Bedside Crib Or Co-Sleeper
Essentially, a bedside crib is a cot that resembles a bassinet that is attached to your bed and allows you to reach your baby for evening feedings or to help calm them back to sleep. They are especially helpful for mothers recovering from C-section births.
Our parent testers have been raving about the SnuzPod 4 due to its many technical features. It has a reflux incline and soothing centre, with an amber nightlight and floorlights with two vibration levels. It's also lightweight and can easily be moved from room to room.
Safety
A bedside crib, sometimes referred to as cosleeper (or baby bassinet) allows your baby to sleep near you during the night in their crib. This protects them from overheating or SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). It is important to adhere to the manufacturer's guidelines for weight limits and ensure that your child's mattress is snugly fitted. If gaps exist this could increase the chance of being entangled, which is a danger. It is also essential to ensure that the crib is free of items that can present a suffocation hazard, including pillows, blankets and toys.
Look for cribs that have mesh sides that which your child can see through, and a sturdy and breathable, flat mattress. The slats must be no larger than 2 3/8 inches apart, and the headboard should not be higher than the footboard. This will keep your child from climbing out of the crib. A lot of cribs come with a built-in changer, shelves for storing wipes and diapers aswell with music, rockers and night lights. These are fantastic features to have but remember that your baby should stay in their own crib until they are able to sit up or stand at the age of 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. These can be dangerous for your baby because they create spaces where their head and limbs might be caught. You should consider removing these posts from your crib to prevent your child from becoming entangled with their toys or clothing. Keep the crib free of drape cords as your baby could get caught and fall or strangle.
If you're using a secondhand cot, make sure it's still safe to use. her response should not have any rough surfaces or holes, or peeling paint and should be solid and well-maintained with no loose parts. It is also important to check whether the cot has been stripped down and repainted. Cots that were made prior to 1973 may have contained leaded paint, which could be dangerous for infants.
User-Friendliness
Bedside cribs are bassinet or cot designed to sit safely beside a parent's bed, allowing newborns to sleep close by without the dangers associated with co-sleeping (rooming-in). They are a great choice for parents who have a difficult getting out of bed to feed their baby or soothe them at night, particularly after a difficult delivery. Some also double up as a Moses basket or a carrycot for infants to offer secure and flexible sleeping arrangements away from the crib.
Bedside cribs attach securely to the parent's side using straps. Some come with a swivel and adjustable height settings, which means they can be used with various types of beds. Many come with mesh sides to increase airflow and visibility. Some have a drop-down sides that can be lowered or removed for easy access to the baby's bed from the parent's that aids with nighttime feeding and comforting.
Some cribs can be tilted one end to encourage an easier and more natural sleeping position that is safe for babies suffering from reflux, colic, and other digestive issues. However it is recommended to use this method with extreme care and only with the guidance of a medical professional.
MFM home test Jasmine liked the size of this crib and said "it's significantly larger than the majority of Moses baskets, and feels sturdy and robust It's almost like an investment piece but not so expensive that it's not affordable." She also appreciated the ease of use, particularly its pivoting base, stating: "You can just spin it around to reach it if you need to check on baby -and then when you're ready to go back to bed you just pull it back up."
She also appreciated how easy it was for her to shut and open the door, even when she was exhausted at late at night. She also appreciated the space there was within the crib to store nappies, blankets, and other essentials. She also liked that the mattress was comfortable and that it was a decent size in comparison to other cribs for bedside we've tested. She added: "Plus the sheets are easily machine washable - an important benefit when you're exhausted from every feed!"
Portability
One of the great things about a bedside crib is it can be set near the parents' bed which makes it easy to reach baby at night for feeding or to comfort. It also prevents baby from rolling over, which could often lead to death. A crib that is of good quality should have sides that can be easily accessible, making it easy for parents who are tired at the end of the night, and a mesh window that lets you keep an eye on your child.
The SnuzPod 4 is popular because of its sleek style and affordable price. It is available in a variety of colours, including gender-neutral grey and wood effect and is specifically designed to be compatible with divan beds, however you might need to buy longer straps to ensure it is compatible with your mattress. The opening side panel, anti reflux incline, and adjustable mattress heights make it easy to use even for parents who are new.
It's heavier than some of the other crib options, and it doesn't fold down completely flat, but it's still a good size to fit into its convenient carry bag to travel with. The mother on the BabyCentre forums noted that it was simple to set up with its clear instructions and simple mechanism. She does point out that the fabric may get wrinkled when removed from the bag for travel.
You can also opt for the Joie Roomie Glide, which is a bedside crib that has wheels, which makes it more manageable and folds completely flat. It is a little more expensive than the SnuzPod but has some additional features, including an adjustable shelf for storage, 6 different height adjustments, and an optional reflux inclined. It also has a zipper-up mesh window for easy cleaning and a sturdy, breathable mattress, but some moms felt it was a bit shallower than other models. It comes with a carry bag that is ideal to keep the mattress clean and dust-free in storage.
Style
A bedside crib, sometimes referred to as a co-sleeper, is designed to be placed near your bed. It lets you view your baby's face and reach them throughout the night. This is beneficial for night feedings and changing nappy. This makes it ideal for parents who wish to keep their baby close but don't want to risk the dangers of sharing a room with a child (such as suffocation and overheating). It's also a great option for couples who do not share a bedroom with their child.
There are many different styles to pick from. Some models have an additional side panel that can be adjusted to lower. This lets you see and touch your child throughout the night, but it also prevents accidental sharing of beds. Some pop-up designs lower so that the baby to be lifted off the bed, but automatically raise again.
You'll have to take into account the size of your crib and your bed. Some cribs are smaller and more compact, which is important if you have limited space in your home. Some are bigger and more robust, which is ideal for older babies that may be beginning to roll over or get up at night.
Choose a crib that is easy to clean, and has breathable fabric and mesh windows that allow for ventilation. Some cribs have an adjustable mattress that can be machine-washed and fitted with a sheet. This makes it much easier to clean than a regular crib mattress. Some come with an anti-reflux option which can be beneficial for those suffering from reflux.
The most secure and reliable options are those that fasten securely to the bed of your parents with straps or a locking mechanism that keeps it in place even when not in use. Some cribs have adjustable legs that be able to work with different bed heights. This can be helpful for those with a divan or other unusually-shaped bed. Other features you could look at include a detachable 4th wall, which could be used as an infant sitter or play pen during the day, as well as an adjustable changing tray.