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 an effective and space-saving solution for parents who share a room.

Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper because it's spacious with lots of room for babies to grow and wriggle and far more substantial than the size of a Moses basket. It's also simple to assemble, and comes with a bag for carrying.

What is a bedside cot?

Bedside cots (also known as bassinets, side sleepers, or co-sleepers) are a safe and convenient way for your baby to be close to you in the early months. These cribs are attached to your bed and let you lift your child towards you for night-feeding or comforting. They're also a great option for breastfeeding mothers or mothers recovering from a caesarean.

These cots are often smaller than standard cots however, they still provide plenty of room for your baby to rest. You can choose from a variety of designs and features according to what you prefer. Many bedside cribs come with an adjustable or drop-down side that makes it easier to reach your baby during feeding time at night. They are also available in various heights based on your bed size.

Some cribs for bedside cots for newborns 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 which can be a relaxing distraction for your baby. You'll need a mattress that is air-conditioned to match your crib. It should be at least 30cm thick to give your baby enough headroom.

A bedside crib is a major investment, but you can be certain that your baby will have a peaceful and safe night's sleep. With stars like Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all being fans of the SNOO bedside crib, it's definitely worth considering this fashionable alternative to a moses basket.

Safety

Official safe sleeping guidance from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that newborn babies should be placed in the same bed as you during 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 baby sleeper crib lets you keep your infant close to you to help comfort them and night feed them without leaving your bed. It's also a great option when you are unable to move after an operation or recovering from an operation such as a C-section.

Our top choice for a bedside cot the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 travel cot bedside crib is compact and folds flat in a matter of seconds and fits into its own bag for travel, making it ideal for travel and nights away from home. It's the lightest option for a bedside crib and comes with a comfy deep foam mattress with mesh panels that let air flow. It also comes with an option for incline. It also 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 that won Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has an integrated storage unit and changing mat, is lightweight (only 10kg), and has an adjustable side that allows for easy access.

Style

A crib for your bed is a blessing for many mums, especially those who are recovering from C-sections. You can easily reach your baby without having to get out of the bed. This lets you comfort and feed your infant during the night. They're also a great choice for breastfeeding mothers since close proximity can increase their milk supply.

These bassinets are not only practical, but also stylish. This is why they're so sought-after. They're usually more spacious than Moses baskets and come in a variety 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 so they're ideal for parents who travel.

When you are choosing a bedside cot, it's important to select a model that have drop sides that are simple to use. These allow you to lower your baby into the bassinet without lifting them into your arms, which is difficult for mothers with limited mobility. One such model is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been highly praised by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted in our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards' Best Cot Crib, Moses or Crib Basket category.

Some models also have a translucent side, allowing you to always see your baby. This is especially useful in the case of 3am feeds that are bleary-eyed when a quick glance can make all the difference. One such option is the Sleepiest BassiNest that is simple to lower, as noted by our MFM home tester Emily.

Budget

If you're still not ready to move to a larger cot, a bedside crib may be the perfect solution. This bassinet-style cot attaches to the bed's side so that you can easily reach your baby's night feeds and comfort them without disrupting your sleep. It's also a great choice for those suffering from limited movement after an operation and is a popular choice with celeb mums including Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.

Our Parents Testers loved the new model of this well-loved crib from Chicco that won the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It's large and breathable, and has six height settings to accommodate babies who are growing, as well as a gentle incline setting. It can be used as a crib for travel and comes with a convenient storage case.

A bedside crib can be difficult to move around your home however our Parents Testers found the Shnuggle Air on the side of the crib easy to move around. It is among the lighter options and can be put in its own travel bag.

The SnuzPod is a different highly rated bedside cot that is easy to assemble and fold away, with plenty of features that will ensure your child gets a good night's sleep. It has a removable adjustable bassinet that lifts off, which can fit more beds than other cots. The fabric is breathable, and helps regulate your baby's temperature. It also features a soft rocking feature and an incline option for reflux, and is lightweight enough to be used as a travel bedside crib cot while you're out and about. It's a bit more expensive than other bedside crib and travel cot cots however our Parent Testers say it's well worth the extra cost.