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 cot or Moses basket. A crib that is placed near the bed is an efficient and space-saving choice for room-sharing new parents.
Mumsnetters adore this co-sleeper since it's big enough with plenty of room for babies to grow and play and is more spacious than a Moses basket. It is also easy to assemble, and comes with a bag for carrying.
What is a bedside cot?
Bedside cots (also known as side sleepers, bassinets or co-sleepers) are a safe and convenient way for your baby to be close to you during the first few months. These cribs attach to your bed and let you bring your baby closer to you to feed them at night or for comforting without the threat 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 smaller than standard cots, but still offer plenty of space for your baby to relax. You can choose from a variety of styles and features, according to what you like best. Many cribs with a bedside feature the option of removing or dropping down the side to make it easier to reach your baby during feeding time at night. They are also available in different heights depending on the size of your bed.
Some cribs with a bedside have a riser that allows you to add a slight rise to the sleeping space that could help with reflux. It also has a zip-off side for easy cleaning. Other cribs have manual rocking functions that can provide a relaxing distraction for your newborn. You'll also require a breathable mattress to match your new crib. It must be at least 30cm deep to ensure your newborn has enough headroom.
A bedside cot is an investment, but you can rest assured that your baby will be comfortable and safe sleep. With the likes of Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all fans of the SNOO bedside crib, it's worth looking into this elegant alternative to moses basket.
Safety
The Lullaby Trust, in conjunction with the NHS has released official guidelines for safe sleep that recommend that newborns sleep in the same bedroom as their parents for the first six months. However they should not be sleeping in your bed. This is to lower the risk of suffocation, or sudden infant death syndrome. A crib for bed allows you to keep your baby close to you so that you can comfort them and even feed them at night without leaving your bed. It's also ideal for those who have a limited mobility after an operation or recovering from a C-section.
Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3 in 1 travel cot bedside crib is our top choice for a bedside crib. It's compact and folds down flat to fit in its travel bag, making it perfect for holidays or nights away from home. It's one of the lightest bedside cots and has a comfy deep foam mattress, air-flow panels, an optional tilting setting, and it was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another great bedside crib option. It won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It features a built-in change mat and storage solution, is lightweight at 10kg, and features an adjustable side that can be lowered down to make it easy to access.
Style
For a lot of moms, especially those who have had C-sections A crib for bedside can prove to be a blessing in disguise. You can easily reach your baby without getting out of your bed. This allows you to provide comfort and food to your infant at night. The close proximity to your baby can also help increase the amount of milk produced by mothers who breastfeed.
As well as being incredibly convenient, these bassinets can also look stylish too, which is why they're so sought-after. They are larger than Moses Baskets and some come with additional features such as a gentle reflux and incline. baby bedside co sleeper designed to fit next to your bed and can be moved around the house as baby grows. Some are portable, which means they're great for travelling parents.
When choosing a bedside cot it is important to choose a model that have drop sides that are simple to use. This allows you to lower your child into the bassinet, without having to lift them up into your arms. This can be difficult for mothers who have limited mobility. One of these models is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been highly praised by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot Moses, Crib or Basket category.
Another great feature that certain models come with is a translucent side that lets you see your baby at all times. This is especially useful during bleary-eyed 3am feeds when just a 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
If you're still not ready to move to a full-sized cot, an infant crib on your bed could be an ideal solution. The crib is attached to your bed, so you can reach your baby easily for night feeds or comfort them without disturbing yourself. It's also a great option for those suffering from limited movement after the birth and is a popular choice with celeb mums including Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.
Our Parent Testers loved this latest version of the well-loved Chicco crib, which was awarded the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot or Crib. It's large, breathable, and has six different height settings for babies who are growing. There is also a gentle reflux setting. It can also be used as a travel crib and comes with a storage case that is convenient for storage.
A bedside crib can be difficult to move around your home, but our Parent 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 is another highly-rated bedside cot that's simple to set up and take down and packed with features for a good night's sleep. It comes with a lift-off bassinet that fits more beds than any other cot and its breathable fabric helps your baby maintain their temperature. It features a soft rocking feature as well as an incline to aid in reflux. It's also light enough to be used as a travel crib while you're out and about. It's more expensive than other cribs for bed however, Parent Testers are of the opinion that it is worth the extra cost.