How to Choose the Best bedside crib travel Cot uk
Both the NHS and the Lullaby Trust have issued official safe sleeping guidelines that advise that babies sleep in their own Moses basket or cot. A crib for bed is a practical and space-saving option for room-sharing new parents.
Mumsnetters love the co-sleeper because it's spacious, with plenty of room for babies to grow and wiggle. It's also larger than a Moses Basket. It's also easy to assemble and comes with a travel bag.
What is a bedside cot?
A bedside cot (also called a bassinet, side-sleeper or co-sleeper) is a safe method for your baby to sleep near you during their first months. These cribs are attached to your bed and let you lift your child to you to feed them at night or even comfort them. These cribs are also great for mums who are nursing or recovering from a Cesarean Section.
They are usually smaller than standard cots however, they still provide plenty of space for your baby to rest. You can pick from various styles and features depending on your preferences. Many cribs with a bedside feature a removable or drop-down side that makes it easier to reach the baby at night for feedings. They also come in various heights based on the size of your bed.
Some bedside cribs have an adjustable riser that allows you to build an angle to the sleeping area. This can be helpful with reflux. They also have a zip off side for easy cleaning. Other cribs have manual rocking functions that can provide a relaxing distraction for your baby. You'll need a mattress that is air-conditioned to match your crib. It should be at least 30cm thick to give your baby enough headroom.
A bedside crib is an investment but you can rest assured that your newborn will get a peaceful and safe night's sleep. With stars like Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all awed by the SNOO bedside crib, it's worth looking into this elegant alternative to 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 decrease the risk of suffocation, or sudden infant death syndrome. A crib that is placed near your bed is a great option that lets your baby remain close enough to you to feed them during the night and comfort them back to sleep without having to leave your own bed. It's also ideal when you are unable to move after an operation or recovering from an operation such as a C-section.
Our top choice for a bedside cot used cot, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 travel cot bedside crib is small and folds flat in a matter of seconds to fit into its own bag for travel, which makes it perfect for trips to the beach and nights away from home. It's among the lightest options for a bedside cot. It has a soft, comfortable foam mattress with mesh panels that allow air to flow. It also has 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, is lightweight at 10kg, and features an adjustable side that slides down to make it easy to access.
Style
A bedside crib is a blessing for many mothers, particularly those recovering from C-sections. You can easily reach your baby without having to get out of the bed. This lets you provide comfort and food to your infant at night. They are also a great option for breastfeeding mothers since their close proximity will help increase their milk supply.
Alongside being incredibly useful, bassinets can also look attractive too and that's why they're so popular. They're often a bit more spacious than Moses baskets and are available in many different styles, with some having additional features such as a gentle tilting of the reflux. They're designed to fit next to your bed and can be moved around the house as your baby grows. Some are portable, so they're ideal for parents who travel.
When you are choosing a bedside cot, it's important to choose a model with drop sides that are easy to use. These let you lower your infant into the bassinet without needing to lift them into your arms, which can be difficult for mothers with mobility issues. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one of the models that has been praised and shortlisted by Mumsnetters in the category of the best bedside cots Cot or Crib, or Moses Basket for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.
Another useful feature that a few models have is a transparent side that allows you to see your baby at all times. This is particularly useful when you are groggy at 3am and need to feed your child. A quick glance can make a big difference. One of these options is the Sleepiest BassiNest which is simple to lower, as noted by our MFM home tester Emily.
Budget
A bedside crib is a great alternative if you're not ready to move to a larger crib. This bassinet-style cot attaches to the side of your bed so that you can easily reach your baby's night feeds and comfort them without disturbing your own sleep. It's also a great option for those who suffer from restricted movement following an operation and is a popular choice with celeb mums including Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.
Our Parents Testers loved this new version of the bestselling Chicco crib, which took home the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot or Crib. It's large and breathable, and has six height settings to accommodate growing babies and a gentle reflux incline setting. It can be used as a crib for travel and comes with a storage case that is convenient for storage.
It can be difficult to move a bedside cot around your house However, our Parents Testers stated that the Shnuggle Air beside cot was very easy to maneuver. It's one of the lightest options and can be put in its own travel bag.
The SnuzPod is another highly rated bedside cot that is easy to set up and take down, with plenty of features for the best night's rest. It has a removable, lift-off bassinet that fits more beds than other cots. The fabric is breathable and can help regulate your baby's temperature. It also features a soft rocking function, as well as an incline setting for reflux, and it's light enough to be used as a travel cot if you're out and about. It's more expensive than other bedside cots, but our Parents Testers believe it's worth the extra cash.