How To Explain Bedside Crib Vs Cot To A 5-Year-Old

Bedside Crib Vs Cot

A bedside crib (also known as a co-sleeper) lets your baby sleep close to you during the night. It's important that you adhere to the official safe sleep guidelines of 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 means it's easy to move from room to room.

Safety

Many new moms are looking for the comfort of their baby whilst they sleep, and bedside cribs are a good option for families embracing co-sleeping. However, NHS Safe Sleep advice suggests parents make sure that they have a separate sleeping area for their baby and avoid sharing a bed to reduce the risks of suffocation, heat exhaustion and rollovers.

When you are choosing a crib for your bed, it is important to ensure that the crib is compliant with European safety standards and adheres to Lullaby Trust codes to ensure safe sleep, so that your child is sleeping in a safe and secure environment. Bedside cribs with adjustable height settings can be matched to the bed frame of the parent which reduces the chance of gaps that infants might be trapped. The cribs come with an even, firm mattress that is designed to promote healthy sleep habits.

The majority of cribs with a bedside feature an adjustable panel that can be lowered to allow you to be able to monitor your baby's health during the night. This allows you to provide comfort, feed and monitor your baby without having to get up. This is particularly beneficial for new mothers recovering from csection births or those who have mobility issues. Some models, like the SnuzPod4, even offer a reflux incline function for babies who have reflux or digestive issues.

A lowered crib can reduce the risks of your child slipping off the edge of the crib Many have mesh sides to stop any pillows or duvets that are stray from falling in. This is important in reducing the risk of SIDS. Babies who roll on their backs are more likely to drown.

It is recommended to keep any soft or dummy toys from the crib as well as they could be a hazard to suffocate. To ensure your baby's safety, you should also ensure that the mattress of your crib is breathable and you check it regularly for any gaps or loose sheets. Once your baby is able to sit or stand, usually at around 6 months they will have to move into a cot or another suitable sleeping arrangement. If you are concerned about this transition, talk to your GP or a health visitor.

Comfort

The best bedside cribs offer an ensconced and safe space for your baby to rest. Built to sit beside your bed, they let you take care of your little one without getting out of bed and will also give you the opportunity to bond with your newborn during the first few months of their life. This feeling of security will help establish a positive routine for your night and enhance the overall quality of sleep your baby gets.

You should keep your child in a crib near the bed until they reach 6 months old or are able to stand on their own. At the age of 6 months, you can change to a traditional cot. Bedside cribs can accommodate your child to this age, but you should check the product guidelines.

When selecting a bedside crib, make sure that it complies with EN 1130 safety standards and is compatible with your bed (most will attach to the standard bed frame, but you must always verify the exact dimensions). Also, make sure that the bedside crib has a firm and flat mattress that is breathable - this is essential for the health of your baby.

The Chicco Next2me side sleeper is a favorite among our mom testers. It features a height adjustable base that can be used as a standalone crib or connected to the bed. It is light and easy to put together. It also offers excellent value for money. Another of our favourites is the Silvercross Voyager, which our testers love for its versatility, air-tight mattress, and reflux incline feature.

Space

A bedside crib is a sleeping space that clips securely onto the side of your bed and allows you to keep your baby close during the night without any risk of co-sleeping (which is not recommended by The Lullaby Trust and NHS). They've grown in popularity recently with mothers looking for ways to bond with their baby while staying safe.

Some come with a lowering screen that allows safe viewing and touching of your baby. Some allow you to keep the panel closed in the night, allowing you to feed and monitor your child with no anxiety. Some have a reflux incline function too which many of our test moms loved for helping digestion and alleviating discomfort for babies who are suffering from reflux or wind.

Many bedside cribs also come with adjustable height settings, allowing you to place them at the same level as your mattress.  twin bedside cot  will eliminate any gaps which could cause the baby to climb out or slip. This is especially useful for those recovering from C-sections, as it can be difficult to get into and out of bed.

The lowered sides also offer some privacy, making them ideal for parents who are worried about sharing a space with their newborn. However, it's important to keep in mind that if you decide to sleep with your child in a crib that is near to bed or a cot, it's still best practice to follow the official safe sleeping guidance and avoid sharing your bed.

Before buying the crib, make sure whether your crib for bedside will fit your bed frame. Some cribs can be clipped onto bedsteads, while others are better suited to divan beds. And don't forget you'll need a mattress that is suitable for your new crib, which is typically sold separately to the crib itself and should meet the latest BS EN 1130:2019 safety requirements.

Some bedside cribs also convert into toddler beds, which can increase the longevity of parents who don't want to invest in an additional cot for their older child. SnuzPod4 has a sleek frame that can be tucked away in the corner of any bedroom and provides plenty of space for your child to sleep comfortably. It's also easy to assemble and comes with a handy travel bag.

Convenience

One of the most appealing aspects about a crib that is placed near the bed is that it's easy to lift your baby in and out of bed during nighttime cuddles, feeds, and calming back to sleep. A lot of cribs come with an upper panel that slides down, allowing you to contact and talk to your baby without having to wake them up to disturb their sleep. Some cribs have the side panel in place all the time. This is great for parents recovering from C-sections who want to keep their baby close.

Some cribs are equipped with a tilt feature that can aid with colic or reflux. It's important to note that tilting the crib must be done with attention and only by a parent who is aware of their baby's medical history and their needs.

Consider how easy it is to clean the crib, and whether you can machine wash it or if you'll need to wash it manually. Some cribs are equipped with waterproof covers that protect against leaky diapers, infant sickness and dribbles. Some cribs have a storage bag that makes them ideal for taking on trips when you need to bring your baby along.

Also, you should consider the weight of the crib and whether it's easy to move from room to room. Our 2021 Mother & Baby awards mum tester Jasmine said that the Red Kite Cozysleep next to the crib as "just the right size and lightweight enough to be easy to move around the house. It folds flat and comes with a carry-on bag for trips to the grandparents.

If you're thinking of purchasing a crib for your bed, we recommend you check out our full reviews and ratings of the best cribs available, to ensure that you buy the best model for your baby and your life style. Be aware that a crib might appear beautiful and elegant but your baby will quickly outgrow it. Therefore, you'll need to transfer your baby into a crib bed before they begin to get out of it.