Bedside Crib Vs Cot

A bedside crib (also called co-sleeper) allows your baby to sleep with you throughout the night. But, it's crucial to follow the official safe sleeping guidance 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. It's also easy to move around due its slim frame.

Safety

Many new mums want the closeness of their baby whilst they sleep, and cribs that are placed near the bed can be a great option for families embracing co-sleeping. However, NHS Safe Sleep advice recommends that parents should have a separate bed 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 adheres to Lullaby Trust codes to ensure secure sleep to ensure your child is sleeping in a safe and secure environment. Bedside cribs with adjustable height settings can be fitted to the bed frame of the parent and reduce the risk of gaps where babies might be trapped. They also come with a firm, flat mattress that is airy and designed to encourage healthy sleeping habits.

Most bedside cribs feature a panel which can be lowered so that you can safely monitor your baby at night. This allows you to soothe, feed, and supervise your baby without having to get up. This is especially helpful for mothers who have just recovered from c-section births or with limited mobility. Certain models, such as the SnuzPod4, even offer an incline feature for reflux babies suffering from reflux or digestive issues.

A lowered panel will also reduce the risk of your baby falling over the edge of the bed. Many of these panels come with mesh sides that prevent duvets and pillows from falling into the crib. This is crucial for reducing the chance of SIDS, as babies that roll off their back are more at risk of dying from suffocation.

Keep dummies and soft toys away as they can be dangers of suffocation. To ensure your baby's safety and secure, make sure that the mattress of your crib is breathable and you check it regularly for any gaps or loose sheets. When your baby is able to sit or stand, usually around 6 months old they will have to transition to a cot or another suitable sleeping arrangement. If you are worried about this transition, it's important to speak with your GP or health visitor.

Comfort

The best cribs for beds provide 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 having to leave your bed. This gives you the chance to bond with your baby in the beginning months. This sense of security can help establish positive routines for your night and enhance the overall quality of your baby's sleep.

You should keep your child in a crib near the bed until they reach the age of 6 months or can stand up on their own. At that point, you should change to a traditional cot. Bedside cribs can be used to accommodate your child up to this age, but it is important to review the guidelines for the crib.

When you are choosing a bedside crib ensure that it is in line with EN 1130 safety standards and is compatible with your bed (most will clip onto a standard bed frame but it is important to verify the exact dimensions). It is important that the mattress of your crib is firm, flat and airy. This is essential for your baby's health.

Our mum testers who are experts have been glowing about the Chicco Next2me Side Sleeping Crib, which features a height-adjustable base that can be used as a stand-alone crib or attached to your bed. It is lightweight and easy to set up. It provides great value for price. Silvercross Voyager is another of our top picks. Our test subjects love it for its versatility, breathable mattresses and reflux incline feature.

Space

A bedside crib is a sleeping space that can be secured to the side of your own bed which allows you to keep your baby close throughout the night without having to worry about the risk of co sleeper bedside cot-sleeping (which is not recommended by the Lullaby Trust and NHS). Recent years have seen a rise in their popularity with mothers who want to bond with their baby while remaining safe.

Some have a lowering panel that allows safe viewing and touching of your baby. Some let you keep the panel closed at night and allow you to feed and monitor your child without hassle. Some have an incline function for reflux too, which many of our test mums loved for helping digestion and alleviating discomfort for infants who are suffering from reflux or wind.

Many bedside cribs have adjustable height settings too which allows you to place them on the same level as your mattress, ensuring there's no gap between the two which could allow your baby to climb up or slide out. This is an important benefit for those recovering from C-sections, because it can be difficult to get in and out of bed while your body heals.

The lower sides also offer some privacy, which makes them ideal for new parents who are worried about sharing a space with their infant. It is important to keep in mind that even if you choose to sleep with your baby in a crib or cot by your bed, it is recommended to follow official guidelines for safe sleeping and avoid sharing your bed with anyone else.

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

Some cribs that are bedside can be converted into toddler beds, which can add to the life of parents who don't want to invest in an additional cot for their older child. The SnuzPod4 is a prime model, featuring a slim, sleek frame that can be easily tucked into the corner of your bedroom and offers plenty of room for your little one to sleep comfortably. It's also simple to put together and comes with a handy travel bag.

Convenience

A crib that is placed near the bed makes it easy to lift your child from bed to feed, cuddle and comfort them to sleep. Many cribs have a side panel that drops down, so you can touch and talk to your little one without having to wake them completely or disturb their sleep. There are cribs that keep the panel in place throughout the day which is ideal for parents who might be recovering from a C-section and want to keep their newborn close.

Some cribs are equipped with tilt features that can aid with colic or reflux. It's important to note that tilting the crib should always be done with care and only by a parent who is aware of their baby's medical history and their needs.

Another aspect to consider is how easy it is to clean, and if it's machine washable or you have to wash it by hand it. Some cribs are equipped with waterproof covers that guard against leaky diapers, baby sickness and dribbles. And some have a handy storage bag, making them ideal for travelling if you need to bring your baby along with you.

It's also worth considering how heavy the crib is and is it easy to move from room to room. Our 2021 Mother & Baby awards mum tester Jasmine described the Red Kite Cozysleep beside crib as "just the right size and lightweight enough for it to be easy to move around your house. It also can be folded flat and comes with a bag for travel for trips to visit the grandparents."

If you're thinking about buying a bedside cot bed crib we suggest you check out our full reviews and ratings of the best ones on the market, to ensure that you buy the most suitable model for your baby and life style. Be aware that a crib might look beautiful and sophisticated but your child will quickly outgrow it. You'll need to get your baby into a cot before they grow out of the crib.