How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk

Both the NHS and the Lullaby Trust have issued official safe sleeping guidelines that advise that babies sleep in their own Moses basket or cot. A crib for bed is an efficient and space-saving choice for room-sharing new parents.

Mumsnetters adore the co-sleeper because it is spacious, with plenty of room for babies to grow and play. It's also bigger than a Moses Basket. It's also easy to assemble and comes with a bag for travel.

What is a bedside crib and travel cot crib?

Bedside cribs (also known as bassinets, side sleepers, or co-sleepers) are an effective and safe method for your baby to be close to you during their early months. These cribs attach to your bed and let you lift your baby out towards you at night for feeding or comforting without the threat of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome associated with traditional bed-sharing. These cribs are also ideal for mums who are nursing or recovering from a Cesarean Section.

These cots are typically smaller than a standard cot however, they still provide plenty of space for your baby to rest. You can choose from various styles and features based on your preferences. A lot of cribs with a bedside feature a drop down or removable side, which makes it easier to reach your baby for night feeds and are available in a variety of sizes to fit the dimensions of your bed.

Some cribs for bedside use an adjustable riser that allows you to create an angle to the sleeping area. This can be helpful with reflux. They also have the option of a zip-off side to make cleaning easy. Some have manual rocking features that can provide a relaxing distraction for your infant. You'll also require a comfortable mattress to match your new crib, which should be a minimum of 30cm deep to ensure that your baby has enough head space.

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

Safety

Official safe sleeping guidelines from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that newborns be in the same room as you for their first six months but not in your bed, to decrease the risk of suffocation and to decrease the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. A crib for bed lets you keep your baby close to you to help comfort them and night feed them without leaving your bed. It's also a great option for those who have a limited mobility after an operation or recovering from C-section.

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 a travel bag which makes it perfect for trips to the beach and nights away from home. It's the lightest option for a bedside cot and comes with a comfy deep foam mattress with mesh panels which allow air to flow. It also comes with an option for incline. Plus, it won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot Crib or Moses basket.

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

Style

A crib for your bed is a blessing for many mums, especially those who are recovering from C-sections. They attach to your bed so that you can reach your baby bedside co sleeper easily without needing to get up, allowing you to night feed them and comfort them quickly. The close proximity to the baby can also increase the amount of milk produced by mothers who breastfeed.

Alongside being incredibly useful, bassinets can look pretty stylish too which is the reason they're so sought-after. They are larger than Moses Baskets and some come with additional features, like a gentle incline. They are designed to fit close 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 crib that turns into cot cot, it's important to select a model that have easy-to-use drop sides. They allow you to lower your baby into the bassinet without needing to lift them into your arms, which is difficult for mothers with limited mobility. One such model is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been praised by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot Crib, Moses or Crib Basket category.

Some models also come with a transparent side, which allows you to see your baby. This is particularly useful during bleary-eyed 3am feeds 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

A bedside cot bed crib is a fantastic option if you're not yet ready to upgrade to a bigger crib. The cot is attached to the side of your bed to allow you to easily reach your baby's night feeds and comfort them without disturbing your own sleep. It's a great choice for those with restricted movement following a C-section. Famous moms such as Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen it.

Our Parents Testers loved the new model of this popular crib from Chicco that won the 2021 Mother&Baby Award for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It's large comfortable, breathable, and comes with six different height settings suitable for growing babies. There is also a soft reflux setting. You can also use it as a travel cot and it comes with an easy-to-store storage bag.

It can be a challenge to move an upholstered bedside cot throughout the home however our Parent Testers reported that the Shnuggle Air alongside the cot was simple to move. It's one of the smallest options and small enough to fit in its own travel bag which means you can carry it along with you on your trip.

The SnuzPod bedside cot is yet another highly rated product that's simple to fold and assemble and comes with a variety of features to ensure an unwinding night's sleep. It comes with a lift-off bassinet that fits more beds than any other cot and its breathable fabric helps your baby to regulate their temperature. It has a gentle rocking feature, as well as an incline to aid in reflux. It's also light enough to use as a travel crib when you're traveling. It's a bit more expensive than other bedside cots, but our Parent Testers believe it's worth the extra money.