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 crib or Moses basket. A crib that is placed near the bed can be a space-saving and practical option for parents who live in a room together.

Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper because it's large and spacious, with plenty of room for baby to grow and wriggle and far more substantial than the typical Moses basket. It's also simple to put together and comes with a travel bag.

What is a bedside crib?

Bedside cribs (also called bassinets, side sleepers, or co-sleepers) are an ideal and safe way for your baby to be close to you during the early months. These cribs can be attached to your bed and allow you to pull your child to you to feed them at night or for comforting. These cribs are also ideal for mothers who are breastfeeding or recovering from a cesarean section.

These cots are typically smaller than standard cots, but still offer plenty of room for your baby to sleep. You can choose from a variety of designs and features depending on what your preference is. Many bedside cribs have the option of a drop-down or removable side, which makes it easier to reach your baby's evening feeds. They are also available in different heights to accommodate the size of your bed.

Some bedside rocking crib cribs come with an riser that permits you to add a slight incline to the sleep area that can help with reflux and an easy zip-off side for cleaning. Others have manual rocking functions that can provide a relaxing distraction for your newborn. You'll require a mattress that's breathable to go with your crib. It should be at least 30cm deep to allow your baby plenty of headroom.

A bedside cot is an investment, but you can be sure your baby will be secure and comfortable sleep. With the likes of Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all awed by the SNOO bedside crib, it's definitely worth considering this fashionable 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 their first six months, but not in your bed to lower the risk of suffocation, and to lower the chance of sudden infant death syndrome. A crib for bed allows you to keep your infant close to you so that you can soothe them to sleep and night feed them without leaving your bed. It is also a great option for when you are recovering from an operation or C-section and are unable to move.

Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3 in 1 bedside cot travel cot is our top choice for a crib that can be used as a bedside. It's compact and folds down flat to fit into its bag for travel which makes it ideal for trips away on holidays or from home. It's one of the lightest bedside cot options and has a comfy deep foam mattress with 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 won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It comes with a built-in changing mat and storage solutions It weighs just 10kg, and comes with an adjustable side that can be lowered down to make it easy to access.

Style

A crib for your bed is a blessing for many mums, especially those who are recovering from C-sections. They are attached to your bed so 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 aid in increasing the production of milk for mothers who breastfeed.

In addition to being extremely useful, bassinets can also look attractive too, which is why they're so popular. Some are more spacious than Moses Baskets and some come with additional features like a gentle reflux incline. They are designed to be placed near your bed, they can usually be moved around your home when baby gets older and some are portable enough to take on the go too making them perfect for parents who are new to traveling.

When choosing a bedside cot It is essential to select a model that have easy-to-use drop sides. This allows you to lower your infant into the bassinet without lifting them up into your arms. This can be a hassle for mothers with mobility issues. One of them is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been applauded 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 especially useful in the case of 3am feeds that are bleary-eyed, when one glance could make all the difference. As noted by Emily who is our MFM home tester the Sleepiest BassiNest a great option. It is simple to lower.

Budget

A bedside crib is a great alternative if you're not ready to move to a full-sized crib. The cot is attached to the side of your bed so you can easily reach your baby's evening feeds and also comfort them without disturbing your sleep. 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 Parents Testers loved the new version of the popular Chicco crib, which took home the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards as the Best Cot or Crib. It's spacious and breathable and comes with six height options to accommodate growing babies plus a gentle reflux incline setting. It can also be used as a travel cot and it comes with a handy storage bag.

A bedside baby bed cot can be a little tricky to move around the home However, our Parents Testers found the Shnuggle Air near the crib to be simple to move. It's one of the lighter options and can be packed into its own travel bag.

The SnuzPod bedside cot is a highly rated item that's easy to put together and fold away with plenty of features for an unwinding night's sleep. It comes with a bassinet that lifts off to fit more beds than any other cot and its breathable fabric can help your baby regulate their temperature. It features a soft rocking feature as well as an incline for reflux. It is also lightweight enough to use as a crib for travel while you're out and about. It's more expensive than other cheap bedside cot cots but our Parent Testers believe it's worth the extra money.