A Provocative Rant About Bedside Crib Or Cot
Bedside Crib Or Co-Sleeper
Essentially, a bedside crib is a bassinet-style cot that can be attached to your bed and allows you to reach your baby for night feedings or to soothe them back to sleep. They are particularly useful for mothers recovering from c-section births.
Our parent testers have praised the SnuzPod 4 for its many technical features. It has an incline of reflux and a relaxing centre, with an amber nightlight as well as floorlights with two vibration levels. It's also light and easily moves from room to room.
Safety
A bedside crib (also known as a bassinet for babies or a co-sleeper) allows your child to rest with you at night but in their own crib, keeping them safe from the risk of overheating and SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). It is essential to follow the manufacturer's guidelines for weight limits and that your child's mattress fits snugly. It is crucial to avoid gaps as they can increase the risk of being entangled. This is a serious hazard. It is also essential to keep the crib clear of any items that could pose an entrapment risk, such as pillows, blankets and toys.
Find a crib with mesh sides that which your child can see through and a firm and breathable, flat mattress. The slats should be placed not more than 2 3/8 inches apart, and the headboard should be lower than the footboard to ensure that your baby cannot get out of the crib or put their head over the footboard. A lot of cribs have an integrated changing table, shelves for storing diapers and wipes, rockers music and night lights. These are all great features, but your baby should stay in the crib until they can stand or sit up. This usually happens around 6 months.
It's also important to pick a crib that doesn't have corner posts, since they could pose a risk to your baby by creating areas where their head or limbs could be entangled. If bedside crib and cot have a crib that contains these, you should consider taking them out to prevent your baby from getting caught in their clothes or toys. Also, be sure to keep the crib clear of drape and window blind cords as your baby may become entangled in them and fall or be strangled.
Make sure that the cot is still safe for use if you are using a cot that is used. It should not have rough surfaces or holes, or peeling paint and should be solid and well-maintained with no loose components. It is also important to verify that the cot was stripped down and repainted. Cots made before 1973 may have contained leaded paint, which can be harmful to babies.
Easy to Use
A bedside crib, also known as a cot or bassinet is designed to be positioned next to a parent's mattress. This lets newborns rest with their parents without the risk of co-sleeping. They're a good option for parents who struggle to get out of bed in the evening for feedings and comforting, especially if they've had an uneasy birth. Some can also serve as an infant Moses Basket or a baby carrycot to give infants a more flexible and secure sleeping option away from the crib.
Bedside cribs attach securely to the parent's side with a strap. Some come with an adjustable swivel and swivel settings, so they can be used with different types of beds. A majority of cribs feature mesh sides to improve airflow and visibility. Some have a drop-down sides which can be removed or lowered to allow access to the baby's bed from the parent's that aids with feeding at night and calming.
Some cribs can be tilted at one end to promote a more natural sleeping position that is safer for babies suffering from reflux, colic, and other digestive issues. However it is recommended to use this method with extreme caution and only with the advice of a health professional.
MFM home test Jasmine was impressed by the size of this crib and weight "it is a lot bigger than the majority of Moses baskets and feels strong and rugged - a little like an investment piece, but not so expensive as to be unaffordable." Jasmine also appreciated its simplicity of use and its swivel bottom she said: "You just spin it around when you have to reach over to check on your baby -- and then when you want go back to sleep, you simply pull it again."
Another thing she was impressed with was the ease with which it was to open and shut the door from the outside, especially when exhausted in the dark. She also appreciated the amount of space was there inside the crib for stashing blankets, nappies and other essentials. She also liked that the mattress was comfortable and was a decent size compared to other bedside cribs we've tested. She added: "Plus the sheets are easily machine washable - a major bonus after a long feed!"
Portability
A bedside crib can be set right next to a parent's bed. This makes it easier for parents to reach their child at night to comfort them or feed their baby. It also can help to prevent the baby from falling over and suffocating. A high-quality crib should have sides that are easily accessible, making it easy for parents who are tired at the end of the night, and also a mesh window that lets you keep an eye on your child.
The SnuzPod 4 is popular because of its sleek Scandi 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 make it compatible with your mattress. Its open side panel as well as the anti-reflux incline, and the adjustable mattress heights are all easy to operate even for sleepy new parents.
It's a little bulkier than other cribs, and does not fold completely flat. However, it's still a good enough size to fit in its convenient bag for travel. Moms on the BabyCentre forums commented it was easy to set up, thanks to its clear instructions and simple mechanism. However, she warns that the fabric is susceptible to tearing when pulled out of its bag to travel.
You could also consider the Joie Roomie Glide. It is a bedside baby crib that has wheels, making it easier to maneuver. It also folds completely flat. It is a little more expensive than the SnuzPod however it comes with a few additional features, including an adjustable shelf for storage, 6 different height adjustments, and an option to reflux inclined. It also has a zip-up mesh window that makes it easy to clean and a sturdy, breathable mattress, although some mums felt it was a bit shallower than other options. It comes with a carrying bag that is handy to keep the mattress clean and dust-free in storage.
Style
A bedside crib is called a "co-sleeper" and is designed to be placed next to your bed. It lets you see and reach your baby at night, which helps with night feeds and changing nappy. This makes it a great choice for parents who wish to keep their baby close but don't want to take on the dangers of bed-sharing (such as suffocation or overheating). It's also a great choice for couples who do not share bedrooms with their child.
There are many different styles you can choose from. Some have an upper and lower panel that can be adjusted to let you be able to touch and see your baby at night, but also stops accidental bed-sharing. Some pop-ups lower to let the baby to be lifted off the bed, but then automatically raise it.
You'll have to take into account the size of your crib and your bed. Some are slimmer and more compact than others, which could be crucial if space is limited in your home. Some are larger and more durable, which is great for older babies that may be starting to roll over or slouch in the night.
Look for a crib that is easy to clean, and has mesh windows and breathable fabric that can help with ventilation. Some have a removable mattress that is machine-washable and comes with a sheet, which is easier to keep clean than the standard mattress for a cot. Some models have an anti-reflux feature that can be helpful for reflux sufferers.
Most secure and convenient cribs are those that can be securely attached to the bed of the parents, either with straps or a locking mechanism that holds it in place while not in use. Some cribs also have adjustable legs that be able to work with different bed heights, which is useful if you have a divan or another unusually-shaped bed. It is also possible to consider a crib with a fourth wall that is removable and could be used as an activity area or babysitter during the daytime.