How Much Weight Can a Baby Crib Support

A bedside crib is one of the about popular choices for newborn slumber, as information technology allows y'all to proceed your baby close while still following prophylactic sleep guidelines. In the beginning six months, when the take a chance of sudden babe death syndrome (SIDS) is at its highest, the safest place for a baby to sleep is on their back in their ain sleep space, be that a cot, crib or moses basket.

A bedside crib fastens to the frame of your bed on ane side, and then you're effectively lying adjacent to your baby. The side tin can unremarkably be dropped downwardly so you can run into and attain over to your child. They're sometimes referred to every bit side-sleepers or co-sleepers, but the key difference is that you lot're non sharing a sleep surface or bedding. You and your babe can maximise the soothing benefits that proximity brings while minimising the risks associated with bed sharing. Having your infant at arms reach also makes night feeds much easier.

In that location are a broad range of options to choose from, so at MadeForMums we've analysed the bedside crib marketplace closely to bring you the very best options. Nosotros've used feedback from our skilful journalist reviewers and parent testers, combined with results from in-house MadeForMums testing which looked at key features such as breathability, mattress compactness, ease of building as well as functionality.

For each bedside crib we've listed the key technical features, to help you compare across brands and models then you can discover the best design to suit your needs.

If your babe is struggling to sleep through the dark, take a await at our all-time sleep aids and white dissonance machines and best nightlights.

Best bedside cribs and co-sleepers at a glance

All-time bedside crib with an easy drop-downwards side: Chicco Next2Me Magic, £239
Best bedside crib with a removable bassinet: SnuzPod four Bedside Crib, £199.95
Best bedside crib for smooth rocking: Tutti Bambini CoZee Air Bedside Crib, £185
Best bedside crib for longevity: Shnuggle Air Bedside Crib, £199.95
Best bedside crib for actress storage: Maxi-Cosie Iora Bedside Sleeper, £189
All-time bedside crib for ane-handed functioning: Joie Roomie Glide, £169
All-time bedside crib for travel: Silver Cross Voyager, £199
Best value bedside crib: Kinderkraft Neste-Upwardly, £109
Best bedside crib with 360 swivel: Halo BassiNest Essentia, £189.99

What is the new safety standard for bedside cribs?

All new bedside cribs manufactured since November 2020 have to meet a new safety standard (with the catchy name BS EN 1130:2019) that introduced new and more than rigorous rubber requirements for bedside cribs. However, you lot may detect some older versions of cribs are still on auction that merely match the previous prophylactic standard. Slowly these volition disappear from stores and the only ones available will meet the new standard.

The near meaning new requirement for BS EN 1130:2019 is for a 120mm high barrier to be present around the sides of the crib, to ensure your infant is not able to roll off their ain mattress onto yours. This means that new bedside cribs can no longer accept consummate drop-downwards sides – many now have 'half-height' walls instead.

This allows your baby to be positioned next to you with the crib lined upwards to your bed, but their mattress will be sunk a picayune lower, providing more of a protective barrier. All the cribs featured in our list comply with these new BS EN 1130:2019 safety requirements.

What to look for when buying a bedside crib

Will it work with your bed? – Certain bed frames can exist trickier to use with a bedside crib. For example, if you have a divan bed yous will need longer straps, and may not be able to tuck the legs of the crib underneath the bed and may need to look for a model that has foldable legs or works with your bed style.

Height of your bed – Most bedside cribs have adjustable heights to give you lot an most perfect fit on most bed frames, but if your bed is particularly low or high, practice check the measurements. Also check the size of the crib and whether it volition fit adjacent to your bed while allowing you to get in and out hands and safely. This is peculiarly important for those first few days and weeks after giving nativity when your body is still recovering.

Mattress – The mattress needs to be firm, apartment and breathable – this is a key safe characteristic. Don't be tempted by a super soft mattress – your baby will sleep securely and most chiefly safely on a firm mattress.

Drop-down side – How easy is it to remove the side? Can y'all exercise it with ane hand? Equally you may be doing this in the center of the dark, are there lots of noisy zips and clips? Can it safely be left down while you sleep? Do check this as the rules differ depending on the production.

How easy is it to assemble – Are in that location lots of parts to screw together? Will y'all need two people to build it? We've tested how easy different bedside cribs are to build in our reviews.

How easy is it to keep clean – Does the mattress accept a waterproof embrace to protect from leaky nappies, baby sick and dribbles? Is the fabric motorcar washable or volition you have to hand wash it?

