How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk

Official safety sleeping guidelines from both NHS and Lullaby Trust recommends that newborns sleep in their own cot or Moses basket. A bedside crib can be practical and space-saving for parents who live in a room together.

Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper as it's big enough with plenty of room for babies to grow and play and is much bigger than a Moses basket. It is also easy to put together, and comes with a carry bag.

What is a bedside cot?

Bedside cots (also known as side sleepers, bassinets or co-sleepers) are an effective and safe method for your baby to be close to you during the first few months. These cribs are attached to your bed and let you bring your baby closer to you to feed them at night or for comforting without the danger of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome associated with traditional bed-sharing. They're also a great option for breastfeeding mothers or mums recovering from a caesarean section.

They are usually smaller than standard cots however, they still provide plenty of room for your baby to relax. You can pick from different styles and features based on your preferences. A lot of cribs with a bedside feature an adjustable or drop down side that makes it easier to reach your baby for night feeds and are also available in different sizes to fit the dimensions of your bed.

Some cribs for bedside crib travel use a riser which allows you to add an angle to the sleep area. This can be helpful with reflux. They also come with a zip off side for easy cleaning. Some cribs feature manual rocking features that can be a soothing distractor for your infant. You'll require a mattress that's comfortable to be used with your crib. It must be at least 30cm thick to allow your baby plenty of headroom.

You can be confident that your child will be safe and comfortable in a cot that is positioned at the bedside. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid are all avid users of SNOO's crib for babies. It is definitely worth a look as an alternative to a Moses basket.

Safety

Official guidelines for safe sleep from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that babies born today should be in the same room as you for the first six months, but not in your bed to reduce the chance of suffocation and to reduce the chance of sudden infant death syndrome. A crib that is placed near your bed is a great option that allows your baby to comfortably be near enough for you to feed them at night and soothe them back to sleep without having to get out of your bed. It's also ideal for those who have a limited mobility after an operation or recovering from an operation such as a C-section.

Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3 in 1 travel cot bedside crib is our top pick for a crib to sleep in. It's compact and folds flat to fit in its bag for travel which makes it ideal for nights out on the town or away from home. It's one of the tiniest bedside cot options and has a comfy deep foam mattress that has mesh air-flow panels, an optional tilt setting, and it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the Best Crib, Cot or Moses Basket.

Another fab bedside co sleeper cot option is the Chicco Next2me Magic bedside crib co sleeper crib that was awarded Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has built-in storage and a changing mat, is light (only 10kg) and comes with an adjustable side that makes it easy to access.

Style

A crib for your bed can be a lifesaver for many mums, especially those recovering from C-sections. They attach to your bed so you can reach your baby easily without needing to get out of bed and letting you feed them and comfort them quickly. The close proximity to the baby can also help increase the amount of milk produced by mothers who are breastfeeding.

Bassinets aren't just convenient but also stylish. This is the reason they're so popular. They're typically bigger than Moses baskets and come in a variety of different styles, some featuring extra features like a gentle tilting of the reflux. They're designed to fit right next to your bed and can be moved around the home as baby grows. Some are portable, which means they're great for parents who travel.

When you are choosing a bedside cot It is essential to select a model that have easy-to-use drop sides. They allow you to lower your baby into the bassinet without having to lift them into your arms, which is difficult for mums with limited mobility. One of these models is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been highly praised by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards' best bedside cot for newborn Cot Moses, Crib or Basket category.

Another useful feature that a few models have is a transparent side that allows you to be able to see your baby at all times. This is particularly useful when you are groggy at 3am and you need to feed your baby. A quick glance can make a big difference. One such option is the Sleepiest BassiNest, which is easy to lower, as outlined by our MFM home tester Emily.

Budget

If you're not ready to make the leap to a larger cot, an infant crib on your bed could be a great option. The bassinet-style crib can be attached to your bed, so you can easily reach your baby to feed them at night or even comfort them without disturbing yourself. It's also a great option for those with restricted movement following a C-section and is a favorite option with famous mothers like Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.

Our Parent Testers loved the new model of this well-loved crib from Chicco, which won the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. It's afclimatizing and spacious and comes with six height settings to accommodate babies who are growing, and a gentle reflux setting for incline. It can also be used as a crib for travel and comes with a handy storage case.

It can be difficult to move a bedside cot around the home, but our Parents Testers reported that the Shnuggle Air alongside the cot was simple to move. It is one of the lighter options and can be packed into its own travel bag.

The SnuzPod bedside cot used cot is yet another highly rated product that's simple to assemble and fold and comes with a variety of features to ensure an unwinding night's sleep. It comes with a removable, lift-off bassinet that fits more beds than other cots. The fabric is breathable, and helps regulate your baby's temperature. It has a gentle rocking feature and an incline to help with reflux. It is also lightweight enough to be used as a crib for travel when you are on the move. It's more expensive than other cribs for bed but Parents Testers agree that it's worth the extra cost.