Bedside Crib Or Co-Sleeper
In essence, a bedside crib is a bassinet-style cot that is attached to your bed and allows you to reach your baby for night feedings or to soothe them to sleep. They are especially useful for mothers recovering from c-section births.
Our parents have praise for the SnuzPod 4 because of its many features. These include an incline of reflux and a relaxing center, with an amber nightlight and floor lamps that have two levels of vibration. It is also lightweight and easily moved from room to room.
Safety
A bedside crib (also called a baby bassinet or co-sleeper) allows your infant to rest with you at night, but in their own crib, which keeps them safe from the dangers of overheating and SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). It's important to follow the manufacturer's guidelines for weight limits, and to ensure that the mattress of your child fits comfortably. If there are gaps this could increase the risk of being entangled, which is a serious hazard. It is also crucial to keep pillows, blankets and toys from the crib.
Choose a crib with an open side panel that you can see your child through and a firm, flat, breathable mattress. The slats shouldn't be wider than 2 3/8 inch apart and the headboard should not be higher than the footboard. This will keep your baby from climbing out of the crib. A lot of cribs come with a built-in changer, shelves to store wipes and diapers as well with music, rockers and night lights. These are all fantastic features however, your baby should stay in the crib until they can sit up or stand. bedside crib with changing table occurs around 6 months.
It is also advisable to select 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 trapped. Consider removing these posts from your crib to stop your child from getting entangled with their toys or clothing. Also, make sure to keep the crib clear of drapery cords and window blinds, as your baby could become entangled and fall off or get strangled.
If you're using a second-hand cot, make sure it's safe to use. It shouldn't have rough surfaces or holes, or peeling paint and should be solid and in good condition with no loose components. It is also crucial to ensure whether the cot has been stripped down and painted. Cots that were made prior to 1973 could have had lead paint, which can be dangerous for infants.
Easy of Use
A bedside crib, also referred to as a bassinet or cot, is designed to be positioned next to a parent's mattress. This lets newborns sleep near their parents without the risk of co-sleeping. These are an excellent option for parents who have a hard getting out of the bed to feed their infant or soothe them at night, particularly after a difficult delivery. Some also double up as a Moses basket or a carrycot for infants to offer safe and flexible sleeping options away from the crib.
Bedside cribs are secured to the parent's side by a strap. Some come with a swivel and adjustable height settings, which means they can be used with various types of beds. Many come with mesh sides for improved airflow and visibility, too. Some models have sides that can be moved up or down to give parents the ability to see their baby. This is helpful to feed your baby at night and is a great comforter.
Some cribs can be tilted at one end to create an easier and more natural sleeping position that's safer for babies with reflux, colic and other digestive issues. This should only be done with the supervision of a medical professional and with extreme caution.
MFM home test Jasmine loved the size of this crib - "it's significantly larger than the majority of Moses baskets and feels sturdy and robust It's almost like an investment piece but not so expensive that it's unaffordable." She also liked how easy it was to use, especially its swivel base, saying: "You can just spin it around to reach over in case you need to check on baby -and then when you're ready to go back to sleep, you can simply pull it up."
Another thing she was impressed with was the ease with which it was to shut and open the door from the outside, particularly when she was exhausted in the dark. She also appreciated the space inside the crib to store blankets, nappies and other essentials. She also loved that the mattress was comfortable and spacious compared to the other cribs we've tested. She added: "Plus the sheets are easily machine washable - an absolute benefit when you're exhausted from each feed!"
Portability
One of the great things about a crib that is bedside is that it can be positioned right next to the bed of the parent which makes it easy to reach the baby at night to nurse or comfort. It also prevents baby from falling over, which can often lead to suffocation. A high-quality crib must have sides that are easily accessible, making it easy for parents who are tired in the middle of the night, as well as a mesh window so you can monitor your little one.
The SnuzPod 4 is popular because of its sleek Scandi design and low cost. It comes in a range of colors including gender-neutral gray and wood effect. It is designed to fit divan beds. However, you may require longer straps to match your mattress. Its side panel that opens, anti-reflux incline and adjustable mattress heights are all easy to use even for sleepy new parents.
It's a bit bulkier than some of the other crib options and it's not able to fold flat, but it's still a good size to fit in its handy carry bag to travel with. Mom on the BabyCentre forums claims that it's a breeze to set up, with clear instructions and simple controls. However, she notes that the fabric is susceptible to tearing when pulled out of its travel bag.
You can also opt for the Joie Roomie Glide, which is a bedside cot with wheels, which makes it easier to manoeuvre and folds completely flat. It's more expensive than the SnuzPod however it comes with several additional features that may be appealing, such as a storage shelf, six height adjustments, and an additional reflux incline. It also has a zip-up mesh window that makes it easy to clean and a sturdy, breathable mattress, but some moms found it a little shallower than other models. It comes with a carry bag that is useful for keeping the mattress clean and dust-free in storage.
Style
A bedside crib is also called a "co-sleeper" and is designed to fit next to your bed. It lets you view your baby and reach them during the night. This is beneficial to feed your baby at night and change the nappy. This makes it a great choice for parents who want to keep their baby close, but don't want to risk the dangers of sharing a bed (such as suffocation and overheating). It is also a good option for couples who don't share a bedroom with their child.
There are a variety of styles available. Some have an upper and lower panel that can be adjusted so that you can be able to touch and see your baby at night, but also stops accidental bed-sharing. Some have a pop-up design that lowers to let you lift your baby out and then raises automatically.
It is also important to consider the dimensions of your bed and how wide or narrow you want your crib to be. Some are more slim and compact than others, which could be important if space is limited in your home. Some are stronger and larger which is ideal for older children who may be starting to roll or climb up at night.
Look for a crib that is easy to clean, and has breathable fabric and mesh windows which can aid in ventilation. Some cribs have an adjustable mattress that can be machine-washed and is fitted with a sheet. This makes it much easier to clean than a standard crib mattress. Some also have an anti-reflux incline feature, which can be useful for people suffering from reflux.
Most secure and convenient cribs are those that can be attached securely to the parents' bed using straps or a locking mechanism that secures it even when it is not in use. Some cribs have adjustable legs that be able to work with different bed heights, which could be useful if you have a divan or other unusually-shaped bed. Other features you could look at include a detachable 4th wall that can be used as a play pen or babysitter during the day, as well as a removable changing tray.