Portability – Is the crib light plenty to movement around your business firm? If yous want to take it abroad with you does information technology crib fold flat and/or come with a storage purse?

Extra features – Does information technology rock (useful for fussy sleepers), tilt (recall to use tilting with care), detach to become a moses basket or turn into an older babe cot or playpen? These extra features may non be necessary, only they could exist useful.

How to do the baby mattress firmness examination

Press your paw on the centre and the sides of the mattress
A firm mattress shouldn't mould to the shape of your hand and yous'll feel resistance – it will obviously move beneath the pressure but your paw shouldn't sink in
When you remove your paw, the mattress should snap back and regain its shape

For more safety information we've also covered breathability, bedding and how to use the tilting function here.

What are the benefits of using a bedside crib?

Condom sleep clemency The Lullaby Trust, advises that the safest place for your infant to sleep is on their own slumber surface, in the same room as you, for at to the lowest degree the first six months. Bedside cribs allow you to have your infant sleeping right adjacent to you at night, but in the safety of their own crib. This means you lot tin can yet exist close to your baby without bed-sharing, which carries a risk of suffocation and overheating.

Bedside cribs enable you to lean over and easily pick up your infant when feeding at night. This is peculiarly useful if you've had a difficult nascency or a c-section and find getting out of bed painful. You can likewise hands comfort your baby if they are fussing and have a adept view of them while they are sleeping.

From a practical perspective, bedside cribs are smaller and more than compact than well-nigh cots, which ways they take upwards less space in your bedroom than a full-sized cot or cotbed.

Do I need a bedside crib for my baby?

You lot don't have to buy a bedside crib. It's completely safe to put a infant in a regular cot from birth. But they're a dandy selection if you want your baby as close to you as possible at night, and for saving space. The downside is that most of these cribs just last upwards to 6 months and y'all'll and so need to move your baby into a full-sized cot or cotbed. A moses basket is a more economical option, only these can last fifty-fifty less fourth dimension, and practice non have the added features of a bedside crib such every bit a drop-down side, tilt, or multiple heights.

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How much does a bedside crib toll?

It is possible to buy budget bedside cribs for under £100 but the bulk we accept reviewed are between £150-£300. Sure features, such as a rocking function or ane-handed drib downwards side, tend to push the price upward slightly.

How did we choose these bedside cribs?

Our 10 of the All-time lists are compiled by qualified and experienced parenting journalists. They rely on a number of sources, including our contained reviews, testing undertaken during the MadeForMums Awards, and feedback from our domicile testing panel and Top Testers Society. Each yr thousands of products are put through their paces by hundreds of parents across the country on behalf of MadeForMums, to ensure we're bringing you honest and true reviews and recommendations.

When testing bedside cribs, nosotros consider size, ease of build and plumbing equipment, mattress quality and breathability, ease and safety of the drop-down side machinery and other features, condolement for babe, design and quality, and whether it's worth the money.

Our list is non an ordered ranking from one-10, instead information technology is a carefully selected grouping of tried-and-tested products, each of which we believe is best for a different state of affairs or requirement. Nosotros don't simply tell you lot what is best, we help you discover what is best foryour family unit.

Hither are our top ten bedside cribs for 2021

1. Chicco Next2Me Magic, £239

Best for piece of cake drop-down side

The Chicco Next2Me Magic is the latest update to the original Next2Me side-sleeping crib, which has won fans for its versatility. It can be used from birth as a bedside co-sleeper, every bit a standalone crib or perhaps as a travel cot, but at over 13kg information technology's not a light deport.

It is slightly more expensive than another models, merely standout features include a really easy driblet-side that can be operated with one mitt, 11 height levels, a lockable rocking part, iv tilt options to assist reduce reflux, and wheels to make it piece of cake to move around your home.

A big sleeping expanse means more room for a bigger baby, plus a travel purse is included.

MFM tester Lucy says: "I found the Chicco Next2Me Magic a breeze to movement around and set, but as well substantial and sturdy. The clever i-handed drib-down mechanism on the side panel can exist used while holding your baby in your arms, which is brilliant.

"I've even used the Chicco in my kitchen for rubber day naps when I need to be more focused on my older kid."

Pros: Firm and breathable mattress, retractable legs to fit any bed, quiet side zilch, easy to transport
Cons: Tricky to initially assemble, mattress encompass is manus wash only

Read our full MadeForMums Chicco Next2Me Magic bedside crib review

Available from: Mamas & Papas, John Lewis and Argos

2. SnuzPod 4 bedside crib, £199.95

All-time for removable bassinet

The latest iteration of Snuz'southward much-loved bedside crib, the Snuzpod4 features a new breathable system (called ComfortAir) that aids the menses of air around the crib and your baby. Information technology offers more than side vents, breathable mesh liner and mattress, plus a ventilated base.

