How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk
Both the NHS and the Lullaby Trust have issued official safe sleeping guidelines which advise that babies sleep in their own Moses basket or cot. A crib that is placed near the bed can be a space-saving and practical option for parents who share a room.
Mumsnetters love the co-sleeper as it is spacious, with plenty of room for babies to grow and wiggle. It's also larger than a Moses Basket. It's also easy to assemble and comes with a bag for travel.
What is a bedside crib?
A bedside cot (also known as a side sleeper, bassinet or co-sleeper) is a safe method for your baby to sleep close to you overnight during their first few months. These cribs attach to your bed and allow you to bring your baby closer to you to feed them at night or for comforting without the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome as a result of traditional bed sharing. These cribs are also great for mums who are breastfeeding or recovering from a Cesarean Section.
They're typically smaller than a standard cot or cotbed, but they provide ample space for your baby to sleep. You can pick from different styles and features depending on your preferences. A lot of cribs with a bedside feature a drop down or removable side that makes it easier to reach your baby's evening feeds. They are available in a variety of heights to accommodate the size of your bed.
Some cribs with a bedside have an riser that permits you to add a slight slope to the sleep area that can help with reflux and a zip-off side for easy cleaning. Other cribs have manual rocking functions which can be a soothing distraction for your infant. You'll also require a comfortable mattress to match your new crib. It must be at least 30cm deep to ensure your newborn has enough headroom.
You can be confident that your child will be safe and secure in a bedside cot. With stars like Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all awed by the SNOO bedside crib, it's worth considering this fashionable alternative to a moses basket.
Safety
The Lullaby Trust, in conjunction with the NHS, has issued official guidelines for safe sleep that advise that babies stay in the same bedroom as their parents for the first six months. However, they should not sleep in your bed. This is to lower the chance of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome. A crib that is placed near your bed is a fantastic option that allows your baby to comfortably be near enough for you to feed them during the night and soothe them back to sleep without having to get out of your own bed. It's also great for those who have a limited mobility after 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 crib (
King Wifi site) is compact and folds flat in seconds to fit into a travel bag which makes it perfect for trips to the beach and nights away from home. It's one of the lightest
bedside cot crib cots available and comes with a the most comfortable deep foam mattress that has mesh air-flow panels and an incline setting, plus it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&
baby bedside cot Awards for the best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket.
Another fab bedside cot option is the Chicco Next2me Magic bedside crib that was awarded Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It comes with an integrated storage unit and changing mat, is light (only 10kg), and has an adjustable side that allows for easy access.
Style
A crib for your bed is a godsend for many moms, particularly those recovering from C-sections. They can be attached to your bed so that you can reach your baby easily without needing to get out of bed in order to feed them and soothe them quickly. The close proximity to the baby can also aid in increasing the amount of milk produced by mothers who are breastfeeding.
In addition to being extremely useful, bassinets can look pretty attractive too which is the reason they're so sought-after. They are larger than Moses Baskets, and some have extra features such as a gentle reflux incline. They are designed to be placed near your bed, they can be moved around the house when baby gets older and some can be carried on the go too, making them great for parents who are new to traveling.
It is essential to select an cot with bedside with drop-sides that are easy to use. This lets you lower your infant into the bassinet without having to lift them up into your arms. This can be difficult for mothers who have limited mobility. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one such model that has been acknowledged and shortlisted by Mumsnetters in the category of the best Cot or Crib, or Moses Basket for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.
Some models also have a translucent side, allowing you to always see your baby. This is especially helpful in the case of 3am feeds that are bleary-eyed when one glance could make all the difference. One of these options is the Sleepiest BassiNest that is easy to lower, as was noted by our MFM home tester Emily.
Budget
If you're not quite ready to make the leap to a larger cot the bedside crib could be a great option. The cot is attached to the side of your bed so you can easily reach your baby's night feeds and comfort them without disrupting your sleep. It's also a great choice for those with restricted movement following the birth and is a popular choice with celeb mums including Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.
Our Parent Testers loved this new version of the popular Chicco crib, which was awarded the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot or Crib. It's large and breathable, and has six height settings to accommodate babies who are growing, plus a gentle reflux setting for incline. You can also use it as a travel cot and it comes with a handy storage bag.
A bedside cot can be a little tricky to move around the home However, our Parents Testers found the Shnuggle Air near the crib to be simple to move. It is one of the lightest options and can be packed into its own travel bag.
The SnuzPod bedside cot is another highly rated product that's simple to fold and assemble, with many features for a restful night's sleep. It comes with a bassinet with a lift-off that can fit 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 aid in reflux. It is also lightweight enough to be used as a travel crib when you are on the move. It's a bit more expensive than other bedside cots but our Parent Testers say it's well worth the extra cost.