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 crib or Moses basket. A crib that is placed near the bed is an effective and space-saving solution for parents who live together.
Mumsnetters adore the co-sleeper because it is spacious, with plenty of room for baby's to grow and play. It is also much bigger than the Moses Basket. It is also easy to assemble, and comes with a bag for carrying.
What is a bedside cot?
Bedside cribs (also called bassinets, side sleepers, or co-sleepers) are an ideal and safe way for your baby to be close to you in the first few months. These cribs fix to your bed and allow you to bring your baby closer to you to feed them at night or for comforting without the threat 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.
They are usually a little smaller than a standard cot however, they still provide plenty of space for your baby to relax. You can pick from different designs and features based on your preferences. A lot of cribs for bedside use an adjustable or drop-down side that makes it easier to reach your baby during feeding time at night. They also come in different heights, based on the size of your bed.
Some cribs for bedside use a riser that allows you to add a slight incline to the sleep space which can aid in reflux and a zip-off side for easy cleaning. Other cribs have manual rocking bedside crib functions which can be a soothing distraction for your baby. You'll need a mattress that is breathable to go with your crib. It must be at least 30cm thick to allow your baby plenty of headroom.
You can be sure that your baby will be safe and secure in a bedside cot. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid are all big fans of SNOO's crib for babies. It is definitely worth a look as an alternative to the Moses basket.
Safety
The Lullaby Trust, in conjunction with the NHS has released official guidelines for safe sleep that advise that babies sleep in the same bedroom as their parents for the first six months. However they should not be sleeping in your bed. This is to reduce the chance of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome. A crib that is placed near your bed lets you keep your baby close to you so that you can calm them down and even feed them at night without having to leave your bed. It's also great for those who have a limited mobility following an operation or recovering from an operation such as a C-section.
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 which makes it perfect for trips to the beach and nights away from home. It's among the lightest bedside cots and has an extremely comfortable mattress with mesh air-flow panels, an optional incline setting, plus it was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the 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 storage solution and changing mat, is light (only 10kg) and features an adjustable side that makes it easy to access.
Style
For many mothers, particularly those who have had a C-section, a bedside crib can be a blessing in disguise. You can easily reach your baby without having to get out of the bed. This lets you comfort and feed your infant during the night. The close proximity to the baby can also aid in increasing the production of milk for mothers who are breastfeeding.
Bassinets aren't just practical, but also fashionable. This is the reason they're so popular. Some are bigger than Moses Baskets, and some have extra features such as a gentle reflux and incline. The baskets are designed to fit under your bed, they can usually be moved around the home as the baby grows older, and some are able to be taken with you on the go making them perfect for new parents travelling.
When you are choosing a bedside cot mattress cot It is essential to select a model that have drop sides that are simple to use. These allow you to lower your infant into the bassinet without having to lift them into your arms, which is difficult for moms with mobility issues. One of these models 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.
Some models also have a translucent side, allowing you to see your baby. This is especially helpful in the case of 3am feeds that are bleary-eyed, when one glance could make all the difference. One of these options is the Sleepiest BassiNest, which is easy to lower, as outlined by our MFM home tester Emily.
Budget
A bedside crib is an excellent option if you're not yet ready to upgrade to a bigger crib. The crib is attached to your bed so that you can easily reach your baby for night feeds or comfort them without disturbing yourself. It's an excellent choice for those with restricted movement following 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 model of this popular 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 babies who are growing, plus a gentle reflux setting for incline. You can also use it as a travel cot, and it comes with a handy storage bag.
A bedside cot can be tricky to move around the home however our Parents Testers found the Shnuggle Air beside crib really easy to maneuver. It is one of the lighter options that can be tucked away in its own travel bag.
The SnuzPod is another highly rated bedside cot wooden cot that's easy to set up and take down, with plenty of features for an enjoyable 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 also has a soft rocking function and an incline setting for reflux, and is lightweight enough to be used as a travel cot when you're out and about. It's a little more expensive than other bedside cots however our Parents Testers believe it's worth the extra cost.