Simply the key thing that we're delighted to see is that the Snuzpod4 has a firmer mattress than previous versions – as well every bit good breathability. Plus Snuz claims that the SnuzPod4 fits more than different heights of bed than any rival, as information technology will now work with beds up to a maximum developed mattress elevation of 73cm. It's too designed to exist compatible with a range of bed types – divan, ottoman and framed bed bases.

Made from sustainably sourced beech solid wood, the Snuzpod4 looks good. MFM mum habitation tester Mehack commented on "how stylish and contemporary the design is," praising how it "fits perfectly with the room decor".

We love its versatility – the ii-office design includes a elevator-off bassinet that can exist moved around the house so you have a portable safe sleeping space for your baby, whichever room you lot're in. The bassinet also has a manual rocking function, every bit does the crib and the bassinet. There's an optional riser that tin can be added to create a slight incline to help babies with reflux, just for rubber reasons, when the cot is tilted this stops the rocking function from working.

Pros: Stylish, removable bassinet, smashing storage
Cons: Can be hard to put together

Available from: Samuel Johnston, Snuz and Amazon

3. Tutti Bambini CoZee Air Bedside Crib, £185

Best for smooth rocking

While it is at the more than expensive stop of the market place, what makes the Cozee Air stand up out from the contest is its smooth rocking office. It comes with like shooting fish in a barrel-to-remove caster wheels which you lot can switch with rocking bars, that easily attach to the legs of the crib. As a safety characteristic, the CoZee can also merely be rocked when it is set up equally a standalone crib – when used as a bedside crib, it has flip-out feet which prevents it from doing and so. "The rocking characteristic is fantastic and really helped me to settle my baby when she was overtired fussing," said MFM tester Tara.

MFM testers also rated the crib highly for its portability – it is ideal equally a travel cot, as despite its large size, it is compact when folded. A 30-2nd open up-fold mechanism allows for a quick set up upwardly and it comes with a travel handbag for piece of cake transportation.

While the multiple mesh windows are great for breathability and being able to see your little one, there's a drapery fastened to one side of the crib that you can gyre downwardly one side to protect your babe from drafts during colder months. This still leaves one mesh side open up to allow for plenty of air flow.

When information technology comes to cleaning, the material lining can exist removed and put in the washing machine, while the foam mattress can exist automobile washed if necessary. We also like the improver of a storage shelf that is useful for holding essentials such as baby wipes, nappies, dress and muslins.

Pros: Smooth rocking, quick to plummet down, storage shelf
Cons: Higher price point

Read our full MadeForMums Tutti Bambini CoZee Air Bedside Crib review

Available from: Uber Kids, Argos, Kiddies Kingdom, and Tutti Bambini,

4. Shnuggle Air Bedside crib, £199.95

Best for longevity

While almost bedside cribs on the market are only suitable for babies upwardly to six months old, the Shnuggle Air stands out by offering 3 products in ane. It tin be used as a standalone cot or bedside sleeper and and then it transforms after six months into a full-sized cot when you buy the additional conversion kit (£109.95) and cot mattress (£l), which will last your child upward until around two years quondam. This makes it a bully long-term investment.

MFM judges and testers were particularly impressed with the firmness of its hypo-allergenic airflow mattress. This crib has dual-view mesh sides giving it maximum breathability; this also ways you can easily meet your baby when both sides are upward. This was likewise a feature that stood out to MFM reviewer Tara, who used it with her 6-month-old daughter Elodie. She said, "Elodie slept very soundly and she loved being able to see through the mesh sides."

The drop-downwardly sides are easily removed for nighttime access past releasing the safety catch on the top bar and undoing the zips. However, during the awards testing, information technology was noted that the prophylactic catch makes a loud click. This was echoed by a MFM user reviewer who said: "The side makes a noise when you lot click information technology dorsum in and that can wake up baby!" Dissimilar most of the others on this list, the side of the Shnuggle Air cannot exist left down during sleep, information technology's simply there for admission.

The Shnuggle Air is relatively heavy at 13.4kg, and doesn't accept wheels, so it's not easy to movement effectually your dwelling house. "I'd say one time the Shnuggle Air is set up, information technology's staying put!"

