Graco Sweet2Sleep bedside crib review

What were your first impressions?

After buying several baby products that arrived in enormous boxes – some so big that even when cut up they were impossible to fit into the building's recycling bins – I was relieved to find that the Graco Sweet2Sleep arrived in a reasonably sized box and was packaged with minimal non-recyclable materials. It arrived in fewer parts than I expected, as the bassinet part arrives in one piece with the metal frame already covered with the fabric and ready to be opened up and clicked into place.

How easy is the Graco Sweet2Sleep bedside crib to build?

The instructions come in diagram form and were relatively easy to follow, although assembling the bassinet portion of the crib required some common sense as the illustrations weren't entirely clear. It took around 20 minutes to assemble the crib, including removing the packaging and studying the instructions, but given that it's designed to double as a travel cot the overall set up is quite simple. Having done it once, I estimate that it would take around five minutes in future.

Disassembly proved much more frustrating. The instructions say to follow the assembly process in reverse but many parts spring into place automatically when the crib is being assembled and taking them apart requires pressing buttons that aren't always visible. This meant that disassembly took longer than putting it together and was quite frustrating. One particular join was very hard to undo as it required depressing a button that is hidden by the crib's fabric sides. Our efforts left the plastic slightly damaged in one corner but we eventually got it folded down and packed away in its travel bag.

How does the Graco Sweet2Sleep compare to other bedside cribs?

Sold at a significantly lower price point than many of the more established bedside cribs, such as the SnüzPod or the Chicco Next2Me, the Graco Sweet2Sleep is a budget option that offers almost all the same features as its competitors. When compared to the SnüzPod4, the crib my daughter slept in for the first 10 weeks of her life, the Sweet2Sleep holds its own on the two most important factors – safety and comfort. Its breathable mesh panels and locking drop-down side provide a safe and cosy environment, and the mattress is vastly superior to both the SnüzPod’s and the mattress that comes with our Joie Kubbie travel cot. It is also far easier to adjust the height and tilt of the crib, since both can be altered in seconds using a simple lever on the side of each leg.

A potential dealbreaker for parents who prefer to use the crib in standalone mode – essential for using the tilt function – is that it can't be placed up against a wall. The front legs can be folded in to bring the crib flush against a divan bed, but the back legs stick out, leaving a gap of around 6 inches between the crib and the wall. This means it takes up more space than competitors such as the SnüzPod. The instructions explicitly say not to put the crib against a wall, so parents should avoid turning it around and placing the drop-down side against a wall as a workaround. Less crucially, the crib loses a few points on both robustness and style, with its slightly rickety metal legs and beige polyester cover, but overall it's a well-rounded product at a very reasonable price.

What age is the Graco Sweet2Sleep bedside crib suitable for?

Suitable for babies from birth up until approximately 6 months (9kg), it was a comfortable fit for my 12-week-old daughter Nuala. It’s clear that she will outgrow it well before 6 months, but given that she measures on the 98th percentile for both weight and height, this is likely to be an issue with all bedside cribs, which tend to be of similar sizes and have the same weight limit.

How firm is the Graco Sweet2Sleep’s mattress?

The mattress is very thick compared to other bedside crib models, but is firm enough to fully support the baby and meet safe sleeping guidelines. My daughter slept very well on it, often going through the night without fussing between sleep cycles. The size and weight of the mattress do make for a heavier and bulkier crib when packed away for travel, though, so if that's the primary purpose of the purchase, it may fall short of more compact models.

How easy is it to fix the Graco Sweet2Sleep crib to your bed?

The crib is designed to operate in bedside mode with both divan beds and beds with a slatted bed frame. It comes with long straps that were able to safely encircle the base of my double divan bed. The straps are easy to install, attaching to the metal frame of the crib during assembly, before the fabric sides are snapped into place and the mattress is inserted into the bassinet. When attached to the bed, the crib felt a lot more stable than in standalone mode, when it has a tendency to rock lengthways on its two metal legs, despite the fact that rocking is not listed as one of its features.

The height was very simple to adjust using levers on either leg. With 11 different height adjustments, it is suitable for a wide range of beds. It can also be inclined up to a maximum increment of four numbers, although parents of babies with reflux should note that the crib can’t be used in tilt mode when attached to the bed.

Due to the size of the crib, which I placed beside the bed below my bedside table, it blocked most of my side of the bed. In co-sleeping mode it must be flush against the bed with no gap in between, which meant I could easily see and reach Nuala but had to kneel on the bed beside the crib and bend over to pick her up. Due to her unusual weight and size, I found this more difficult than picking her up when the crib was used in standalone mode, allowing me to keep my feet on the floor for better balance.

It also made it difficult for me to get in and out of the bed at night without waking my partner, particularly while holding the baby. I ultimately found it easier to set the crib up in standalone mode about a foot away from my bed, allowing me to lower the side to touch Nuala easily when needed but giving me space to get out of bed, pick her up and carry her over to her changing mat in the night.

Is it simple to access your baby in the Graco Sweet2Sleep crib?

Yes. I found it very easy to pick Nuala up from the crib both with the side up and with the side down. Particularly in standalone mode, I liked being able to adjust the crib to its highest setting, allowing me to bend over less far and saving the strain on my back.

How easy is it to lower the side of the Graco Sweet2Sleep bedside crib?

The drop-down side of the crib is very easy to lower and raise, thanks to its single centre button, which makes it easy to operate one-handed. It slides down fairly quietly but in order to be sure that it locks into place when raised, it either needs to be raised quite quickly, making a loud swishing sound as the fabric slides up, or raised slowly and quietly, then locked into place at either side, which makes two loud clicking sounds. This meant I tried to avoid closing the side once Nuala was asleep for fear of waking her.

