BabyStyle Oyster Swinging Crib review

How easy is it to build?

The Oyster Swinging Crib is fairly simple to put together – it took my husband and me roughly 30 minutes to do it. The instructions are image-only and I felt additional written instructions might have made the assembly process clearer, but it was relatively easy to work out how everything should fit together regardless. We didn't need any additional tools to assemble it as everything clicks into place, which is handy if you want to use it when travelling.

If you used any other bedside cots or cot/cotbed or Moses basket, how does it compare?

Our son normally sleeps overnight in the SnüzPod2 crib attached to our bed and in the Cuggl Travel Cot with a bassinet for daytime naps or when we stay with family. The main USP of the Oyster Swinging Crib compared to others that we've used is its automated swaying motion (more on this below), designed to gently rock your baby to sleep. It also plays music, with seven built-in lullabies that play in turn and the option to hook up your device for audio streaming via Bluetooth. Additionally, the base of the crib can be unzipped and lowered to create a playpen for older babies who can sit, kneel or stand.

A drawback of the Oyster Swinging Crib was that we couldn't attach it to our bed, but we were able to lower the side and position it very close to the bed for an almost "next to me" experience. However, as we could only lower one side, the control panel was at the head of the bed rather than the foot, so it was not easily accessible.

What age is the product suitable for?

According to the manufacturer, the Oyster Swinging Crib is suitable from birth until approximately 6 months (9kg) or when the baby can sit, kneel or stand. The lower position in which it can be used as a playpen is suitable from approximately 6 months (9kg) up until the baby is 12 months old (13.6kg) or measures 89cm long – whichever comes first.

At 5 months old, my son's arms touch the sides of the crib if they are spread out and I think he will outgrow it lengthwise relatively soon, which is worth thinking about if you’re looking for a longer-lasting option.

How firm is the mattress?

I am pleased with the thickness and firmness of the Oyster Swinging Crib's mattress. It doesn't mould to the shape of my hand when I press it and seems to be comfortable for my baby, while also adhering to safe sleeping guidelines.

How easy is it to access your baby?

As I have short arms and the Oyster Swinging Crib is a little deeper than the cribs I have used before, I initially found it a little tricky to transfer my son into it smoothly. However, I soon got used to it and now find it simple to get him in and out of, plus one side of the crib can be lowered to make this completely effortless.

Can you lower the side?

It is possible to lower one side of the Oyster Swinging Crib, which is useful when I want to see or access my baby more easily. It should be noted that BabyStyle advises against leaving your baby in the crib when the side is down. While the process of lowering the side isn't particularly noisy, it is a little bit fiddly. I have to undo a zip, press a button and detach a pole on both sides of the foldable section, so it isn't something that I can do one-handed, or that I would attempt while my son is resting in the crib as it might disturb him. Also, I can't keep the canopy of the crib up when the side is down as this section is where it attaches onto the main crib.

How easy is it to see your baby in the crib?

A definite plus point of the Oyster Swinging Crib is that the mesh design around the sides makes it so easy for me to see when my baby has woken up or needs comforting, even from the other side of the room. It's very reassuring – not to mention convenient – that I'm able to check on him without having to move.

How portable is it and how easy is it to store?

With a frame that is designed to fold up neatly for storage or travel, I found the Oyster Swinging Crib easy to move around a room and take upstairs or downstairs, as it's light and portable. The frame can also easily be adjusted so that it takes up less space, which is handy when you don't need to use it.

Does it rock?

The main USP of the Oyster Swinging Crib is its automated side-to-side rocking function and I can't fault this feature. There are five different swinging speeds you can choose from to rock your baby to sleep, which can be selected by either pressing the buttons on the crib's control hub or using the product's handy remote control. I tend to use the middle setting with my baby as this seems to provide enough motion to soothe him, without being too jerky or rough.

The crib can be set to shut down after 15, 30 or 45 minutes, or it will auto shut down after one hour when a timer is not selected. I like that when I turn off the swinging function, the crib slows to a gentle rather than an abrupt stop, so it doesn't disturb my son's sleep. It's also useful that the crib has a locking feature to ensure it doesn't swing when you're not using it.

How comfy is this crib for your baby?

Having just gone through the double whammy of my son's four-month sleep regression and having his first teeth come through, it’s fair to say that my baby’s sleeping habits have changed quite a bit recently. That said, he has taken well to the Oyster Swinging Crib and settles comfortably for naps and nighttime sleeps in it. On a few occasions, I've put him down in it when he wasn't fully asleep yet but was showing signs of tiredness and the crib's music and swinging have calmed him and sent him off to sleep. However, this hasn't always been the case as sometimes he still needs mummy or daddy to rock and soothe him.

One downside I have noticed with the crib is that the canopy doesn't fully cover his face and the mesh design means that quite a bit of light comes through onto his face at times. As noted above, the crib is also getting a little narrow for him at 5 months old so when he spreads his arms out they touch the sides, which could potentially disturb his sleep.

How robust and durable does the crib feel?

