How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk

Both the NHS and Lullaby Trust have issued official safe sleeping guidelines, which suggest that infants sleep in their own Moses basket or cot. A bedside crib is an effective and space-saving solution for parents who share a room.

Mumsnetters adore this co-sleeper since it's spacious with lots of room for baby to grow and play and is far more substantial than the size of a Moses basket. It's also easy to put together, and comes with a carry bag.

What is a bedside crib?

A bedside cot (also called 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 even comfort them. These cribs are also ideal for mothers who are breastfeeding or recovering from a cesarean section.

They're often slightly smaller than a standard cot or cotbed, but offer plenty of space for your baby to lay down. You can pick from a wide range of designs and features depending on what your preference is. A lot of cribs with a bedside feature a drop down or removable side, which makes it easier to reach your baby for night feeds and are also available in different sizes to fit the dimensions of your bed.

Some cribs for bedside use an adjustable riser that allows you to add an angle to the sleep area. This can aid in reducing reflux. They also come with an open side for easy cleaning. 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 deep to ensure that your baby has enough head space.

A bedside crib is an investment but you can be certain that your baby will have a comfortable and safe sleep. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams, and Gigi Hadid are all big fans of SNOO's bedside crib. It is definitely worth a look as an alternative to a Moses basket.

Safety

Official safe sleeping guidelines 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 reduce the chance of sudden infant death syndrome. A crib that is placed near your bed lets you keep your baby close to help soothe them to sleep and night feed them without leaving your bed. It's also great if you have limited mobility following an operation or recovering from an operation such as a C-section.

Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3 in 1 travel cot bedside Crib is our top pick for a crib that can be used as a bedside. It's compact and folds flat to fit in its transport bag, making it perfect for holidays or nights away from home. It's one of the lightest bedside cot options and has an extremely comfortable mattress that has mesh air-flow panels, and an 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 excellent bedside crib. It was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has a built-in changing mat and storage solution, is lightweight at 10kg, and comes with an adjustable side that drops down to make it easy to access.

Style


For many mums, particularly those who are recovering from C-sections A crib that is placed near the bed can prove to be an absolute godsend. You can easily reach your baby without getting out of your bed. This allows you to comfort and feed your infant during the night. They're an excellent choice for breastfeeding mothers since the close proximity can help increase their milk supply.

They are not just practical, but also stylish. This is why they are so popular. They're usually more spacious than Moses baskets and come in lots of different styles, some even having extra features such as a gentle tilting of the reflux. They are designed to be placed near your bed, they can usually be moved around your home when baby gets older and some are able to be taken with you on the go which makes them ideal for parents who are new to traveling.

It's important to choose an cot with bedside that has easy-to-use drop-sides. This allows you to lower your baby into the bassinet without having to lift them up into your arms. This can be a hassle for mothers with limited mobility. One such model is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been highly praised by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted in our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards' Best Cot Moses, Crib or Basket category.

Another great feature that certain models have is a transparent side that lets you see your baby at all times. This is particularly useful when you're exhausted at 3am and have to feed your baby. A quick glance could make a big difference. bedside cosleeper of these options is the Sleepiest BassiNest that is easy to lower, as outlined by our MFM home tester Emily.

Budget

If you're not ready to make the leap to a larger cot, the bedside crib could be an ideal solution. This bassinet-style crib attaches to your bed, so you can easily reach your baby for night feeds or comfort them without disturbing yourself. It's an excellent choice for those who are unable to move following a C-section. Celeb mums such as Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen this model.

4-in-1 bedside crib loved the new version of this well-loved crib from Chicco that won the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. It's spacious, breathable, and has six different height settings for growing babies. There is also a gentle reflux setting. It can also be used as a travel cot and it comes with an excellent storage bag.

It can be difficult to move an upholstered bedside cot throughout the home, but our Parent Testers stated that the Shnuggle Air next to the cot was easy to maneuver. It's one of the smallest options and small enough to fit into its own travel bag, so you can take it with you when you travel.

The SnuzPod is another highly-rated bedside cot that's easy to put together and fold away and packed with features to ensure an enjoyable night's sleep. It comes with a removable, lift-off bassinet which fits more beds than other cots. The fabric is breathable and helps regulate your baby's temperature. It also has a gentle rocking feature and an incline option for reflux, and is light enough to use as a travel cot if you're out and about. It's a bit more expensive than other cribs for bed but Parents Testers are of the opinion that it is worth the extra expense.