How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk
Both the NHS and Lullaby Trust have issued official safe sleeping guidelines that recommend that newborns sleep only in their own Moses basket or cot. A crib for bed is an efficient and space-saving choice for parents who live together.
Mumsnetters love the co-sleeper as it's big and has plenty of room for babies to grow and wiggle. It's also larger than the Moses Basket. It's also easy to assemble and comes with a carry-on bag.
What is a bedside cot?
A bedside cot (also called a bassinet, side-sleeper or co-sleeper) is a safe method for your baby to rest close to you overnight during their first few months. These cribs attach to your bed and let you lift your child in your arms to feed them at night or for comforting. These cribs are also great for mums who are nursing or recovering from a cesarean section.
They're usually a little smaller than a standard cot or cotbed, yet they provide ample space for your baby to sleep. You can choose from a wide range of designs and features depending on what you prefer. Many cribs with a bedside feature the option of removing or dropping down the side to make it easier to reach your baby during feeding time at night. They also come in various heights based on your bed size.
Some cribs for bedside use a riser which allows you to build an incline in the sleeping area. This can help with reflux. They also come with the option of a zip-off side for easy cleaning. Some cribs have manual rocking features that can provide a relaxing distraction to your newborn. You'll need a mattress that is comfortable to be used with your crib. It should be at least 30cm thick to give your baby enough headroom.
A bedside crib is a major investment, but you can be sure your newborn will get a peaceful and safe night's sleep. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams, and Gigi Hadid are all avid users of SNOO's crib for babies. It is definitely worth a look as an alternative to a Moses basket.
Safety
Official safe sleeping guidelines from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that babies born today should be placed in the same bed as you for their first six months but not in your bed, to decrease the risk of suffocation and to reduce the chance of sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib is a fantastic option that allows your child to remain close enough to you to feed them during the night and comfort them back to sleep without having to leave your bed. It's also ideal when you are unable to move after an operation or are recovering from an operation such as a C-section.
Our top choice for a bedside cot the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 bedside crib that travels cots is compact and folds down in a matter of seconds to fit into its own travel bag which makes it perfect for trips to the beach and nights away from home. It's among the lightest bedside cots available and comes with a the most comfortable deep foam mattress with mesh air-flow panels, an optional tilt setting, and it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Crib, Cot or Moses Basket.
Another great bedside cot is the Chicco Next2me Magic bedside crib which was awarded Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. bedside baby bed comes with a built-in changing mat and storage solutions, is lightweight at 10kg, and features an adjustable side that drops down for easy access.
Style
For many mums, particularly those who have had a C-section A crib that is placed near the bed can be a blessing in disguise. You can easily reach your baby without getting out of the bed. This allows you to soothe and feed your infant during the night. The close proximity to your baby can also help increase the production of milk for mothers who breastfeed.
They are not just functional, but also stylish. This is the reason they are so popular. They're typically larger than Moses baskets and come in lots of different styles, with some having additional features, like a soft tilting of the reflux. They're designed to sit next to your bed and can be moved around the house as baby grows. Some are portable, so they're great for travelling parents.
When selecting a cot for your bedside it is important to select a model with drop sides that are easy to use. This allows you to lower your infant into the bassinet without having to lift them up into your arms. This can be a hassle for mothers who have limited mobility. One of these models is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been highly praised by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted in our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards' Best Cot Crib, Moses or Crib Basket category.
Some models also have a transparent side, allowing you to see your baby. This is especially useful when you're exhausted at 3am and you need to feed your child. A quick glance could make a big difference. One of these options is the Sleepiest BassiNest which is easy to lower, as outlined by our MFM home tester Emily.
Budget
A bedside crib is a fantastic alternative if you're not yet ready to upgrade to a full-sized crib. The bassinet-style crib can be attached to your bed so that you can reach your baby easily for night feeds or comfort them without disturbing yourself. It's also a great option for those with restricted movement following a C-section, and is a popular option for celeb moms like Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.
Our Parents Testers loved the new version of this well-loved crib from Chicco that won the 2021 Mother&Baby Award for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It's spacious and breathable and comes with six height options to accommodate babies who are growing, and a gentle reflux setting for incline. It can be used as a travel crib and comes with a convenient storage case.
It can be difficult to move a bedside cot around your home However, our Parent Testers said that the Shnuggle Air next to the cot was easy to maneuver. It's one of the smallest alternatives and is compact enough to fit into its own travel bag which means you can carry it with you when you travel.
The SnuzPod bedside cot is another highly rated product that's simple to assemble and fold, with many features for a restful night's sleep. It has a removable, adjustable bassinet that lifts off, which can fit more beds than other cots. The fabric is breathable and helps keep your baby's temperature in check. It also has a gentle rocking function, as well as an incline option for reflux, and is light enough to be used as a travel cot while you're out and about. It's a bit more expensive than other bedside cribs, but Parent Testers are of the opinion that it is worth the extra expense.