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 adore the co-sleeper because it's spacious, with 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 bag for travel.
What is a bedside crib?
Bedside cribs (also called bassinets, side sleepers or co-sleepers) are an effective and safe method for your baby to sleep near you during the 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 associated with traditional bed-sharing. They're also a great option for breastfeeding mothers or mothers recovering from a Caesarean section.
These cots are often a little smaller than a standard cot however, they still provide plenty of space for your baby to relax. You can choose between different designs and features based on your preferences. Many cribs with a bedside feature an adjustable or drop-down side, which makes it easier to reach the baby during feeding time at night. They also come in different heights, based on your bed size.
Some bedside cribs come with an adjustable riser that allows you to add a slight rise to the sleep area that can aid in reflux and an easy zip-off side for cleaning. Other cribs have manual rocking functions that can provide a relaxing distraction for your infant. You'll also require a comfortable mattress to match your new crib, which should be a minimum of 30cm deep to ensure your newborn has enough headroom.
A bedside cot is an investment, but you can be sure your baby will be secure and comfortable sleep. With stars like Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all awed by the SNOO bedside crib, it's definitely worth considering this fashionable alternative to moses basket.
Safety
Official safe sleeping guidance from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that newborn babies should be placed in the same bed as you for their first six months but not in your bed to lower the chance of suffocation and to decrease the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib allows you to keep your baby close so that you can comfort them and feed them at night without having to leave your bed. It's also ideal when you are unable to move after an operation or are recovering from a C-section.
rocking bedside crib for a bedside cot the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 travel cot bedside crib is compact and folds down in a matter of seconds and fits into its own bag for travel, so it's perfect for holidays and nights away from home. It's one of the tiniest bedside cot options and has an extremely comfortable mattress, air-flow panels, an optional tilting setting, and it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the best Crib, Cot, or Moses Basket.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another great bedside crib option. It was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It comes with a built-in changing mat and storage system, is lightweight at 10kg, and comes with an adjustable side that drops down for easy access.
Style
A crib for your bed is a blessing for many moms, particularly those recovering from C-sections. You can easily reach your baby without having to get out of your bed. This lets you provide comfort and food to your baby at night. The close proximity to the baby can also help increase the amount of milk produced by mothers who breastfeed.
Alongside being incredibly useful, bassinets are attractive too, which is why they're so popular. They're often a bit more spacious than Moses baskets and come in lots of different styles, with some featuring extra features, like a soft reflux incline setting. They are designed to be placed near your bed, they can be moved around your home when baby gets older and some are portable enough to take on the go too, making them great for new parents travelling.
It's important to choose an cot with bedside that has easy-to-use drop-sides. This allows you to lower your infant into the bassinet without having to lift them up into your arms. This can be a hassle for mothers with limited mobility. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one such model that has been highly praised and was shortlisted by Mumsnetters in the category of the Best Cot or Crib Moses Basket for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.
Another great feature that certain models come with is a translucent 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 child. A quick glance can make a big difference. As noted by Emily, our MFM home test participant the Sleepiest BassiNest a great option. It's easy to lower.
Budget
If you're still not ready to make the leap to a full-sized cot, the bedside crib could be an ideal solution. The crib is attached to your bed, so you can easily reach your baby for night feeds or comfort your child without causing disturbance. It's a great option for those who have limited movement after an operation such as a C-section. Celeb mums like Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen it.
Our Parent Testers loved this latest version of the popular Chicco crib, which won 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot or Crib. It's large and breathable, and comes with six height options to accommodate growing babies and a gentle reflux setting for incline. It can be used as a crib for travel and comes with a convenient storage case.
A bedside cot can be tricky to move around the home however our Parents Testers found the Shnuggle Air on the side of the crib easy to maneuver. It's one of the smallest options and is compact enough to fit into its own travel bag, which means you can take it along with you on your trip.
The SnuzPod is another highly-rated bedside cot that's simple to put together and fold away, with plenty of features that will ensure your child gets an enjoyable 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 maintain their temperature. It also has a gentle rocking function and an incline option for reflux, and it's light enough to be used as a travel cot if you're on the move. It's a little more expensive than other bedside cribs but Parents Testers agree that it's worth the extra cost.