Chicco Next2Me Pop Up review

The Chicco Next2Me Pop Up can be used as a standalone crib or in co-sleeping mode when securely fixed to the parents’ bed and is suitable from birth up to around 6 months old.

Tested by

Mum-of-3 Helen Faccio tested the cot with her 1-month-old son Alessio, using it at home for night-time sleeping and daytime naps.

What were your first impressions?

The first thing I noticed when I unboxed the Chicco Next2Me Pop Up bedside crib was that it was almost completely constructed already, with just one pole to fit. Appearance-wise it very much fits with the Next2Me aesthetic, being grey in colour with mesh sections.

How easy is the Chicco Next2Me Pop Up bedside crib to assemble?

The cot is incredibly easy to build for the first time – you simply pull the top of the frame upwards until it clicks into position. Initially, you have to insert and connect the front barrier pole (which opens in co-sleeping mode), but this is simple to do, as is fitting the feet that come separately. In just these simple steps, the cot is assembled as a traditional, standalone crib.

Is it simple to set the Chicco Next2Me Pop Up bedside crib in co-sleeping mode?

Putting the cot in co-sleeping configuration first time around was slightly more complicated, but having done it once, it is very easy to do again. The main difficulty was caused by not having the diagrams next to the written instructions in the instruction booklet, meaning I had to keep flicking from the front pages to the English language section. However, taking the barrier panel down and securing the cot to our bed with the straps was straightforward.

How easy is the Chicco Next2Me Pop Up bedside crib to put up and take down?

Incredibly easy – it really does take only a few seconds. To put the crib up you pull the frame upwards until it clicks and holds in place, while to take it down you push the closure release lever while pulling up the height adjustment buttons and folding the frame downwards. Great if you’re in a hurry.

What age is the Chicco Next2Me Pop Up crib suitable for?

Like other Next2Me cribs, the Pop Up is suitable from birth up to 9kg, which is when a baby reaches around 6 months in age. It’s important to note the Pop Up crib cannot be used when a baby can sit or pull itself up.

How does the Next2Me Pop Up compare to other Chicco bedside cribs?

I have used the original Chicco Next2Me before and the Pop Up is almost identical to use once assembled. One of the main differences is that the Pop Up crib is much easier to put up and down because of the easy fold design and because no parts need to be dissembled each time. This makes it a more convenient option for travelling.

What’s the mattress like on the Chicco Next2Me Pop Up bedside crib?

The mattress is firm, as it should be, but is thicker and not as hard as the mattresses I have found in cheaper travel cots. Chicco state on their website that the mattress has been designed to give the newborn the right support during sleep.

How easy is it to access your baby in the Chicco Next2Me Pop Up crib?

Very easy! The height of the Pop Up is adjustable, with 6 height settings to suit your needs. When in co-sleeping configuration, the entire side of the cot is removed so you can easily reach for your baby – ideal for those recovering from a C-section, who may struggle to bend a lot in the early days post-birth.

How do you lower the side of the Chicco Next2Me Pop Up?

To lower the side of the cot completely (except for the safety containment barrier), you follow 2 simple steps:

• Release the front barrier tube by pressing the buttons on either side.
• Fold downwards and secure the tube in place underneath the cot using the supports.

It is simple to do and having the containment barrier there makes it feels very safe for baby. The side of the cot cannot be lowered when in use as a standalone crib.

Is it easy to see your baby in the Chicco Next2Me Pop Up bedside crib?

Very easy – there are mesh panels all around the cot which you can see through and the height is adjustable to make it easy to see over the top. The mesh also allows good ventilation.

Does the Chicco Next2Me Pop Up crib seem comfortable for your baby?

My baby had no issues sleeping in the cot and did the longest stretch of sleep in his short life so far in it! The mattress is firm but not hard and there is plenty of space for baby in the cot, without it being too big for a newborn so that they feel lost in it. My very slight complaint is that the mattress is such a tight fit in the cot that tucking a blanket in the bottom and sides isn’t that easy, so I think a sleeping bag may be the best option to keep baby warm.

How robust and durable does the Chicco Next2Me Pop Up bedside crib feel?

It feels very robust and durable. The frame is strong and it feels very stable thanks to the design of the foldable feet.

Does the Chicco Next2Me Pop Up crib rock or tilt?

While the Pop Up crib doesn’t rock, there are 2 tilt settings, which are very handy if your baby has reflux or a cold.

How easy is the Chicco Next2Me Pop Up crib to keep clean?

The cot is fairly easy to keep clean as you can sponge wash stains if needed. The cover does come off the mattress and can be machine washed, as can the fabric part of the crib. I would advise using a mattress protector to keep the mattress clean, though, as it is easier to change this than to take the trouble to remove the mattress cover.

How portable is the Chicco Next2Me Pop Up crib?

