How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk
Official safe sleeping guidance from both NHS and Lullaby Trust recommends that newborns sleep in their own crib or Moses basket. A crib that is placed near the bed can be practical and space-saving for parents who share a room.
Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper because it's large and spacious, with plenty of room for baby to grow and play, and more spacious than the typical Moses basket. It's also easy to put together and comes with a carry-on bag.
What is a bedside cot?
A bedside cot (also known as a bassinet, side sleeper or co-sleeper) is a safe way for your newborn to sleep close to you overnight during the first few months of their life. These cribs are attached to your bed and let you lift your child towards you to feed them at night or for comforting. These cribs are also ideal for mums who are nursing or recovering from a Cesarean Section.
These cots are typically a little smaller than a standard cot, but still offer plenty of space for your baby to relax. You can choose between different styles and features depending on your preferences. Many cribs with a bedside feature an adjustable or drop-down side that makes it easier to reach the baby during feeding time at night. They also come in different heights depending on your bed size.
Some bedside cribs have a riser which allows you to build an incline to the sleep area. This can aid in reducing reflux. They also come with an open side to make cleaning easy. Others have manual rocking functions which can be a relaxing distraction for your baby. You'll also require a comfortable mattress to match your new crib, which should be a minimum of 30cm in depth to ensure that your baby has enough head space.
You can be sure that your baby will be safe and secure in a cot that is positioned at the bedside. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams, and Gigi Hadid are all big fans of SNOO's crib for babies. It is definitely worth a look as an alternative to a 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 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 bedside crib is an excellent option that allows your baby to remain close enough to you to feed them during the night and comfort them back to sleep without needing to leave your bed. It is also a great option for when you are recovering from an operation or a C-section, and have limited mobility.
Our top choice for a bedside cot the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 bedside crib that travels cots is small and folds flat in a matter of seconds to fit into a travel bag making it ideal for travel and nights away from home. It's among the lightest bedside cots available and comes with a the most comfortable deep foam mattress with mesh air-flow panels, and an tilt setting, and it was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket.
Another fab bedside cot option is the Chicco Next2me Magic bedside crib which was awarded Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has a built-in changing mat and storage solutions, is lightweight at 10kg, and features an adjustable side that drops down to make it easy to access.
Style
For a lot of moms, especially those recovering from C-sections A crib that is placed near the bed can be an absolute godsend. You can easily reach your baby without getting out of the bed. This lets you soothe and feed your baby at night. They're an excellent choice for breastfeeding mothers since the close proximity can help boost the amount of milk they produce.
Alongside being incredibly useful, bassinets are stylish too which is the reason they're so sought-after. baby bedside co sleeper are larger than Moses Baskets, and some have extra features such as a gentle reflux upward slope. They are designed to be placed near your bed, they are able to be moved around your home as the baby grows older, and some can be carried to the go which makes them ideal for new parents travelling.
When selecting a cot for your bedside it is important to choose a model that have easy-to-use drop sides. This lets you lower your baby 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 these models that has been highly praised and was shortlisted by Mumsnetters in the category of the Best Cot or Crib or Moses Basket for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.
Another handy feature that some models come with is a transparent side that allows you to observe your baby at all times. This is especially helpful during bleary-eyed 3am feeds where one glance could make all the difference. As was noted by Emily who is our MFM home tester the Sleepiest BassiNest a great option. It is easy to lower.
Budget
If you're not ready to make the leap to a larger cot a bedside crib may be a great option. This bassinet-style crib attaches to your bed, ensuring that you can reach your baby easily to feed them at night or even comfort your child without causing disturbance. It's an excellent choice for those who have limited movement following an operation such as a C-section. Celeb mums like Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen it.
Our Parent Testers loved the new version of this popular crib from Chicco that won the 2021 Mother&Baby Award for Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. It's large, breathable, and has six different height settings for growing babies. There is also a soft reflux setting. It can also be used as a travel crib and comes with a handy storage case.
A bedside crib can be difficult to move around your home However, our Parents Testers found the Shnuggle Air near the crib to be easy to maneuver. It's one of the lightest options and small enough to fit into its own travel bag which means you can carry it with you on your travels.
The SnuzPod bedside cot is a highly rated product that's easy to fold and assemble with plenty of features for a restful night's sleep. It has a removable bassinet that lifts off to fit more beds than any other cot, and its breathable fabric can help your baby maintain their temperature. It has a gentle rocking feature and an incline to help with reflux. It is also lightweight enough to be used as a travel crib while you're on the move. It's more expensive than other cots for bed but our Parents Testers believe it's worth the extra cash.