Chicco Next 2 Me Side-Sleeping Crib review

At a glance:

This baby cot bed is ideal for co-sleepers. Co-sleeping can be safe and secure, with baby asleep adjacent to the bed, in reaching distance to you in the night. A stand-out feature is that the next to me crib can be tilted, which can help babies with reflux sleep comfortably. You won’t be able to use this crib for daytime naps however, unless you want to re-attach it to your bed each night.

What they say:

“Next2Me provides the perfect solution for side-sleeping, helping to nurture the special bond between parents and babies. The removable side allows newborns to sleep safely in their crib while mum and dad rests next to them, without being in the same bed, making it convenient to breastfeed and reassure baby. Next2Me has been designed to securely attach to any bed using a special strap. Complete with a padded mattress, Next2Me transforms into a standalone crib away from the bed as baby grows. Its six adjustable heights on both legs allow the crib incline, helping with reflux and congestion.”

Tested by mum Hannah Jhutti for the Mother & Baby awards 2018:

Would you recommend this to other mums?

Yes, I would because it's good value for money, considering how long it lasts! It's safer than a Moses basket, in my opinion, and a lovely, secure way of co-sleeping. We took ours away with us and it was so easy to fold up completely flat to transport. Then, once we had arrived, it was really easy to rebuild! Feels strong and sturdy and I really like it.

How did this product make your life easier?

This was much easier to use than a Moses basket. My back was hurting from having to lean over the bed to lift baby out, but with this crib next to me, I just sat up and scooped baby out! During the night, if baby cried, I could reach in and hold his hand or stroke him to comfort him back to sleep. I loved being able to see him lying next to me, knowing he was safe and that I couldn't roll onto him.

Would you choose this product to win?

Yes, I think it should win. It's much sturdier than other similar products on the market and looks a lot nicer. It also comes in a choice of colours that are all really pretty. I found that I could get sheets to fit the mattress cheap and easily as well! It is sturdy and is bigger than others I have seen in the shops, so will last longer.

What changes would you make to this product?

I can't think of anything I would change about this crib. I loved all of the features and found that baby slept really well.

Tested by mum Paulina Czyzewska for the Mother & Baby awards 2018:

Would you recommend this to other mums?

I would recommend the Chicco Next2me because it is easily assembled, washable and also spacious. Baby has a nice and comfy place to sleep, without getting lost in a huge cot. The design also helps babies with reflux problems as you can tilt it.

How did this product make your life easier?

The Chicco Next2me is the perfect solution for those who want to have baby close, but not necessarily in their own bed. The crib fits perfectly onto the side of the bed and leaves virtually no gap between the two, so that you have super easy access to the crib. It is so convenient, especially during night-feeds, as you can get baby out of the crib without getting up and struggling too much.

Would you choose this product to win?

The Chicco Next2me is lightweight, but very robust in structure. The cover is washable and the mattress is generously spacious. Baby can stay very close to his parents without waking them up with every movement. The parents also have easy access to the bed thanks to the removable side. The crib can also be used as a stand-alone bed once baby has settled in.

What changes would you make to this product?

This is a great product and I would not choose to improve anything.

Tested by mum Helen Prince for the Mother & Baby awards 2018:

Would you recommend this to other mums?

I would recommend this product based on its versatility and usability. Some cribs you can have next to the bed, others tilt to help reflux, and others you can rock. This crib encompasses all three elements. It is also really easy to assemble and use.

How did this product make your life easier?

This product makes my life easier as it has a tilt setting, which is a godsend if your baby has reflux. The crib is also lightweight and you can gently rock it, which is great for getting my daughter to sleep.

Would you choose this product to win?

Although I love this crib, I think that the quality of the materials is not as good as in other products I have seen. It feels a little flimsy and not very durable. Therefore, I probably would not choose it to win over all others.

What changes would you make to this product?

I would like it to have a detachable basket, like some of the other cribs on the market, so you could use it around the house, for daytime naps for example.

Tested by mum Jennifer Williamson for the Mother & Baby awards 2018:

Would you recommend this to other mums?

I love the Chicco Next2Me crib and would definitely recommend it to a fellow mum. It's the perfect way to safely co-sleep with your baby from day one, and they can happily sleep next to you for six months as there is plenty of room to enable growth. I found it so reassuring to have baby next to me as I can keep an eye on her and it was easy to breastfeed in the night as the crib is so accessible.

