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 bedside crib is practical and space-saving for parents who share a room.
Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper as it's large and spacious, with plenty of room for babies to grow and play and is more spacious than a Moses basket. bedside cot co sleeper is also easy to put together, and comes with a carry bag.
What is a bedside cot?
Bedside cots (also known as side sleepers, bassinets or co-sleepers) are an effective and safe method for your baby to sleep with you in the first few months. These cribs are attached to your bed and let you lift your child in your arms for night-feeding or comforting. They're also a great choice for breastfeeding mothers or mothers recovering from a caesarean.
They're typically smaller than a regular cot or cotbed, yet offer plenty of space for your baby to sleep. You can choose from a variety of designs and features according to what your preference is. A lot of cribs with a bedside feature an adjustable or drop down side that allows you to reach your baby for night feeds and are also available in various heights to accommodate the size of your bed.
Some cribs for bedside use a riser that allows you to add a slight rise to the sleeping space that could help with reflux. It also has a zip-off side for easy cleaning. Some cribs feature manual rocking options which can provide a soothing distraction to your newborn. You'll also need a breathable mattress to go with your new crib. It should be a minimum of 30cm deep to ensure that your newborn has sufficient head room.
A bedside crib is an investment but you can rest assured that your newborn will get 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 considering as an alternative to a Moses basket.
Safety
The Lullaby Trust, in conjunction with the NHS has issued official guidelines for safe sleep that recommend that newborns stay in the same bedroom as their parents for the first six months. However they shouldn't sleep in your bed. This is to lower 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 to help comfort them and feed them at night without having to leave your bed. This is an excellent option if you are recovering from an operation or C-section and are unable to move.
Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3 in 1 travel cot bedside crib is our top choice for a crib to sleep in. It's compact and folds flat to fit into its travel bag, making it perfect for holidays or nights away from home. It's among the lightest bedside cot options and has an extremely comfortable mattress that has mesh air-flow panels, an optional tilt setting, and it was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another great bedside crib option. It won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It comes with a built-in changing mat and storage solutions and weighs only 10kg. It is light at 10kg, and comes with an adjustable side that slides down for easy access.
Style
A bedside crib is a blessing for many mothers, particularly those recovering from C-sections. You can easily reach your baby without getting out of your bed. This allows you to comfort and feed your baby at night. The close proximity to the baby can also help increase milk production for mothers who are breastfeeding.
Bassinets aren't just practical, but also stylish. This is why they are so popular. They are larger than Moses Baskets and some even have additional features like a gentle reflux upward slope. Designed to fit by your bed, they can be moved around your home when baby gets older and some are able to be taken with you on the go which makes them ideal for parents who are new to traveling.
It is essential to select a bedside cot that has easy-to-use drop-sides. These allow you to lower your baby's bassinet without lifting them into your arms, which is difficult for moms with mobility issues. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one such model that has been praised and shortlisted by Mumsnetters in the category of the best Cot or Crib Moses Basket for our 2021 Mother and Baby Awards.
Some models also have a transparent side, which allows you to be able to always view your baby. This is particularly useful during bleary-eyed 3am feeds when a quick glance can make all the difference. As was noted by Emily who is our MFM home tester the Sleepiest BassiNest an excellent choice. It's easy to lower.
Budget
If you're not quite ready to move to a larger cot, an infant crib on your bed could be a great option. The crib is attached to your bed, so you can easily reach your baby for night feeds or comfort them without disturbing yourself. It's also a great option for those with restricted movement after the birth, and is a popular option for celeb moms like Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.
Our Parents Testers loved this latest version of the bestselling Chicco crib, which won 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot or Crib. It's large 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, and it comes with an excellent storage bag.
It can be a challenge to move an upholstered bedside cot throughout the home, but our Parent Testers said that the Shnuggle Air next to the cot was easy to move. It is among the lighter options that can be tucked away in its own travel bag.
The SnuzPod is another highly-rated bedside cot that's simple to put together and fold away and packed with features to ensure the best night's rest. 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 as well as an incline to aid in reflux. It is also lightweight enough to use as a crib for travel when you're on the move. It's a little more expensive than other bedside cots however our Parents Testers believe it's worth the extra money.