Is it easy to see your baby in the Graco Sweet2Sleep bedside crib?

The mesh sides make it very easy to see the baby even when the side of the crib is up. I found it easy to check on Nuala from my bed at night and also from the back side of the crib during the day when I wanted to make sure she was napping without looming over her and waking her up.

Can the Graco Sweet2Sleep bedside crib be moved around?

The crib comes on wheels, which can be locked and unlocked to facilitate movement. The wheels are quite small so it didn't roll very smoothly across my carpeted bedroom floor, but it was certainly easier to move than a crib that requires disassembly or needs to be carried by two people.

Would the Graco Sweet2Sleep work as a travel cot?

The crib is designed to double as a travel cot. It comes with a handy bag that can be used for storage or travel, and it's lightweight and compact enough to make it a viable option for parents with a car, although heavier and bulkier than a purpose-built travel cot such as the Joie Kubbie.

Does it rock?

The Graco Sweet2Sleep crib doesn't officially have a rocking function, but because it is supported by a single leg at either end, it tends to move lengthways when jostled or when the baby wriggles around. This makes it feel slightly flimsy, but my baby enjoyed the fact that when she kicked her legs, the bassinet moved, making the mobile we hung over the crib move as well.

Can you tilt the Graco Sweet2Sleep bedside crib?

Yes. It has a very easy-to-use tilt function that can be adjusted in seconds to four different angles of incline. My baby doesn't suffer from reflux, but she did struggle with congestion from a cold, and the incline function seemed to help her to breathe more freely. The tilt function can only be used when the crib is in standalone mode.

Is there any in-built storage?

No, the crib doesn't come with any storage space.

Does the Graco Sweet2Sleep bedside crib seem comfy for your baby?

I was pleasantly surprised by how comfortable Nuala seemed to be in this crib. The thick mattress offered lots of support and she slept soundly both with the side up in standalone mode and with the side down in bedside mode.

How robust and durable does the Graco Sweet2Sleep crib feel?

The parts that make up the crib seemed sturdy and well-made, and overall, it seemed like a durable design. It definitely feels a little less robust than the SnüzPod with its solid wood frame, but the Graco Sweet2Sleep packs down to a manageable size for travel, a bonus feature that makes up for its tendency to rock slightly from end to end. It seems strong enough to easily weather use as both a regular and a travel sleep solution, and to serve a second baby in the future.

Can you clean the Graco Sweet2Sleep bedside crib?

The crib can be spot cleaned, but the fabric cover is not removabl,e so it can't be washed either by machine or by hand, a disadvantage compared to cribs designed with a removable bassinet cover. The mattress cover can be spot cleaned and is designed to be usable without a sheet, although I chose to use a waterproof mattress cover and a soft cotton sheet both for comfort and to help keep it clean. The carry bag can be machine washed on a delicate cycle.

Are there any design elements that are particularly useful?

The crib’s height can be altered by pressing a button on either leg, allowing it to be adjusted in seconds. The tilt can also be adjusted using the same mechanism. This makes it far more versatile for use in multiple settings than a crib like the SnüzPod, where the height must be selected during the building process and is complicated and time consuming to change.

What’s in the box?

• Co-sleeper bassinet with mesh covering
• Deep foam mattress with hard back
• Adjustable metal frame with lockable wheels
• Straps to attach the crib to the bed
• Travel bag
• Instructions

What are the additional accessories you can buy?

The crib comes as a complete package. Graco doesn't offer any additional accessories, but the crib is a standard size so it's easy to find mattress protectors and sheets to fit it.

What did you think of the packaging?

The Graco Sweet2Sleep came packaged in a reasonably sized box without too much excess plastic or non-recyclable materials. It was carefully insulated with cardboard to prevent any damage during shipping, allowing us to recycle most of the packaging in the household bins.

How sustainable is the Graco Sweet2Sleep bedside crib?

The crib is not recyclable but is sturdy enough to serve more than one baby, so can be stored in its bag in anticipation of a second child or passed on to a friend or relative once your baby outgrows it. The crib comes with a two-year warranty and Graco can provide replacement parts. The company also offers free advice by phone to customers on repairing parts as needed.

What would you have wanted to know before buying the Graco Sweet2Sleep bedside crib?

I would want to know that the crib is comfortable and versatile but that it can't be placed flush against a wall, so it takes up more space than some other models when used in standalone mode.

Who would the Graco Sweet2Sleep bedside crib be most useful for?

This crib is perfect for parents looking for a portable, reasonably priced bedside crib that's suitable for use at home and when travelling. It would also be a good purchase for parents with babies suffering from colic or congestion who want to use the tilt function, although they should note that it must be used in standalone mode and cannot be placed against a wall.

Is the Graco Sweet2Sleep bedside crib worth the money?

Priced at £79, it’s one of the cheaper bedside cribs on the market and is certainly good value for money, with a thick, comfortable mattress, easily adjustable height and tilt function, and the ability to be quickly packed away for storage or travel.

Where can I buy the Graco Sweet2Sleep?

It is available from Argos, Amazon, Boots and Graco

MadeForMums verdict

My baby seemed extremely comfortable in the Graco Sweet2Sleep bedside crib and slept very well and deeply, with minimal wake-ups. Although the crib doesn't have the sturdiest build, my baby enjoyed the fact that it moves slightly from end to end, allowing her to kick her legs and make the mobile we attached to the side move. Although not as light and compact as a purpose-designed travel cot, the Graco Sweet2Sleep packs away in a bag for travel, making it a great buy for parents planning overnight stays away from home. For the price, I'd definitely recommend it. Although it comes in at the lower end of the price scale for bedside cribs, it offers almost all the best features of the top-of-the-range designs.