How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk

Official safety sleeping guidelines from both NHS and Lullaby Trust recommends that newborns sleep in their own crib or Moses basket. A bedside crib is practical and space-saving for parents who live in a room together.

Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper as it's large and spacious, with plenty of space for babies to grow and play and is far more substantial than the typical Moses basket. It's also easy to assemble and comes with a bag for travel.

What is a bedside cot?

Bedside cots (also called bassinets, side sleepers or co-sleepers) are an ideal and safe way for your baby to sleep near you during the first few months. These cribs are attached to your bed and let you raise your baby towards you at night for feeding or comforting without the danger 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.

They're usually a little smaller than a standard cot, but they provide ample space for your baby to lay down. You can pick from a variety of styles and features depending on your preferences. A lot of cribs for bedside use an adjustable or drop-down side, which makes it easier to reach the baby during the night to feed them. They are also available in various heights based on the size of your bed.

Some cribs with a bedside cot crib have an adjustable riser that allows you to add an incline in the sleeping area. This can be helpful with reflux. They also have the option of a zip-off side to make cleaning easy. Others have manual rocking functions that can provide a relaxing distraction for your newborn. You'll need a mattress that is comfortable to be used with your crib. It should be at least 30cm thick to allow your baby plenty of headroom.

A bedside crib is a major investment, but you can be certain that your baby will be comfortable and safe sleep. With the likes of Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all fans of the SNOO bedside crib, it's definitely worth looking into this elegant alternative to a moses basket.

Safety

Official safe sleeping guidance from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that newborns be in the same room as you for the first six months, but not in your bed to reduce the risk of suffocation, and to decrease the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib is a fantastic option that lets your baby safely be close enough for you to feed them at night and comfort them back to sleep without having to leave your bed. This is also a great option if you are recovering from an operation or a C-section, and have limited mobility.

Our top pick for a bedside cot, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 travel cot bedside crib is compact and folds down in a matter of seconds and fits into a travel bag which makes it perfect for trips to the beach and nights away from home. It's among the lightest bedside cots available and comes with a a comfy deep foam mattress with mesh air-flow panels and an incline setting, plus it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the best Crib, Cot 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

A bedside cot crib crib is a godsend for many moms, particularly those who are recovering from C-sections. They are attached to your bed so you can reach your baby easily without needing to get up in order to feed them and soothe them quickly. The close proximity to the baby can also help increase the production of milk for mothers who breastfeed.

As well as being incredibly practical, these bassinets are attractive too and that's why they're so sought-after. They're usually bigger than Moses baskets and are available in many different styles, with some even having extra features, like a soft reflux incline setting. They're designed to sit right next to your bed and can be moved around the house as baby grows. Some are portable so they're great for travelling parents.

It is important to choose a cot for your bed with drop-sides that are easy to use. These allow you to lower your baby's bassinet without needing to lift them into your arms, which can be difficult for mums with limited mobility. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one such model 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.

Some models also come with a transparent side, which allows you to see your baby. This is especially useful during bleary-eyed 3am feeds, when one glance could make all the difference. One of these options is the Sleepiest BassiNest, which is easy to lower, as was noted by our MFM home tester Emily.

Budget

A bedside crib is an excellent alternative if you're not ready to move to a larger crib. The bassinet-style crib can be attached to your bed, so you can easily reach your baby for night feeds or comfort your child without causing disturbance. It's a great choice for those with restricted movement after a C-section. Celeb mums such as Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen it.

Our Parent Testers loved the new version of the well-loved Chicco crib, which was awarded the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot or Crib. It's spacious comfortable, breathable, and comes with six different height settings for growing babies. There is also a gentle reflux setting. You can also use it as a travel cot and it comes with a handy storage bag.

A cheap bedside cot crib can be difficult to move around the home however our Parent Testers found the Shnuggle Air on the side of the crib easy to maneuver. It is one of the lightest options and can be packed into its own travel cot bedside bag.

The SnuzPod is another highly rated bedside cot mattress cot that's simple to assemble and fold away and packed with features for a good night's sleep. It has a removable bassinet with a lift-off that can fit more beds than any other cot, and its breathable fabric can help your baby maintain their temperature. It also features a soft rocking function and an incline setting for reflux, and is lightweight enough to use as a travel cot while you're out and about. It's a bit more expensive than other cots for bed however our Parents Testers believe it's worth the extra money.