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 crib is an efficient and space-saving option for parents who share a room.
Mumsnetters love the co sleeper bedside cot-sleeper because it's spacious, with plenty of room for baby's to grow and wriggle. It's also bigger than a Moses Basket. It's also easy to assemble and comes with a carry-on bag.
What is a bedside cot?
bedside cot newborn cribs (also called bassinets, side sleepers, or co-sleepers) are an effective and safe method for your baby to sleep with you in the first few months. These cribs attach to your bed and allow you to lift your baby out towards you at night for feeding or comforting without the danger of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome as a result of traditional bed sharing. They're also a great choice for mothers who are breastfeeding or recovering from a caesarean.
They're usually a little smaller than a standard cot or cotbed, yet they provide ample space for your baby to rest. You can choose from different styles and features based on your preferences. Many cribs with a bedside feature the option of removing or dropping down the side to make it easier to reach your baby during feeding time at night. They also come in various heights based on your bed size.
Some bedside cribs have an adjustable riser that allows you to build an incline in the sleeping area. This can be helpful with reflux. They also come with the option of a zip-off side to make cleaning easy. Some have manual rocking features that can provide a relaxing distraction for your infant. You'll also need a breathable mattress for your new crib, which must be at least 30cm in depth to ensure that your newborn has enough headroom.
You can be sure that your child will be comfortable and safe in a cot that is positioned at the bedside. With stars like Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all awed by the SNOO bedside crib, it's definitely worth considering this stylish alternative to moses basket.
Safety
The Lullaby Trust, in conjunction with the NHS has issued official guidelines for safe sleeping that advise that babies stay in the same bedroom as their parents for the first six months. However they should not be sleeping in your bed. This is to lower the risk of suffocation or sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib is a great option that allows your baby to comfortably be near enough for you to feed them during the night and comfort them back to sleep without having to get out of your own bed. This is also a great option for when you are recovering from an operation or a C-section and are unable to move.
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 making it ideal for travel and nights away from home. It's one the lightest options for a bedside cot. It features a comfortable deep foam mattress with mesh panels that allow air to flow. It also has an incline option that can be added. Additionally, it was awarded Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Moses basket or Cot Crib.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another great bedside crib option. It was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has a built-in changing mat and storage solution and weighs only 10kg. It is light at 10kg, and has an adjustable side that drops down to make it easy to access.
Style
A crib for your bed can be a lifesaver for many moms, particularly those who are recovering from C-sections. They attach to your bed so you can easily reach your baby without needing to get up and letting you feed them and soothe them quickly. They're also a great option for mothers who are breastfeeding as the close proximity can help boost the amount of milk they produce.
In addition to being extremely useful, bassinets can look pretty stylish too and that's why they're so popular. They're often a bit more spacious than Moses baskets and are available in many different styles, some featuring extra features such as a gentle reflux incline setting. They are designed to be placed near your bed, they are able to be moved around the house when baby gets older and some are portable enough to take on the go too making them perfect for parents who are new to traveling.
It is essential to select a bedside cosleeper cot that is easy to use drop-sides. This allows you to lower your infant into the bassinet without having to lift them up into your arms. This can be difficult for mothers with mobility issues. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one of these models that has been praised and shortlisted by Mumsnetters in the category of the Best Cot or Crib Moses Basket for our 2021 Mother and Baby Awards.
Another useful feature that a few models come with is a transparent side that lets you see your baby at all times. This is especially helpful when you are groggy at 3am and you need to feed your baby. A quick glance could make a huge difference. As was noted by Emily who is our MFM home test participant the Sleepiest BassiNest a great option. It is easy to lower.
Budget
A bedside crib is a fantastic alternative if you're not ready to move to a full-sized crib. The cot is attached to the side of your bed so you can easily reach your baby's feedings at night and soothe them without disrupting your sleep. It's also a great option for those who suffer from limited movement after an operation and is a popular option with famous mothers like Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.
Our Parent Testers loved the new version of this well-loved crib from Chicco that won the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. It's spacious and breathable and has six height settings to accommodate growing babies plus a gentle reflux setting for the incline. 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 the home However, our Parents Testers found the Shnuggle Air near the crib to be easy to move around. It's among the lightest alternatives and is small enough to fit into its own travel bag which means you can take it with you on your travels.
The SnuzPod twin bedside cot cot is a highly rated product that's simple to assemble and fold, with many features for a restful night's sleep. It has a removable, lift-off bassinet that fits more beds than other cots. The fabric is breathable and can help to regulate your baby's temperature. It features a soft 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 out and about. It's more expensive than other cribs for bed but Parents Testers agree that it's worth the extra expense.