How did this product make your life easier?

I didn’t have to lean out and over the bed anymore to catch a peek of my sleeping baby, which was really comforting for me. The crib also has six different height adjustments to connect to different bed sizes, which I found very useful. It's easy to clean, the mattress is provided and the crib can be transported using the travel bag.

Would you choose this product to win?

I think this product should win and would highly recommend it to any mum. I used it with my first baby for six months, before we transferred her into a cot in her own room, and are now using it with our second baby as she feels so safe and secure inside! It's a purchase that improves sleep cycles for all the family.

What changes would you make to this product?

The one aspect that I would change is that the crib is rather difficult to move without collapsing it completely. It's not a product that you could take downstairs during the day and reconnect to your bed at night very easily. I decided to purchase a Moses basket for baby downstairs and keep the crib connected to the bed. Therefore, if it was detachable from the frame for easy transportation, it would be ideal!

Tested by mum Anna Gorse for the Mother & Baby awards 2018:

Would you recommend this to other mums?

I would recommend this product, particularly to a friend who is breastfeeding, as it allows easy and quick access to the baby. I would also recommend it to anyone whose baby will not settle in a Moses basket as they are more restrictive for baby. The recline mechanism is very easy to use and is particularly helpful for a baby who has reflux or mucus issues!

How did this product make your life easier?

The Chicco Next2me makes life easier as a mum because it allows your baby to sleep next to you safely. The drop-down side means you can comfort them and be close, without the need to put the baby in your bed. The mesh side also lets you and baby see each other, which provides peace of mind in the early stages.

Would you choose this product to win?

I would choose this product above other products on the market because it is so easy to adjust the gradient of the mattress if you have an unsettled baby with reflux and I can reach out and touch baby in the middle of the night. The only thing is that the frame is quite awkward to pack flat for travelling.

What changes would you make to this product?

I would make the mattress softer and more comfortable. At the moment, it is a little rigid. I would also make the frame a little sturdier, as it can feel wobbly at times.

Tested by mum Tamsin Rycroft for the Mother & Baby Awards 2017:

Would you recommend this to other mums?

This is a crib that will last a baby from birth until at least six months. It is larger than a moses basket but is very lightweight and can easily be folded down into a travel bag if you wish to take it somewhere with you. It has several different height adjustments so that you can set it up to suit you and your baby. I really wish we'd had one of these for our first born.

How did this product make your life easier?

This crib can be used in different ways to meet the needs of the mother and the baby. It can be attached directly to your bed to facilitate co-sleeping or can be set up as a separate crib. It was very easy to lift my baby in and out of the crib and he slept really well in it. This crib makes it so easy to have your baby sleeping in the same room as you and it is a good looking piece of baby equipment.

Would you choose this product to win?

One of my favourite features was that the head end could be very easily elevated to help a baby who has reflux, wind or colic. It's much safer and secure than trying to prop up a Moses basket using books! My son also liked to observe the world through the mesh panel on the one side when it was set up as a separate crib.

What changes would you make to this product?

Because the crib is large, you need to purchase specific bedding which isn't a problem but I do think the crib should come with a waterproof mattress cover. This would help a parent to quickly change the sheets and get the baby back to sleep in the crib if the baby is sick or if their nappy leaks during the night.

Tested by mum Helen Gleeson for the Mother & Baby Awards 2017:

Would you recommend this to other mums?

I would recommend this to my friend and family. It is very easy to assemble, I like how it has a removable cover on the mattress (I have a sicky baby). The mattress is thick enough and comfy for my son (who is sleeping very well in it). It s quite a bit bigger than Moses baskets, so baby will not grow out of it for a long time.

How did this product make your life easier?

I can do the night feeds much easier and quicker. Anything that helps with the night feeds is a winner to me!! Not having to get out of bed to pick your baby up is brilliant. At first I was a bit sceptical about having it so close to me, but it works really well. Being able to use it as a cot or having it next to you is great.

Would you choose this product to win?

I think this product should win. I have a baby that suffers from reflux, so having the ability to raise one end of the cot to help with his problem is great, it beats putting something at one end or folded towels under the mattress. If you want to keep your baby in the same room as you for the recommended 6 months then it is ideal as your baby can out grow a Moses basket.

