How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk
Both the NHS and Lullaby Trust have issued official safe sleeping guidelines that advise that babies sleep in their own Moses basket or cot. A crib that is placed near the bed is a practical and space-saving option for room-sharing new parents.
Mumsnetters love the co-sleeper as it is spacious, with plenty of room for babies to grow and wriggle. It's also larger than the Moses Basket. It is also easy to assemble, and comes with a bag for carrying.
What is a bedside cot?
Bedside cots (also called side sleepers, bassinets or co-sleepers) are a safe and convenient way for your baby to sleep near you during 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. These cribs are also great for mums who are breastfeeding or recovering from a Cesarean Section.
These cots are often smaller than standard cots but they provide plenty of room for your baby to rest. You can pick from a variety of designs and features according to what your preference is. A lot of cribs with a bedside feature an adjustable or drop down side that makes it easier to reach your baby's night feeds and are available in a variety of sizes to fit the dimensions of your bed.
Some cribs for bedside use an adjustable riser that allows you to build an angle to the sleep area. This can help with reflux. They also have a zip off side to make cleaning easy. Other cribs have manual rocking functions that can provide a relaxing distraction for your newborn. You'll also need a breathable mattress to go with your new crib, which must be at least 30cm deep to ensure your baby has enough head space.
You can rest assured that your baby bedside sleeper will be comfortable and safe in a bedside cot. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams, and Gigi Hadid are all avid users of SNOO's bedside crib. It is definitely worth a look as an alternative to the Moses basket.
Safety
The Lullaby Trust, in conjunction with the NHS, has issued official safe sleeping guidelines which recommend that babies are in the same room as their parents for the first six months. However, they should not sleep in your bed. This is to decrease the risk of suffocation, or sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib lets you keep your baby close to you to calm them down and night feed them without having to leave your bed. It's also great if you have limited mobility after an operation or recovering from a C-section.
Our top pick for a bedside cot, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 travel cot bedside crib, conversational tone, is compact and folds flat in a matter of seconds and fits into its own bag for travel, making it ideal for travel and nights away from home. It's the lightest option for a bedside cot. It comes with a comfy deep foam mattress with mesh panels that allow air to flow. It also has an optional incline option. Additionally, it was awarded Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot Crib or Moses basket.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another excellent bedside crib travel crib. It won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has built-in storage and a changing mat, is lightweight (only 10kg) and comes with an adjustable side for easy access.
Style
For a lot of moms, especially those who are recovering from C-sections A crib that is placed near the bed can an absolute blessing. They attach to your bed so that you can reach your baby easily without needing to get out of bed in order to feed them and soothe them quickly. The close proximity to your baby can also increase the amount of milk produced by mothers who breastfeed.
In addition to being extremely convenient, these bassinets are stylish too and that's why they're so sought-after. They are larger than Moses Baskets and some even have additional features such as a gentle reflux incline. They are designed to fit right next to your bed and can be moved around the house as baby grows. Some are portable, which means they're ideal for parents who travel.
When selecting a cot for your bedside it is important to choose a model with drop sides that are easy to use. They allow you to lower your baby's bassinet without lifting them into your arms, which is difficult for moms who have limited mobility. One of these models is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been applauded by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted in our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards' Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category.
Some models also come with a transparent side, allowing you to always see your baby. This is especially useful when you're exhausted at 3am and need to feed your baby. A quick glance could make a huge difference. As mentioned by Emily, our MFM home test participant the Sleepiest BassiNest an excellent choice. It is simple to lower.
Budget
A bedside crib is a fantastic option if you are not ready to upgrade to a full-sized crib. The bassinet-style crib can be attached to your bed, ensuring that you can easily reach your baby for night feeds or comfort them without causing any disturbance to yourself. It's also a great choice for those suffering from restricted movement after an operation and is a favorite option with famous mothers like Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.
Our Parent Testers loved the new version of this popular crib from Chicco which was awarded the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. It's spacious and breathable, and comes with six different height settings for babies who are growing. There is also a gentle reflux setting. It can be used as a travel crib and comes with a handy storage case.
It can be a challenge to move a foldable bedside crib cot around your home, but our Parent Testers stated that the Shnuggle Air alongside the cot was simple to move. It's one of the lightest alternatives and is compact enough to fit into its own travel bag, which means you can carry it along with you on your trip.
The SnuzPod is another highly rated bedside crib co sleeper cot that is easy to set up and take down and packed with features that will ensure your child gets a good night's sleep. It comes with a bassinet that lifts off to fit more beds than any other cot and its breathable fabric helps your baby regulate their temperature. It features a soft rocking feature as well as an incline for reflux. It's also light enough to use as a crib for travel when you're out and about. It's a bit more expensive than other bedside cribs, but Parent Testers believe it's worth the extra expense.