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 a practical and space-saving option for parents who share a room.

Mumsnetters adore the co-sleeper because it's spacious, with plenty of room for baby's to grow and play. It's also larger than a Moses Basket. It's also easy to assemble and comes with a travel bag.

What is a bedside crib?

Bedside cribs (also known as side sleepers, bassinets or co-sleepers) are a safe and convenient way for your baby to sleep with you during their first few months. These cribs can be attached to your bed and allow you to pull your child to you 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.

They're usually a little smaller than a regular cot or cotbed, but offer plenty of space for your baby to lay down. You can choose from a variety of designs and features according to what your preference is. Many bedside cribs have a drop down or removable side that allows you to reach your baby's evening feeds. They are also available in different heights to accommodate the size of your bed.

Some bedside cribs come with a riser that allows you to add a slight rise to the sleeping space that can aid in reflux and an easy zip-off side for cleaning. Other cribs have manual rocking functions that can provide a relaxing distraction for your newborn. You'll need a mattress that is air-conditioned to match your crib. It should be at least 30cm deep to allow your baby plenty of headroom.

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

Safety

Official safe sleeping guidance from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that babies born today should 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 decrease the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib is an excellent option that allows your child to remain close enough to you to night feed them and soothe them back to sleep without needing to leave your bed. It's an excellent option if you are recovering from an operation or C-section and are unable to move.

Our top pick for a bedside rocking crib cot, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 travel cot bedside cot for twins crib is compact and folds down in a matter of seconds and fits into a travel bag making it ideal for travel and nights away from home. It's among the lightest bedside cots and has the most comfortable deep foam mattress, air-flow panels, an optional tilting setting, and it was awarded 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 features a built-in change mat and storage solutions It weighs just 10kg, and features an adjustable side that slides down to make it easy to access.

Style

For many mums, particularly those recovering from a C-section, a bedside crib can be a blessing in disguise. You can easily reach your baby without having to get out of your bed. This allows you to soothe and feed your baby at night. The close proximity to your baby can also increase milk production for mothers who breastfeed.

Bassinets aren't just functional, but also fashionable. This is the reason they're so popular. Some are more spacious than Moses Baskets and some even have additional features, like a gentle incline. They're designed to fit right next to your bed and can be moved around the house as your baby grows. Some are portable, which means they're great for parents who travel.

It is important to choose a cot for your bed that has easy-to-use drop-sides. This allows you to lower your baby into the bassinet without lifting them up into your arms. This can be a hassle for mothers with limited mobility. One such model is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been praised by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted in our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards' Best Cot Crib, Moses or Crib Basket category.

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 you need to feed your baby. A quick glance can make a big difference. One of these options is the Sleepiest BassiNest that is easy to lower as outlined by our MFM home tester Emily.

Budget

If you're not quite ready to make the leap to a larger cot, a bedside crib may be a great option. The bassinet-style crib is attached to the bed's side so you can easily reach your baby's night feeds and comfort them without disturbing your sleep. It's also a great option for those with restricted movement following the birth and is a favorite choice with celeb mums including Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.

Our Parent 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 is spacious comfortable, breathable, and comes with six different height settings suitable for growing babies. There is also a gentle reflux setting. It can also be used as a travel cot. Additionally, it comes with an excellent storage bag.

A bedside cot can be tricky to move around the home However, our Parents Testers found the Shnuggle Air on the side of the crib easy to maneuver. It is among the lighter options and can be tucked away in its own travel bag.

The SnuzPod is another highly-rated bedside travel cot cot that's simple to set up and take down and comes with a variety of features to ensure an enjoyable night's sleep. It has a lift-off bassinet that fits more beds than any other cot and its breathable fabric can help your baby maintain their temperature. It has a gentle rocking feature as well as an incline to help with reflux. It's also light enough to be used as a crib for travel while you're on the move. It's more expensive than other bedside crib to cot cribs but Parents Testers agree that it's worth the extra cost.