How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk

Official safety sleeping guidelines from both NHS and Lullaby Trust recommends that newborns sleep in their own crib or Moses basket. A crib for bed is an efficient and space-saving choice for parents who share a room.

Mumsnetters adore this co-sleeper since it's large and spacious, with plenty of space for babies to grow and wriggle and more spacious than a Moses basket. It is 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 near you during the first few months of their life. These cribs are attached to your bed and allow you to pull your child in your arms to feed them at night or for comforting. They're also a great option for mothers who are breastfeeding or recovering from a Caesarean section.

They are usually smaller than a standard cot, but still offer plenty of room for your baby to rest. You can pick from a variety of styles and features based on your preferences. A majority of cribs for bedside use the option of a drop-down or removable side that makes it easier to reach your baby for evening feeds. They are also available in various heights to accommodate the size of your bed.

Some cribs for bedside use a riser that allows you to add a slight slope to the sleep area that can help with reflux and an easy zip-off side for cleaning. Other cribs have manual rocking functions which can be a soothing distraction for your newborn. You'll also need a breathable mattress to match your new crib, which should be a minimum of 30cm deep to ensure that your newborn has enough headroom.

You can be sure that your child will be safe and secure in a cot that is positioned at the bedside. With the likes of Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all awed by 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 issued official safe sleeping guidelines which recommend that babies are in the same room as their parents for the first six months. However they shouldn't sleep in your bed. This is to decrease the chance of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome. A crib that is placed near your bed is an excellent option that lets your baby remain close enough to you to feed them at night and comfort them back to sleep without needing to leave your own bed. It's also great if you have limited mobility after an operation or are recovering from a C-section.

Our top choice for a bedside travel crib 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 the lightest options for a twin bedside cot crib and features a comfortable deep foam mattress with mesh panels that allow air to flow. It also comes with an option for incline. It also 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 that was awarded Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has an integrated storage unit and changing mat, is lightweight (only 10kg) and comes with an adjustable side that allows for easy access.

Style

For many mums, particularly those who have had C-sections A crib for bedside crib with changing table can prove to an absolute blessing. You can easily reach your baby without having to get out of bed. This lets you provide comfort and food to your infant during the night. Being close to the baby can also help increase the production of milk for mothers who are breastfeeding.

As well as being incredibly practical, these bassinets are stylish too, which is why they're so popular. They are larger than Moses Baskets and some even have additional features such as a gentle reflux incline. They're designed to fit next to your bed and can be moved around the house as your baby grows. Some are portable, so they're great for travelling parents.

When choosing a bedside cot, it's important to choose a model that have drop sides that are simple to use. This lets you lower your child into the bassinet, without having to lift 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 highly praised and was shortlisted by Mumsnetters in the category of the Best Cot or Crib, or Moses Basket for our 2021 Mother and Baby Awards.

Another useful feature that a few models come with is a transparent side that lets you be able to see your baby at all times. This is especially useful in the case of 3am feeds that are bleary-eyed, when just a glance can make all the difference. One such option is the Sleepiest BassiNest that is easy to lower as noted by our MFM home tester Emily.

Budget

A bedside crib is a great option if you are not yet ready to upgrade to a bigger crib. This bassinet-style crib attaches to your bed, ensuring that you can easily reach your baby to feed them at night or even comfort them without causing any disturbance to yourself. It's an excellent choice for those with restricted movement following the C-section. Famous moms like Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen this model.

Our Parent Testers loved the new version of the popular Chicco crib, which was awarded the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot or Crib. It's large and breathable, and comes with six height options to accommodate babies who are growing, plus a gentle reflux setting for the incline. You can also use it as a travel cot. Additionally, it comes with a handy storage bag.

A bedside cot can be difficult to move around the home, but our Parent Testers found the Shnuggle Air beside crib really easy to maneuver. It is one of the lighter options that can be tucked away in its own travel bag.

The SnuzPod bedside cot is yet another highly rated product that's easy to assemble and fold with plenty of features for a restful night's sleep. It has a 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 aid in reflux. It is also lightweight enough to be used as a travel crib when you're out and about. It's more expensive than other bedside cots, but our Parent Testers affirm that it's worth the extra money.