Bedside Crib Or Co-Sleeper
In essence, a bedside crib is a bassinet-style cot that can be attached to your bed and allows you to access your baby for evening feedings or to help bring them back to sleep. They are especially useful for mothers recovering from c-section births.
Our testers from our parent group have praise for the SnuzPod 4 because of its many technical features. They include an incline of reflux and a relaxing centre, with an amber nightlight, as well as floorlights with two vibration levels. It's also lightweight and easily moves from room to room.
Safety
A bedside crib, also referred to as a cosleeper (or baby bassinet), allows your infant to sleep with you during the night in their crib. This keeps them safe from overheating and SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). It's important to follow the guidelines of the manufacturer for weight limits, and to ensure that the mattress of your child fits comfortably. It is crucial to keep gaps out of the way as they increase the chance of entrapment. This is a serious risk. It is also essential to keep pillows, blankets and toys from the crib.
Find a crib with an open side panel that you can see your child through and a firm and breathable, flat mattress. The slats must be spaced not more than 2 3/8 inches apart and the headboard should be lower than the footboard, so that your child is unable to climb out of the crib or reach their head over the footboard. Many cribs have a built-in changer, shelves for storing diapers and wipes as well as rockers, music, and night lights. These are all fantastic features, but your baby should remain in the crib until they can stand or sit up. This usually happens around 6 months.
You should also choose a crib that does not have corner posts. They could pose a risk for your baby as they create spaces in which their limbs and head may get caught. If you have a crib that has these, you should consider taking them out to avoid your child becoming entangled in their clothing or toys. Keep the crib away form window blind cords and drape cords, as your child may become entangled and fall or strangle.
Check that the cot is still safe to use if you're using an old cot. It shouldn't have rough surfaces or holes, or peeling paint and must be solid and well-maintained with no loose components. It is also essential to ensure that the cot has been stripped down and repainted, as cots made before 1973 could have lead paint on them, which can be toxic for babies.
Simple to Use
A bedside crib is a cot or bassinet designed to be placed safely next to a parent's bed and allow newborns to rest close to their parents without any of the dangers associated with co-sleeping (rooming-in). They are a great choice for parents who have a hard to get out of the bed to feed their child or soothe them at night, especially after a difficult birth. They can also serve as a Moses Basket or infant carrycot to offer a more flexible and secure sleeping space away from the crib.
Bedside cribs are secured to the the parent's bed by straps that secure them and some have an adjustable base with a swivel and swivel height settings that can be used with different types of beds. A majority of cribs feature mesh sides to increase visibility and airflow. Some models come with an option to have the side moved up or down to give parents the ability to see their baby. This is beneficial for feeding at night and calming.
Some cribs are tiltable at one end, which encourages an easier sleep position for babies with reflux or colic. This should only be done under the guidance of an experienced medical professional and with extreme caution.
MFM home test Jasmine was impressed by the size of this crib - "it is a lot bigger than other Moses baskets and feels sturdy and rugged - a little like an investment piece, but not so expensive as to be prohibitive." Jasmine also appreciated its simplicity of use and its swivel bottom, saying: "You just spin it around when you have to reach over to look over your babyand when you're ready to sleep, simply pull it again."
Another thing she was impressed with was the ease to shut and open the door from outside, especially when bleary-eyed in the dark. She also appreciated the space inside the crib to store blankets, nappies, and other essentials. She also liked that the mattress was comfortable and a good size compared to the cribs we looked at. She added: "Plus, the sheets are easily washable - which is a huge plus when you're exhausted after a feed!".
Portability
One of the great things about a crib for bed is that it can be positioned right next to the parents' bed and makes it simple to reach baby during the night for breastfeeding or comforting. It also prevents baby from rolling over, which could often lead to suffocation. A good quality crib must have sides that are easily opened, which makes it simple for bleary-eyed parents at the end of the night, and also a mesh window to keep an eye on your baby.
The SnuzPod 4 is a popular option, thanks to its sleek design in Scandi and affordable price. It comes in a range of colours, including gender-neutral grey and wood effect, and is designed to work with divan beds, although you may require a longer strap to ensure it is compatible with your mattress. Its open side panel with anti-reflux incline as well as adjustable mattress heights are all simple to use even for sleepy new parents.
It's a little heavier than some of the other cribs and it's not able to fold flat, but it's a good size to fit in its handy bag for transport. Moms on the BabyCentre forums noted it was easy to set up with its clear instructions and simple mechanism. However, she does mention that the fabric could be stretched when taken out of the bag for travel.
You can also opt for the Joie Roomie Glide. It is a crib for babies that can be placed on the bed that has wheels, making it easier to maneuver. It folds completely flat. It's more expensive than the SnuzPod however it comes with additional features that could appeal, including a storage shelf, six different height adjustments and an optional reflux tilt. It has a mesh window which zips up for easy cleaning, and a solid mattress that is breathable. travel cot bedside considered it to be a bit smaller, but. It comes with a bag for carrying, which is useful to keep it dust-free and clean in storage between usages.
Style
A bedside crib, sometimes referred to as co-sleeper, was designed to be placed beside your bed. It lets you view your baby's progress and be able to reach them during the night. This is useful to feed your baby at night and change the diapers. This is ideal for parents who want to keep their baby close but don't want the dangers of sharing a bed (such as suffocation and overheating). It is also a good choice for couples who don't share a room with their child.
There are travel cot bedside of designs available. Some models feature a side panel which can be removed. This allows you to be able to see and touch your child during the night, but prevents accidental sharing of beds. Some pop-ups lower to let you lift your baby from the bed, but automatically raise it.
You'll need to consider the dimensions of your crib as well as your bed. Some cribs are smaller and compact and are ideal if you have limited space in your home. Some are stronger and larger and are great for older babies who might be starting to roll or climb up at night.
Pick a crib that is mesh windows, breathable fabric and easily cleaned surfaces. Some cribs come with an adjustable mattress that can be machine-washed and fitted with a sheet. This makes it much easier to clean than a standard crib mattress. Some have an anti-reflux option which can be beneficial for reflux sufferers.
The most secure and practical choices are those that secure securely to the parents' bed by straps or an locking mechanism that holds it in place even when not in use. Some cribs have adjustable legs that can be used with different bed heights. This is useful if you have an unusually shaped bed or a divan. Other features you might think about are a detachable fourth wall that can be used as a play pen or babysitter during the day, as well as an adjustable changing tray.