How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk

Both the NHS and Lullaby Trust have issued official safe sleeping guidelines which suggest that infants sleep in their own Moses basket or cot. A crib that is placed near the bed is an effective and space-saving solution for parents who share a room.

Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper as it's big enough with plenty of room for babies to grow and wriggle and more spacious than the typical Moses basket. It's also simple to put together and comes with a bag for travel.

What is a bedside cot?

A bedside cot (also called a bassinet, side-sleeper or co-sleeper) is a safe method for your newborn to sleep near you during their first few months. These cribs are attached to your bed and allow you to lift your baby out towards you to feed them at night or for comforting without the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome as a result of traditional bed sharing. They're also a great option for breastfeeding mothers or mums recovering from a caesarean section.

These cots are typically a little smaller than standard cots however, they still provide plenty of space for your baby to relax. You can choose from various styles and features based on your preferences. A lot of cribs with a bedside cot used feature an adjustable or drop down side that allows you to reach your baby's night feeds and are available in a variety of heights to suit the size of your bed.

Some bedside crib co sleeper cribs have a riser which allows you to build an incline to the sleep area. This can help with reflux. They also have an open side to make cleaning easy. Some cribs have manual rocking features that can provide a relaxing distraction to your newborn. You'll also require a comfortable mattress for your new crib, which should be a minimum of 30cm deep to ensure your newborn has sufficient head room.

A bedside crib is a major investment, but you can be sure your newborn will get a secure and comfortable sleep. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams, and Gigi Hadid are all avid users of SNOO's bedside crib. 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 placed in the same bed as you for the first six months, but not in your bed, to decrease the chance of suffocation and to lower the chance of sudden infant death syndrome. A crib that is placed near your bed lets you keep your infant close to you to help calm them down and feed them at night without having to leave your bed. It's also great if you have limited mobility after an operation or recovering from a C-section.

Our top choice for a bedside crib, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 bedside crib that travels cots is compact and folds down in seconds to fit into its own travel bag making it ideal for travel and nights away from home. It's among the lightest options for a cheap bedside cot crib and has a soft, comfortable foam mattress with mesh panels that let air flow. It also has an option for incline. It also won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot Crib or Moses basket.

Chicco Next2me Magic is another excellent bedside crib. It won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It comes with a built-in storage solution and changing mat, is lightweight (only 10kg) and features an adjustable side that makes it easy to access.

Style

For a lot of moms, especially those recovering from a C-section, a bedside crib can prove to be an absolute godsend. They can be attached to your bed so that 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 bedside cot can also increase the amount of milk produced by mothers who are breastfeeding.

Alongside being incredibly useful, bassinets can look pretty stylish too which is the reason they're so popular. They are larger than Moses Baskets and some come with additional features like a gentle reflux incline. They're designed to sit right next to your bed and can be moved around the home as baby grows. Some are portable, so they're great for travelling parents.

When selecting a cot for your bedside It is essential to choose a model with drop sides that are easy to use. This allows you to lower your child into the bassinet, without lifting them up into your arms. This can be difficult for mothers with mobility issues. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one of the models that has been acknowledged and shortlisted by Mumsnetters in the category of the best Cot or Crib Moses Basket for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.

Some models also come with a transparent side, which allows you to be able to always view your baby. This is especially useful when you are tired and sleepy when a quick glance can make all the difference. One such option is the Sleepiest BassiNest, which is easy to lower as outlined by our MFM home tester Emily.

Budget

A bedside crib is a great alternative if you're not ready to move to a bigger crib. This bassinet-style crib attaches to your bed, ensuring that you can reach your baby easily for feedings at night or cuddle them without causing any disturbance to yourself. It's a great option for those with restricted movement after an operation such as a C-section. Celeb mums like Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen this model.

Our Parents Testers loved the new version of this bestselling crib from Chicco, which won the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. It's large comfortable, breathable, and comes with six different height settings for growing babies. There is also a soft reflux setting. It can also be used as a crib for travel and comes with a convenient storage case.

A bedside cot can be a little difficult to move around the home However, our Parent Testers found the Shnuggle Air near the crib to be easy to move around. It is among the lighter options and can be tucked away in its own travel bag.

The SnuzPod is another highly-rated bedside cot that's easy to set up and take down and comes with a variety of features to ensure a good night's sleep. It comes with a removable, lift-off bassinet that fits more beds than other cots. The fabric is breathable and can help to regulate your baby's temperature. It also has a soft rocking function, as well as an incline setting for reflux, and is lightweight enough to use as a travel cot when you're on the move. It's more expensive than other cots for bed, but our Parent Testers say it's well worth the extra cash.