Bedside Crib Vs Cot

A bedside crib (also called a co-sleeper) allows your baby to rest close to you during the night. It's important that you 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. Additionally, its slim frame means it's easy to move from room room.

Safety

Bedside cribs are a great option for families who co-sleep. NHS Safe Sleep advises parents to select a separate area for their child, and avoid sharing a mattress, in order to reduce the risk of suffocation as well as overheating.

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

Most bedside cribs feature a panel which can be adjusted to let you be able to monitor your baby's health at night. This means that you can easily soothe them, feed them and monitor them without having to get out of bed. This is particularly beneficial for mothers recovering from c-section births, or those with limited mobility. Some models, like the SnuzPod4, offer a reflux incline function for babies suffering from reflux or digestive issues.

A lowered panel will also reduce the chance of your baby falling over the edge of the bed. A lot of these panels have mesh sides to prevent pillows and duvets from falling into the crib. This is essential to reduce the risk of SIDS. Babies who roll on their backs are more prone to suffocate.

Keep soft toys and dummies away from the area as they could pose suffocation risks. To ensure that your baby is safe, you should also ensure that the mattress of your crib is breathable and check regularly for any gaps or loose sheets. When your baby is able to sit up or stand, usually at the age of 6 months they'll need to move into a cot or other suitable sleeping arrangement. If you have any concerns about this transition, talk to your GP or a health professional.

Comfort

The best cribs for twin bedside cot offer an environment that is safe and comfortable for your baby to rest. They are designed to be placed next to your bed so that you can care for your baby without leaving your bed. This gives you the opportunity to connect with your baby during the early years. This feeling of security will help you establish positive routines at night and enhance the overall quality of your baby's sleep.

Your baby should be kept in a crib at night until they reach the age of 6 months old or can get up and at that point, you can move to a traditional crib. The bedside crib will usually be capable of accommodating your child until the age of 6 months, but it's important to check the specific guidelines for the product.

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

The Chicco Next2me side sleeper is a top pick among our mum testers. It comes with a height adjustable base and can either be used as a stand-alone crib, or attached to the bed. The crib is light and simple to assemble. It also offers great value for money. Another of our favourites is the Silvercross Voyager, which our testers appreciate for its versatility, breathable mattress, and reflux incline feature.

Space

A bedside crib vs cot crib is a sleep space that is secured to the side of your own bed, allowing you to keep your baby close during the night without the danger of co-sleeping (which is not recommended by the Lullaby Trust and NHS). Recent times have seen an increase in their popularity among mums who want to spend time with their child while also being safe.

Some come with a lowering screen that you can use for secure viewing and touch of your baby. Others allow you to keep the panel down in the night, allowing you to feed and monitor your child with no anxiety. Certain models also have an incline feature for reflux which was appreciated by many of our testers for reducing discomfort and aiding digestion for babies suffering from reflux or wind.

A lot of cribs for bedside cot 6 months plus have adjustable height settings too, enabling you to position them at the same height as your mattress, which means there's no gap between the two that could let your baby climb up or slide out. This is a huge benefit for those recovering from C-sections, because it can be difficult to get in and Bedside crib vs cot out of bed as your body heals.

The lowered sides also offer some privacy, which makes them ideal for new parents who are worried about sharing a room with their infant. However, it's important to keep in mind that if you choose to sleep with your baby in a crib by the bedside or crib, it is still a good practice to adhere to the official safe sleeping guidance and not share your bed.

You'll also have to ensure that your bedside crib is compatible with your own bed frame before buying - some bedsteads clip onto bed frames while others are more suitable for divan beds. Don't forget to buy a mattress that is suitable for your crib. They are typically sold separately from the crib and must be in line with the most recent BS EN1130:2019 safety standards.

Some bedside cribs can also be converted into toddler beds, which can provide to the life of parents who do not want to purchase a separate cot for their older child. The SnuzPod4 frame is sleek that fits into the corner of any bedroom and offers ample space for your child to rest comfortably. It's also easy to put together and comes with a handy travel bag.

Convenience

One of the great things about a crib that is placed near the bed is that it's simple to get your baby in and out of bed for cuddles, feeds, and calming back to sleep. A majority of cribs have a side panel that drops down, so you can touch and talk to your baby without having to wake them up to disturb their sleep. Some cribs have 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 have a tilt feature that can aid in colic or reflux. It's important to remember that tilting the crib should always be done with attention and only by a parent who is aware of the medical history of their child and their needs.

Think about how easy it is to clean your crib and if you can machine wash it or if you will have to hand-wash it. Some cribs are equipped with waterproof covers to guard against leaky diapers, baby sickness, and drips. Some cribs are equipped with a storage bag that makes them perfect for traveling if you have to take your baby along.

It's also important to consider how heavy the crib will be and whether it is simple to move it from one room to the next. Our 2021 Mother & Baby awards mum tester Jasmine said that the Red Kite Cozysleep beside crib as "just the right size and lightweight enough to be able to move around your home. It also can be folded flat and comes with a travel cot bedside bag for trips to visit the grandparents."

We recommend you look through our reviews and ratings to make sure you choose the right model for you and your baby. Remember that while a crib may appear beautiful and stylish, it's crucial to remember that your newborn will quickly outgrow its small size. Therefore, you'll have to move your baby into a crib bed before they begin to outgrow it.