Best Bedside Cot Uk: 10 Things I d Like To Have Known Sooner

How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk

Both the NHS and Lullaby Trust have issued official safe sleeping guidelines which advise that babies sleep in their own Moses basket or cot. A bedside crib is practical and space-saving for parents who share a room.

Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper because it's large bedside cot and spacious, with plenty of room for babies to grow and play and is far more substantial than a Moses basket. It's also easy to assemble and comes with a carry-on bag.

What is a bedside crib?

A bedside cot (also called a bassinet, side sleeper or co-sleeper) is a secure way for your newborn to sleep close to you overnight during their first months. These cribs are attached to your bed, allowing you to lift your child to you for night-feeding or comforting. These cribs are also great for mothers who are breastfeeding or recovering from a Cesarean Section.

They're usually a little smaller than a regular cot or cotbed, yet offer plenty of space for your baby to lay down. You can choose from a variety of styles and features, depending on what you prefer. A lot of cribs for bedside use an adjustable or drop-down side that makes it easier to reach the baby at night for feedings. They are also available in different heights depending on your bed size.

Some cribs for bedside use an adjustable riser that allows you to add a slight rise to the sleep area that can aid in reflux and an easy zip-off side for cleaning. Some have manual rocking features which can be a soothing distraction for your infant. You'll also require a breathable mattress to match your new crib, which must be at least 30cm in depth to ensure that your newborn has sufficient head room.

You can be confident that your child will be comfortable and safe in a bedside cot. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams, and Gigi Hadid are all avid users of SNOO's crib for babies. It is definitely worth considering as an alternative to a Moses basket.

Safety

The Lullaby Trust, in conjunction with the NHS has issued official guidelines for safe sleep that advise that babies stay in the same bedroom as their parents for the first six months. However they shouldn't sleep in your bed. This is to reduce the risk of suffocation or sudden infant death syndrome. A crib that is placed near your bed is an excellent option that lets your baby comfortably be near enough for you to feed them during the night and help them return to sleep without having to leave your own bed. It's an excellent option if you are recovering from an operation or 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 flat in a matter of seconds to fit into a travel bag making it ideal for travel and nights away from home. It's one of the tiniest amazon bedside cot cots available and comes with a a comfy deep foam mattress, air-flow panels, and an incline setting, plus it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket.

Another great bedside cot is the Chicco Next2me Magic bedside cot crib crib that won Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It comes with a built-in changing mat and storage solution and weighs only 10kg. It is light at 10kg, and has an adjustable side that can be lowered down for easy access.

Style

A bedside crib is a godsend 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 allows you to soothe and feed your infant during the night. The close proximity to the baby can also help increase milk production for mothers who are breastfeeding.

These bassinets are not only functional, but also stylish. This is the reason they are so popular. Some are more spacious than Moses Baskets and some come with additional features such as a gentle reflux upward slope. They're designed to fit next 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 you are choosing a bedside cot it is important to look for designs that have drop sides that are simple to use. These allow you to lower your baby into the bassinet without needing to lift them into your arms, which can be difficult for moms who have limited mobility. One such model is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been applauded by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards' Best Cot Moses, Crib or Basket category.

Some models also have a transparent side, allowing you to be able to always view your baby. This is particularly useful when you are groggy at 3am and need to feed your baby. A quick glance could make a huge difference. One of these options is the Sleepiest BassiNest which is easy to lower, as was noted by our MFM home tester Emily.

Budget

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

Our Parent Testers loved this new version of the bestselling Chicco crib, which won 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot or Crib. It's afclimatizing and spacious and has six height settings to accommodate growing babies as well as a gentle incline setting. It can also be used as a travel crib and comes with a storage case that is convenient for storage.

A bedside cot can be difficult to move around your home however our Parents Testers found the Shnuggle Air near the crib to be easy to move around. 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 set up and take down, with plenty of features that will ensure your child gets a good night's sleep. It comes with a removable, lift-off bassinet which fits more beds than other cots. The fabric is breathable and helps regulate your baby's temperature. It also has a soft rocking function and an incline setting for reflux, and is lightweight enough to be used as a travel cot if you're out and about. It's a little more expensive than other cots for bed however our Parents Testers affirm that it's worth the extra cash.