How to Choose the
best bedside cots Bedside Cot uk
Both the NHS and Lullaby Trust have issued official safe sleeping guidelines that advise that babies sleep in their own Moses basket or cot. A bedside crib is a practical and space-saving option for parents who share a room.
Mumsnetters love the co-sleeper as it's big and has plenty of space for babies to grow and play. It's also larger than the Moses Basket. It's also easy to put together and comes with a travel bag.
What is a bedside crib?
A bedside cot (also called a bassinet, side sleeper or co-sleeper) is a secure way for your baby to sleep close to you throughout the first few months of their life. These cribs are attached to your bed, allowing you to lift your child in your arms for night-feeding or comforting. They're also a great option for breastfeeding mothers or mothers recovering from a caesarean.
These cots are often a little smaller than a standard cot but they provide plenty of room for your baby to relax. You can choose from a wide range of designs and features depending on what you prefer. Many cribs with a
bedside crib co sleeper feature a removable or drop-down side to make it easier to reach the baby during the night to feed them. They also come in different heights depending on the size of your bed.
Some cribs for
bedside crib and cot use an adjustable riser that allows you to build an incline to the sleeping area. This can be helpful with reflux. They also come with a zip off side for easy cleaning. Some have manual rocking features which can be a soothing distraction for your infant. You'll also require a breathable mattress to match your new crib, which should be a minimum of 30cm deep to ensure your newborn has sufficient head room.
A
4-in-1 bedside crib cot is an investment, but you can rest assured that your newborn will get a comfortable and safe sleep. With the likes of Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all being fans of the SNOO bedside crib, it's definitely worth considering this stylish alternative to a moses basket.
Safety
The Lullaby Trust, in conjunction with the NHS, has issued official guidelines for safe sleeping that recommend that newborns sleep in the same bedroom as their parents for the first six months. However, they should not sleep in your bed. This is to decrease the risk of suffocation, or sudden infant death syndrome. A crib for bed allows you to keep your infant close to you to help comfort them and even feed them at night without having to leave your bed. It's also a great option when you are unable to move following an operation or recovering from C-section.
Our top pick for a bedside crib, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 travel cot bedside (
E 10100 wrote) crib is compact and folds flat in seconds to fit into a travel bag making it ideal for travel and nights away from home. It's the lightest option for a bedside crib and comes with a comfy deep foam mattress with mesh panels that let air flow. It also comes with an incline option that can be added. Additionally, it was awarded 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 changing mat and storage system, is lightweight at 10kg, and features an adjustable side that can be lowered down for easy access.
Style
For many mothers, particularly those who are recovering from a C-section A crib that is placed near the bed could prove to be an absolute godsend. You can easily reach your baby without getting out of your bed. This allows you to provide comfort and food to your infant during the night. Being close to the baby can also aid in increasing the amount of milk produced by mothers who breastfeed.
As well as being incredibly useful, bassinets can look pretty stylish too and that's why they're so sought-after. Some are bigger than Moses Baskets, and some have extra features such as a gentle reflux upward slope. They are designed to fit close to your bed and can be moved around the house as baby grows. Some are portable so they're great for travelling parents.
It's important to choose a cot for your bed that is easy to use drop-sides. This allows you to lower your child into the bassinet, without having to lift them up into your arms. This can be a challenge for mothers with limited mobility. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one of the models that has been acknowledged and shortlisted by Mumsnetters in the category of Best Cot or Crib, or Moses Basket for our 2021 Mother and Baby Awards.
Another great feature that certain models have is a transparent side that lets you be able to see your baby at all times. This is especially useful when you're exhausted at 3am and need to feed your child. A quick glance can make a big difference. One such option is the Sleepiest BassiNest which is simple to lower, as outlined by our MFM home tester Emily.
Budget
A bedside crib is a fantastic option if you are not ready to upgrade to a bigger crib. The bassinet-style crib is attached to the side of your bed so that you can easily reach your baby for night feeds and comfort them without disturbing your own sleep. It's a great option for those who are unable to move after a C-section. Famous moms such as Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen this model.
Our Parent Testers loved this new version of the popular Chicco crib, which took home the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards as the Best Cot or Crib. It's large and breathable, and comes with six height settings to accommodate growing babies, and a gentle reflux setting for the 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 However, our Parent Testers said that the Shnuggle Air alongside the cot was easy to maneuver. It is among the lightest options and can be tucked away in its own travel bag.
The SnuzPod is a different highly rated
bedside crib with wheels cot that is easy to assemble and fold away and packed with features that will ensure your child gets an enjoyable night's sleep. It has a lift-off bassinet that fits more beds than any other cot, and its breathable fabric helps your baby to regulate their temperature. It has a gentle rocking feature, as well as an incline to help with reflux. It's also light enough to be used as a crib for travel when you are out and about. It's a little more expensive than other cribs for bed but Parents Testers believe it's worth the extra expense.