If you want to keep baby as close as possible at night, without having to get out of the bed, a crib that is placed beside your bed is the perfect solution. The breathable fabric lets you to easily see your baby and they are easy to lower if you need to feed your baby at 3am.
A bedside crib and cot crib, also referred to as a bassinet or a co-sleeper, is a small baby cot attached to your adult bed. This allows your child to sleep next to you in safety. This is a type of safe co-sleeping that does not increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) like bedsharing and can help you build a bond with your baby's new arrival.
These cots often have a side that is able to be raised, so you can easily reach your infant throughout the night for feeding and comforting. This is particularly useful for mothers recovering from a c section. Some are also portable or foldable, so you can take them on your travels and use them as a sleeping option for babies who aren't yet ready to move into a cot that is full size.
Find a crib that has a breathable mattress, and a protective cover that will protect your baby from staining. You might also want to buy baby-safe accessories such as an infant blanket or a teether.
If you are looking for a longer-term solution, some cribs come with conversion kits that allow you to transform them into a toddler bed or a cot when the time is right. This is a great option for extending their lifespan and making the transition more seamless. Some have a removable section at the top that can be transformed into the bassinet. Others can be used with a regular adult bed or a high-rise bed. This is a great option for families that are planning to frequently travel or switch between bedrooms at night. You should also consider the size of your bedroom to ensure that you can squeeze the crib comfortably. A lot of cribs have an riser that can be used to create an inclined position for babies who suffer from reflux.
The Joie Roomie Glide
The Roomie Glide, a bedside crib made by the English brand Joie is a wonderful addition to their line of high-quality products for infants. This co-sleeper was designed to allow parents to connect and sleep side by side with their children without sharing one bed. It is full of features that make bonding between parents and baby safe, simple, and fun.
One of the key features is a smooth rocking motion that can be activated by the touch of a button. It can help soothe baby to sleep by a gentle rhythm that doesn't disturb their natural sleep pattern. This is ideal for toddlers and older infants who are struggling to settle and can help with digestion problems such as colic and reflux.
The crib can also be fixed to the side of the bed using an attachment strap and clip. This makes the crib very solid and secure, allowing you to sleep soundly without worrying that your baby might roll off into the middle. The cocoon's rounded shape features softly cushioned sides and double mesh windows at both ends to allow for ample air flow while keeping your baby secure.
The mattress comes with a firm and comfortable and has an easy-to-clean cover. The crib is easy to set up and disassemble thanks to an aluminum frame that is lightweight and makes it extremely portable. The four lockable wheels are covered in rubber to ensure the crib doesn't leave marks on your floor and are easy to move around. The crib is easy to clean due to the wipeable woven fabric and can be easily packed in a bag for the duration of your stay.
The Tutti Bambini CoZeeAir
This model is made to be a secure, baby-sitter from birth to 6 months. It features bars with rocking for easy mobility and castors. The airflow mattress is a premium model that provides an ideal sleeping surface and the ventilation panels ensure your baby is kept cool. There are six different height settings including an incline option that can aid with congestion and reflux.
Unlike some bedside cribs which can be a nightmare to clean due to their incessant stream of dribble and snot and snot, the Tutti Bambini CoZeeAir comes with a wipe-clean lining and fabric that can be removed to wash in the machine. It also has an upper bar that is easily lowered for nighttime feeds without needing to search for zips in the dark.
Anna discovered that the CoZee was a safe and comfortable sleep space for her newborn. She was delighted that it didn't sway like other models, meaning it wasn't waking her at night when she was trying to soothe her baby during feeds. She also liked that the side was lowered so that she didn't have to reach over her partner to carry the baby for night time feeds.
The CoZee is available in oak and charcoal and was a stylish addition to the bedroom. It's more stylish than other cribs we've tried and are typically utilitarian. It's also fairly light at just 11kg, and comes with a carry case so you can carry it away on holidays or if moving your home. You'll need a waterproof sheet and a safety strap to sleep with your partner. There are step-by-step directions and illustrations to help you put it together when you first open the box which makes it a one-person task if needed.
The Maxi-Cosi lora
The Iora is a bassinet designed for infants designed to make parents feel closer to their baby while they sleep. It can be adjusted up and down and moved to three different positions for sliding to be placed beside the bed of the parent or in the corner to ensure that the infant is always within reach. The breathable mesh siding allows air to circulate through and allows you to glance at your child. You can also keep any extra pajamas or items in the large basket beneath.
As opposed to other bedside crib options Iora is a standout among other bedside crib with wheels cribs. Iora folds flat and comes with a carry-on bag so that it can be taken anywhere. It was easy to move around from room to room, and our mum testers felt it was the right size for a bedside crib. They also appreciated the large storage basket, which is ideal for stowing nappies or other bedding items.
This is an excellent choice for parents who want to co-sleep, but do not want to share their beds, or whose partners might be prone to mobility issues, such as arthritis or back issues. Our mums who tested it loved that they could easily access their child while in the Iora and that it included an optional reflux incline that helped reduce gas.
Our moms appreciate that the mattress follows NICE guidelines. These include placing the baby in a Moses basket or crib on its own, without toys, blankets and pillows. The mattress is also a good firm and comfortable for babies, and sheets are easy to find. It isn't as light as the other cribs for 4-in-1 bedside crib use however and if you're looking for something lighter and easier to move around with, consider one of the alternatives on our list.