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 crib that is placed near the bed is an effective and space-saving solution for parents who live together.

Mumsnetters love the co-sleeper as it's spacious, with plenty of space for babies to grow and wiggle. It's also larger than the Moses Basket. It's also simple to put together and comes with a travel bag.

What is a bedside crib?

A bedside travel cot cot (also called a bassinet, side sleeper or co-sleeper) is a secure way for your baby to sleep close to you overnight during the first few months of their life. These cribs are attached to your bed and allow you to pull your child to you for night-feeding or comforting. These cribs are also ideal for mothers who are nursing or recovering from a cesarean.

They're often slightly smaller than a regular cot, but offer plenty of space for your baby to sleep. You can pick from a variety of designs and features depending on what you prefer. Many cribs with a bedside feature a removable or drop-down side to make it easier to reach the baby during feeding time at night. They are also available in different heights depending on the size of your bed.

Some cribs for bedside use an adjustable riser that allows you to build an incline in the sleep area. This can aid in reducing reflux. They also come with the option of a zip-off side to make cleaning easy. Some cribs have manual rocking options that can provide a relaxing distraction for your baby. 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 co sleeper crib is an investment but you can be sure your baby will have a comfortable and safe sleep. With the likes of Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all fans of the SNOO bedside crib, it's worth looking into this elegant alternative to a moses basket.

Safety

Official guidelines for safe sleep from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that newborns sleep in the same room as you for the first six months but not in your bed, to decrease the risk of suffocation and to lower the chance of sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib is a great option that allows your child to safely be close enough for you to feed them during the night and soothe them back to sleep without needing to leave your own bed. It is also a great option if you are recovering from an operation or C-section and are unable to move.

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 a travel bag making it ideal for travel and nights away from home. It's one of the tiniest bedside cot options and has a comfy deep foam mattress with mesh air-flow panels, an optional tilt setting, and it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Crib, Cot or Moses Basket.

Another great bedside cot is the Chicco Next2me Magic bedside crib which was awarded Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has a built-in changing mat and storage solution It weighs just 10kg, and comes with an adjustable side that slides down for easy access.

Style

A bedside crib is a godsend for many moms, particularly those who are recovering from C-sections. You can easily reach your baby without having to get out of your bed. This lets you soothe and feed your baby at night. They are also a great option for breastfeeding mothers as close proximity can boost their milk supply.

In addition to being extremely useful, bassinets are attractive too, which is why they're so popular. They're usually bigger than Moses baskets and are available in many different styles, with some even having extra features such as a gentle reflux incline setting. They are designed to fit close to your bed and can be moved around the house as baby grows. Some are portable so they're ideal for parents who travel.

When you are choosing a bedside cot it is important to choose a model with drop sides that are easy to use. This lets you lower your baby bedside co sleeper into the bassinet without lifting them up into your arms. This can be difficult for mothers with mobility issues. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one of the 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&Baby Awards.

Another handy feature that some models come with is a transparent side that allows you to observe 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 mentioned by Emily who is our MFM home tester the Sleepiest BassiNest an excellent choice. It is simple to lower.

Budget

If you're not ready to make the transition to a larger cot, a bedside crib may be an ideal solution. The crib is attached to your bed, ensuring that you can easily reach your baby for night feeds or comfort them without disturbing yourself. It's a great option for those who are unable to move after a C-section. Celeb mums such as Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen this model.

Our Parent Testers loved the new version of this well-loved crib from Chicco which was awarded the 2021 Mother&baby bedside sleeper Awards Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It is spacious, breathable, and has six different height settings for growing babies. There is also a soft reflux setting. It can also be used as a crib for travel and comes with a handy storage case.

A bedside cot can be a little difficult to move around your home However, our Parent Testers found the Shnuggle Air beside crib really easy to maneuver. It's one of the lightest options and can be tucked away in its own travel bag.

The SnuzPod is another highly-rated bedside cot that's easy to put together and fold away, with plenty of features for 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 helps regulate your baby's temperature. It also features a soft rocking function and an incline setting for reflux, and it's light enough to use as a travel cot if you're out and about. It's more expensive than other cots for bed but our Parents Testers say it's well worth the extra cost.