What Is a Bedside Cot?
Bedside cots are a bassinet-style cot that can be attached to the side of your bed. They come with a side that is removable or drop-down that makes it easy to pick up and feed your baby at night.
Experts do not recommend bed-sharing because it increases the risk of SIDS. They are regulated by strict safety standards.
Convertible cribs
A crib that is placed at the bedside is a great way to keep your child close at night without having to move them to a mattress of your own. You can also observe them during the day, and it allows for parent-child interaction throughout the night. This can help you build a bond with your child. There are various types of convertible cribs available each with its unique advantages. You can pick from a sliding bed and a 4-in-1 bedside sleeping system or a stand-alone crib. Some have a tilt function, which can aid in reducing reflux and colic but should be used with extreme care and always at a slight angle.
A majority of the cribs we have included on this page come with the side panel, which can be raised to give you an improved view of your child. Some cribs let you put the side panel down at the night. This allows the convenience of sleeping with your baby without the risks. This can be especially helpful when you are struggling to find the right position for your baby to rest in at the night.
It's important to keep in mind that the best way to lower your baby's risk of SIDS is to place them on their backs. If your baby's feet are resting at the end, you should not lower the panel. This could put them in danger of rolling over and causing serious injury.
Many bedside cribs come with a safety barrier you can put on your bed. Some cribs have shelves to store toys and nappies, as well as wipes. They could also include rockers, music, and night lights.
You'll also require an appropriate mattress to fit in your crib bed and second-hand mattresses are not recommended because they increase the risk of SIDS. Find a firm, breathable foam mattress with a waterproof cover that can be washed. You can also purchase an cot mattress protector to further safeguard your investment and make cleaning your bedside crib a lot easier.
Portable cribs

A portable crib allows you to keep your child close without compromising their safety. It allows parents to soothe their infants in bed without getting up. They can also use it when traveling or visiting the homes of their friends. It can even serve as an infant playpen. It's easy to clean and can be folded flat, making it ideal to transport and store. It's a great option for families with multiple children or who often are away from home.
It is essential to select a crib that meets most stringent safety standards. It is essential to choose cribs that are free of gaps or bedding that could trap the baby and cause suffocation. It's also important to make sure that the crib is attached to the parent's bed. Check the crib for any parts that have been recalled prior to purchasing it.
One of the top options for a travel crib is the Skip Hop portable baby bed, which features a unique expandable base that grows with your child. The crib is designed to be set close to the bed of the parents or as a stand-alone crib. It is made of sturdy safe materials that can be adjusted to suit various sizes. It is also machine washable and stain-treatable and comes with a carry-on bag.
Pamo Babe Lightweight Portable Travel Cot is a good travel crib. It is light and compact, and it has six adjustable height settings to better align the cot to the mattress of the parents. It also comes with a newborn insert, making it suitable for use from the time of birth.
Before purchasing a crib for travel it is important to determine the dimensions of the room you're staying in at the destination you're planning to stay at. If you're staying at a hotel, inquire with the staff about the size of their rooms to see whether they can accommodate your family's needs. You can also ask friends and relatives for suggestions on the size of their homes. Recommended Reading is also a good idea to think about the climate of your destination as it can affect how well your baby sleeps.
Side-car cribs
A bedside crib (also called a bassinet or baby cot) is a type of sleeper that is attached to the parents' bed which allows parents to keep their baby close but still providing the infant an individual sleeping area. This is a form co-sleeping that has been proven to reduce the risk of SIDS. It is a great choice for mothers recovering from a caesarean birth.
Some cribs with bedsides come with additional features such as the ability of tilting or rocking, which could be beneficial for infants who are fussy. Some have a detachable moses basket-style attachment which can be used for older children. These cribs are designed to meet a variety of safety standards. It's important to note that not all cribs are made equal. Certain cribs are more rigid than others. It's crucial to pick one that's suitable for your needs.
You should also think about the ease of clean the crib. Some cribs are made of a water-resistant material that is simple to clean, whereas other are made of wood or metal and are harder to keep clean. The size of the crib and whether or not it can accommodate the bed frame and mattress are also important aspects. Some cribs are made to be able to be placed over a bed rail, meaning that you'll need to take the mattress off to get it in.
After you have chosen the crib that's right for your child, it's time to put it in place. The first step is to screw the 2 x 4 horizontal pieces to the back of the box making sure that they're level with each other. Then attach the front 2 X 4 pieces to the sides of the box and pre-drill any screws that are inserted into the 1 12 X 12 boards. This will stop the board from breaking.
The mothers who received an cot with a side-car reported a preference and a huge amount of enthusiasm for them, compared to mothers who received standard cots in the postnatal unit. (Tully & Ball 2012). They discovered that the cribs permitted visual and physical contact with babies as well as emotional closeness and breastfeeding; assisted in settle; and minimized calls to staff.
Co-sleeping cribs
Many parents like the idea of having their baby sleeping close to them, allowing them to watch and take care of them without needing to get out of their bed. They are also great for breastfeeding mums and can help to build a bond that will last throughout childhood. This closeness can also pose some risks, such as overlaying (when an infant's pillow or cover from an adult is used on the face of the infant) or suffocation or rolling out of the crib onto parents. The risk of these are minimized with a co-sleeping crib, which is essentially a bassinet-style crib that can be attached to the side of your bed.
As well as keeping your child from rolling off your mattress, these cribs can be elevated to the level of your bed, providing a slight incline that may aid in reducing reflux. Some cribs come with a rocking feature that some mothers say helps to settle their child.
A bedside crib is a fantastic option for parents who wish to keep their child close but don't have room for an extra Moses basket or a regular cot. Mehack, a MFM mum who tested the cribs at home, said she "loved' hers. She noted that it was simple to assemble and that it was in harmony with her bedroom decor. She adds that it's especially useful when she has to wake up for night feedings or a soothing bath, since it helps her not have to get out of bed.
There are new crib requirements that aim to reduce the chance of SIDS. This includes a requirement that the barrier doesn't drop completely Instead, many have 'half-height' walls that create a more protective barrier.
Another crucial aspect is to make sure you have a high-quality and breathable mattress for the crib, which can be easily cleaned after messy diaper changes. Make sure it's machine washable and washable so that any spills can be handled quickly and easily. You'll also need a range of other safe bedding for babies such as a fitted sheet and a breathable sleeping bag. Look out for Black Friday deals 2024 on cribs that are next-to-me to help complete your nursery.