How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk
Official safety sleeping guidelines from both NHS and Lullaby Trust recommends that newborns sleep in their own crib or Moses basket. A bedside crib is practical and space-saving for parents who live in a room together.
Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper as it's large and spacious, with plenty of room for baby to grow and wriggle and far more substantial than the size of a Moses basket. It is also easy to put together and comes with a carry bag.
What is a bedside cot?
Bedside cots (also known as bassinets, side sleepers, or co-sleepers) are an effective and safe method for your baby to be close to you in the early months. These cribs are attached to your bed and allow you to raise your baby towards you for night feeding or comforting without the danger of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome as a result of traditional bed sharing. These cribs are also great for mothers who are nursing or recovering from a cesarean section.
These cots are often smaller than standard cots but they provide plenty of space for your baby to sleep. You can choose from a variety of designs and features based on your preferences. Many cribs with a bedside feature an adjustable or drop-down side to make it easier to reach your baby during feeding time at night. They are also available in various heights based on the size of your bed.
Some bedside cribs come with an riser that permits you to add a slight incline to the sleep space which could help with reflux. It also has the ability to zip off the sides for easy cleaning. Some cribs feature manual rocking options that can provide a relaxing distraction for your baby. You'll also require a breathable mattress to match your new crib. It should be a minimum of 30cm in depth to ensure that your baby has enough head space.
A bedside crib is a major investment, but you can be certain that your baby will have a secure and comfortable sleep. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams, and Gigi hadid are all fans of SNOO's crib for babies. It is definitely worth a look as an alternative to the Moses basket.
Safety
Official safe sleeping guidelines from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that newborn babies should sleep in the same room as you for the first six months, but not in your bed to reduce the risk of suffocation, and to lower the chance of sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib lets you keep your baby close to you so that you can calm them down and even feed them at night without leaving your bed. It is an excellent option if you are recovering from an operation or C-section and have limited mobility.
Our top pick for a bedside cot, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 bedside crib for travel is compact and folds down in a matter of seconds to fit into its own travel bag which makes it perfect for trips to the beach and nights away from home. It's one of the tiniest bedside cots and has an extremely comfortable mattress, air-flow panels and an tilt setting, and it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket.
amazon bedside cot is another great bedside crib option. It was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It comes with an integrated storage unit and changing mat, is light (only 10kg) and comes with an adjustable side for easy access.
Style
A crib for your bed can be a lifesaver for many moms, particularly those recovering from C-sections. You can easily reach your baby without getting out of bed. This lets you soothe and feed your infant at night. They're also a great choice for breastfeeding mothers as their close proximity will help boost their milk supply.
These bassinets are not only convenient but also stylish. This is why they're so popular. They're usually more spacious than Moses baskets and come in a variety of different styles, with some even having extra features like a gentle reflux incline setting. They are designed to fit close to your bed and can be moved around the house as your baby grows. Some are portable so they're great for parents who travel.
When selecting a cot for your bedside it is important to select a model with drop sides that are easy to use. This allows you to lower your baby into the bassinet without lifting 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.
Some models also have a translucent side, which allows you to always see your baby. This is especially helpful in the case of 3am feeds that are bleary-eyed when just a glance can make all the difference. As noted by Emily, our MFM home test participant Sleepiest BassiNest is an excellent choice. It is simple to lower.
Budget
If you're not ready to move to a larger cot the bedside crib could be an ideal solution. This bassinet-style crib attaches to your bed so that you can easily reach your baby for night feeds or comfort your child without causing disturbance. It's a great option 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 this popular crib from Chicco which was awarded the 2021 Mother&Baby Award for Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. It's spacious and breathable and comes with six height options to accommodate growing babies and a gentle reflux setting for incline. It can be used as a travel crib and comes with a handy storage case.
It can be difficult to move a bedside cot around the house however our Parent Testers said that the Shnuggle Air alongside the cot was easy to move. It's one of the lighter options that can be put in its own travel bag.
The SnuzPod bedside cot is a highly rated item that's easy to fold and assemble with plenty of features for the perfect night's rest. It comes with a removable, lift-off bassinet that fits more beds than other cots. The fabric is breathable and can help to regulate your baby's temperature. It also has a soft rocking function, as well as an incline setting to help with reflux, and is lightweight enough to be used as a travel cot while you're on the move. It's more expensive than other bedside cribs but Parents Testers believe it's worth the extra expense.