The cot easily folds up into one piece and is easy to insert into the travel bag included. The Pop Up weighs 10.5kg so it is not the lightest option for a travel cot, but light enough to lift (you can see lighter options in our round up of the best travel cots).

At H97cm x L84cm x W23cm when folded and packed in its travel bag I did find it rather large and cumbersome – more so than you would expect for a product that is designed for travel. The Nuna Sena Aire travel cot, £180, for example, measures just H86cmxL24cmxW28cm when folded – although this isn’t a bedside crib or suitable for everyday use.

I thought the Pop Up’s travel bag was quite flimsy and I feel like something a bit more robust or padded would be better if you were taking this on an aeroplane. I would worry about the bag being torn or the cot getting broken in an aeroplane hold.

Does the Chicco Next2Me Pop Up crib fit easily into a car boot for traveling?

The cot does fit into our car boot but only just, and we have a Ford C-Max which we purchased because it has a large boot! I think that you would struggle to fit it into the boot of smaller cars as it takes quite a lot of space. When you have the Chicco Next2Me Pop Up in your boot, you may struggle to fit in your pushchair and/or many bags, which you would need if travelling.

How does the Chicco Next2Me Pop Up compare to other travel cots you have used?

I have used standard cheap travel cots before but not a travel bedside crib, and this design seems much better for use with young babies. The smaller size and height from the floor make it much easier to put your baby down into the cot. It’s feels more snug for my newborn to sleep in than a huge travel cot and the mattress is thicker but firm.

Are there any features of the Chicco Next2Me Pop Up bedside crib that you find particularly useful?

The folding feet and adjustable height mean the cot can be used in co-sleeping configuration with nearly every type of adult bed, while the fact it can be inclined in crib mode to help with reflux issues is really useful. The ease of putting the cot up and down with the 3-second fold, and without the need to dissemble anything, is the main selling point though and for good reason.

We found it much easier to put up and down than the classic Next2Me which we have used previously. Another great feature, especially if you’re using the Next2Me Pop Up as an everyday cot, is that there are 2 wheels on its feet, making it easy to move around the house. You just lock them into place once the crib is positioned where you need it.

What’s in the box?

• Instruction booklet
• Travel bag
• Fastening Straps
• Front barrier tube (connected to cot after first assembly)
• Cot, including mattress

What extra accessories can you buy?

Fitted sheets for the mattress are available and would be a good purchase, as would a mattress protector. I used some flat cot sheets which also did the job.

Now you’ve tested it, what would you have wanted to know about the Chicco Next2Me Pop Up bedside crib?

It is important to note that the Pop Up is only suitable for babies up to 6 months, so has a limited life span. I would also have wanted to know that it’s quite big when folded, so may not be the best option for families with a small car.

Who would the Chicco Next2Me Pop Up bedside crib be most useful for?

The Pop Up cot works very well as a crib for the early months of a baby’s life, as would any of the cots in the Next2Me range. I think this version would appeal to people who will be travelling a lot with a young baby because it is so easy to put up and down. It would certainly be a practical buy if you are going to be driving to stay away from home several times in the first 6 months of your baby’s life (as long as it fits in your car boot.)

Is the Chicco Next2Me Pop Up bedside crib worth the money?

If you are not planning on doing much travelling when your baby is under 6 months, but like the features of the Next2Me range, the Pop Up would not be my first choice. There are cheaper Next2Me cots that I feel do the same job, like the Next2Me Air, £189. I also think there are other bedside cribs which are more attractive, such as the Snüzpod.

Where this product would offer good value is where families are going away multiple times with a young baby and so require a crib-style cot that can be put up and taken down, hassle-free. It saves having to buy a separate travel cot, which helps to justify the £199 price tag.

How does the Chicco Next2Me Pop Up compare to similar cribs?

Where can I buy the Chicco Next2Me Pop Up bedside crib?

Available at John Lewis, Argos and Winstanleys Pramworld.

MadeForMums verdict:

The Next2Me Pop Up is a versatile crib for young babies. The 3-second fold is what really makes it standout, making it an ideal choice as a co-sleeping travel cot suitable for the first 6 months of your baby’s life. Offering the choice of using as a standalone cot or bedside crib, it can be adapted to fit almost every type of adult bed for co-sleeping, and the tilt function makes it a real help for babies with reflux.

Other plus points are the mattress, which is firm but comfortable for your baby, and the mesh panels which provide great visibility while allowing air to circulate around. The Chicco Pop Up is undoubtedly easier and quicker to put up and down than other models in the range, but I would have expected a product being marketed as being easy to take anywhere to fold up smaller and lighter and have a more robust bag for carrying it in.

I think it’s worth the investment for regular travellers, but there are more affordable – and stylish – bedside cribs on the market for everyday use at home.