Watch Out: What Bedside Cot 6 Months Plus Is Taking Over And What Can We Do About It

Bedside Cot 6 Months Plus

Bedside sleepers let you keep your baby in the same room with you without the risk of bed-sharing, which is associated with an increased risk of death from suffocation. They're an excellent choice for babies.

Look for models with an adjustable height that gives a perfect fit on most bed frames. Also, look for breathable fabrics that are easy to clean.

Safety

A bedside cot could be described as a bassinet which is connected to the side of a bed to ensure safe cosleeping. You can use it to raise your baby towards you in the evening for feeding or soothing. it's also a great choice in the event of a C-section. It's different from a Moses basket or cot as it has high sides so your baby can't be pushed out. Some come with a tilt feature which can help babies with reflux and colic. They're also a bit larger than Moses baskets, which may make them easier to carry from room to room.

The NHS and safe sleep charity The Lullaby Trust advise that newborns should be kept in their own bassinet or cot in the same room with their parents however, not in your bed. Sharing beds increases the risk of overheating or suffocation. Bedside cribs offer the best of both worlds, giving your baby the opportunity to be close to you throughout the night, but still in their own safe and separate sleeping space.

When selecting a crib that is bedside, check that it meets the most recent safety standards (it should be BS EN 1130:2019) and has no gaps or parts that could cause your child to be trapped. Find a mattress with a flat, firm surface. A soft or sagging mattress could increase the risk of SIDS, so choose for a brand new mattress instead of a second-hand.

Make sure your bedding is well-fitted and does not have pillows or blankets that are sloppy. Duvets and pillows can suffocate your baby, and pillows can stick to their face. It's best to use a fitted sheet instead but ensure it's fitted correctly.

Our MFM mom testers have discovered that the SnuzPod4 is an excellent choice for a bedside crib, selected for 2021's Mother&Baby Awards in the best Cot, Crib, or Moses Basket category. It is attached securely to the bed, and it can be adjusted to ensure the perfect fit. It features a rocking feature and can be adjusted to an inclined position to prevent reflux. It is also an excellent choice for those who have small or narrow beds as it doesn't take up much space.

Design

The design of a crib for the bed is important as it is where your baby will spend most of their time. Many cribs are available in a variety of colors that can be matched to your decor. Some come with features such as mesh windows to keep your baby visible or drop-down sides that make it easier to access. Some cribs have incline features to aid with reflux.

Many cribs can also be raised and lowered to match the height of your bed, making it simple to get out and in to bed at time of night. Some cribs can also be used as travel cots. This is great for when you travel or visiting relatives.

Leya is an MFM mom and home tester, discovered that the SnuzPod 4 was a great design for her bedroom. She also loved its compact fold which saved space. She also liked that the crib's one side drops down, allowing her to take her newborn baby to bed without having to leave her bed. This is particularly helpful in the event that you've been through an Caesarean or are recovering from one. You can stay near your baby for a longer time.

Jasmine is another mom who loved using the SnuzPod 4. She said it was easy to move the crib from one room to another which she could not discover with other cribs for bed. However, she did notice that the handle was stiff and required a lot of effort to raise the crib.

Another crib for bedside that is easy to fold and move is the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, which was shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards as the Best Cot Crib, Moses Basket. Its slim frame and neutral colour options will fit in with most bedrooms, although some of our testers at home felt the bars were too close, which means they could get caught on clothing or toys for babies. The bars' distance should not exceed 6.5cm (2 inches) in order to keep your baby's head from becoming stuck. This is a great crib for babies who have reflux because its ComfortAir breathability technology helps regulate their temperature.

Comfort

You'll feel more secure if can quickly reach your baby to feed them during the middle of the night. With a crib at your bedside it is possible to do this without getting out of your bed. They also make it easier to calm babies back to sleep. If you'd like to lay down with your baby, but don't like the idea of having to get out of bed for every feeding A moses basket is the better option.

Most cribs with a bedside are attached to the bedside, which allows you to see and reach your baby. Some have mesh windows, which allow you to watch your baby without disturbing him. They may also include a reflux setting to aid in colic or reflux.

This crib comes with a wide range of features, but we're most impressed by the ComfortAir breathable Mattress that regulates your baby's body temperature and increases airflow. It's a bit smaller than some other bedside cribs and can be useful when space is tight. However, our mom testers agree that it's a great option for those long sleeps.

The cot is secured to the side of your bed with adjustable straps, which reduces the possibility of gaps that your child may get caught. It also comes with a sturdy, flat mattress that meets safety standards and encourages the safest sleeping habits.

It is important to know that your baby is likely to leave their crib when they are capable of sitting upright at about six months old. This is why it's important to place them in a cot or other sleeping arrangement as they grow out of the crib.

Another feature to think about is how light the cot is and whether it's suitable for travelling. Many of our moms love the fact that this crib can be taken apart to make it easy to transport, whereas others find it a bit difficult to assemble and then rebuild. It is also difficult to keep clean, so you'll need regularly clean it using a cloth or cleaning product.

Stores

A bedside cot suitable for 6 months and over is a bassinet-style bed that can be attached to the mattress's side to ensure secure co-sleeping. They are ideal for calming babies to sleep, night feedings and allowing mums who had a c section to keep their baby close.

It's important that you choose cribs that meet current safety standards. Verify that  rocking bedside crib  are spaced enough apart to prevent your child's head from being trapped and check that the sides that drop down are secure and won't pop open suddenly. Avoid placing stickers or other objects on the floor of the cot because they could pose the risk of choking.

Emily's top pick for a bedside crib is the Next2me Magic, which was shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. It's a decent size and has lots of storage space for everything your baby needs. It's also compact and light enough to fit in its bag for travel, should you're planning to move it around. If you're looking for something a bit simpler, she recommends the Shnuggle Air on the side of the crib.