How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk
Both the NHS and Lullaby Trust have issued official safe sleeping guidelines that recommend that newborns sleep only in their own Moses basket or cot. A crib for bed is an efficient and space-saving choice for room-sharing new parents.
Mumsnetters love the co-sleeper because it is spacious, with plenty of space for babies to grow and wriggle. It's also larger than the Moses Basket. It's also easy to assemble and comes with a travel bag.
What is a bedside crib?
Bedside cots (also called bassinets, side sleepers or co-sleepers) are a safe and convenient way for your baby to sleep near you during the early months. These cribs are attached to your bed and allow you to raise your baby towards you for night feeding or comforting without the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome as a result of traditional bed sharing. They're also a great option for breastfeeding mothers or mothers recovering from a Caesarean section.
They are usually smaller than a standard cot, but still offer plenty of space for your baby to relax. You can pick from a variety of styles and features, according to what your preference is. A lot of cribs for bedside use the option of removing or dropping down the side, which makes it easier to reach your baby during feeding time at night. They also come in different heights depending on the size of your bed.
Some bedside crib and cot cribs come with a riser that allows you to add a slight incline to the sleep area that can aid in reflux and an easy zip-off side for cleaning. Some have manual rocking bedside crib features which can be a relaxing distraction for your newborn. You'll require a mattress that's comfortable to be used with your crib. It should be at least 30cm in depth to allow your baby plenty of headroom.
A bedside crib is an investment but you can rest assured that your newborn will get a secure and comfortable sleep. With stars like Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all being fans of the SNOO bedside baby sleeper crib, it's definitely worth looking into this elegant alternative to a moses basket.
Safety
Official guidelines for safe sleep from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that babies born today should be placed in the same bed as you for the first six months, but not in your bed to lower the chance of suffocation and to decrease the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib allows you to keep your baby close so that you can comfort them and night feed them without leaving your bed. This is also a great option if 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 small and folds flat in seconds to fit into its own bag for travel, so it's perfect for holidays and nights away from home. It's one of the lightest bedside cot options and has an extremely comfortable mattress with mesh air-flow panels, an optional tilting 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 bedside crib option. It was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has an integrated storage unit and changing mat, is light (only 10kg), and has an adjustable side that makes it easy to access.
Style
For many mums, particularly those recovering from a C-section A crib that is placed near the bed could prove to an absolute blessing. You can easily reach your baby without having to get out of bed. This lets you soothe and feed your infant during the night. They're an excellent choice for mothers who are breastfeeding as their close proximity will help boost their milk supply.
These bassinets are not only functional, but also stylish. This is the reason they are so popular. They're typically bigger than Moses baskets and come in a variety of different styles, with some featuring extra features such as a gentle reflux incline setting. The baskets are designed to fit under your bed, they are able to be moved around the house as the baby grows older, and some can be carried on the go too which makes them ideal for parents who are new to traveling.
When you are choosing a bedside cot, it's important to look for designs that have drop sides that are simple to use. 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 who have limited mobility. One such model is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been highly praised by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category.
Another useful feature that a few models come with is a translucent side that allows you to see your baby at all times. This is especially helpful when you are tired and sleepy when one glance could make all the difference. One such option is the Sleepiest BassiNest, which is easy to lower, as 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. The cot is attached to the bed's side so that you can easily reach your baby's feedings at night and soothe them without disturbing your own sleep. It's also a great choice for those who suffer from restricted movement after a C-section and is a favorite option for celeb moms like Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.
Our Parent Testers loved the new version of the well-loved Chicco crib, which was awarded the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot or Crib. It's spacious and breathable and comes with six height options to accommodate growing babies, as well as a gentle setting for the incline. You can also use it as a travel cot and it comes with an excellent storage bag.
It can be difficult to move a bedside cot around your home However, our Parents Testers reported that the Shnuggle Air alongside the cot was simple to move. It is one of the lighter options and can be put in its own travel bag.
The SnuzPod is another highly-rated bedside cot that is easy to assemble and fold away and comes with a variety of features that will ensure your child gets a good night's sleep. It has a removable, lift-off bassinet which fits more beds than other cots. The fabric is breathable and helps to regulate your baby's temperature. It also features a soft rocking feature and an incline setting for reflux, and is light enough to use as a travel cot when you're on the move. It's a bit more expensive than other cots for bed but our Parents Testers believe it's worth the extra cost.