This crib has many of the desirable features that has made other brands, such as the Chicco Next2Me, popular with parents. It measures 95cmx55cm, so is not as wide as the Chicco Next2Me (92cmx68cm), but wider than the Jane Babyside crib (82.5cmx50cm).
Tested by
Tara French is Mum to a toddler daughter and a newborn. She tested the BeByMe crib with her baby in both co-sleeping and standalone modes.
First impressions of the BeByMe crib?
My first thought on unpacking the crib was how compactly it had been packaged, and then how easy it was to set up. Unlike the Next2Me, the BeByMe simply folds out, without the need to attach bars or the crib base. This makes it relatively transportable – although still quite heavy. I was also impressed with the quality of the material and robustness of the frame.
How does the BeByMe compare to a Moses basket?
Having used a Moses basket with my first daughter – which she quickly outgrew – I can tell that we will use the BeByMe crib for longer, due to its spaciousness. The materials and mesh windows also make the crib seem more breathable. I would definitely choose this crib over a Moses basket for these reasons.
How does the Baby Elegance BeByMe compare to other cribs you have used?
We have also used the Chicco Next2Me crib, which has some advantages over the BeByMe – but also some drawbacks. The mattress supplied with the Next2Me is thicker, with a waterproof cover, and seems to fit the crib better than the one supplied for the BeByMe, which leaves a small gap. However, although the mattress supplied for the BeByMe is thinner, I had no concerns over my baby's comfort and it conveniently wraps around the frame of the crib when you want to fold it away. The four castor wheels on the BeByMe are another bonus that makes it easy to move around when being used as a standalone crib. This was particularly useful post C-Section, as I could easily push the crib away or pull it towards me when getting in and out of bed. I did not find this as easy to do with the Next2Me.
What age is the BeByMe crib suitable for?
The BeByMe can be used from birth until baby weighs 9kg (approximately 6 months). As with other cribs, once baby is able to sit up unassisted they should no longer use it.
How easy is it to see your baby when they're in the BeByMe crib?
As a bedside crib, with the side down you can see baby clearly as they are lying right next to you in the BeByMe. As a standalone crib, the mesh windows on both sides proved useful for easy viewing. I found viewing through the mesh to be clearer than with the Next2Me, which also only has a mesh panel on one side.
How easy is it to access your baby in the BeByMe crib?
With the sides down, it is as easy to access baby as if they were lying next to you in bed. Otherwise, I found I could lift my daughter easily out of the BeByMe crib when sitting up in bed.
How portable is the BeByMe crib?
As previously mentioned, the crib does simply fold away with the mattress wrapping around the frame. It comes with a travel bag, so in theory could be taken away with you, but be aware the BeByMe weighs 10kg. As the wheels allow for easy movement, I eventually placed this crib downstairs for daytime naps as I could move it into any room with little effort. I really appreciated this feature as I could remain in the room with my daughter as she slept, without feeling confined to one place.
How does the BeByMe attach onto the bed?
The BeByMe crib attaches to the bed frame using two fastening straps. The instruction manual advises that the straps go around the entire bed frame, which is a bit more effort than simply wrapping around the side of the bed that the crib is to be attached to (as can be done with the Chicco Next2Me). You only need to do this once however, as the crib can be unclipped from the straps if you wish to use it in standalone mode instead.
The main drawback for me when trying to install the BeByMe crib in co-sleeping mode, as that the top bar doesn't tuck underneath the crib and so presses against the mattress. I found this made it tricky to close the gap between the crib and the mattress for safe installation. Once I got the hang of it and the crib was fitted correctly, I didn’t have any problems.
Is it easy to switch to standalone crib mode?
Yes – you simply reattach the bar and zip up the side after detaching the BeByMe from the bed.
Does the BeByMe bedside crib rock?
There is no rocking function but – as it’s on castors - the crib can easily be pushed back and forth as you might with a pushchair. I did find the frame to be slightly wobbly, so the BeByMe crib can be rocked somewhat because of this.
How many height positions does the BeByMe have?
The BeByMe has six height positions, ranging from 33cm to 52cm high.
What do you think of the size of the BeByMe crib?
The BeByMe is much larger than a Moses basket (95cmx55cmx50cm) and may not fit in small bedrooms. However, because of its size, I expect to get much more use out of it and don't need to worry about my baby outgrowing it too quickly.
How comfy is the BeByMe for your little one?
Although the mattress is thinner than others, it still feels comfortable. My baby actually seems to sleep better in the BeByMe crib than in the Next2Me, so it must be quite cosy.
Is there an incline option on the BeByMe?
Yes, you can raise the height position on either end so that the baby's head is higher than their feet. This is such a great feature for babies with reflux or colic, especially.
Does it feel durable?
The BeByMe crib certainly feels robust and I would expect it to last for quite a while.
Is the BeByMe easy to clean?
The lining of the BeByMe crib can be removed for washing but is quite tricky to get back on.
How do you fold it, and is it easy to do?
The feet on the BeByMe fold in towards the crib and the bed part folds flat. This is very easy to do, and the mattress can then be wrapped around the whole thing.
Is the BeByMe compact and easy to store when folded?
As bedside cribs are generally quite large – and the BeByMe is no exception – it cannot be said that this is compact, but it does fold down to 12cm depth from 50cm.
What’s in the box?
- The BeByMe crib/frame
- Mattress
- 4 x castor wheels
- 2 x fastening straps
- Instruction manual
- Travel bag
Is it easy to put together?
Yes – the BeByMe crib simply unfolds and only needs the wheels to be clipped in and the mattress to be placed in the crib.
Who would the BeByMe crib be most useful for?
Anyone who needs to move their crib around or transport it somewhere else entirely. I’d also recommend the BeByMe to any parent of a newborn wishing to co-sleep without having baby in bed with them, and those wishing to breastfeed.
What would you have wanted to know before buying the BeByMe crib?
The crib is quite large so I would want to know the dimensions to make sure it fits.
Are there any design elements you find particularly useful?
I loved the BeByMe crib’s mesh panels on both sides for easy viewing of baby, as well as its portability.
Is the BeByMe bedside crib worth the money?
This crib retails at £149.99, which is neither the cheapest nor most expensive bedside crib, and I would consider it good value for money. You may need to buy crib sheets and a mattress protector, but there are no expensive extras.
Where can I buy the BeByMe bedside crib?
Available at Argos and Baby Elegance.
The Baby Elegance BeByMe is a comfortable and durable crib with all the features a parent expects – including an incline option. It is easy to assemble and to move around, and provides a good view of the baby. I would recommend this to any parent looking for a bedside crib for their new addition.