Pros: Long-lasting, highly breathable, spacious
Cons: Not hands portable, side is noisy when released

Read our total MadeForMums Shnuggle Air Bedside Crib review

Available from: Mamas & Papas, Samuel Johnston, Amazon, John Lewis and Shnuggle

5. Maxi-Cosi Iora bedside sleeper, £189

Best for extra storage

With its choice of muted colours, sleek design and quality materials, the Maxi-Cosi Iora is sure to fit in with most room schemes. The large storage basket at the bottom of the crib is great for parents who are short on infinite as it tin easily hold numerous blankets, baby sleeping numberless, nappies, wipes and spare wearing apparel.

The Iora's easy-to-adjust summit (5 positions in total) and slide function (2 positions in full) also means it tin fit snugly confronting almost types of bed when used with the straps. "Our atomic number 26-frame bed is somewhat lower than boilerplate," said MFM reviewer Georgina. "But the Iora too sabbatum in the correct position with our mattress."

One feature that our reviewer Georgina particularly liked was that when the side is down, there is a 7-inch (17.78cm) high barrier to stop your infant from rolling out. She said: "The Iora allowed me to sleep equally close to my girl as possible, but I was also safety in the knowledge that she was in her own sleeping surface area and I wasn't going to squash her!"

This crib is extremely straightforward to assemble (one of the quickest during MFM testing) and MFM reviewer Georgina managed to put it together speedily without using the instructions. She explained: "Information technology was obvious which pieces go together, simple to build and had neat zips to continue everything in place." A handy travel bag also means it can easily be used as a travel cot, specially equally information technology folds downward flat. Keep in heed that Georgina did find the outer fabric was decumbent to creasing when unpacked from the travel purse.

Pros: Extra storage, easy superlative and slide adjustments, portable, smart appearance
Cons: Mattress cover hand launder just, outer cloth prone to creasing

Read our total MadeForMums Maxi-Cosi Iora review

Available from:Mamas & Papas, Samuel Johnston, John Lewis, Amazon and Uber Kids

vi. Joie Roomie Glide, £169

Best for one-handed operation

The single-handed 'glide' function is the exciting element of the Joie Roomie Glide. More controlled than the head-to-toe rocking functionality of cribs similar the SnuzPod 4, the one-handed motion gently slides the bassinet from side to side, helping parents to soothe a newborn without leaving their own bed. One MFM home tester said, "I pop my baby to bed awake, so the ability to rock her gently is great."

One-handed operation is at the heart of this crib'south blueprint, as it'south also been factored into the controls of the drop-down panel. You should be able to simply click the handle to lift and lower, although one of our habitation testers commented that this is more than difficult than it looks.

The crib'south also on (lockable) wheels and then you can move it around the home during the daytime. It has a breadbasket tilt for reflux / colic, which our home tester with a reflux baby loved, saying "the power to take one side raised has helped her to sleep amend at dark." There are besides 11 top adjustments to fit about beds.

Pros: Gliding rocking function, tilt part for reflux
Cons: One-handed operation is fiddly

Available from: Argos and Mamas and Papas

vii. Silver Cantankerous Voyager, £199

Best for travel

A new addition to the market, the Silver Cantankerous Voyager combines some of the primal features of any good bedside crib – including a reflux tilt, a storage shelf, 7 adjustable heights and a drop-down side – with one added extra: it tin can exist folded downwardly apartment and stored in its own behave bag.

A driblet-downward mesh side allows easy admission to your baby for feeds and soothing during the night. Aught this up to turn the unit of measurement into a standalone crib. The crib comes on lockable wheels and then you can easily move it around, but if y'all're planning to use the drop-downwards element there are straps to fasten information technology securely to your bed.

For parents who travel a lot, or those who want to go on their baby shut to them all twenty-four hour period during those starting time few months, the easy and quick fold and portability of this crib make information technology a really tempting pick. It's too 1 of the few cribs that take removable fabric that tin can hands exist washed.

Pros: Folds down apartment for travel, washable fabrics
Cons: Can't be rocked, still large when folded.

Read our full MadeForMums Silverish Cross Voyager review

Available from: Argent Cross

8. Kinderkraft Neste-Up, £109

All-time for value

Coming in at around £100 (depending on the retailer) the Kinderkraft Neste-upwardly offers really nifty value in a category that tin be prohibitively expensive. However, the cracking cost doesn't mean there's a compromise on features. "The cost is impressively depression, because the quality, with some prissy details – like the small but handy pocket at each end, for stowing muslins and other late-dark essentials," said MFM tester Elizabeth.

