What Is a Bedside Cot?
Bedside cots come in a bassinet-style and are attached to the side of the bed. They come with a removable or drop-down side that makes it easy to feed and pick up your baby during the night.
These are an excellent alternative to bed-sharing, which isn't recommended by experts and increases the risk of SIDS. They are regulated by strict safety regulations.
Convertible cribs
Having a bedside crib is a convenient method to keep your baby close to you at the night without having to shift them to your own mattress. You can also watch them during the day and it encourages parent-child interactions throughout the night. This can help you build a bond with your child. There are various types of convertible cribs available, each with their own unique benefits. You can choose between a sliding bed and a 4-in-1 bedside cot used sleeping system or a stand-alone crib. Some have a tilt function, which can aid in reducing colic and reflux but must be used with great care and always at an angle that is slightly off.
A lot of the cribs we have listed on this page have a side panel which can be lowered to provide you with the best view of your child. Some also let you put the panel down at night, providing the convenience of co-sleeping, but without the risks that come with it. This can be especially helpful in the event that you have trouble finding the perfect position for your baby to sleep in at the end of the night.
But, it's important to remember that the most important piece of safe sleeping advice is to lie your baby on their backs to sleep as this helps lower the risk of SIDS. If your baby's feet are on the bottom of the crib, you shouldn't lower this panel, as this can expose them to the risk of falling and causing serious injuries.
Many cribs with a bedside feature a safety barrier you can attach to your bed. Some cribs have shelves for storing toys, wipes, and nappies. They may also have music, rockers, and night lights.
Second-hand mattresses can increase the risk for SIDS. You should look for mattresses that are firm and breathable with a waterproof covering that is able to be cleaned. You can also buy an cot mattress protector to safeguard your investment and make cleaning your bedside crib and travel cot crib easier.
Portable cribs
A portable crib is a great option to keep your baby close to you at night without putting them at risk for safety. It lets parents soothe their infants in the bed without getting up. They can also use it while travelling or at their the homes of their friends. It can be used to playpen your baby. It's easy to clean and can be folded flat, making it perfect for storage and travel. It's an excellent choice for families with children who are multiple or who are frequently out of the home.
It's important to choose a crib that meets the most stringent safety standards. Find a crib that doesn't have gaps or loose bedding which can trap a baby and cause suffocation. Additionally, it's important to ensure that the crib is firmly attached to the parent's bed. If you're buying a secondhand crib, be sure to look it over for recalls on parts.
One of the top options for a travel crib is the Skip Hop portable baby bed that has an exclusive expandable base that grows with your child's. The crib is designed to be placed close to the parents' bed or used as a stand-alone crib. It is constructed of durable safe materials and can be adjusted to accommodate various sizes. It is machine washable and stain-treatable and comes with a carry-on bag.
Pamo Babe Lightweight Travel Cot is another great travel crib. This compact and lightweight crib comes with six height settings that can be adjusted to match the barrier between the cot and the mattress of the parents. It also comes with a newborn insert which allows it to be suitable for use starting at birth.
Before purchasing a crib for travel you must determine the dimensions of the room at your destination. If you're staying in a hotel, ask the staff about the dimensions of their rooms to see whether they can meet your family's needs. Alternatively, you can seek out family members and friends for advice about the size of their homes. It is also important to be aware of the climate in your location as it may influence how well your child sleeps.
Side-car cribs
A bedside crib (also known as baby cot or bassinet) is a kind of crib that is attached to the parents' bed and allows them to keep their baby close but still providing the infant an individual sleeping area. This is a type of co sleeper bedside cot-sleeping, which has been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS. It is also a great option for mothers recovering from caesarean section birth.
Some foldable bedside crib cribs have additional features such as the ability of rocking or tilting, which can be useful for infants who are fussy. Some cribs are equipped with a removable moses basket attachment that can be used by older infants. These cribs have been designed to meet different safety standards. It's important to note that not all cribs are the same. Some cribs are more rigid than others. It's crucial to pick one that suits your needs.
You should also think about how it will be easy to clean the crib. Some cribs are made from a water-resistant fabric that is easy to clean, while others are made of wood or metal and are more difficult to keep clean. You should also consider the crib's size and whether it is able to accommodate your mattress and bed frame. Some cribs are made to fit over a bed rail meaning that you'll need remove the mattress to get it off.
Once you've picked the perfect crib, now is the time to assemble it. Screw the horizontal 2 X4 pieces to the back of the box, making sure they are completely flush. Then attach the front 2 X 4 pieces to the sides of the box, and drill any screws that go into the 1 X 12 boards. This will prevent the board from breaking.
Mothers who were given a side-car crib reported overwhelming enthusiasm and preference for them as compared to cots with standard sizes on the postnatal unit (Tully & Ball 2012). They found that the cribs permitted physical and visual contact with babies allowed emotional bonding and breastfeeding; assisted in settle; and minimized calls to staff.
Co-sleeping cribs
Many parents prefer having their infant sleep with them, so that they can monitor and care for them without having to get up. These are also great for mums who are breastfeeding and aid in establishing a lasting bond. But this closeness is accompanied by many risks, including overlaying (when an adult's pillow or a cover is used on the infant's face) or suffocation, as well as accidental rolling from the crib onto the parent. Co-sleeping cribs, which is basically a cot with a bassinet design that attaches to the side of your mattress and can help reduce the risk.
In addition to keeping your child from falling off your mattress These cribs can be elevated to the level of your bed, allowing an incline that could help with reflux. Some cribs feature a rocking feature that some mothers say helps in settling their child.
A bedside crib is a fantastic option for parents who want their child to be close but do not have space for a separate Moses Basket or a regular cot. MFM mother home tester Mehack says she "loved" her crib, saying it was simple to assemble and fits in nicely with her bedroom decor. She says it's particularly useful if she has to get up for night feedings or a soothing bath, since it saves her having to get up.
However, a variety of new requirements have been put in place for cribs, which are aimed at decreasing the chance of SIDS. This includes a requirement that the drop-down barrier doesn't completely drop and instead, a lot of cribs have 'half-height' walls that create a more protective barrier.
Another crucial aspect is to make sure you have a top-quality, breathable mattress for the crib, which can be easily cleaned after messy diaper changes. Make sure it's machine washable as well to ensure that any spills can be handled quickly and easily. You'll need to purchase several other items for babies, like a fitted bed sheet or a sleeping bag that breathes. Keep an eye out for Black Friday deals 2024 on cribs for next-to-me to kit out your nursery.