How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk
Both the NHS and the Lullaby Trust have issued official safe sleeping guidelines that suggest that infants sleep in their own Moses basket or cot. A crib that is placed near the bed is a practical and space-saving option for room-sharing new parents.
Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper as it's spacious with lots of space for babies to grow and wriggle and more spacious than the size of a Moses basket. It's also simple to put together and comes with a bag for travel.
What is a bedside cot?
A bedside cot (also known as a bassinet, side sleeper or co-sleeper) is a safe method for your baby to sleep near you during the first few months of their life. These cribs are attached to your bed, allowing you to lift your child to you to feed them at night or for comforting. 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 they provide plenty of room for your baby to sleep. You can choose from various styles and features based on your preferences. A majority of cribs for bedside use an adjustable or drop down side that allows you to reach your baby for evening feeds. They are also available in different sizes to fit the dimensions of your bed.
Some cribs for bedside use a riser which allows you to build an incline in the sleeping area. This can aid in reducing reflux. They also come with a zip off side to make cleaning easy. Other cribs have manual rocking functions which can be a soothing distraction for your baby. You'll also require a breathable mattress to go with your new crib. It must be at least 30cm deep to ensure your newborn has sufficient head room.
A bedside crib is an investment but you can rest assured that your baby will be comfortable and safe sleep. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi hadid are all fans of SNOO's bedside crib. It is definitely worth considering as an alternative to the Moses basket.
Safety
Official safe sleeping guidance from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that newborn babies should sleep in the same room as you for their first six months, but not in your bed, to decrease the risk of suffocation and to reduce the chance of sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib is a great option that allows your baby to comfortably be near enough for you to night feed them and help them return to sleep without having to leave your bed. It's also a great option for those who have a limited mobility after an operation or recovering from C-section.
Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3 in 1 travel cot bedside crib is our top choice for a crib to sleep in. It's compact and folds down flat to fit into a travel bag and is perfect for nights out on the town or away from home. It's the lightest option for a bedside cot and features a comfortable deep foam mattress with mesh panels that allow air to flow. It also comes with an option for incline. Plus, it won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Moses Basket or Cot Crib.
Another fab bedside cot option is the Chicco Next2me Magic bedside crib which was awarded Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It features a built-in change mat and storage solutions and weighs only 10kg. It is light at 10kg, and features an adjustable side that can be lowered down for easy access.
Style
A crib for your bed is a blessing for many mothers, particularly those recovering from C-sections. You can easily reach your baby without getting out of bed. This lets you comfort and feed your infant during the night. The close proximity to your baby can also increase milk production for mothers who are breastfeeding.
They are not just practical, but also fashionable. This is why they are so popular. They're often a bit more spacious than Moses baskets and come in lots of different styles, with some even having extra features such as a gentle reflux incline setting. They are designed to be placed near your bed, they are able to be moved around the home when baby gets older and some are able to be taken on the go too making them perfect for new parents travelling.
When choosing a bedside cot, it's important to choose a model that have drop sides that are simple to use. This allows you to lower your infant into the bassinet without lifting them up into your arms. This can be a challenge for mothers with mobility issues. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one of the models that has been praised and shortlisted by Mumsnetters in the category of the best Cot or Crib, or Moses Basket for our 2021 Mother and Baby Awards.
Some models also have a translucent side, which allows you to be able to always view your baby. 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 of these options is the Sleepiest BassiNest that is easy to lower as outlined by our MFM home tester Emily.
Budget
If you're still not ready to move to a larger cot, a bedside crib may be a great option. This bassinet-style cot attaches to the bed's side so that you can easily reach your baby for night feeds and comfort them without disrupting your sleep. It's a great option for those who are unable to move following an operation such as a C-section. Celeb mums such as Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen this model.
Our Parents Testers loved the new version of this popular crib from Chicco, which won the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It's afclimatizing and spacious and comes with six height options to accommodate growing babies, as well as a gentle incline setting. It can be used as a crib for travel and comes with a storage case that is convenient for storage.
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 move around. It's one of the smallest alternatives and is small enough to fit into its own travel bag, which means you can take it with you when you travel.
bedside crib co sleeper is another highly rated bedside cot that is easy to put together and fold away and packed with features for a good night's sleep. It comes with a removable, lift-off bassinet which fits more beds than other cots. The fabric is breathable, and helps keep your baby's temperature in check. It also has a gentle rocking function, as well as an incline option for reflux, and it's light enough to use as a travel cot when you're out and about. It's a bit more expensive than other cots for bed but our Parent Testers say it's well worth the extra cash.