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 cot or Moses basket. A bedside cot reviews crib is an efficient and space-saving choice for room-sharing new parents.

Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper because it's large and spacious, with plenty of room for babies to grow and play, and far more substantial than the size of a Moses basket. It's also easy to put together and comes with a travel 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 be close to you during the early months. These cribs can be attached to your bed and let you lift your child in your arms to feed them at night or even comfort them. They're also a great choice for breastfeeding mothers or mothers recovering from a Caesarean section.

These cots are typically a little smaller than a standard cot however, they still provide plenty of space for your baby to sleep. You can pick from a variety of styles and features, depending on what your preference is. Many bedside cribs come with the option of removing or dropping down the side that makes it easier to reach the baby during feeding time at night. They are also available in different heights depending on your bed size.

Some cribs for bedside use a riser which allows you to add an angle to the sleep area. This can be helpful with reflux. They also come with the option of a zip-off side to make cleaning easy. Others have manual rocking functions which can be a relaxing distraction for your infant. You'll need a mattress that is air-conditioned to match your crib. It must be at least 30cm thick to give your baby bedside co sleeper enough headroom.

You can be sure that your child will be safe and comfortable 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 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 lower the risk of suffocation and to decrease the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. A crib that is placed near your bed allows you to keep your baby close to help comfort them and feed them at night without leaving your bed. It's also ideal when you are unable to move after an operation or recovering from an operation such as a C-section.

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 cot bedside crib bag making it ideal for travel and nights away from home. It's among the lightest bedside crib co sleeper cots available and comes with a an extremely comfortable mattress, air-flow panels, and an tilt setting, and it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the best Crib, Cot or Moses Basket.

Chicco Next2me Magic is another great 4-in-1 bedside crib crib option. It won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It features a built-in change mat and storage system and weighs only 10kg. It is light at 10kg, and comes with an adjustable side that slides down for easy access.

Style

For many mums, particularly those recovering from C-sections, a bedside crib could prove to be a blessing in disguise. You can easily reach your baby without getting out of your bed. This lets you comfort and feed your infant at night. Being close to the baby can also aid in increasing milk production for mothers who breastfeed.

As well as being incredibly convenient, these bassinets are elegant, which is why they're so sought-after. They're often a bit more spacious than Moses baskets and come in lots of different styles, some featuring extra features such as a gentle reflux incline setting. They are designed to fit close to your bed and can be moved around the house as baby grows. Some are portable, which means they're ideal 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 a hassle for mothers who have limited mobility. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one of the models that has been praised and shortlisted by Mumsnetters in the category of the Best Cot or Crib or Moses Basket for our 2021 Mother and Baby Awards.

Another handy feature that some models come with is a translucent side that lets you observe your baby at all times. This is especially helpful when you're groggy at 3am and need to feed your child. A quick glance can make a huge difference. As was noted by Emily our MFM home test participant Sleepiest BassiNest is a great option. It is simple to lower.

Budget

A bedside crib is a great option if you are not yet ready to upgrade to a larger crib. The crib is attached to your bed, ensuring that you can easily reach your baby for night feeds or comfort your child without causing disturbance. It's also a great option for those who suffer from restricted movement after an operation and is a popular option with famous mothers like Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.

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

It can be difficult to move an upholstered bedside cot throughout the house However, our Parents Testers reported that the Shnuggle Air alongside the cot was easy to move. It's one of the lighter options that can be put in its own travel bag.

The SnuzPod is another highly-rated bedside cot that's easy to assemble and fold away and comes with a variety of features for an enjoyable night's sleep. It has a removable lift-off bassinet that fits more beds than other cots. The fabric is breathable, and helps regulate your baby's temperature. It has a gentle rocking feature as well as an incline to help with reflux. It is also lightweight enough to be used as a crib for travel when you're out and about. It's a little more expensive than other bedside cots but our Parent Testers believe it's worth the extra cash.