How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk

Both the NHS and the Lullaby Trust have issued official safe sleeping guidelines, which suggest that infants sleep in their own Moses basket or cot. A crib that is placed near the bed can be practical and space-saving for parents who share a room.

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

What is a bedside crib?

Bedside cribs (also known as bassinets, side sleepers, or co-sleepers) are an ideal and safe way for your baby to sleep with you in the early months. These cribs can be attached to your bed and let you lift your child towards you for night-feeding or comforting. These cribs are also ideal for mothers who are nursing or recovering from a Cesarean Section.

These cots are typically a little smaller than standard cots, but still offer plenty of space for your baby to sleep. You can choose between various styles and features depending on your preferences. A majority of cribs for bedside cot mattress use an adjustable or drop down side, which makes it easier to reach your baby for feeding at night. They are also available in various heights to suit the size of your bed.

Some cribs for bedside use an adjustable riser that allows you to add a slight slope to the sleeping space that can aid in reflux and the ability to zip off the sides for easy cleaning. Other cribs have manual rocking functions that can provide a relaxing distraction for your baby. You'll also require a breathable mattress to go with your new crib. It should be a minimum of 30cm deep to ensure that your newborn has enough headroom.

You can rest assured that your child will be safe and comfortable in a cot that is positioned at the bedside. With the likes of Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all being fans of the SNOO bedside crib, it's definitely worth looking into this elegant alternative to a moses basket.

Safety

Official safe sleeping guidelines from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that newborns sleep in the same room as you for their 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 bedside crib is an excellent option that allows your baby to remain close enough to you to feed them during the night and help them return to sleep without having to get out of your bed. This is an excellent option if you are recovering from an operation or C-section and have limited mobility.

Our top pick for a bedside crib, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 travel cot bedside crib is compact and folds flat in a matter of seconds to fit into a travel bag which makes it perfect for trips to the beach and nights away from home. It's one of the tiniest bedside cots available and comes with a a comfy deep foam mattress, air-flow panels, an optional tilt setting, and it was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the Best Crib, Cot, 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 has a built-in changing mat and storage solutions It weighs just 10kg, and features an adjustable side that drops down to make it easy to access.

Style

A crib for your bed is a blessing for many moms, particularly those who are recovering from C-sections. They are attached to your bed so that you can reach your baby easily without having to get up and letting you feed them and soothe them quickly. They're also a great option for mothers who are breastfeeding as the close proximity can help boost their milk supply.

Alongside being incredibly convenient, these bassinets can also look attractive too and that's why they're so popular. They're typically larger than Moses baskets and come in lots of different styles, some having additional features like a gentle tilt to the reflux. They're designed to sit right next to your bed and can be moved around the house as baby grows. Some are portable, which means they're great for parents who travel.

It's important to choose a bedside cot that is easy to use drop-sides. This allows you to lower your infant into the bassinet without lifting them up into your arms. This can be difficult for mothers with limited mobility. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one of these models that has been praised and shortlisted by Mumsnetters in the category of the best bedside cots Cot or Crib, or Moses Basket for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.

Another handy feature that some models have is a transparent side that lets you see your baby at all times. This is especially helpful when you're groggy at 3am and need to feed your child. A quick glance could make a huge difference. As noted by Emily, our MFM home test participant Sleepiest BassiNest is an excellent choice. It's easy to lower.

Budget

If you're still not ready to move to a larger cot the bedside crib could be an ideal solution. The bassinet-style crib is attached to the side of your bed so you can easily reach your baby for feedings at night and soothe them without disturbing your own sleep. It's also a great choice for those with restricted movement following a C-section and is a favorite option for celeb moms like Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.

Our Parents Testers loved the new model of this bestselling crib from Chicco which was awarded the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It's large bedside cot and breathable, and has six height settings to accommodate growing babies, and a gentle reflux incline setting. It can also be used as a crib for travel and comes with a storage case that is convenient for storage.

A bedside cot can be difficult to move around the home However, our Parents Testers found the Shnuggle Air beside crib really easy to maneuver. It's one of the lightest options and small enough to fit into its own travel bag, so you can take it along with you on your trip.

The SnuzPod bedside cot is a highly rated product that's easy to fold and assemble with plenty of features for 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 can help your baby to regulate their temperature. It features a soft rocking feature as well as an incline to help with reflux. It is also lightweight enough to use as a travel crib when you're on the move. It's a bit more expensive than other bedside cribs however, Parent Testers are of the opinion that it is worth the extra cost.