How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk
Both the NHS and 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 share a room.
Mumsnetters adore this co-sleeper since it's spacious with lots of room for babies to grow and wriggle and much bigger than a Moses basket. It's also easy to put together and comes with a bag for carrying.
What is a bedside crib?
A bedside cot (also known as a bassinet, side sleeper or co-sleeper) is a secure way for your newborn to sleep close to you overnight during the first few months of their life. These cribs fix to your bed and allow you to raise your baby towards you for night feeding or comforting without the threat of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome as a result of traditional bed sharing. These cribs are also ideal for mothers who are nursing or recovering from a cesarean.
They're usually a little smaller than a standard cot, but offer plenty of space for your baby to rest. You can pick from a variety of designs and features according to what you like best. A lot of cribs for bedside use an adjustable or drop-down side, which makes it easier to reach the baby at night for feedings. They are also available in various heights based on your bed size.
bedside rocking crib with a bedside have an riser that permits you to add a slight rise to the sleeping space that can help with reflux and an easy zip-off side for cleaning. Others have manual rocking functions which can be a soothing distraction for your infant. You'll also need a breathable mattress for your new crib. It should be a minimum of 30cm deep to ensure that your baby has enough head space.
A bedside crib is an investment but you can be sure your baby will be peaceful and safe night's sleep. With the likes of Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all being fans of the SNOO bedside crib, it's worth considering this stylish alternative to moses basket.
Safety
Official safe sleeping guidance from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that newborns be in the same room as you for the first six months, but not in your bed to lower the risk of suffocation and to reduce the chance of sudden infant death syndrome. A crib that is placed near your bed is a fantastic option that lets your baby safely be close enough for you to feed them during the night and help them return to sleep without having to get out of your bed. It's also a great option if you are recovering from an operation or a C-section and have limited mobility.
Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3 in 1 bedside cot travel cot is our top pick for a bedside crib. It's compact and folds down flat to fit into a travel bag, making it perfect for holidays or nights away from home. It's among the lightest bedside cot options and has a comfy deep foam mattress with mesh air-flow panels and an tilt setting, and it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the Best Crib, Cot, or Moses Basket.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another fantastic bedside crib. It was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has a built-in changing mat and storage solutions and weighs only 10kg. It is light at 10kg, and comes with an adjustable side that can be lowered down to make it easy to access.
Style
A crib for your bed can be a lifesaver for many mums, especially those who are recovering from C-sections. You can easily reach your baby without having to get out of your bed. This allows you to provide comfort and food to your baby at night. They're an excellent choice for mothers who are breastfeeding as close proximity can boost the amount of milk they produce.
As well as being incredibly convenient, these bassinets are attractive too, which is why they're so popular. They're typically bigger than Moses baskets and come in lots of different styles, with some having additional features like a gentle reflux incline setting. Designed to fit by your bed, they can usually be moved around the house when the baby grows older. Additionally, some can be carried with you on the go, making them great for new parents travelling.
It is essential to select an cot with bedside that has easy-to-use drop-sides. This lets you lower your child into the bassinet, without lifting them up into your arms. This can be difficult for mothers with mobility issues. One such model is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been applauded by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted in our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot Moses, Crib or Basket category.
Some models also come with a transparent side, allowing you to see your baby. This is especially useful during bleary-eyed 3am feeds where one glance could make all the difference. As noted by Emily, our MFM home tester the Sleepiest BassiNest an excellent choice. It is easy to lower.
Budget
If you're still not ready to make the leap to a larger cot a bedside crib may be the perfect solution. The bassinet-style crib can be attached to your bed so that you can reach your baby easily to feed them at night or even comfort them without causing any disturbance to yourself. It's an excellent choice for those with restricted movement following an operation such as a C-section. Celeb mums such as Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen it.
wooden bedside cot loved the new version of this popular crib from Chicco that won the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. It's afclimatizing and spacious and has six height settings to accommodate growing babies as well as a gentle incline setting. It can also be used as a travel cot, and it comes with an excellent storage bag.
A bedside cot can be a little difficult to move around your home, but our Parent Testers found the Shnuggle Air near the crib to be simple to move. It's among the lightest options and compact enough to fit into its own travel bag, so you can take it along with you on your trip.
The SnuzPod is another highly-rated bedside cot that's simple to set up and take down and comes with a variety of features for a good night's sleep. It comes with a removable, lift-off bassinet which fits 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 aid in reflux. It is also lightweight enough to use as a crib for travel when you are on the move. It's more expensive than other cots for bed, but our Parents Testers believe it's worth the extra money.