The 10 Scariest Things About Bedside Crib Or Cot
Bedside Crib Or Co-Sleeper
A bedside crib is a bassinet-style cot that can be attached to your bed. It lets you reach your baby to feed them at night, or to soothe them to sleep. They're especially handy for mums recovering from c-section births.
Our parent testers praised the SnuzPod 4, which comes with lots of technical features for parents with busy schedules, including an incline setting for reflux and a soothing centre with amber light for the night and floor with two levels of vibration. It's also lightweight and can easily be moved from room to room.
Safety
A bedside crib, also referred to as a cosleeper (or baby bassinet), allows your infant to sleep next to you at night in their crib. This helps to protect them from overheating or SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). You should follow the manufacturer's instructions for weight limits and make sure that the crib is a good fit. If there are gaps, it may increase the risk of entrapment, which is another risk that is serious. It is also essential to clear the crib of items that can present an entrapment risk, such as blankets, pillows and toys.
Choose a crib with a mesh side panel which your child can see through and a firm air-conditioned, flat, and comfortable mattress. The slats should be placed not more than 2 3/8 inches apart and the headboard should be lower than the footboard, so that your baby isn't able to get out of the crib or reach their head over the footboard. Some cribs also have an integrated changing table, shelves to store diapers and wipes, rockers, night lights and music. These are wonderful features to have, but keep in mind that your baby should stay in their crib until they are able to stand or sit up at around 6 months old, at which point they're able to sleep in a different crib.
You should also choose a crib with no corner posts. They could pose a risk for your baby because they create spaces in which their limbs and head might be stuck. If you have a crib that has these, consider removing them to stop your baby from getting caught in their clothes or toys. Also, ensure that you keep the crib clear of drapery cords and window blinds, as your baby could become entangled in them and fall off or get strangled.
Check that the cot is still safe for use if you're using a cot that is used. It should not have rough surfaces, holes or peeling paint and should be sturdy and in good condition with no loose components. It's also important to ensure that the cot has been taken down and repainted, as cots made before 1973 could have lead paint on them, which is harmful to babies.
Ease of Use
bedside cot crib cribs are bassinet or cot designed to sit safely beside a parent's bed and allow newborns to sleep close by without the dangers associated with co-sleeping (rooming-in). It's a great choice for parents who find it difficult to get up in the evening for feedings and comforting, especially when they've had a difficult birth. They can also be used as a Moses Basket or infant carrycot to offer a more flexible and secure sleeping space away from the crib.
bedside rocking crib cribs can be secured to the parent's side using straps. Some come with a swivel and adjustable height settings so they can be used with different types of beds. Many come with mesh sides for improved visibility and airflow, too. Some have a drop-down side that can be lowered or removed for easy access to the baby from the bed of the parent and helps with nighttime feeding and comforting.
Some cribs are tiltable at one end, allowing an easier sleep position for babies suffering from reflux or colic. However it should be done with extreme caution and only with the advice of a healthcare professional.
MFM home test Jasmine liked this crib's size - "it is a lot bigger than the majority of Moses baskets and feels sturdy and robust - it's like an investment piece, but not too costly to be prohibitive." Jasmine also appreciated its convenience and its swivel bottom, saying: "You just spin it around if you need reach over to check on your baby- and then when you're ready to sleep, simply pull it back."
Another thing she liked was the ease with which it was to open and close the door from outside, especially when bleary-eyed in the dark. She also appreciated the space inside the crib to store nappies, blankets and other essentials. She also liked that the mattress felt comfy and was a decent size in comparison to other cribs for bedside Crib or cot we tested. She added: "Plus the sheets are easily machine washable - a major bonus after a long feed!"
Portability
A crib for bed can be placed next to the parent's bed. This makes it simple for parents to reach their baby at night to comfort them or feed their baby. It also helps prevent baby rolling over, which can sometimes cause suffocation. A crib that is safe should have a side that is easily opened to ensure that exhausted mothers can open it in the middle of night. It should also have a mesh window to keep an eye on the baby.
The SnuzPod 4 is a popular choice, with its sleek Scandi design and great price tag. It is available in a variety of colors including gender neutral gray and wood effect. It is made to fit divan beds. However, you may need longer straps to fit your mattress. Its side panel that opens as well as the anti-reflux incline, and the adjustable mattress heights are all easy to use, even for bleary-eyed new parents.
It's a bit bulkier than some of the other cribs and it's not able to fold completely flat, but it's still an ideal size to fit in its handy carry bag for travelling. Mom on the BabyCentre forums says that it's easy to set up, thanks to clear instructions and easy-to-use mechanisms. She also points out that the fabric can get wrinkled when removed from the travel bedside crib bag.
Alternatively, you could choose the Joie Roomie Glide, which is a bedside crib with wheels that means it's easier to manoeuvre, and it folds down completely flat. It's a bit more expensive than the SnuzPod, but it has some extra features that might appeal, including a storage shelf, six different height adjustments, and an additional reflux tilt. It also has a mesh-lined window that zips up for simple cleaning, and a solid mattress with breathable air. Some mums thought it was a little deeper, however. It comes with a carrying bag that is useful for keeping the mattress dust-free and clean in storage.
Style
A bedside crib, also known as co-sleeper, was designed to be placed beside your bed. It lets you see your baby's face and reach them throughout the night. This is useful for night feedings and changing nappy. This makes it ideal for parents who want to keep their baby close, but don't want the dangers of sharing a room with a child (such as suffocation and overheating). It's also a great choice for couples who don't share bedrooms with their child.
There are a variety of different styles you can choose from. Some come with an upper and lower panel that is able to be lowered so that you can see and touch your baby at night, but it also prevents accidental bed-sharing. Some have a pop-up design that lowers to let you take your baby out of the crib, but then raises again automatically.
It is also important to consider the dimensions of your bed as well as the width or how narrow you want your crib to be. Some cribs are smaller and more compact and are ideal in case you are restricted by space in your home. Some are stronger and larger, which is great for older babies who could be starting to roll around or pull themselves up during the night.
Look for a crib that is easy to clean, and has mesh windows and breathable fabric which can aid in ventilation. Some cribs have a mattress that can be washed in the machine and comes with a sheet, which makes it easier to clean than a standard cot mattress. Some come with an anti-reflux option that could be beneficial to those suffering from reflux.
Most secure and convenient cribs can be securely attached to the parents' bed using straps or a locking system that secures it while not in use. Some cribs also come with adjustable legs that can be able to work with different bed heights, which could be useful in the case of an unusually-shaped divan or bed. Other features you could think about are a detachable fourth wall, which could be used as a play pen or babysitter during the day, and an adjustable changing tray.