What Is a Bedside Cot?
Bedside cots are a bassinet style cot that can be attached to the side of your bed. They have a side that is removable or drop-down which makes it easier to feed and pick up your baby during the night.
They're a great alternative to bed-sharing, which isn't recommended by experts and can increase the risk of SIDS. They adhere to strict safety standards.
Convertible cribs
A bedside crib lets you keep your baby close to you during the night, without having to move the crib to a mattress. It also lets you watch them during the day, and encourages interaction between parents throughout the night, assisting you bond with your little one. Convertible cribs come in different styles, each with distinct advantages. You can pick between a sliding crib, a 4-in-1 sleeper that is placed beside your bed, or a stand alone crib. Some include a tilt feature, which can aid in reducing colic and reflux but must be used with extreme care and always at a slight angle.
A lot of the cribs we have included on this page come with the side panel, which can be adjusted to allow you an improved view of your child. Some cribs let you keep the side panel in place at the night. This allows the ease of cosleeping without the risks. This is particularly beneficial when you are struggling to find the right position for your baby to rest in at the night.
It's important to remember that the most crucial piece of advice for safe sleep is to lie your baby on their back to sleep. This will reduce the risk of SIDS. If your baby's feet rest at the end of the bed, you shouldn't lower the panel. This could put them in danger of rolling over and causing serious injury.
All cribs that are used as bedside cribs must have a space of not more than 20cm between the mattress and cot/crib to prevent baby from falling off or becoming trapped. Many have a safety barrier that you can attach to your own bed. Some have shelves to store nappies and wipes, along with music, rockers and night lights.
Mattresses that are second-hand can increase the risk of SIDS. Find a firm, breathable foam mattress with a waterproof cover that can be cleaned. You can also purchase a cot mattress protector to protect your investment and to make cleaning your crib's bed easier.
Portable cribs

A portable crib allows you to keep your child close without risking their safety. It lets parents soothe their infants without having to leave their the bed. They can also use it while traveling or at a house of a friend. It can also be used as an infant playpen. It's easy to clean and folds flat, making it convenient for travel and storage. It's an excellent option for families who have multiple children or who are often away from home.
It is crucial to choose a crib that is in compliance with the highest safety standards. Find a crib that does not have gaps or loose bedding, which could trap a baby and cause death. It's also important that the crib is connected to the bed of the parents. If bedside cot wooden purchasing a second-hand crib, be sure to look it over for recalls on parts.
Skip Hop portable cribs are a great option for a portable bed. They come with an exclusive expandable platform that can grow with your baby's. The crib is designed to be put close to the bed of the parents or used as a stand-alone crib. It is made of durable safe materials and can be adjusted to accommodate various sizes. It's also machine washable and stain-treatable. It comes with a travel bag.
Another excellent travel crib is the Pamo Babe Lightweight Portable Cot. This crib is lightweight and compact, and comes with six height adjustments to make it easier to align the cot to the mattress of the parents. It also comes with a newborn insert making it suitable for use from birth.
Before choosing a travel crib, make sure to figure out how large the room will be at your destination. Ask the hotel staff what the size of their rooms are to determine if they will be able to accommodate your family. Alternately, you can ask your family and friends for advice on the size of their homes. It is important to think about the climate in your destination as it can affect how well your baby sleeps.
Side-car cribs
A bedside crib (also known as a bassinet or a baby cot) is a type of sleeper that attaches to the parents' bed which allows parents to keep their baby close but still providing the infant an independent sleeping space. This is a form co-sleeping which has been shown to reduce the risk for SIDS. It is a great choice for mothers recovering after a caesarean birth.
Some bedside cribs come with additional features, for instance the ability to rock or tilt which can be useful for infants who are fussy. Some cribs come with an attachment for a moses basket that can be used by older babies. These cribs are designed to meet various safety standards. However, it's important to note that not all cribs are made equal. Some cribs are more rigid than others. It is important to choose one that's suitable for your needs.
You should also consider the ease of clean the crib. Some cribs are made of a water-resistant material that is easy to clean, whereas others are made of metal or wood and are harder to keep clean. The size of the crib and the capacity to accommodate the bed frame and mattress are also significant factors. Some cribs are designed to fit over a bed rail, which means that you'll have to take the mattress off to access it.
Once you've selected the crib that is suitable for your child, it's time to put it all together. The first step is to screw the horizontal 2 X 4 pieces to the side of the box, making sure that they're flush with each other. Then, screw the front 2 X 4 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 assigned a crib with a side-car reported overwhelming enthusiasm and preference for them as compared to those allocated standard cots on the postnatal unit (Tully & Ball 2012). They observed that the cribs allowed for visual and physical contact with their infants as well as emotional closeness and breastfeeding; helped with the settling process; and reduced calls to staff.
Co-sleeping cribs
Many parents prefer to have their baby sleep close to them, so that they can supervise and take care of their child without having to get up from their bed. They are also ideal for mums who are breastfeeding and help to build a lasting bond. This closeness also comes with some dangers, including overlaying (when an infant's pillow or cover that is provided by an adult is placed on the face of the infant), suffocation and accidental rolling out of the crib onto the parent. These risks are all minimised by using a co-sleeping cot, that is essentially a bassinet crib that can be attached to the bed's side.
As well as keeping your child from falling off the mattress These cribs can be elevated to the level of your bed, allowing a slight incline that may aid in relieving reflux. Some even come with an option to rock that some moms say helps in settling their child.
A bedside crib is an ideal solution for parents who want their child to be close, but do not have space to have a separate Moses Basket or regular cot. MFM mother home test Mehack says she "loved" hers, stating that it was easy to assemble and blends well with her bedroom decor. She says it's particularly useful in the event that she needs to get up in the morning to feed her baby or soothe him in the night.
There are new crib requirements that will reduce the risk of SIDS. This includes a requirement that the barrier isn't completely dropped - instead, many now have walls that are half-height, which provide more of a protective barrier.
Another important aspect is to make sure you have a high-quality and breathable crib mattress that is easy to clean after messy diaper changes. Be sure to wash it in the machine and washable so that any spills are dealt with quickly and easily. You'll also need a range of other baby-safe bedding, including sheets that are fitted and a soft sleeping bag. Be on the lookout for Black Friday deals 2024 on next-to me cribs to kit out your nursery.