The crib has a tilt function, washable covers and even comes with a fitted canvas then it's ready to apply directly out the box. It's on wheels, and so it tin be moved around the room or away from the bed with ease, and it also folds down to a more than compact size for travel, although our testers felt it was not actually a travel cot in the traditional sense, and is still quite bulky and heavy in its carry handbag.

Although there's no rocking function, information technology has a drop-down side that's simple to operate and delivers on everything most families need from a bedside crib.

Available from: Online4Baby, Amazon and Kiddies Kingdom

9. Halo BassiNest Essentia, £189.99

Best for 360° swivel

American brand Halo has finally brought its swivel sleeper to the United kingdom of great britain and northern ireland, and information technology offers a slightly different way to sleep closely but safely with your infant. Rather than fastening on to the side of the bed, the BassiNest is a standalone crib with a central stand that slides beneath the bed.

Parents tin and so swivel the crib 360° for piece of cake access, with ane MFM home tester pointing out this likewise "makes information technology easy to arrive and out of bed without disturbing the baby." There's no driblet-downward side, instead the mesh side has enough give that yous can push information technology downwards to reach in and go your baby. "This actually helps in the early days especially if you lot have had c section, tear or episiotomy," said one home tester.

Compared to cribs with open sides that sit flush with the bed, the BassiNest is more than of a hybrid product, sitting somewhere between a moses basket and a bedside crib. This may not adjust everyone, with ane of our home testers saying, "I would prefer something where the side could permanently be down and baby is closer," but information technology is very safe: Halo has partnered with the Lullaby Trust every bit part of its commitment to prophylactic sleep.

Pros: Flexible, useful when recovering from birth
Cons: Non a true bedside crib, stand has a big footprint

Available from: Jojo Maman Bebe and Halo

How exercise you use a bedside crib safely?

The most important piece of advice for safe sleeping is to prevarication your infant on their dorsum to sleep. Indeed, since the Dorsum To Sleep campaign was launched in the U.k. 30 years ago, SIDS [Sudden Infant Death Syndrome] has fallen by lxxx%.

When using a bedside crib, y'all should ensure there is no gap between the adult'south and baby'south mattress. Your baby'due south mattress should be firm and flat, and sit snugly in the crib with no gaps.

Likewise look for a mattress that is breathable. There's a elementary exam you tin do for this:

            Our at-home mattress breathability test            Pick upwards the mattress and identify it close to your mouth
Exhale in and see how easy information technology is to exhale out with the mattress near your oral fissure
If information technology'southward easier this should mean the mattress offers good ventilation
          

Most cribs come with a mattress as standard, only if you are given the crib past someone else or buy one second-paw you lot will need to buy a new mattress – even if the existing i appears to be in good condition. Second-paw mattresses may increment the gamble of SIDS and are less likely to exist supportive after losing their shape over fourth dimension. E'er use the mattress designed to fit your bedside crib – most retailers sell them separately should you need a replacement.

When it comes to a safe sleeping position, position your baby in the crib with their feet at the end of the crib – called the feet-to-foot position. This reduces the risk of their face up or head slipping down under the covers if you're using a coating.

How to use tilting and rocking features safely

Some bedside cribs offer a tilt option, which may help babies with digestive bug, colic or reflux. If yous are going to tilt your infant, you must practise so with great care and only at a slight angle, to avert your baby slipping down. We recommend speaking to your GP or health visitor for advice earlier using the tilt office.

Tilting (and rocking) can just exist used when the bedside crib is set up as a standalone crib – for condom reasons, yous should not tilt or rock the crib when the side is down, as at that place is a take chances your baby could fall out.

What bedding can I employ with a bedside crib?

The Lullaby Trust advises: "Firmly tucked in sheets and blankets (not in a higher place shoulder acme) or a baby sleep purse are safe for a infant to sleep in." Make sure you buy the right size sheets that exactly fit your mattress. You may besides choose to swaddle a newborn. The Lullaby Trust does not suggest for or against swaddling, but it does take some basic swaddling guidance. You must stop using a swaddle as soon as your baby learns to roll.

Non all infant sleeping bags and swaddles are created equal, and then brand sure the make you buy adheres to safety standards, is the right tog for the room temperature and season, and is the right size for your baby, so they tin can't sideslip downwardly within.

Don't use any soft or beefy bedding and never use pillows, duvets, baby bumpers or baby positioners. Yous should likewise remove whatever soft toys from the crib before your baby sleeps.