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 bedside crib is a practical and space-saving option for parents who live together.

Mumsnetters love the co-sleeper as it's big and has plenty of space for babies to grow and wiggle. It is also much larger than a Moses Basket. It's also easy to assemble and comes with a carry-on bag.

What is a bedside crib?

A bedside cot (also called a side sleeper, bassinet or co-sleeper) is a safe way for your baby to rest close to you throughout their first months. These cribs can be attached to your bed, allowing you to lift your child towards you to feed them at night or for comforting. They're also a great choice for breastfeeding mothers or mothers recovering from a caesarean.

They're typically smaller than a standard cot, but offer plenty of space for your baby to rest. You can pick from a variety of designs and features according to what you prefer. Many cribs with a bedside feature a removable or drop-down side to make it easier to reach the baby during the night to feed them. They also come in various heights based on your bed size.

Some bedside cribs have an adjustable riser that allows you to add an angle to the sleep area. This can help with reflux. They also have an open side for easy cleaning. Others have manual rocking functions that can provide a relaxing distraction for your baby. You'll also need a breathable mattress to match your new crib, which must be at least 30cm deep to ensure your newborn has enough headroom.

A bedside crib is a major investment, but you can rest assured that your baby will have a peaceful and safe night's sleep. With the likes of Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all awed by the SNOO bedside crib, it's worth considering this stylish alternative to a moses basket.

Safety

Official safe sleeping guidelines from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that babies born today should be placed in the same bed as you for the first six months, but not in your bed to reduce the risk of suffocation, and to decrease the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. A crib that is placed near your bed is a fantastic option that allows your child to remain close enough to you to night feed them and help them return to sleep without needing to leave your own bed. It's also great if you have limited mobility after an operation or recovering from a C-section.

Our top choice for a bedside cot the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 travel cot bedside crib is small and folds flat in a matter of seconds to fit into its own bag for travel, making it ideal for travel and nights away from home. It's one of the tiniest bedside cots available and comes with a the most comfortable deep foam mattress, air-flow panels, an optional incline setting, plus it was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Crib, Cot or Moses Basket.

Another fab bedside cot option is the Chicco Next2me Magic bedside crib that won Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has an integrated storage unit and changing mat, is light (only 10kg) and comes with an adjustable side that allows for easy access.

Style

A crib for your bed is a blessing for many mothers, particularly those recovering from C-sections. They attach to your bed so that you can easily reach your baby without having to get up, allowing you to night feed them and comfort them quickly. The close proximity to your baby can also increase milk production for mothers who breastfeed.

Alongside being incredibly useful, bassinets can look pretty stylish too which is the reason they're so popular. Some are more spacious than Moses Baskets, and some have extra features like a gentle reflux and incline. bedside cot co sleeper designed to fit right next to your bed and can be moved around the home as baby grows. Some are portable, which means they're ideal for parents who travel.

When choosing a bedside cot it is important to select a model that have drop sides that are simple to use. This allows you to lower your child into the bassinet, without lifting them up into your arms. This can be difficult for mothers with limited mobility. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one of these models that has been acknowledged 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 come with a transparent side, allowing you to always see your baby. This is especially helpful when you are tired and sleepy, when a quick glance can make all the difference. As was noted by Emily, our MFM home tester, the Sleepiest BassiNest is a great option. It is simple to lower.

Budget

If you're not ready to move to a larger cot, an infant crib on your bed could be an ideal solution. The bassinet-style crib is attached to the bed's side so you can easily reach your baby's evening feeds and also comfort them without disturbing your sleep. It's also a great choice for those with restricted movement following a C-section and is a popular option for celeb moms like Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.

Our Parents Testers loved the new model of this bestselling crib from Chicco which was awarded the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It's spacious and breathable and has six height settings to accommodate babies who are growing, plus a gentle reflux incline setting. You can also use it as a travel cot. Additionally, it comes with a handy storage bag.

A bedside cot can be tricky to move around the home However, our Parent Testers found the Shnuggle Air near the crib to be simple to move. bedside crib co sleeper of the smallest alternatives and is compact enough to fit into its own bag for travel, 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 and comes with a variety of features to ensure an enjoyable night's sleep. It comes with a removable, lift-off bassinet that fits more beds than other cots. The fabric is breathable and can help regulate your baby's temperature. It has a gentle rocking feature and an incline to aid in reflux. It's also light enough to be used as a travel crib when you are on the move. It's a bit more expensive than other cots for bed but our Parent Testers affirm that it's worth the extra cost.