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 cot or Moses basket. A bedside crib is a space-saving and practical option for parents who share a room.
Mumsnetters adore the co-sleeper because it's spacious, with plenty of room for baby's to grow and wriggle. It's also larger than the Moses Basket. It is also easy to put together, and comes with a carry bag.
What is a bedside crib?
A bedside cot (also known as a bassinet, side-sleeper or co-sleeper) is a safe way for your newborn to sleep close to you overnight during the first few months of their life. These cribs are attached to your bed and let you lift your baby out towards you to feed them at night or for comforting without the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome associated with traditional bed-sharing. They're also a great choice for mothers who are breastfeeding or recovering from a Caesarean section.
They are usually a little smaller than a standard cot, but still offer plenty of space for your baby to sleep. You can choose between a variety of styles and features depending on your preferences. A lot of cribs with a bedside feature an adjustable or drop down side that makes it easier to reach your baby for feeding at night. They are available in a variety of heights to accommodate the size of your bed.
Some bedside cribs come with a riser that allows you to add a slight slope to the sleep space which can help with reflux and an easy zip-off side for cleaning. Others have manual rocking functions which can be a relaxing distraction for your baby. You'll need a mattress that is air-conditioned to match your crib. It should be at least 30cm thick to allow your baby plenty of headroom.
A bedside crib is a major investment, but you can rest assured that your baby will have a peaceful and safe night's sleep. With stars like Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all fans of the SNOO bedside crib, it's worth looking into this elegant alternative to moses basket.
Safety
Official safe sleeping guidelines from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that newborn babies should be placed in the same bed as you for the first six months but not in your bed to lower the risk of suffocation, and to lower the chance of sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib allows you to keep your baby close to you to help comfort them and night feed them without having to leave your bed. It's also a great option if you are recovering from an operation or 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 small and folds flat to fit into its transport bag and is perfect for holidays or nights away from home. It's among the lightest bedside cots available and comes with a a comfy deep foam mattress that has mesh air-flow panels and an tilt setting, and it was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket.
Another great bedside cot is the Chicco Next2me Magic bedside crib that was awarded Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has a built-in storage solution and changing mat, is light (only 10kg) and features an adjustable side that makes it easy to access.
Style
A bedside crib is a blessing for many mums, especially those who are recovering from C-sections. They can be attached to your bed so that you can easily reach your baby without having to get up and letting you feed them and comfort them quickly. They are also a great option for breastfeeding mothers since close proximity can boost their milk supply.
Alongside being incredibly useful, bassinets can also look elegant, which is why they're so popular. They're usually more spacious than Moses baskets and come in a variety of different styles, with some featuring extra features, like a soft tilt to 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 parents who travel.
When choosing a bedside cot it is important to choose a model that have easy-to-use drop sides. They allow you to lower your baby's bassinet without needing to lift them into your arms, which is difficult for mothers who have limited mobility. rocking bedside crib of them is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been applauded by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted in our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category.
Some models also have a transparent side, allowing you to always see your baby. This is especially useful in the case of 3am feeds that are bleary-eyed when a quick glance can make all the difference. As noted by Emily our MFM home tester the Sleepiest BassiNest a great option. It's easy to lower.
Budget
A bedside crib is a great option if you're not yet ready to upgrade to a full-sized crib. This bassinet-style crib attaches to your bed so that you can reach your baby easily to feed them at night or even comfort them without disturbing yourself. It's a great option for those who are unable to move following a C-section. Celebrity moms such as Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen this model.
Our Parent Testers loved this latest version of the bestselling Chicco crib, which took home the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards as the Best Cot or Crib. It's afclimatizing and spacious and comes with six height settings to accommodate babies who are growing, as well as a gentle setting for incline. It can also be used as a travel cot and it comes with an excellent storage bag.
It can be difficult to move an upholstered bedside cot throughout the home However, our Parent Testers reported that the Shnuggle Air next to the cot was easy to move. It's one of the lighter options that can be packed into its own travel bag.
The SnuzPod bedside cot is a highly rated product that's easy to assemble and fold, with many features for the perfect night's rest. It has a removable, lift-off bassinet that fits more beds than other cots. The fabric is breathable and helps to regulate your baby's temperature. It features a soft rocking feature and an incline for reflux. It's also light enough to use as a crib for travel when you are traveling. It's more expensive than other bedside cribs however, Parent Testers are of the opinion that it is worth the extra expense.