bedside cot for twins Or Co-Sleeper
In essence, a bedside crib is a cot that resembles a bassinet that is attached to your bed and lets you reach your baby for evening feedings or to help soothe them back to sleep. They are especially helpful for mothers recovering from c section births.
Our parent testers praised the SnuzPod 4, which has numerous technical features that are ideal for parents who are busy, including the ability to set incline for reflux as well as a calm centre with amber nightlight and floorlight with two vibration levels. It's also light and easily moves from room to room.
Safety
A bedside crib, also referred to as a cosleeper (or baby bassinet) allows your baby to sleep next to you at night in their own crib. This keeps them safe from overheating and SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). It is essential to follow the manufacturer's guidelines for weight limits, and to ensure that the mattress of your child fits comfortably. If gaps exist this could increase the chance of being entangled, which is a risk that is serious. It is also crucial to keep blankets, pillows, and toys away from the crib.
Look for a crib with a mesh panel on the side that is visible and a mattress that is flat, firm, and airy. The slats must be spaced no wider than 2 3/8 inches apart and the headboard should be lower than the footboard so your child is unable to leave the crib or raise their head over the footboard. A lot of cribs come with a built-in changer, shelves to store wipes and diapers as well as music, rockers, and night lights. These are all great features, but your baby should remain in the crib until they can stand or sit up. This usually happens around 6 months.
It's also essential to select a crib that does not have corner posts, as these could pose a risk to your baby's safety by creating spaces where their head or limbs could get trapped. Consider removing the posts from your crib in order to avoid your child from becoming entangled with their toys or clothes. Keep the crib clear of window blind cords and drape cords, as your child might get caught in them and fall or strangle.
If you're using a secondhand cot, make sure it's safe to use. It must be in good shape and sturdy, with no loose pieces. It should also not have rough surfaces or holes. It is also important to verify that the cot was stripped down and painted. Cots manufactured prior to 1973 could have had lead paint, which can be toxic for babies.
Easy of Use
Bedside cribs are bassinet or cot designed to sit safely beside a parent's bed and let babies sleep close to the parent without the dangers that come with co-sleeping (rooming-in). It's a great choice for parents who struggle to get up to feed their children and comforting, especially when they've had an uneasy birth. Some can also be used as a Moses Basket or infant carrycot to provide a more flexible and safe sleeping space away from the crib.
Bedside cribs fasten securely to the side of the parent's bed by straps that are secure and some have the ability to swivel their base and adjust height settings to work with different beds. Many have mesh sides to improve visibility and airflow, too. Some models come with a side that can be moved up or down to give parents the ability to see their baby. This is beneficial for feeding at night and calming.
Some cribs can be tilted at one end to encourage the natural sleep position that is safer for babies suffering from reflux, colic, and other digestive issues. This should only be done with the guidance of an experienced medical professional and with extreme caution.
MFM home tester Jasmine loved the size of the crib It's "it's much larger than the majority of Moses baskets, and feels sturdy and solid it's a bit like an investment piece but not so expensive that it's unaffordable." She also appreciated the ease of use, especially its pivoting base, stating: "You can just spin it around to reach over when you want to check on baby -and then when you're ready to go back to sleep, you just pull it back up."
She also liked how easy it was to open and close the door, even when she was exhausted at late at night. She also enjoyed how much space there was inside the crib for stashing nappies, blankets, and other essentials. She also liked that the mattress was comfortable and was a good size in comparison to other cribs we've tested. She added: "Plus the sheets are easily machine washable, which is an absolute benefit after a long feed!"
Portability
A bedside crib can be placed beside the bed of a parent. This makes it easier for parents to reach their baby at night to comfort or breastfeed. It also can help to keep the baby from rolling over and suffocating. A good quality crib must have sides that are open, making it easy for parents with a bleary eye at the end of the night, and also a mesh window that lets you keep an eye on your baby.
The SnuzPod 4 is popular because of its sleek, modern style and affordable price. It is available in a variety of colours, including gender-neutral grey and wood effect and is specifically designed to work with divan beds, however, you may require a longer strap to ensure it is compatible with your mattress. Its side panel that opens as well as the anti-reflux incline, and the adjustable mattress heights are all simple to use, even for bleary-eyed new parents.
It's a bit heavier than other cribs, and it does not fold completely flat. However, it is nevertheless a decent size to fit in its handy bag for travel. Mum in the BabyCentre forums noted it was easy to set up with its clear instructions and simple mechanism. However, she notes that the fabric is susceptible to creasing when taken out of its bag to travel.
You can also opt for the Joie Roomie Glide. It is a crib for babies that can be placed on the bed with wheels, making it easier to maneuver. It also folds completely flat. It's a bit more expensive than the SnuzPod but it has a few extra features, like a storage shelf, six different height adjustments, and an option to reflux inclined. It also has a zip-up mesh window to make cleaning easy and a breathable, sturdy mattress, though some mothers were a bit disappointed that it was a bit smaller than other models. It comes with a bag for carrying, which is useful to keep it dust-free and clean in storage between uses.
Style
A bedside crib, also referred to as co-sleeper, is made to fit by your bed. It allows you to see your baby and reach them during the night. This is useful to feed your baby at night and change the nappy. It is ideal for parents that want to keep their babies close but do not want to risk drowning or overheating. It's also a good choice for couples who don't share a bedroom with their child.
There are a variety of designs available. Some come with an upper and lower panel that can be lowered so that you can feel and touch your baby at night, but also stops accidental bed-sharing. Others have a pop-up design that lowers to let you raise your baby and then raises automatically.
You'll have to consider the dimensions of your crib as well as your bed. Some are more slim and compact than others, which could be important if space limited in your home. Others are sturdier and bigger which is ideal for older children who may be starting to roll or pull themselves up during the night.
Pick a crib that is mesh windows, breathable fabric and easy-to-clean surfaces. Some have a removable mattress that can be washed in the machine and comes with a sheet, which makes it easier to clean than the typical mattress for a cot. Some come with an anti-reflux option that can be helpful for reflux sufferers.
The most secure and practical choices are those that secure securely to the parents' bed by straps or a locking mechanism that keeps it in place when in use. Some cribs also come with adjustable legs that work with a range of different bed heights, which could be useful for those with an unusually-shaped divan or bed. It is also possible to consider a crib with an adjustable 4th wall that can be used as a playpen or as a babysitter during the day.