Be On The Lookout For: How Bedside Cot 6 Months Plus Is Taking Over And What Can We Do About It
Bedside Cot 6 Months Plus
Bedside sleepers allow you to keep your baby close in the same room with you are without the risk of bed-sharing, which is associated with an increased risk of suffocation. They're also a great option for infants.
Look for models with an adjustable height position that will fit perfectly on all bed frames. Look for fabrics that are easy-to-clean and breathable.
Safety
A bedside cot is basically a bassinet-style cot that fixes to the side of your bed to ensure safe co-sleeping. It can be used to bring your baby towards you to comfort them, feed them or to help soothe them at the night. It's also a great option if you had a c section. It is different from a Moses Basket or Cot in that it has walls that are high so your baby cannot escape. Some models have a tilt feature that can aid babies suffering from colic and reflux. They are also slightly bigger than Moses baskets, which may make them easier to transport from room to room.
The NHS and the safe sleep charity The Lullaby Trust advise that newborns should be kept in their own cot or bassinet in the same room as their parents but 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 at night, but in their own secure and private sleeping space.
Make sure the crib is compliant with the most recent safety standards. It must be BS EN1130:2019. Also, ensure there aren't any gaps or places where your baby could get trapped. Find a mattress with a firm, flat surface. A sagging mattress or one that is too soft may increase the risk of SIDS for your child.
Make sure your bedding is fitted and without pillows or blankets that are sloppy. Duvets and pillows can suffocate your baby, and pillows can stick to their face. Use a fitted sheet, but ensure that it is fitted correctly.
The SnuzPod4 was rated highly by our MFM mum test participants as a crib that is suitable for use in bed. It has been nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards under the category of Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib. It is secured to the bed and has an adjustable height that allows for an ideal fit. It also has a rocking feature and can be set to an incline for reflux. It's a great option for those with narrow or small beds since it does not take up much room.
Design
It is crucial to think about the style of your crib at night since this is the place where your baby will spend the majority of their time. There are many cribs available in a variety of colors that will match your decor. Some have features such as mesh windows to keep the baby's eyes open or drop-down sides to make it easier to access. Some cribs have incline features to aid with reflux.
Many cribs can also be adjusted to match the height of your bed, making it easy to get into and out of the bed at night. You can even find some that are designed to function as travel cots, which are great when you're traveling or visiting relatives.
Leya Leya, an MFM mother and home tester, found that the SnuzPod 4 was a great choice for her bedroom. She also loved its compact fold that saved space. She also appreciated that one side of the crib drops down and allows her to pick up her sleeping newborn without having to leave her bed. This is especially helpful when you've had an Caesarean or are recovering after one. You can stay close to your baby for a longer time.
Jasmine is a mother who also enjoyed using the SnuzPod 4. She noted that it was simple for her to move the crib from one room to another and back again - something she didn't find with other bedside cribs. However, she said that it took some effort to raise and lower the crib, as the handle was quite rigid.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air is another crib that is easy to fold and move. It was nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in their Best Cot or Crib category. Its slim frame and neutral colors will fit in with most bedrooms, although some of our testers at home felt the bars were too close together, meaning they could get caught on clothing or toys for babies. The distance between the bars should not exceed 6.5cm (2.5 inches) to ensure your baby's head can't become trapped. This crib is also ideal for babies who have reflux, because the ComfortAir air-tight system assists in regulating their body temperature.
Comfort
Staying close to your baby all night will give you peace of mind, but you must be able to reach them quickly during the night for feeding. It is easy to accomplish this without having to get out of bed with a crib right at your bedside. These cribs make it easy to soothe babies to sleep. If you want to be able to sleep with your child, but do not want the hassle of having to get up every time they're fed, a moses-basket is an excellent option.
The majority of cribs for bedside are attached to the bedside, so you are able to easily see and reach your baby. Many have mesh windows to allow you to monitor your baby without disrupting the baby. You may also find a reflux setting that helps with reflux and colic.
This crib comes with a wide range of options, but we're particularly amazed by the ComfortAir air-tight Mattress that regulates your baby's body temperature and increases airflow. It's smaller than other cribs for bedside use that could be useful in areas with limited space. However, bedside cot mattress agree that it's still an excellent choice for those long sleeps.
The cot is attached securely to the bed's side with adjustable straps. This reduces the possibility of gaps in which your child could become trapped. It comes with a firm, flat mattress that meets safety regulations and promotes good sleep habits.
It is important to be aware that your baby will start to climb out of their crib once they are standing up typically about six months old. It's important that you place your baby in a cot or another sleeping arrangement when they've outgrown their crib.
A lightweight cot that is suitable for travel is an additional aspect to consider. Many of our moms enjoy the fact that the crib can be dismantled to make it easy to transport, whereas others find it a bit difficult to assemble and then rebuild. It can be difficult to clean so you will have to wipe it clean regularly with the aid of a cleaner and a cloth.
Stores
A bedside cot suitable for 6 months and older is a bassinet-style cot that attaches to the mattress's side to allow secure co-sleeping. They are great for feeding at night as well as calming babies to sleep and allowing mothers who've had an e-csection to keep their baby close.
It's important that you choose a crib that meets current safety standards. Make sure that the crib's bars are spaced sufficiently apart to keep your child's head from getting trapped. Also, ensure that any drop-down side is secure and doesn't open unintentionally. Also, stay clear of any transfer or stickers on the cot's surface as they can be dangerous to choking.
Emily's favorite bedside cot for her baby is the Next2me Magic. It was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the categories of Best Crib or Cot and the Best Moses Basket. It is a good size and has plenty of storage for your baby's necessities. It's also small and lightweight enough to fit into a travel bag if you need to move it around. If you're looking for something a bit simpler, she recommends the Shnuggle Air beside crib.