Chicco Next2Me Twins Bedside Crib review

While there's been a handful of twin sleepers come onto the market in the past few years, Chicco's offering really does stand out head and shoulders above the rest for its quality and practicality. Coming in at £289, it may seem pricey, but it is far more affordable than buying two separate bedside cribs for your twin babies.

How easy is it to set up the Chicco Next2Me Twins Bedside Crib?

The instructions come as images in a booklet and were quite straightforward. My husband assembled the crib, and while he is not a DIY enthusiast at all, he didn’t feel it was passed his capabilities.

About 70 percent of the frame was already attached to the material and the only thing that he was required to do was attach the body to the legs, attach the stabilising brackets, insert the mattresses, fasten the clips to each pole and attach the straps to the bed, which he later discovered was not possible to do to our king size bed.

There were plenty of warnings attached to the instructions, and it could not be made clearer what the risks are if you don't set the crib up correctly.

What is the mattress like for each baby in the Chicco Next2Me Twins Bedside Crib?

The mattresses are separate, which works well as if one of them happened to have an accident or vomited – I would only need to take one of the mattresses out and leave the other twin undisturbed, something I have done on several occasions.

The mattresses are quite firm, and I did wonder whether that might be an issue for Elspeth’s reflux, but it seemed to have no impact on it at all. In fact, Elspeth fell asleep within a few minutes of being placed in the crib for her first nap of the day.

How easy is it to fix the Chicco Next2Me Twin Bedside Crib to your bed?

I could not strap the crib to the bed due to the type of bed base we have, but looking at the straps, they seem sturdy, and if it helped keep the babies safe and secure, then I would recommend doing it if you have the capability to do so. I found the height adjustments (11 in total) a valuable asset to the crib, as I find leaning over quite stressful on my back.

When in bed at night, I placed the crib on the highest setting so I could easily reach the twins to do feeds. It was also helpful in the day for naps that they were level with the bedside, and I could easily sneak a peek at them without disturbing.

The Twins Bedside Crib is compatible with most beds, including divan bases or beds with storage compartments, measuring between 52cm and 67cm in height, so hopefully you won't have a problem attaching it to yours.

Can the crib be tilted or rocked?

No; I had hoped that it could be tilted due to Elspeth’s reflux, but it could not and there is no other function, such as a rocking motion.

How easy is it to access your twins at night in the Chicco Next2Me Twins Bedside Crib?

Incredibly straightforward. The crib is right next to me, and it takes me seconds to pull down the side and reach in to bring them close to feed. If one twin needed comforting, I could easily do so without disturbing the other. I was shocked and delighted at how big the mattresses are. The twins have ample space to wriggle around in, but were also able to touch and see each other should they desire. The central partition is non-removable, which I believe is a safety feature.

How portable is it?

This is where there is a slight issue. The Next2Me Twins Bedside Crib does not move easily. When my husband was assembling the crib, it did not feel heavy, but once it was finished, moving it into position was quite tricky. It is not foldable, and no carry bag was included. I would not attempt to take it in the car for holidays or short trips.

How durable and stable does the Chicco Next2Me Twins Bedside Crib feel?

It feels strong and durable, and I think it would certainly last longer than the 6 months (or if the babies reach 9kg) I can use it for. The metal legs are a good thickness and very sturdy, and it's made using quality fabric and materials. I definitely plan to use it until the twins are ready to go into their own cots in their nursery.

How easy is it to keep clean?

The Chicco Next2Me Twins Bedside Crib fabric is machine washable at 30 degrees, as are the mattresses.

What are your favourite features about the Chicco Next2Me Twins Bedside Crib?

The mesh is thin and breathable, and is featured on all sides of the crib, so the twins can see and feel each other. It also makes it easy for me to keep an eye on them.

The single-handled, pull-down function to access the twins is easy to work and a clever feature – the divider is a little flimsy, and I found myself pulling it up as it kept flopping over, but that is a small detail.

The size of the crib is impressive – I was worried it would not fit down the side of my bed, but I needn’t have worried as it fitted with ease. It measures W98cm x L98cm x H62-80cm when assembled.

What’s in the box?

The box included the frame, the material, the straps, the mattresses and the all-important instructions.

Is the Chicco Next2Me Twins Bedside Crib good value for money?

When I did my research on trying to source a twin bedside crib, I found there were a few different ranges on the market, not many and not brands I'd heard of. I used the Chicco Next2Me crib when my 5-year-old was born and found it a godsend – I think I even carried on using it until Sophia was 7 months old and had to be persuaded that it was time to put her into her own room and own cot!

]So while the price of the Chicco Next2Me Twins Bedside Crib, at £289, is considerably higher than the ones I spotted on selling websites, such as Amazon, I feel due to the quality of the product and the trust I have in the brand, it is good value for money. You have to weigh up the pros and the cons, but when it comes to your children’s comfort and the convenience of bedside sleeping, I think this is worth the investment.

What are the sustainability features of the Chicco Next2Me Twins Bedside Crib?

Chicco prides itself on being a fully sustainable, eco-friendly company and even publishes its sustainability report on its website. The outer packaging of the Twins Bedside Crib was cardboard, but the inside was mainly plastic and polystyrene. The good news is that parts can be replaced if things are missing or break, and Chicco offer a one-year standard warranty that can be extended to three years for free on the Chicco website.

Where can I buy the Chicco Next2Me Twins Bedside Crib?

It's available at Mamas & Papas, Baby Planet, Kiddies Kingdom and Chicco.

MadeForMums verdict:

I feel this crib is a real investment for parents of newborn twins. I have found it to be so easy to assemble, the twins were just millimetres from me, and so far, they have found it comfortable to nap and sleep in. The price is reasonable and justified for the convenience and for peace of mind. We could have gone for a cheaper alternative, but as I have used Chicco before with my older daughter, Sophia, I knew that it would be a top-quality product. I cannot fault it.