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 bedside crib is a space-saving and practical option for parents who live in a room together.

Mumsnetters love the co-sleeper because it's big and has plenty of room for baby's to grow and play. It's also larger than the Moses Basket. It's also easy to assemble, and comes with a bag for carrying.

What is a bedside crib?

A bedside cot used cot (also known as a bassinet, side-sleeper or co-sleeper) is a safe method for your baby to rest close to you throughout their first few months. These cribs are attached to your bed and let you raise your baby towards you to feed them at night or for comforting without the threat of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome associated with traditional bed-sharing. They're also a great option for mothers who are breastfeeding or recovering from a caesarean section.

They are usually a little smaller than a standard cot, but still offer plenty of space for your baby to sleep. You can choose from a variety of styles and features based on your preferences. A majority of cribs for bedside use an adjustable or drop down side, which makes it easier to reach your baby's night feeds and are also available in various sizes to fit the dimensions of your bed.

Some cribs for bedside use an adjustable riser that allows you to add a slight incline to the sleep space which could help with reflux. It also has a zip-off side for easy cleaning. Other cribs have manual rocking functions that can provide a relaxing distraction for your infant. You'll also require a comfortable mattress to match your new crib. It must be at least 30cm in depth to ensure that your newborn has sufficient head room.

You can be sure that your baby will be safe and secure in a bedside cot. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams, and Gigi hadid are all fans of SNOO's crib for babies. It is definitely worth a look as an alternative to the Moses basket.

Safety

Official safe sleeping guidelines from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that newborn babies should sleep in the same room as you for the first six months, but not in your bed to reduce the risk of suffocation, and to reduce the chance of sudden infant death syndrome. A crib that is placed near your bed is a great option that allows your child to comfortably be near enough for you to feed them at night and soothe them back to sleep without having to leave your bed. It's also a great option for when you are recovering from an operation or a 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 seconds to fit into its own travel bag making it ideal for travel and nights away from home. It's one the lightest options for a bedside cot. It has a soft, comfortable foam mattress with mesh panels that let air flow. It also has an option for incline. Plus, it won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Moses basket or Cot Crib.

Chicco Next2me Magic is another great bedside crib option. It won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has a built-in changing mat and storage solution It weighs just 10kg, and features an adjustable side that slides down to make it easy to access.

Style

For many mothers, particularly those who are recovering from a C-section, a bedside cot 6 months plus crib can prove to be a blessing in disguise. They attach to your bed so you can easily reach your baby without needing to get up, allowing you to night feed them and comfort them quickly. They are also a great option for mothers who are breastfeeding as their close proximity will help boost the amount of milk they produce.

Bassinets aren't just convenient but also fashionable. This is why they're so sought-after. They're often a bit larger than Moses baskets and come in lots of different styles, some having additional features like a gentle tilting of the reflux. They are designed to be placed near your bed, they can usually be moved around your home as the baby grows older, and some are able to be taken with you on the go making them perfect for new parents travelling.

It's important to choose a cot for your bed that has easy-to-use drop-sides. These allow you to lower your infant into the bassinet without having to lift them into your arms, which can be difficult for moms with limited mobility. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one such model that has been praised and shortlisted by Mumsnetters in the category of the Best Cot or Crib Moses Basket for our 2021 Mother and Baby Awards.

Another handy feature that some models have is a transparent side that lets you observe your baby at all times. This is especially useful during bleary-eyed 3am feeds when just a glance can make all the difference. One such option is the Sleepiest BassiNest, which is simple to lower, as was noted by our MFM home tester Emily.

Budget

A bedside crib is a fantastic option if you're not yet ready to upgrade to a full-sized crib. The bassinet-style crib is attached to the side of your bed to allow you to easily reach your baby for feedings at night and soothe them without disturbing your own sleep. It's a great choice for those with restricted movement following an operation such as a C-section. Celeb mums such as Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen this model.

Our Parents Testers loved the new model of this well-loved crib from Chicco which was awarded the 2021 Mother&Baby Award for Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. It's large, breathable, and has six different height settings for babies who are growing. There is also a soft reflux setting. It can also be used as a travel cot, and it comes with an excellent storage bag.

A bedside crib vs cot crib can be difficult to move around your home, but our Parent Testers found the Shnuggle Air on the side of the crib simple to move. It's one of the lighter options and can be tucked away in its own travel bag.

The SnuzPod is another highly-rated bedside cot that's simple to put together and fold away and comes with a variety of features to ensure a good 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 regulate their temperature. It features a soft rocking feature and an incline to aid in reflux. It is also lightweight enough to use as a crib for travel when you're out and about. It's a bit more expensive than other bedside cots, but our Parent Testers believe it's worth the extra cash.