How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk
Official safe sleeping guidance from both NHS and Lullaby Trust recommends that newborns sleep in their own cot or Moses basket. A bedside crib is a practical and space-saving option for room-sharing new parents.
Mumsnetters love the co-sleeper because it's big and has plenty of room for baby's to grow and wiggle. It's also bigger than a Moses Basket. It's also simple to put together and comes with a travel bag.
What is a bedside crib?
A bedside travel crib cot (also known as a bassinet, side sleeper or co-sleeper) is a safe method for your baby to sleep near you during their first few months. These cribs are attached to your bed and allow you to raise your baby towards you at night for feeding or comforting without the threat of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome as a result of traditional bed sharing. They're also a great option for mothers who are breastfeeding or recovering from a caesarean section.
They're often slightly smaller than a regular cot or cotbed, yet provide plenty of space for your baby to sleep. You can choose from a variety of styles and features, according to what you prefer. Many bedside cribs have an adjustable or drop down side that makes it easier to reach your baby's evening feeds. They are available in a variety of sizes to fit the dimensions of your bed.
Some bedside cribs come with a riser that allows you to add a slight incline to the sleep space which can help with reflux and a zip-off side for easy cleaning. Some cribs come with manual rocking features that can provide a relaxing distraction to your newborn. You'll also require a breathable mattress to match your new crib, which should be a minimum of 30cm in depth to ensure that your newborn has enough headroom.
A bedside crib is a major investment, but you can rest assured that your baby will be secure and comfortable sleep. With the likes of Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all being fans of the SNOO bedside travel cot crib, it's worth considering this fashionable alternative to a 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 sleep in your bed. This is to reduce the risk of suffocation, or sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib is an excellent option that allows your child to remain close enough to you to night feed them and comfort them back to sleep without having to leave your bed. It's also a great option if you are recovering from an operation or 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 flat in a matter of seconds and fits into a travel bag making it ideal for travel and nights away from home. It's among the lightest bedside cot 6 months plus cots available and comes with a an extremely comfortable mattress, air-flow panels and an incline setting, plus it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket.
Another fab bedside cot option is the Chicco Next2me Magic bedside crib that won Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It features a built-in change mat and storage solutions, is lightweight at 10kg, and comes with an adjustable side that can be lowered down to make it easy to access.
Style
For many mothers, particularly those who are recovering from a C-section, a bedside crib could prove to be an absolute godsend. You can easily reach your baby without having to get out of bed. This lets you comfort and feed your infant during the night. They're also a great option for mothers who are breastfeeding as their close proximity will help boost their milk supply.
As well as being incredibly useful, bassinets can also look attractive too which is the reason they're so popular. Some are more spacious than Moses Baskets, and some have extra features like a gentle reflux and incline. They are designed to fit next to your bed and can be moved around the house as your baby grows. Some are portable, which means they're ideal for parents who travel.
When selecting a cot for your bedside It is essential to choose a model that have easy-to-use drop sides. This lets you lower your infant into the bassinet without lifting them up into your arms. This can be a challenge for mothers with limited mobility. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one such model that has been highly praised and was shortlisted by Mumsnetters in the category of 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 observe your baby at all times. This is especially helpful when you're groggy at 3am and need to feed your baby bedside crib. A quick glance can make a big difference. As noted by Emily our MFM home tester the Sleepiest BassiNest a great option. It is simple to lower.
Budget
If you're not ready to move to a full-sized cot, a bedside crib may be the perfect solution. The bassinet-style crib can be attached to your bed so that you can easily reach your baby for night feeds or comfort them without causing any disturbance to yourself. It's an excellent choice for those who are unable to move after a C-section. Celebrity moms such as Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen this model.
Our Parents Testers loved the new version of the bestselling Chicco crib, which won 2021 Mother&Baby Awards as the Best Cot or Crib. It is spacious, breathable, and has six different height settings for growing babies. There is also a gentle reflux setting. It can also be used as a travel cot and it comes with an easy-to-store storage bag.
A bedside crib can be difficult to move around the home However, our Parent Testers found the Shnuggle Air near the crib to be easy to move around. It's one of the lightest options and can be put in its own travel bag.
The SnuzPod bedside cot is a highly rated item that's easy to fold and assemble and comes with a variety of features to ensure an unwinding night's sleep. 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 has a gentle rocking feature and an incline to help with reflux. It is also lightweight enough to use as a travel crib while you're on the move. It's a little more expensive than other bedside cribs, but Parent Testers agree that it's worth the extra cost.