Red Kite Nebula bedside crib review

Tested by:

Sybilla is a mum of five who lives on the Essex/Suffolk borders. Sybilla tested the crib downstairs in her sitting room and upstairs in her bedroom with her seven-week-old son Benjamin.

First impressions of the Red Kite Nebula Crib:

Personally, I think it looks a bit dull and similar to the cots they use in hospital postnatal wards – but some people will love the simple, neutral design.

How does it compare to other cribs?

It’s better than a Moses basket, with an excellent mattress and cover, however, it’s not as stylish as more expensive cribs.

What age is the Red Kite Nebula Crib suitable for?

From birth to 9kg in crib mode (up to 1 year old), and in playpen mode for infants and older children up to 15kg – the approximate weight of a two- to three-year-old.

Is the Red Kite Nebula Crib easy to assemble?

Not really. The basic frame is fairly straightforward to put together, but the cot itself comes with lots of zips for which there are no particular instructions – you just have to use your common sense. Put it this way, if you are a single parent or have no one around to look after your newborn baby, assembling it may be a challenge unless you set it up before your baby arrives.

Does the crib attach to the bed?

Yes, in co-sleeping mode, the Nebula attaches with long, grey, adjustable straps (supplied) that you fit across your bed.

Can the Red Kite Nebula Crib be used as a standalone crib, too?

Yes.

Do you prefer this to a Moses basket?

Yes. None of my babies have particularly liked Moses baskets, so I was really keen to try my seven-week-old son Benjamin in this spacious crib. He looked very comfortable in it and enjoyed being able to stretch out and have a good look around.

How easy is it to see your baby when they’re in the Red Kite Nebula Crib?

Very easy – there’s a white mesh window through which you can see your baby.

Is it easy to access your child?

Yes, very easy. There’s a zip-down window, which is handy for instant access to your baby in the middle of the night. However, this needs to be clicked back into place, which we all found a little fiddly – it’s not what you need in the middle of the night.

Does it rock?

No, the Red Kite Nebula Crib does not have a rocking function.

How many height positions does the Red Kite Nebula Crib have?

Five, plus there are two adjustable inclines to provide some relief to babies suffering from colic.

What do you think of the size of the crib?

It’s excellent as it is pleasingly wide and long enough to accommodate babies well into their sixth month. In crib mode, it can accommodate a baby up to 9kg – the approximate size of a six- to twelve- month-old.

How comfortable is the Red Kite Nebula Crib for your baby?

Extremely. I thought the mattress and sheet were excellent quality, and Benjamin looked very happy in it.

Does it incline?

Yes, and the incline setting is great for easing digestion for babies with reflux or who are suffering with a cold, but it’s not very easy to operate – it’s a bit stiff.

Is the Red Kite Nebula Crib easy to move around your home once assembled?

In weight terms, it is fairly easy to move around as it has wheels, although as it’s also rather long and wide, you would need two people to move it to a different floor. The wheels come with brakes but they weren’t very easy to use, especially on carpet.

What’s the Red Kite Nebula Crib like as a playpen?

Red Kite claim the playpen mode would suit a child up to 15kg – the approximate weight of a two-year-old – but I disagree. I think it would work quite well as a playpen for a baby up to a year old, but not for a child older than that, simply because there’s not a lot of room for the baby to move around, and the base is quite flimsy and doesn’t touch the ground. The baby would slightly raised off the ground in a sort of floating cot-cum-makeshift playpen – suitable for smaller babies but not for a mobile toddler.

Are there any design elements you find particularly good?

The fact that the crib can also be used as a playpen is definitely a bonus.

Is the Red Kite Nebula Crib easy to clean?

The outer grey fabric can be spot-cleaned using a sponge with a mild soap and warm water solution. This part cannot be machine-washed. The mattress cover can be removed and machine-washed at 40 degrees on a gentle cycle.

What’s in the box?

• 1 x crib
• 1 x frame
• 1 x mattress
• 1 x safety straps
• 2 Allen keys for assembly
• 1 storage/travel bag

What would you have wanted to know before buying the Red Kite Nebula Crib?

I would have wanted to know that it’s on the large side, doesn’t fold up easily and that it’s quite hard to assemble.

Where can I buy the Red Kite Nebula Crib?

It's available from Amazon and Argos.

MadeForMums verdict:

The Nebula crib is a generously sized bedside crib that I would recommend to someone who wanted a good value crib with all the basic functionality and which you're just using at home.

Read more...

• Best co-sleeping cots and bedside cribs
• Do you need a moses basket, co-sleeper or crib?
• Best baby and toddler sleeping bags