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's mouth to feed them at night, or to soothe them to sleep. They are especially helpful for mothers recovering from c section births.
Our parent testers were extremely pleased with the SnuzPod 4, which comes with many technical features for parents with busy schedules, including an incline setting for reflux and a the soothing centre that has an amber floorlight and nightlight with 2 vibration levels. It's also lightweight and can easily be moved from room to room.
Safety
A bedside crib (also known as a bassinet for babies or a co-sleeper) lets your baby rest with you at night but in their own crib, keeping them safe from the dangers of overheating and SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer regarding weight limits, and ensure that your child's bed fits snugly. If there are gaps this could increase the risk of entrapment, which is another risk that is serious. It is also essential to keep the crib clear of items that can present the risk of suffocation, such as pillows, blankets and toys.
Find a crib with an open side panel that you can see your child through and a firm, flat, breathable mattress. The slats shouldn't be wider than 2 3/8 inch apart and the headboard must not be higher than the footboard. This will keep your child from climbing out of the crib. Many models also feature an integrated changing table, shelves for storing diapers and wipes, rockers, music and night lights. These are all great features, but your baby should remain in the crib until they are able to sit up or stand. This usually happens about 6 months old.
It's also important to pick a crib that doesn't have corner posts, since they can pose a danger to your baby's health because they create spaces where their limbs or heads might be trapped. Consider removing the posts from your crib to stop your child from becoming entangled with their toys or clothing. Also, ensure that you keep the crib free of drape and window blind cords as your baby may become entangled and fall off or get strangled.
If you're using an old cot, ensure that it's still safe to use. It should not have rough surfaces or holes, or peeling paint and should be solid and well-maintained with no loose components. It is also essential to ensure that the cot was stripped down and repainted. Cots that were made prior to 1973 may have contained leaded paint, which could be dangerous for infants.
Easy of Use
A bedside crib, also known as a bassinet or cot is designed to be positioned next to a parent's mattress. This allows newborns to sleep with their parents, without the dangers of co-sleeping. They are a great choice for parents who have a hard to get out of the bed to feed their child or to comfort them during the night, especially after a difficult birth. Some can also be used as an infant Moses Basket or a baby carrycot to give infants an easier and safer sleeping option away from the crib.
Bedside cribs attach securely to the the parent's bed by straps that are secure and some come with a swivel base and adjustable height settings to work with different types of beds. Many come with mesh sides to improve airflow and visibility, 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, which helps with nighttime feeding and comforting.
Some cribs can be tilted at one end to promote the natural sleep 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 under the advice of a medical professional.
MFM home tester Jasmine was impressed by the size of the crib - "it's a lot bigger than most Moses baskets, and feels sturdy and robust it's a bit like an investment piece, but not so expensive that it's impossible to afford." She also liked the ease of use, especially its pivoting base, stating: "You can just spin it around to reach over in case you need to check on baby -- and when you want to go back to sleep, you can simply pull it up."
Another thing she was impressed with was how easy it was to shut and open the door from outside, especially when exhausted in the dark. She also appreciated the space was there inside the crib for stashing nappies, blankets, and other necessities. She also liked that the mattress felt comfortable and that it was a decent size compared to other cribs that we tested. She added: "Plus the sheets are easily machine washable, which is an absolute benefit when you're exhausted from each feed!"
Portability
One of the great things about a bedside crib is that it can be placed close to the parent's own bed, making it easy to reach baby during the night for breastfeeding or comforting. It also helps prevent baby rolling over, which could occasionally lead to the suffocation. A good crib should have easily-openable sides to ensure that exhausted mothers can open it in the middle of night. It should also have an opening with mesh to keep an eye on the baby.
The SnuzPod 4 is a popular choice due to its sleek Scandi design and a reasonable price. It comes in a variety of colors including gender-neutral gray and wood effect. It is designed to fit divan beds. However, you may require longer straps to match your mattress. The opening side panel and the anti-reflux incline and adjustable mattress heights make it simple to use, even for new parents.
It's heavier than other cribs, and it doesn't fold down completely flat, but it's still a good size to fit into its convenient bag for transport. Moms on the BabyCentre forums said it was easy to set up thanks to its clear instructions and simple mechanism. However, she does mention that the fabric can be stretched when pulled out of the bag for travel.
Alternatively, you could choose the Joie Roomie Glide, which is a bedside cot with wheels that means it's more manageable and folds completely flat. It's a bit more expensive than the SnuzPod however, it has several additional features that may make it more appealing, such as a storage shelf, six height adjustments and an optional reflux tilt. It also has a mesh-lined window that zips up for simple cleaning, and a durable mattress that is breathable. Some moms found it a bit smaller, but. It comes with a carrying bag that is useful for keeping the mattress clean and dust-free in storage.
Style
A bedside crib is also called a "co-sleeper" and is designed to be placed next to your bed. It lets you view your baby's face and reach them throughout the night. This is helpful for night feedings and changing diapers. cot bedside is ideal for parents that want to keep their children close, but do not want to risk drowning or overheating. It's also a great choice for couples who do not share the bedroom with their child.
There are many different designs available. Some have a side panel that can be adjusted, which lets you feel and touch your baby at night but still prevents accidental bed-sharing. Some have a pop-up design that lowers to allow you to raise your baby, but then raises again automatically.
You'll need to consider the dimensions of your crib as well as your bed. Some cribs are smaller and less bulky which is essential when you are limited on space in your home. Some are stronger and larger which is ideal for older babies who could be beginning to roll or pull themselves up during the night.
Choose a crib with breathable fabric, mesh windows and easy-to-clean surfaces. Some cribs have a removable mattress, which can be machine-washed and equipped with a sheet. This makes it much easier to clean than the standard crib mattress. Some also come with an anti-reflux incline feature, which is useful for reflux sufferers.
The most secure and reliable options are those that fasten securely to the bed of your parents with straps or the locking mechanism that holds it in place even when not in use. cot for bedside come with adjustable legs that can be used with different bed heights. This is useful for those with an unusually shaped bed or a divan. Other features you might look at include a detachable 4th wall, which could be used as play pen or babysitter during the day, as well as a removable changing tray.