What changes would you make to this product?

The only thing I would change is the feet, I feel that they are a little too thin, making the cot a bit wobbly. Also when the feet are bent (to allow the cot to go next to you bed), they could do with being locked in position. Therefore making it more sturdy. If my baby is happy then I'm happy. Overall very happy with the product.

Tested by mum Debbie Field for the Mother & Baby Awards 2017:

Would you recommend this to other mums?

My 5 week old was not sleeping in her Moses basket and we had got into a co-sleeping situation or a pram which had to be taken around the floor for half an hour before she would sleep. The next2me was an absolute blessing which let us have her nearby but not be woken by every kick. It has a fantastic option to tilt also which helped her settle as she also had to be on an incline due to a windy tummy. Fabulous product that will also help the transition to cot in a few months. Many thanks for giving us a little sleep back!

Would you choose this product to win?

The next2me is worth double the price for the benefits it brings. The function of zipping down the side also gave my baby easy access in the night and the transparent side meant that I could easily check on her without having to get up or disturb her. Also she could see us which gave her the comfort. Due to this product at 10 weeks she now sleeps 8 hours through the night.

What changes would you make to this product?

I would only say that maybe the side slides are a little cranky but due to the low price maybe this could only be improved by increasing. Also I use a sleepyhead inside so maybe the brand could sell a shaped mattress or something similar which could fit into the cot and of course be breathable for extra comfort to newborns. This could be as an accessory which would then make the next2me perfect without any need for anything else

Tested by mum Helen Porter for the Mother & Baby Awards 2017:

Would you recommend this to other mums?

Next2Me is fantastic. Putting it up took all of 5 seconds, the straps are very easy to fit to the bed. It's also very easy to fold down you can do this with 1 hand. It's very lightweight considering it is a lot bigger than the moses baskets. You can move Next2Me with no difficulty as its on wheels and only 9kg it also comes with travel bag. It's built to last, very stable and secure. I love the colour also the matetial as it's very easy to give a wipe down and dries very quickly.

How did this product make your life easier?

Next2me makes my life easier as a mum as its very easy to reach over to comfort baby. It's nice that i can just lie there with baby and she holds my finger, it's a lovely way to bond. It puts my mind at rest with refux and sick as you can see what baby is doing. Next2Me helped me rest when recovering after labour as i didn't have to get out of bed to feed or comfort baby. This would be excellent for parents who have had a c-section.

Would you choose this product to win?

I would choose Next2Me above all others on the market as its very easy to use, it's got plenty of space for baby so I won't have to worry about a cot for quite a while. It's very easy to clean, practical, it fits on most beds. It has six different heights. I would recommend Next2Me to everyone as I cannot rate this highly enough. Absolutely delighted with Next 2Me. Nothing comes close to this fantastic product.

What changes would you make to this product?

Next2Me is fantastic, the only little problem i found was the mattress. It's quite firm for a newborn baby - I'd like a softer mattress. The firm mattress would be fine for older or bigger babies. Maybe it is just becauae I had a tiny baby. I just used a thick soft fitted blanket to solve this problem so it's nothing that can't be solved. Everything else is excellent on this product. I really can't rate Next2Me highly enough.

Tested by mum Sacha Child for the Mother & Baby Awards 2017:

Would you recommend this to other mums?

I would definitely recommend this crib to other mums. I loved the design and it is available in a variety of colours. It is firstly easy to set up and use. Instructions are clear and easy to follow. It is lightweight making it easy to manoeuvre, and therefore can be moved away from the bed and used during the day for naps with the side up, and then pushed back to the bed easily during the night. It has wheels on the one end to make this easier. it is also easy to wipe clean.

How did this product make your life easier?

As a breastfeeding mum this makes my life so much easier to do the night time feeds! I am able to co sleep with my baby safely and there isn't any need for me to have to get out of bed even to feed my baby during the night. Due to my baby being next to me I hear him stirring, and am able to feed him lying down. It means all the family gets more sleep!

Would you choose this product to win?

It is so difficult to choose just one thing that really makes the next to me crib stand out! I simply love everything about it! The ease of putting together, the ease of use due to its lightweight frame, how the side easily zips up and down, and I really love how you can adjust the height of the crib.

