggest that you look through our reviews and ratings to make sure you pick the best crib for your baby and you. Remember that a crib may look beautiful and sophisticated but your baby will quickly outgrow it. So you'll need to move your baby into a cot bed before they start to get out of it.