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 bedside crib can be a space-saving and practical option for parents who share a room.
Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper because it's large and spacious, with plenty of room for baby to grow and play, and far more substantial than a Moses basket. It's also easy to put together and comes with a travel bag.
What is a bedside crib?
Bedside cribs (also known as bassinets, side sleepers or co-sleepers) are an ideal and safe way for your baby to sleep near you during their early months. These cribs attach to your bed, allowing you to lift your child towards you to feed them at night or for comforting. These cribs are also ideal for mums who are nursing or recovering from a cesarean section.
They're often slightly smaller than a standard cot or cotbed, but provide plenty of space for your baby to lay down. You can pick from different styles and features based on your preferences. A majority of cribs for bedside use the option of a drop-down or removable side that makes it easier to reach your baby's night feeds and are also available in various heights to accommodate the size of your bed.
Some cribs for bedside use an riser that permits you to add a slight rise to the sleep space which can aid in reflux and an easy zip-off side for cleaning. Other cribs have manual rocking functions which can be a relaxing distraction for your newborn. You'll require a mattress that's air-conditioned to match your crib. It must be at least 30cm thick to allow your baby plenty of headroom.
You can be sure that your baby will be safe and comfortable in a cot that is positioned at the bedside. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams, and Gigi Hadid are all big fans of SNOO's bedside crib. It is definitely worth a look as an alternative to the Moses basket.
Safety
Official safe sleeping guidance from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that newborn babies should be in the same room as you during the first six months, but not in your bed to lower the chance of suffocation and to reduce the chance of sudden infant death syndrome. A crib for bed allows you to keep your infant close to you to help calm them down and feed them at night without having to leave your bed. It's also great when you are unable to move after an operation or are recovering from C-section.
Our top choice for a bedside crib, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 bedside crib that travels cots is small and folds flat in a matter of seconds to fit into a travel bag which makes it perfect for trips to the beach and nights away from home. It's among the lightest bedside cot options and has the most comfortable deep foam mattress, air-flow panels, and an tilting setting, and it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the Best Crib, Cot or Moses Basket.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another great bedside crib option. It won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has a built-in changing mat and storage solution 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 bedside crib is a blessing for many mothers, particularly those recovering from C-sections. They attach to your bed so that you can easily reach your baby without having to get out of bed, allowing you to night feed them and soothe them quickly. They are also a great option for breastfeeding mothers since close proximity can increase their milk supply.
They are not just convenient but also stylish. This is the reason they're so sought-after. They're often a bit more spacious than Moses baskets and come in lots of different styles, with some even having extra features such as a gentle tilting of the reflux. They are designed to fit close to your bed and can be moved around the house as your baby grows. Some are portable, which means they're great for travelling parents.
It's important to choose an cot with bedside that is easy to use drop-sides. These let you lower your baby into the bassinet without needing to lift them into your arms, which can be difficult for mothers with mobility issues. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one of the models that has been praised and 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 come with is a transparent side that allows you to be able to see your baby at all times. This is particularly useful in the case of 3am feeds that are bleary-eyed, when one glance could make all the difference. As was noted by Emily our MFM home test participant Sleepiest BassiNest is an excellent choice. It is easy to lower.
Budget
If you're still not ready to make the leap to a full-sized cot, a bedside crib may be the perfect solution. The crib is attached to your bed so that you can easily reach your baby for feedings at night or cuddle them without disturbing yourself. It's a great option for those who have limited movement following a C-section. Famous moms like Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen it.
Our Parent Testers loved this latest version of the popular Chicco crib, which was awarded the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot or Crib. It's large and breathable, and has six height settings to accommodate babies who are growing, as well as a gentle setting for the incline. It can be used as a travel crib and comes with a convenient storage case.
It can be a challenge to move a bedside cot around the home however our Parents Testers reported that the Shnuggle Air alongside the cot was simple to move. It is among the lightest options and can be tucked away in its own travel bag.
The SnuzPod bedside cot is a highly rated product that's simple to put together and fold away and comes with a variety of features to ensure an unwinding night's sleep. It has a removable bassinet that lifts off to fit more beds than any other cot and its breathable fabric helps your baby to regulate their temperature. bedside co sleeper cot has a gentle rocking feature and an incline option for reflux, and it's light enough to use as a travel cot when you're out and about. It's more expensive than other bedside cots but our Parent Testers say it's well worth the extra money.