What changes would you make to this product?

This is such a difficult question as I really can't think of anything that you could do to improve on the design of this product. I just don't think there is anything I would change about this product at all! Other than maybe I would put wheels on both ends of the frame. This would make it even easier to move around and the crib could easily be locked into place with brakes on the wheels.

Tested by mum Claire Lacovara for the Mother & Baby Awards 2016:

Why would you recommend this product to a friend/fellow mum?

Great value - love the price! The 6 different heights for bed is good. Wasn't quite high enough for our very tall bed though. I really did love everything about this.

How does this product make your life easier as a mum?

Perfect for a reflux baby (would have saved us a lot of problems when our 18 month old was tiny). Would be perfect for after a C-section.

If you could change one thing about this product what would it be?

It would be great if it rocked.

Tested by Chris Evans for the Mother & Baby Awards 2016:

Why would you recommend this product to a friend/fellow parent?

It has a great design and is easy to erect and also you can be sure you have done it correctly (it doesn't rely on tightening screws, it all clicks into place).  It feels stable when tied into the main bed frame which puts our mind at rest as out main fear was the little one moving the cot and falling through the gap. We have stripped it once to clean and again, this was an easy task which didn't require taking everything apart.

How does this product make your life easier as a parent?

The main advantage to this product is the roll-down side. During the night it is physically difficult and quite disrupting to get out of bed and lift the baby out of a normal cot. In this case you can reach across and often comfort them without having to take the baby out of the cot.

If you could change one thing about this product what would it be?

We have found that the mattress is quite thin/hard when compared to similar products. Quite often we have felt this was the cause of our baby waking up when put down half asleep. We also think it would be beneficial to offer the product in more than the two colours, especially when one of the colours is bright pink.

Tested by mum Lindsay Kennedy for the Mother & Baby Awards 2016:

Why would you recommend this product to a friend/fellow mum?

We really liked this cot in comparison to others that provided the ability to attach to a bed for a few reasons. It offered value for money as it came with both the mattress included and also a travel bag. The look was lovely with a nice selection of colours, the pink in particular is a lovely deep pink and less likely to get shabby especially if you are planning to move it around frequently. The size of the cot makes it much more realistic to see you through to 6 months and we felt comfortable putting our newborn into it. It was also easy to build and feels very secure.

How does this product make your life easier as a mum?

The obvious advantage to the Chicco Next2me is having baby next to your bed, especially in the early stages when you need that extra reassurance that the baby is OK and without the risks of co-sleeping. It also makes access for night-time feeding easier. The cot has wheels so can be moved easily to another room for daytime napping.

If you could change one thing about this product what would it be?

I thought the mattress that comes with the cot seemed a little hard like a travel cot mattress. We put a mattress protector over this and a folded over flat sheet which softened it a bit and baby does sleep in it without any issue so this might only be my personal preference.

2015 – Shortlisted for 'Innovation of the Year' Award!

Chicco’s Next 2 Me bedside crib is portable and very easy to use.  It has a drop down side for a co-sleeping option or to have baby temporarily near for those middle-of-the-night feeds; it can, however, be used as a ‘stand alone’ crib too. It’s bigger than a Moses Basket, so will last longer, and is versatile; doubling as a travel cot and converting from a co-sleeper to a carry cot. It also packs flat, making transportation a breeze.

The crib is, however, quite bulky and needs a large room to accommodate its size, and it is very bland – snazzing it up with some colour variants would certainly make it a more attractive product.

Overall, an innovative product that is, in fact, available for hire (check out the website), which is a great idea for a crib that is likely to be used for only a short time.

2015 – Shortlisted for 'Best Cots, Cribs or Moses Baskets' Award!

Chicco’s Next 2 Me Side-Sleeping Crib is great for keeping baby close to you, especially in those first few months. It has a drop down side as well as a height adjustment feature and ‘tilt functionality', whereby the angle of the crib can be manoeuvred into a variety of positions. It’s also a travel 'cot' – folding up small, with a bag for easy transportation.

The crib is easy to put up and is bigger than a Moses basket, so will last longer, but is a bit wobbly if free standing (probably because it's made to sit alongside an adult bed). It comes in neutral colours, plus pink, and is a fair price. Good value for money!

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