How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk

Official guidelines for safe sleep from both NHS and Lullaby Trust recommends that newborns sleep in their own cot 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 as it's big enough with plenty of room for babies to grow and wriggle and far more substantial than a Moses basket. It's also simple to put together and comes with a bag for carrying.

What is a bedside crib?

Bedside cots (also called bassinets, side sleepers or co-sleepers) are an effective and safe method for your baby to sleep near you during the early months. These cribs are attached to your bed, allowing you to lift your child towards you for night-feeding or comforting. They're also a great choice for mothers who are breastfeeding or recovering from a caesarean section.

They're usually a little smaller than a regular cot or cotbed, yet they provide ample space for your baby to lay down. You can choose between a variety of styles and features based on your preferences. A majority of cribs for bedside cot wooden use a drop down or removable side that makes it easier to reach your baby for night feeds and are also available in different heights to accommodate the size of your bed.

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 come with a zip off side for easy cleaning. Some cribs come with manual rocking options that can be a soothing distractor for your infant. You'll also require a comfortable mattress for your crib. It must be at least 30cm deep to ensure your newborn has enough headroom.

You can be sure that your baby will be safe and secure in a cot that is positioned at the bedside. With stars like Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all being fans of the SNOO bedside baby sleeper crib, it's worth considering this fashionable alternative to 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 for bed lets you keep your infant close to you to help soothe them to sleep and night feed them without having to leave your bed. It's also ideal for those who have a limited mobility following an operation or recovering from C-section.

Our top pick for a bedside baby sleeper cot the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 bedside crib for travel is small and folds flat in a matter of seconds and fits into its own bag for travel, so it's perfect for holidays and nights away from home. It's one of the lightest bedside cots available and comes with a a comfy deep foam mattress, air-flow panels, and an tilt setting, and it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket.

Another fantastic bedside cot is the Chicco Next2me Magic bedside crib which was awarded Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It comes with a built-in storage solution and changing mat, is lightweight (only 10kg) and features an adjustable side for easy access.

Style

For many mothers, particularly those who are recovering from C-sections, a bedside crib can be a blessing in disguise. They are attached to your bed so you can reach your baby easily without needing to get out of bed, allowing you to night feed them and comfort them quickly. They're an excellent choice for breastfeeding mothers as the close proximity can help boost their milk supply.

As well as being incredibly practical, these bassinets can look pretty elegant, which is why they're so popular. Some are bigger than Moses Baskets, and some have extra features like a gentle reflux incline. They're designed to fit close to your bed and can be moved around the house as your baby grows. Some are portable so they're ideal for parents who travel.

It is important to choose a cot for your bed with drop-sides that are easy to use. They allow you to lower your baby's bassinet without needing to lift them into your arms, which is difficult for mothers with mobility issues. 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 be able to always view your baby. This is particularly useful when you're groggy at 3am and need to feed your child. A quick glance can make a huge difference. One such option is the Sleepiest BassiNest which is simple to lower, as was noted by our MFM home tester Emily.

Budget

If you're not ready to make the leap to a full-sized cot, a 4-in-1 bedside crib crib may be an ideal solution. The bassinet-style crib can be attached to your bed so that you can reach your baby easily for night feeds or comfort them without causing any disturbance to yourself. It's also a great option for those suffering from limited movement after a C-section and is a popular choice with celeb mums including Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.

Our Parent Testers loved the new model of this well-loved crib from Chicco which was awarded the 2021 Mother&Baby Award for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It's large and breathable, and comes with six height settings to accommodate growing babies, plus a gentle reflux setting for incline. It can also be used as a travel cot. Additionally, it comes with an easy-to-store storage bag.

It can be difficult to move a bedside cot around the house however our Parent Testers stated that the Shnuggle Air beside cot was very easy to move. It's one of the lightest options and compact enough to fit into its own travel bag so you can take it with you when you travel.

The SnuzPod bedside cot is another highly rated item that's easy to put together and fold away and comes with a variety of features to ensure a restful night's sleep. It comes with a bassinet with a lift-off that can fit more beds than any other cot and its breathable fabric helps your baby to regulate their temperature. It features a soft rocking feature and an incline for reflux. It is also lightweight enough to be used as a crib for travel while you're traveling. It's more expensive than other bedside cots (click the following post), but our Parents Testers affirm that it's worth the extra money.