Bedside Crib Or Co-Sleeper
A bedside crib is a bassinet-style cot that is attached to your bed and lets you be close to your baby during night feedings or to soothe them back to sleep. They are especially helpful for mothers recovering from c-section births.
Our parent testers were extremely pleased with the SnuzPod 4, which has many technical features for parents with busy schedules, including the ability to set incline for reflux as well as a soothing centre with amber light for the night and floor with two levels of vibration. It's also lightweight and is able to be easily moved from one room to another.
Safety
A bedside crib, also known as a cosleeper (or baby bassinet) allows your baby to sleep near you at night in their crib. This helps to protect them from overheating and SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). It is recommended to follow the instructions of the manufacturer for weight limits, and make sure that the crib is snugly fitted. It is essential to keep gaps out of the way as they increase the chance of getting trapped. This is a serious danger. It is also essential to keep pillows, blankets, and toys away from the crib.
Find a crib that has an open side panel that which your child can see through, as well as a firm and breathable, flat mattress. The slats shouldn't be wider than 2 3/8 inch apart, and the headboard should not be higher than the footboard. This will keep your child from getting out of the crib. Many models also feature a built-in changing table, shelves to store diapers and wipes, rockers, music and night lights. These are all fantastic features however, your baby should stay in the crib until they are able to stand up or sit. This usually occurs around 6 months.
It's also important to choose a crib that does not have corner posts, since they could pose a risk to your baby by creating areas in which their limbs or head might be trapped. If you have a crib with these, you should consider taking them out to stop your baby from getting caught in their clothes or toys. Also, make sure to keep the crib free of drapery cords and window blinds, as your baby could become entangled in them and fall or be strangled.
If you're using a secondhand cot, ensure that it's safe to use. It should be in good working order and sturdy, and free of loose pieces. It should not have any rough surfaces or holes. It is also important to check whether the cot has been stripped down and painted. Cots manufactured prior to 1973 may have had leaded paint, which could be harmful to babies.
Ease of Use
A bedside crib, also known as a cot or bassinet is designed to be set next to a parent's mattress. This lets newborns sleep with their parents, without the risks of co-sleeping. They are a great choice for parents who have a difficult to get out of the bed to feed their child or comfort them at night, especially after a difficult birth. 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 can be secured to the parent's side by straps. Some come with an adjustable swivel and swivel settings, so they can be used with various kinds of beds or types. bedside rocking crib come with mesh sides that improve the visibility and airflow. Some have a drop-down side that can be lowered or removed to allow direct access to the baby from the parent's bed that aids with feeding at night and calming.
Some cribs are tiltable at one end, which encourages a more natural sleep position for babies suffering from reflux or colic. This should only be done with the supervision of a medical professional and with extreme caution.
MFM home test Jasmine was impressed by the size of this crib and said "it's much larger than the majority of Moses baskets, and feels sturdy and solid - a bit like an investment piece but not so costly that it's impossible to afford." She also liked how easy it was to use, particularly the pivoting base, stating: "You can just spin it around to reach it in case you need to check on baby -and when you're ready to go back to bed you simply pull it up."
Another thing she liked was the ease to open and shut the door from the outside, particularly when she was bleary-eyed in the dark. She also appreciated the amount of space inside the crib to store nappies, blankets and other essentials. She also loved that the mattress was comfortable and spacious compared to the other cribs we tested. She added: "Plus, the sheets are easily washable - which is a major plus in the event that you're exhausted from every feed!".
Portability
A bedside crib could be set right beside the bed of a parent. This makes it easy for parents to reach their child in the night to soothe or feed their baby. It also can help to keep the baby from rolling over and suffocating. A good quality crib should have sides that are easily opened, which makes it easy for parents who are tired at the end of the night, as well as a mesh window that lets you monitor your baby.
The SnuzPod 4 is popular because of its sleek, modern design and low cost. It is available in a variety of colors, including gender neutral grey and wood effect and is designed to work with divan beds however, you may require a longer strap to ensure it is compatible with your mattress. The side panel that opens and the anti-reflux incline and adjustable mattress heights make it simple to use even for parents who are new.
It's a little heavier than some of the other cribs and it's not able to fold down completely flat, but it's an ideal size to fit in its handy carry bag to travel with. wooden bedside cot in the BabyCentre forums commented that it was simple to set up, thanks to its simple instructions and easy to use mechanism. However, she warns that the fabric is susceptible to creasing when it's being taken out of its bag to travel.
If you prefer, you can choose the Joie Roomie Glide, which is a bedside crib that has wheels, which makes it more manageable and folds completely flat. It's a little pricier than the SnuzPod however, it has some extra features that might appeal, including a storage shelf, six height adjustments, and an additional reflux incline. It also has a mesh-lined window which zips up for easy cleaning, and a sturdy mattress that is breathable. Some mums found it a bit shallower, though. It comes with a carrying bag that is handy for keeping the mattress dust-free and clean when it is stored.
Style
A bedside crib, sometimes referred to as co-sleeper, is made to be placed beside your bed. It allows you to be able to see and touch your baby throughout the night, which can help with night feeds and changing nappy. This makes it a great choice for parents who want 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 choice for couples who do not share the bedroom with their child.
There are many different designs available. Some models come with an upper and lower panel that can be lowered. This allows you to see and touch your child throughout the night, but it also prevents the accidental sharing of beds. Others come with a pop-up style that lowers to allow you to lift your baby out and then raises automatically.
You'll need to take into account the size of your crib and your bed. Some are more slim and compact than others, which can be important if space is limited in your home. Others are sturdier and bigger, 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 breathable fabric and mesh windows that can help with ventilation. Some have a removable mattress that is machine-washable and comes with a sheet, which is easier to keep clean than the typical cot mattress. Some models have an anti-reflux feature that could be beneficial to reflux sufferers.
The most secure and practical alternatives are those that attach securely to the parents' bed, either using straps or a locking mechanism that keeps it in place when not in use. Some cribs have adjustable legs that can be used with different bed heights. This is useful when you have a peculiarly designed bed or divan. It is also possible to consider a crib that has a fourth wall that is removable and could be used as a playpen or as a babysitter during the day.