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 for bed is an effective and space-saving solution for parents who share a room.
Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper as it's spacious with lots of room for baby to grow and play, and more spacious than a Moses basket. It's also simple to put together and comes with a carry-on bag.
What is a bedside crib?
Bedside cribs (also known as bassinets, side sleepers or co-sleepers) are a safe and convenient way for your baby to sleep near you during their early months. These cribs are attached to your bed and let you lift your child towards you to feed them at night or for comforting. These cribs are also ideal for mothers who are nursing or recovering from a cesarean.
They're often slightly smaller than a regular cot, but they provide ample space for your baby to lay down. You can choose between various styles and features depending on your preferences. A lot of cribs with a bedside feature a drop down or removable side, which makes it easier to reach your baby for evening feeds. They are also available in various heights to suit the size of your bed.
Some cribs for bedside use an adjustable riser that allows you to create an incline to the sleeping area. This can help with reflux. They also come with the option of a zip-off side for easy cleaning. Some cribs come with manual rocking options that can provide a relaxing distraction to your newborn. You'll also require a breathable mattress to go with your new crib, which should be a minimum of 30cm in depth to ensure that your newborn has enough headroom.
You can be confident that your baby will be safe and comfortable in a cot that is positioned at the bedside. With stars like Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all fans of the SNOO bedside crib, it's worth considering this stylish alternative to moses basket.
Safety
Official guidelines for safe sleep from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that newborn babies should be placed in the same bed as you during the first six months, but not in your bed to lower the chance of suffocation and to lower the chance of sudden infant death syndrome. A crib that is placed near your bed allows you to keep your baby close to you to help soothe them to sleep and feed them at night without leaving your bed. It's also a great option when you are unable to move after an operation or recovering from C-section.
Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3 in 1 travel cot bedside Crib is our top choice for a bedside crib. It's compact and folds flat to fit into its travel bag, making it perfect for nights out on the town or away from home. It's the lightest option for a bedside cot and has a soft, comfortable foam mattress with mesh panels that allow air to flow. It also has an option for incline. Plus, it won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot Crib or Moses basket.
Another fab bedside cot option is the Chicco Next2me Magic bedside crib that was awarded Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It comes with built-in storage and a changing mat, is light (only 10kg) and features an adjustable side that makes it easy to access.
Style
A bedside crib is a godsend for many mums, especially those who are recovering from C-sections. They can be attached to your bed so that you can reach your baby easily without having to get out of bed, allowing you to night feed them and comfort them quickly. bedside co sleeper cot are also a great choice for breastfeeding mothers since their close proximity will help boost the amount of milk they produce.
Bassinets aren't just convenient but also fashionable. This is the reason they are so popular. They're usually more spacious than Moses baskets and come in lots of different styles, with some having additional features such as a gentle tilting of the reflux. They are designed to fit close to your bed and can be moved around the home as baby grows. Some are portable, which means they're great for travelling parents.
It is important to choose a bedside cot with drop-sides that are easy to use. This lets you lower your baby into the bassinet without having to lift them up into your arms. This can be a hassle for mothers with mobility issues. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one of these models that has been highly praised and was shortlisted by Mumsnetters in the category of the Best Cot or Crib or Moses Basket for our 2021 Mother and Baby Awards.
Another great feature that certain models have is a transparent side that allows you to be able to see your baby at all times. This is especially helpful when you are tired and sleepy where just a glance can make all the difference. One such option is the Sleepiest BassiNest, which is easy to lower as outlined by our MFM home tester Emily.
Budget
A bedside crib is a fantastic option if you are not ready to upgrade to a full-sized crib. This bassinet-style cot attaches to the side of your bed so you can easily reach your baby for feedings at night and soothe them without disrupting your sleep. It's also a great choice for those who suffer from restricted movement after an operation and is a popular choice with celeb mums including Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.
Our Parent Testers loved this new version of the popular Chicco crib, which took home the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot or Crib. It's afclimatizing and spacious and comes with six height settings to accommodate growing babies as well as a gentle incline setting. It can be used as a crib for travel and comes with a handy storage case.
A bedside crib can be difficult to move around the home however our Parents Testers found the Shnuggle Air on the side of the crib easy to move around. It's one of the lighter options that can be tucked away in its own travel bag.
The SnuzPod bedside cot is a highly rated product that's easy to put together and fold away and comes with a variety of features to ensure a restful night's sleep. It has a removable lift-off bassinet that fits more beds than any other cot and its breathable fabric helps your baby regulate their temperature. It also features a soft rocking function and an incline setting for reflux, and is light enough to be used as a travel cot if you're on the move. It's a bit more expensive than other bedside cots, but our Parent Testers say it's well worth the extra cash.