How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk
Both the NHS and the Lullaby Trust have issued official safe sleeping guidelines, which advise that babies sleep in their own Moses basket or cot. A crib that is placed near the bed can be a space-saving and practical option for parents who live in a room together.
Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper because it's big enough with plenty of room for baby to grow and wriggle and more spacious than a Moses basket. It's also easy to put together and comes with a bag for travel.
What is a bedside cot?
Bedside cots (also known as bassinets, side sleepers or co-sleepers) are an ideal and safe way for your baby to be close to you during their early months. These cribs attach to your bed and let you bring your baby closer to you at night for feeding or comforting without the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome that is a result of traditional bed-sharing. These cribs are also ideal for mums who are breastfeeding or recovering from a Cesarean Section.
They are usually a little smaller than a standard cot but they provide plenty of space for your baby to relax. You can pick from a variety of styles and features, according to what you prefer. A lot of cribs with a bedside feature an adjustable or drop down side that makes it easier to reach your baby's evening feeds. They are also available in different sizes to fit the dimensions of your bed.
Some cribs with a bedside have an adjustable riser that allows you to build an incline in the sleeping area. This can aid in reducing reflux. They also come with a zip off side for easy cleaning. Some cribs come with manual rocking options that can be a soothing distractor for your infant. You'll also require a comfortable mattress to match your new crib. It must be at least 30cm in depth to ensure that your newborn has sufficient head room.
You can rest assured that your baby will be safe and secure in a cot that is positioned at the bedside. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams, and Gigi Hadid are all big fans of SNOO's bedside crib. It is definitely worth considering as an alternative to a Moses basket.
Safety
Official safe sleeping guidelines from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that babies born today should sleep in the same room as you for their first six months but not in your bed to reduce the risk of suffocation, and to decrease the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. A crib that is placed near your bed allows you to keep your baby close to comfort them and night feed them without leaving your bed. This is an excellent option if you are recovering from an operation or a C-section, and have limited mobility.
Our top choice for a bedside cot, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 bedside crib for travel is compact and folds flat in seconds to fit into its own bag for travel, making it ideal for travel 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 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. It was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It comes with an integrated storage unit and changing mat, is lightweight (only 10kg), and has an adjustable side that allows for easy access.
wooden bedside cot is a godsend for many mothers, particularly those recovering from C-sections. They are attached to your bed so that you can reach your baby easily without having to get up in order to feed them and soothe them quickly. They are also a great choice for breastfeeding mothers as close proximity can boost the amount of milk they produce.
As well as being incredibly convenient, these bassinets are stylish too and that's why they're so popular. Some are bigger than Moses Baskets and some even have additional features like a gentle reflux upward slope. They're designed to fit right next to your bed and can be moved around the house as baby grows. Some are portable, so they're great for travelling parents.
It is important to choose a bedside cot that has easy-to-use drop-sides. This lets you lower your child into the bassinet, without having to lift them up into your arms. This can be a challenge for mothers with mobility issues. 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.
Another useful feature that a few models have is a transparent side that allows you to observe your baby at all times. This is particularly useful when you are tired and sleepy, when one glance could make all the difference. As mentioned by Emily who is our MFM home tester Sleepiest BassiNest is a great option. It is easy to lower.
Budget
A bedside crib is a fantastic option if you are not ready to upgrade to a bigger crib. This bassinet-style crib attaches to your bed, ensuring that you can reach your baby easily for feedings at night or cuddle them without disturbing yourself. It's an excellent choice for those who have limited movement following an operation such as a C-section. Famous moms such as Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen it.
Our Parent Testers loved the new version of this well-loved crib from Chicco, which won the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. It's spacious comfortable, breathable, and comes with six different height settings suitable for growing babies. There is also a soft reflux setting. You can also use it as a travel cot. Additionally, it comes with a handy storage bag.
A bedside crib can be difficult to move around your home however our Parent Testers found the Shnuggle Air near the crib to be easy to move around. It's among the lightest alternatives and is small enough to fit into its own travel bag, so you can take it along with you on your trip.
The SnuzPod is a different highly rated bedside cot that's simple to put together and fold away and comes with a variety of features for a good night's sleep. It has a removable adjustable bassinet that lifts off, which can fit more beds than other cots. The fabric is breathable, and helps to regulate your baby's temperature. It has a gentle rocking feature and an incline to help with reflux. It's also light enough to use as a travel crib when you're on the move. It's a bit more expensive than other cribs for bed but Parents Testers believe it's worth the extra expense.