The Oyster Swinging Crib seems well-made and though its frame is quite lightweight, making it easy to fold and move, it does feel robust and durable. That said, if I forget to lock the crib in place when it isn't turned on, it can wobble a little bit if my son kicks or moves in it, but not enough that it feels unsafe.

I've only had one issue with using the Oyster Swinging Crib and this was after I dropped the base to test its functionality as a playpen. To do this, I had to unzip the base of the crib (which is very quick and easy to do) and I found it quite tricky to do the zip back up. A couple of days later I noticed that this zip had come undone as the base started to drop on one side when I put my son in it.

How easy is it to keep clean?

BabyStyle recommends that the soft insert and cover of the Oyster Swinging Crib mattress should only be washed by hand and left to air dry. My son is currently teething, which means a lot of drool, but luckily the mattress cover is easy to remove and wash.

The base and frame of the crib should be cleaned using a damp cloth and detergent, and dried thoroughly. To keep the crib in tip-top condition, it should not be soaked in water, exposed to salt water or bleach, or left in direct sunlight for extended periods of time.

Does the crib have any in-built storage?

Unfortunately, this crib does not have any in-built storage. Instead, BabyStyle has focused on providing a lightweight frame that is easy to fold and move.

Are there any design elements you find particularly useful?

The rocking element of the Oyster Swinging Crib is a fantastic feature, especially when I don't have the energy to rock my baby endlessly or I need to get on with something while he's sleeping. It's also been useful to be able to play music for him without having to fiddle about with my phone. Additionally, I appreciate being able to easily adjust and move the frame of the crib so that it doesn't get in the way.

What would you have wanted to know before getting this crib?

As the instruction manual isn't particularly comprehensive, it took me a while to figure out exactly how the Oyster Swinging Crib works. For example, it is not explained in the manual that the control hub, which turns on the music and swinging motion, only needs a very light touch (imagine that you're gently pressing a touchscreen, rather than firmly pressing a button).

Similarly, it was simple for me to connect my phone's audio to the crib through Bluetooth once I found the right button to push, but this wasn't signposted clearly in the instruction manual. There are a couple of handy instructional videos on BabyStyle’s Facebook page, although they don't always show the crib's features in great detail either. Once I worked out how to use it properly, it became a lot easier to make the most of the Oyster Swinging Crib.

What’s in the box?

• 1 x Oyster Swinging Crib
• 1 x crib base board
• 1 x mattress with mattress cover
• 1 x retractable canopy with 3 mobile toys attached
• 1 x Oyster frame (including control hub)
• 1 x remote control
• 1 x USB cable
• 1 x instruction manual

What are the additional accessories that you can buy?

According to BabyStyle’s website, there are no additional accessories available for the Oyster Swinging Crib yet.

Packaging: What did you think of the packaging of this product?

The Oyster Swinging Crib arrived in relatively minimal packaging – the parts were wrapped in plastic (non-recyclable) and came in a cardboard box (recyclable). The box is large but not unnecessarily so, and the product seemed well-protected.

Sustainability

I have asked BabyStyle for more information about sustainability and recycling, and the company has said it will get back to me.

Tell us about repair options if it breaks?

The warranty frame for the crib frame covers 24 consecutive months from the date of your purchase, while the warranty for the fabrics covers six consecutive months from the purchase date. I have asked BabyStyle for more information about repairs and replacements, and the company has said it will get back to me.

Now you've tested it, what would you have wanted to know before purchasing the product?

Although it is handy that the Oyster Swinging Crib comes with a remote control to switch between swinging modes and change the music volume from across the room, it's useful to know that the remote cannot be used to turn the crib on, which isn't ideal if you're on the other side of the room or using it at night.

Who would this product be most useful for?

The Oyster Swinging Crib will be a lifesaver for parents of fussy babies who struggle to settle. I feel it is probably better suited to newborn or young babies as, at 5 months old, my son is already able to reach the sides of the crib when he spreads his arms out. At this age, the benefits of the crib's swinging function are also less useful for me as my baby naturally sleeps more at night anyway and is sometimes resistant to daytime naps, even with the crib on swinging mode and playing music.

However, I do think this would have been particularly helpful when he was younger and easier to soothe, as it would have allowed me to put him down more often when I needed to get things done and feel reassured that he would probably stay asleep for a decent period of time.

Is this product worth the money?

At £249, the Oyster Swinging Crib is a little more expensive than comparable products such as the Baby Elegance Co Glide Electric Crib, which are generally in the £150-£200 price bracket. For this price, you get a well-made, stylish, modern crib with features that will encourage your baby to fall and stay asleep.

Where can I buy the Oyster Swinging Crib?

It is available from Kiddies Kingdom and Pramworld

MadeForMums verdict

The Oyster Swinging Crib is a great product and I would definitely recommend it to parents who aren't on a tight budget and want a smart-looking crib with cutting-edge features. For me and my baby, the product's main selling points – the swinging motion and the music – are nice-to-have extras rather than essentials as he sleeps well with or without them, but for parents of babies who need extra help to drift off, I'd consider it a worthwhile investment.