9 . What Your Parents Taught You About Bedside Crib Vs Cot

Bedside Crib Vs Cot

A bedside crib (also called a co-sleeper) lets your baby rest close to you during the night. It's important that you follow the official safe sleeping guidelines 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. Additionally, its slim frame makes it easy to move from room room.

Safety

bedside crib with wheels cribs are a great option for families who co-sleep. However, NHS Safe Sleep advice recommends that parents should use a separate sleeping surface for their child and avoid sharing a bed to reduce the risks of overheating, suffocation and rollovers.

When selecting a bedside crib it is crucial to ensure that the crib is compliant with European safety standards and conforms to Lullaby Trust codes to ensure secure sleep to ensure your baby is sleeping in a secure and safe environment. Bedside cribs with adjustable height settings can be matched to the parent's bed frame, reducing the risk of gaps where babies may be trapped. The cribs are equipped with a flat, firm mattress designed to promote healthy sleep habits.

The majority of cribs with a bedside crib travel feature an adjustable panel that can be raised to allow you to safely monitor your baby during the night. This means that you can comfortably soothe them, feed them and monitor them without needing to get out of bed. This is particularly beneficial for mothers who are recovering from c-section births, or those who are unable to move. Some models, like the SnuzPod4, offer a reflux incline feature for babies who have digestive issues or reflux.

A lower panel can reduce the risks of your baby rolling off the edge of the crib, and many come with mesh sides to stop the stray pillows or duvets from falling into. This is crucial to reduce the risk of SIDS. Babies who roll off their backs are more prone to suffocate.

It is advised to keep any dummy or soft toys from the crib as they could be a hazard to suffocate. To keep your baby safe it is also important to ensure that the crib mattress is airy and regularly check for any gaps or loose sheets. Once your baby is able to sit up or stand, usually around 6 months old they'll need to move to a cot or another suitable sleeping arrangement. If you are worried about this transition, it's worth speaking to your GP or health professional.

Comfort

The best cribs for beds provide an environment that is safe and comfortable for your baby to rest. Designed to sit next to your bed, they will allow you to take care of your infant without getting out of bed. They will also give you the opportunity to bond with your newborn in those precious early months. This feeling of safety can help to establish positive nighttime routines and improve the overall quality of your baby's sleep.

Your child should be kept in a crib next to the bed until they reach 6 months or can stand up by themselves. At this point, it is time to switch to an older cot. Bedside cribs can be used to accommodate your child to this age, but you must review the guidelines for the crib.

When selecting a bedside cots crib ensure that it is in line with EN 1130 safety standards and is compatible with your bed (most will attach to a standard bed frame but you should always check the exact dimensions). It is important that the mattress of your bedside crib is firm, flat and airy. This is crucial for your baby's health.

Our mom testers have been talking about the Chicco Next2me Side Sleeping Crib that has a height-adjustable base and can be used as a stand-alone crib or affixed to your bed. This crib is lightweight, easy to assemble and offers excellent value for money. Silvercross Voyager is another of our top picks. Our test subjects love it for its versatility, comfortable mattresses and reflux incline feature.

Space

A bedside crib is an accessory that attaches to the side of the bed. This lets you keep your child close all night long without the danger of co-sleeping. This is not recommended by the NHS or the Lullaby Trust. Recent times have seen an increase in their popularity among mums who want to bond with their baby while being secure.

They usually have the lowering panel, which you can use to safely feel and see your baby, and others that allow you to keep the panel closed at night for the ease of fuss-free feeding and monitoring. Some models also have a reflux incline feature, which was a favorite among many of our testers for reducing discomfort and aiding digestion for babies with reflux or wind.

Many bedside cribs also come with adjustable height settings, which allows you to put them at the exact same level as your mattress. This eliminates any gap that could allow your baby to slip or climb out. This is particularly beneficial for those recovering from C-sections as it can be difficult to get in and out of bed.

The lowered sides also offer some privacy, which makes them ideal for new parents who are concerned about sharing a space with their newborn. However, it's important to remember that if you choose to sleep with your child in a crib by the large bedside crib or cot, it's still best to follow the official safe sleeping guidance and not share your bed.

Before buying, you'll need to check whether your crib for bedside is compatible with your bed frame. Some cribs can be clipped onto bedsteads, whereas others are better suited to divan beds. Don't forget to buy a mattress that is suitable for your crib. These are usually sold separately from the crib and should be in line with the most recent BS EN1130:2019 safety standards.

Some bedside cribs can also be converted into toddler beds, which can increase the longevity of parents who don't want to invest in an additional crib for their child who is older. The SnuzPod4 is one such example, with an elegant, slim frame that easily fits into the corner of your bedroom and gives plenty of space for your child to rest comfortably. It is also easy to put together and comes with a convenient bag for travel.

Convenience

A crib that is placed near the bed allows you to easily lift your child from bed to feed them, cuddle them and then soothe them to sleep. A majority of cribs have a side panel that can be adjusted to allow you to talk and touch your baby without waking them up. Some cribs keep the panel in place constantly - this is great for new parents who may be recovering from a C-section and wish to keep their newborn close.

Some cribs come with tilting features that may help with reflux or colic. It's important to note that tilting the crib should be done with caution and only by a person who knows their baby's medical history and requirements.

Another feature to consider is how easy it is to clean, and if it's machine washable or will you have to wash it by hand it manually. Some cribs come with waterproof covers that protect against leaky nappies, infant sick and dribbles. Some also have a handy storage bag, making them ideal for travel cot bedside if you have to take your baby away with you.

It's also worth considering the weight of the crib and if it's easy to move from room to room. Jasmine, our 2021 Mother & Baby Awards mum tester, described the Red Kite Cozysleep with the crib as "just right size and light enough to be able to move around the house." It folds flat, and comes with a bag to take on trips to the grandparents.

We suggest that you go through our reviews and ratings to ensure you choose the right model for your baby. And remember that although the crib may look beautiful and elegant, it's important to keep in mind that your baby will soon grow out of its small size. Therefore, you'll have to put your baby in a cot bed before they start to grow out of it.