Being a baby is a pretty demanding job, which explains why they also need to sleep so much. (Wouldn’t you need frequent naps if everything you encountered was a totally new experience?) How they sleep is the job of their parents, however. The guidelines set forth by the American Academy of Pediatrics are designed to equip new parents with the best information on keeping babies safe and sound as they slumber. And currently, the AAP recommends that babies sleep in the same room as their parents up until 6 months of age to reduce the risk of SIDS. There are other benefits to keeping baby close by in those first months, too: Nighttime feedings are easier, and parents can respond more quickly in case of an emergency.
While it’s possible, of course, to move a full-size crib from your room to your baby’s room after six months, the room-sharing recommendations have led many families to choose to use a bedside crib or sleeper. These allow babies to sleep at the level of the parent’s bed — right next to it and, in some cases, even attached to it — and yet safely in their own contained space.
If you’ve decided that a bedside crib is best for you and your baby, there are plenty of options. See our top picks below.
1. Mika Micky Bedside Sleeper
Lightweight and on wheels, you can easily move this bedside sleeper around if you want to. Once in place, the wheels lock for stability. A side panel zips down for easy access during bedside mode if you want, but can be zipped up if you want to move the sleeper away from the bed. Included straps also allow you to secure the sleeper to your own bed frame for more security. The Mika Micky Bedside Sleeper can also adjust to seven positions, making it easy to get it level with your mattress. It’s good for babies up to 5 months old, or until they can pull themselves upright.
2. Delta Children Deluxe Sweet Beginnings Bassinet
At nearly a third the price of the Mika Micky sleeper, Delta’s bassinette offers a great, budget-minded option for room-sharing with baby. The lightweight design and wheels make it easy to wheel from room to room as needed, and wheels lock in place for stability. The low sides make it easy to reach in and pick up your baby for soothing or feeding and is appropriate for babies up to 5 months. A removable canopy can help block light, and a nightlight also plays soothing music. There’s even storage in the base.
3. Evenflo Loft Portable Bassinet
Lightweight and easy to break down and set up, this bassinet can sit next to your own bed and then be quickly folded for trips to grandparents or sitters’. A Bluetooth-compatible speaker plays several soothing white noise sounds or music of your own choosing to soothe baby to sleep, and a nightlight offers a soothing glow for the times you need to check on baby but definitely don’t want to disturb her. The only downside: It has a slightly lower weight limit, at 20 pounds, than some other options.
4. Fisher-Price Soothing Motions Bassinet
Small enough to sit comfortably by your bed, this bassinet comes with lots of bells and whistles for fussy sleepers. A mobile, night lights, music and sounds, and vibrations can all be used for up to 30 minutes at a time. The light projection feature can be removed and used as a tabletop soother. The bassinet is also designed to be able to be lightly swayed by a parent.
5. Delta Children Deluxe Moses Bassinet
As an alternative to a crib that rolls from room to room, many parents have embraced Moses baskets, which are carried by the handle. While many don’t come with a base and are not recommended for nighttime sleeping, this one is designed for just that. The base allows you to keep baby at eye level, and the base can be rolled safely if you’d rather not carry it. A canopy offers protection from light, while an attached electronic pod plays music and soothing sounds, emits vibrations and has a soft nightlight. Can be used from birth to 5 months, or up to 15 pounds.
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