How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk
Official guidelines for safe sleep from both NHS and Lullaby Trust recommends that newborns sleep in their own cot or Moses basket. A bedside crib is practical and space-saving for parents who share a room.
Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper as it's spacious with lots of room for baby to grow and wriggle and more spacious than the typical Moses basket. It's also easy to put together and comes with a travel bag.
What is a bedside crib?
A bedside cot (also called a bassinet, side-sleeper or co-sleeper) is a safe method for your baby to rest close to you throughout their first months. These cribs attach to your bed and allow you to lift your baby out towards you to feed them at night or for comforting without the threat of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome as a result of traditional bed sharing. These cribs are also great for mothers who are breastfeeding or recovering from a cesarean section.
They're often slightly smaller than a standard cot or cotbed, but provide plenty of space for your baby to rest. You can pick from a variety of styles and features based on your preferences. Many bedside cribs come with the option of removing or dropping down the side to make it easier to reach the baby at night for feedings. They are also available in different heights depending on the size of your bed.
Some cribs with a bedside have 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. Other cribs have manual rocking functions that can provide a relaxing distraction for your baby. 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 sufficient head room.
You can be confident that your baby will be safe and comfortable in a cot that is positioned at the twin bedside cot. With the likes of Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all being fans of the SNOO bedside baby bed crib, it's definitely worth considering this stylish alternative to moses basket.
Safety
Official guidelines for safe sleep from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that newborn babies should be placed in the same bed as you for their first six months, but not in your bed, to decrease the risk of suffocation and to lower the chance of sudden infant death syndrome. A crib that is placed near your bed lets you keep your infant close to you to help calm them down and even feed them at night without having to leave your bed. It's an excellent option if you are recovering from an operation or C-section and have limited mobility.
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 cot bedside bag which makes it perfect for trips to the beach 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 which allow air to flow. It also comes with an incline option that can be added. Plus, it won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot Crib or Moses basket.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another excellent bedside crib. It won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has a built-in changing mat and storage solution It weighs just 10kg, and features an adjustable side that can be lowered down for easy access.
Style
For many mums, particularly those recovering from C-sections, a bedside crib can be an absolute godsend. You can easily reach your baby without getting out of your bed. This lets you soothe and feed your infant during the night. The close proximity to the baby can also help increase the production of milk for mothers who are breastfeeding.
In addition to being extremely practical, these bassinets can look pretty stylish too which is the reason they're so sought-after. They're usually larger than Moses baskets and come in lots of different styles, with some featuring extra features like a gentle tilting of the reflux. The baskets are designed to fit under your bed, they are able to be moved around the home when baby gets older and some can be carried on the go too, making them great for new parents traveling.
It's important to choose a cot for your bed that has 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 difficult for mothers with limited mobility. One of them is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been highly praised by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted in our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot Moses, Crib or Basket category.
Some models also come with a transparent side, allowing you to see your baby. This is especially useful during bleary-eyed 3am feeds, when just a glance can make all the difference. As was noted by Emily, our MFM home test participant Sleepiest BassiNest is a great option. It is easy to lower.
Budget
A bedside crib is a great alternative if you're not ready to upgrade to a full-sized crib. The crib is attached to your bed, ensuring that you can easily reach your baby to feed them at night or even comfort them without disturbing yourself. It's a great choice for those with restricted movement after an operation such as a C-section. Famous moms like Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen this model.
Our Parents Testers loved the new version of this bestselling crib from Chicco, which won the 2021 Mother&Baby Award for Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. It is spacious and breathable, and comes with six different height settings for growing babies. There is also a soft reflux setting. You can also use it as a travel cot and it comes with an easy-to-store storage bag.
A bedside cot can be a little difficult to move around the home However, our Parents Testers found the Shnuggle Air beside crib really simple to move. It's one of the lightest options and compact enough to fit into its own travel bag which means you can carry it with you on your travels.
The SnuzPod bedside cot is yet another highly rated item that's easy to fold and assemble with plenty of features for the perfect night's rest. It has a removable lift-off bassinet that fits more beds than any other cot and its breathable fabric can help your baby regulate their temperature. It also features a soft rocking function and an incline setting to help with reflux, and it's light enough to use as a travel cot when you're on the move. It's more expensive than other cots for bed however our Parents Testers believe it's worth the extra cost.