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

Mumsnetters adore this co-sleeper since it's spacious with lots of space for babies to grow and play, and much bigger than the size of a Moses basket. It's also simple to put together and comes with a bag for travel.

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 sleep with you during the early months. These cribs attach to your bed, allowing you to lift your child to you to feed them at night or for comforting. They're also a great choice for breastfeeding mothers or mothers recovering from a caesarean.

These cots are typically a little smaller than a standard cot however, they still provide plenty of room for your baby to sleep. You can choose between various designs and features based on your preferences. A lot of cribs with a bedside feature the option of a drop-down or removable side that allows you to reach your baby's night feeds and are also available in various sizes to fit the dimensions of your bed.

Some cribs with a 4-in-1 bedside crib have a riser that allows you to add a slight incline to the sleep area that can help with reflux and the ability to zip off the sides for easy cleaning. Other cribs have manual rocking functions which can be a relaxing distraction for your newborn. You'll also require a comfortable mattress to match your new crib. It should be a minimum of 30cm deep to ensure your baby has enough head space.

A bedside cot is an investment, but you can be certain that your newborn will get a comfortable and safe sleep. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams, and Gigi Hadid are all avid users of SNOO's bedside crib. It is definitely worth considering as an alternative to the Moses basket.

Safety

Official safe sleeping guidelines from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that babies born today 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 crib that is placed near your bed is a great option that allows your child to safely be close enough for you to feed them during the night and help them return to sleep without having to leave your bed. It's also great if you have limited mobility after an operation or are recovering from 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 seconds to fit into a travel bag so it's perfect for holidays and nights away from home. It's one of the tiniest bedside crib travel cots and has a comfy deep foam mattress that has mesh air-flow panels and an tilt setting, and it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket.

Chicco Next2me Magic is another fantastic bedside crib. It won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It features a built-in change mat and storage solution and weighs only 10kg. It is light at 10kg, and has an adjustable side that slides down to make it easy to access.

Style

For a lot of moms, especially those who have had a C-section, a bedside crib can prove to an absolute blessing. They are attached to your bed so you can reach your baby easily without needing to get up and letting you feed them and soothe them quickly. They're also a great option for breastfeeding mothers as close proximity can boost their milk supply.

As well as being incredibly convenient, these bassinets are stylish too which is the reason they're so sought-after. Some are bigger than Moses Baskets and some come with additional features like a gentle reflux upward slope. The baskets are designed to fit under your bed, they can usually be moved around the house as the baby grows older, and some can be carried on the go too, making them great for parents who are new to traveling.

When selecting a cot for your bedside it is important to look for designs that have easy-to-use drop sides. This allows you to lower your child into the bassinet, without having to lift them up into your arms. This can be a hassle for mothers with limited mobility. One of them 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 great feature that certain models have is a transparent side that allows you to be able to see your baby at all times. This is especially useful when you are groggy at 3am and you need to feed your baby. A quick glance could make a huge difference. As noted by Emily, our MFM home test participant Sleepiest BassiNest is a great option. It is easy to lower.

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 side of your bed so you can easily reach your baby's evening feeds and also comfort them without disrupting your sleep. It's also a great choice for those with restricted movement after a C-section and is a favorite choice with celeb mums including Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.

Our Parent Testers loved this latest version of the bestselling Chicco crib, which won 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot or Crib. It's spacious and breathable and comes with six height options to accommodate growing babies, plus a gentle reflux setting for incline. It can also be used as a travel cot. Additionally, it comes with a handy storage bag.

A bedside crib can be tricky to move around the home, but our Parents Testers found the Shnuggle Air near the crib to be simple to move. It's among the lightest options and small enough to fit into its own bag for travel, which means you can carry it with you on your travels.

The SnuzPod is another highly rated bedside cot that's easy to assemble and fold away, with plenty of features for the best night's rest. It has a removable, lift-off bassinet which fits more beds than other cots. The fabric is breathable, and helps keep your baby's temperature in check. It features a soft rocking feature as well as an incline to aid in reflux. It's also light enough to be used as a crib for travel when you're traveling. It's a bit more expensive than other bedside cots but our Parent Testers believe it's worth the extra cash.