Buying a Bedside Crib
Reading Time: 10 Minutes
Many parents choose a bedside crib because it lets you lie next to your baby without sharing a sleep surface. So you get the benefits of being close – soothing, convenience for night feeds, peace of mind watching over them – while minimising the risks associated with sharing a bed.
A bedside crib is a very popular choice for newborn sleep. A bedside crib – also referred to as a bedside sleeper, co-sleeper or side-sleeper – allows you to keep your baby close for sleeping, while still following the safe sleep guidelines.
During the first 6 months of their life, when the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is at its highest, the safest place for a baby to sleep is on their back, in their own sleep space, within the same room as you. This could be in a cot, crib (bedside or standalone) or Moses basket. Many parents choose a bedside crib because of the proximity it allows you to have with your baby, allowing you to lie next to your baby but without actually sharing a sleep surface. This means you get the benefits of being so close to them – the soothing benefits, the convenience for night feeds, the peace of mind watching over them – while minimising the risks associated with actually sharing a bed with them.
Whether you should choose a bedside crib instead of a Moses Basket, standalone crib or cot is totally personal. You need to decide what works best for your family and your home. To help you decide, here are some of the benefits and the drawbacks of bedside cribs, over other types of newborn sleep space.
- The obvious advantage is that your baby is close. This can help you rest easy as a parent as you keep a close eye on them from your own bed.
- The close proximity also has practical advantages. When it comes to night-feeds, you’ll appreciate the convenience of reaching over for your baby from the comfort of your bed! This is particularly true for breastfeeding parents who don’t need to get out of bed to prepare a bottle.
- Many mums recovering from a C-section choose this option as it limits the need to get out of bed as frequently, which can be difficult in those early days.
- You can reap the benefits of co-sleeping, without the risks associated with sharing your bed with your baby.
Consider your space
When shopping for a bedside crib check the measurements against the space next to your bed to make sure it will fit or that you can rearrange furniture to make it work.
If you’re short on space look for a co-sleeper with built-in storage, to save space, such as our Lua Bedside Crib, with built-in changing mat and shelf. Another space-saving quality of Lua is that it doesn’t attach to your bed, so in between sleeps you can move it out of the way.
Factor in your bed height
Depending on the style of co-sleeper you’ll probably need to check that it can be adjusted to match the height of your bed and mattress. The Mamas & Papas’ Lua Bedside Crib has adjustable leg heights, to find the perfect height for your bed.
Choose a breathable option
For the safest sleep for your baby, consider breathability. When it comes to a co-sleeper, this means choosing one with mesh sides and a breathable mattress. The Lua has breathable mesh panels and a comfy core mattress with breathable fibre core.
Is it easy to clean?
Spillages and accidents are inevitable, so look for a bedside sleeper with removable, ideally machine washable fabrics.
Is it portable?
If you can find a bedside sleeper that moves around easily, your baby will be able to take daytime naps around the house, which is handy. Lua has a removable bassinet which allows for naps anywhere in the house. It also has a collapsible design (and handy storage bag) meaning it travels well – great if you’re going away for the night or heading off on holiday.
Style
As your bedside sleeper will sit in your room look for a style that complements your décor.
Added features
Look for other features that could come in handy. For example, when we designed our Lua we gave it a drop-down side, with an auto-return option, which makes it easier to lift baby in and out from your bed, particularly useful during c-section recovery.
Bedside sleepers are designed to offer a safe place for co-sleeping, but for optimum safety you must make sure you use it correctly, in accordance with its instructions and only as its designed to be used. Here are a few extra tips to make sure you’re using yours safely.
Safety checks
It sounds obvious but always use yours in accordance with its instruction manual. Every bedside crib will differ slightly so make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions when setting yours up and using it.
Fit it properly
Make sure it is fitted correctly for your bed’s height and according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The sides should be sturdy and secure so they won’t fold in if you happen to roll against the co-sleeper while snoozing.
Mattress safety
Use the mattress that comes with the product or one that’s specifically designed to fit it. Be sure that the mattress fits snugly inside the co-sleeper.
Use the correct bedding
Only use a mattress and fitted sheet in their bedside crib. No matter where your baby sleeps — co-sleeper, crib, cotbed or Moses Basket — the same safe-sleep guidelines apply. You should never have anything in their bed that could suffocate them. So don’t use baby pillows, blankets, toys, soft toys or loose-fitting sheets.
Avoid hand-me downs
While we’re all for pre-loved, as with car seats, we don’t advise purchasing a second-hand bedside crib. Purchasing new means you can be sure that it’s up to current safety standards and all its parts are in full working order and if you’re using your own existing bedside sleeper for your next child, then we recommend purchasing a new mattress.
Move on at the right time
Don't use a bedside crib for longer than intended. Once baby can sit unaided, it’s time to move them into a more suitable sleep space. Also check the weight limit as well as any other size specifications. Once your baby has outgrown their bedside crib, consider a cotbed, which can be adjusted as they grow and used for years.