How to pick the best bedside cot for you and baby.
Parents in Singapore face a big decision when choosing the best bedside cot, especially when it comes to finding a bedside cot that works for co-sleeping.
There are several things you will want to consider when selecting which product to choose as there are so many co-sleeping bedside cribs. Factors such as price, how safe it is, can it be put up quickly. is it adjustable, and how long will it last my little one?
Of course, the most important information is how practical is the bedside cot for families who want to co-sleep with baby and is it easy for baby to sleep safely and be breastfeed conveniently.
What is co-sleeping
Co-Sleeping is where the parents and the baby share the same space for night time; some parents share their bed with their new baby.
The safer option is to share a room and have a cot for the baby to sleep in that is close to their bed.
The benefits of co-sleeping
Healthcare services recommend that babies should sleep in the parent’s room at home, for at least 6 months, with some suggesting that a year is better. There are two reasons that this arrangement is better for the infant. One is medical, and the other is practical, but both will have a positive effect on your babies wellbeing.
It has been proven that babies that share a room so they can sleep close to their parents are at lower risk of SIDS, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
Sharing a room also has a positive effect as it makes it easier for the baby to feed during the night, and many parents believe that strengthens the bond between them and their baby.
Why do you need a co-sleeper cot?
If you are planning on co-sleeping and having a baby in your room at home, then you will need a bedside crib for baby to sleep in.
As we said earlier, some parents choose to co-sleep in the same bed; however, this comes with increased risks that are avoidable if the baby slept in bedside crib.
Babies who share a bed are more at risk of SIDS, suffocation and injury. It is especially important to not sleep with a baby of you are a smoker, on medication or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Picking a bedside co-sleeping crib.
What should you look for when choosing the best baby cot for your newborn? There are a few things that we know are essential when looking for a co-sleeping bedside cot.
- Adjustable: A suitable bedside cot will be as versatile as possible. It should be adjustable to fit a variety of beds and match babies needs as they grow.
- Access: Baby will be in and out of the cot for sleeping and feeding. We found the best ones are the least disruptive for you and baby. A removable side for in-bed access is the best option. A bedside cot with a bridge to the bed is the safest and most convenient.
- Versatility: You don’t want to end up buying multiple beds for baby. A one solution cot is best. Make sure that your crib can be used as a bedside co-sleeper as well as a standalone crib.
- Construction: Any bed you choose should be made of strong study materials and be easy to make at home.
- Price: A good quality and safe cot should cost between SG$500 and SG$800
- Movable: Whether you are moving baby from room to room or staying over at friends house, you should try and choose a crib that can be transported about easily.
- Safe: Probably, the most critical consideration should be safety. Bedside cribs need to have some essential safety features. The gap between the bed and your side sleeping baby is a significant hazard so look for a cot that fits close to the side of the bed, Bedside cribs that bridge the gap are the safest solution.
- Secure: Make sure you understand how your bedside cot secures to the bed a free-standing crib can move quickly if not secured.
- Visibility: One of the reasons we choose to co-sleep is so you can see your baby and they can see you. When picking your bedside crib, make sure it has excellent visibility.
- Eco: Products made from quality sustainable materials are excellent. A product that can last past its use is even better. Check with the manufacture into how long your baby can sleep in the bedside cot and what the cot can do after you have finished with it.
- Style: Beautiful things are good for your wellbeing, so picking a co-sleeping cot that suits your home and your style is an important part of the selection process.
The best cot for co-sleeping
There is one bedside crib that stands out for us. The Neospace Bedside crib from UK based BabyHub is way ahead of all its rivals as it ticks all of the boxes requires for a safe and functional bedside cot.
The Neospace is new to the market in Singapore. It has already won design awards for its innovation and increased safety for bedside sleeping.
The biggest new innovation is the fold-down bridge from the bedside cot to the mattress, which removes the risk posed by the gap between the bed and the cot. The bridge part of the cot walls and drops down, so baby has its own space and is also part of your bed. This helps with sleeping for parents and baby. It is also perfect for night time breastfeeding. The bedside bridge is soft and comfortable for baby to lie on.
The Neospace can be used as a co-sleeping crib, standalone cot, or as a bench seat when your baby is older. It is the best bedside crib available in Singapore.
It’s fully height-adjustable to fit all bedsides and can be safely secured using straps that fit the frame or mattress. The front end of the NeoSpace bedside crib can be raised to a gentle incline to help prevent reflux. The crib mattress is filled with quality natural coir, with an antibacterial cover woven and infused with the healing herb Sarcandra Glabra.
The Neospace Bedside Crib conforms to British and European safety standard.
When you are searching for which crib or bedside cot, you will have plenty of questions. We have tried to answer some of the most common:
How long can you use a bedside crib for?
Most bedside cribs are designed to accommodate your baby for the first 6 months. After that, it is all down to the size you may find that your baby is still comfortable in the cot and you can use it as a standalone cot for a little longer.
However, you will need to get a bigger cot as baby grows and becomes more active and starts standing up.
What type of co-sleeper cots are there?
There are three types of co-sleeper cribs:
Small bed sleeper – This is a light mosses basket type crib that sits on the bed, either in the middle or on one side.
The Bassinet – Traditionally a rounded cot with soft sides that sits on a frame next to the bed
Arms reach sleeper – This is a cot that can sit close to the side of the bed with a drop side, so the baby is “arms reach”. The best and safest version of this bedside crib will come with a fold-down bridge.
Are bedside cots safe?
Co-sleeping has plenty of benefits which is why many parents choose to practice it in the early stages. But there are risks too.
The risks are associated with parents potentially injuring or suffocating the baby in the bed. Cots are designed to reduce this.
We think the safest option is an arms reach cot with a bridge as it gives baby the space it needs to sleep securely and the closeness and safety needed for easy contact with parents and baby.
Never co-sleep if you smoke or are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
What mattresses for my bedside cot?
If you are unhappy with the supplied mattress and decide to choose a different one, make sure it fits the cot properly.
There are a few different styles to think about, and each has a distinct selling point.
Foam – A foam mattress is lightweight and easy to clean. They are probably the cheapest priced mattress product. They will lose shape faster than others.
Coil Spring – These are similar to a traditional mattress that you might have on your bed and are more durable, keeping their shape for longer. The springs mean that air can circulate within the mattress, allowing for a cooler sleep.
Natural fibres – For the eco-conscience parent, a mattress made with natural fibres such as wool, bamboo and coconut. The natural material means they are breathable and easy to recycle.
