How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk
Official guidelines for safe sleep from both NHS and Lullaby Trust recommends that newborns sleep in their own cot or Moses basket. A crib for bed is a practical and space-saving option for parents who share a room.
Mumsnetters love the co-sleeper as it is spacious, with plenty of room for baby's to grow and play. It is also much larger than the Moses Basket. It's also simple to put together, and comes with a bag for carrying.
What is a bedside crib?
Bedside cribs (also called side sleepers, bassinets or co-sleepers) are an ideal and safe way for your baby to sleep near you during the early months. These cribs are attached to your bed and allow you to lift your baby out towards you for night feeding or comforting without the danger of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome as a result of traditional bed sharing. These cribs are also great for mums who are nursing or recovering from a Cesarean Section.
They are usually a little smaller than a standard cot but they provide plenty of room for your baby to sleep. You can choose from a wide range of styles and features, depending on what you prefer. A majority of cribs for bedside use an adjustable or drop down side that allows you to reach your baby for night feeds and are available in a variety of heights to suit the size of your bed.
Some cribs with a bedside have a riser which allows you to build an incline to the sleeping area. This can aid in reducing reflux. They also come with the option of a zip-off side for easy cleaning. Some have manual rocking features which can be a soothing distraction for your infant. You'll require a mattress that's comfortable to be used with your crib. It should be at least 30cm in depth to allow your baby plenty of headroom.
A bedside cot is an investment, but you can be sure your baby will have a peaceful and safe night's sleep. With stars like Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all being fans of the SNOO bedside crib, it's definitely worth looking into this elegant 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 during 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 crib that is placed near your bed is an excellent option that allows your child to remain close enough to you to feed them at night and help them return to sleep without having to get out of your own bed. It is 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 travel cot bedside Crib is our top pick for a bedside crib. It's compact and folds down flat to fit in its transport bag and is perfect for nights out on the town or away from home. It's one the lightest options for a bedside cot. It comes with a comfy deep 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 Moses Basket or Cot Crib.
Another fantastic bedside cot is the Chicco Next2me Magic bedside crib that won Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It comes with built-in storage and a changing mat, is lightweight (only 10kg) and features an adjustable side for easy access.
Style
For a lot of moms, especially those recovering from C-sections, a bedside crib can prove to be a blessing in disguise. You can easily reach your baby without having to get out of bed. This lets you comfort and feed your infant at night. They're also a great option for breastfeeding mothers as the close proximity can help boost the amount of milk they produce.
These bassinets are not only functional, but also fashionable. This is the reason they're so sought-after. They're often a bit bigger than Moses baskets and come in lots of different styles, with some featuring extra features, like a soft tilting of the reflux. They're designed to sit right next to your bed and can be moved around the house as your baby grows. Some are portable so they're ideal for parents who travel.
When selecting a cot for your bedside it is important to look for designs that have easy-to-use drop sides. This allows you to lower your child into the bassinet, without having to lift them up into your arms. This can be difficult for mothers who have limited mobility. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one such model that has been highly praised and was shortlisted by Mumsnetters in the category of the Best Cot or Crib Moses Basket for our 2021 Mother and Baby Awards.
Some models also have a translucent side, which allows you to be able to always view your baby. This is particularly useful during bleary-eyed 3am feeds, when one glance could make all the difference. One such option is the Sleepiest BassiNest which is simple to lower, as noted by our MFM home tester Emily.
Budget
A bedside crib is a fantastic alternative if you're not ready to move to a larger crib. The crib is attached to your bed so that you can reach your baby easily to feed them at night or even comfort your child without causing disturbance. It's also a great choice for those with restricted movement following a C-section and is a favorite option for celeb moms like Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.
small bedside cot loved the new model of this well-loved crib from Chicco that won the 2021 Mother&Baby Award for Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. It's afclimatizing and spacious and comes with six height options to accommodate growing babies as well as a gentle setting for incline. You can also use it as a travel cot. Additionally, it comes with a handy storage bag.
It can be difficult to move a bedside cot around your home however our Parent Testers said that the Shnuggle Air alongside the cot was easy to move. It is one of the lighter options and can be packed into its own travel bag.
The SnuzPod is another highly-rated bedside cot that is easy to assemble and fold away and packed with features to ensure the best night's rest. It has a removable, adjustable bassinet that lifts off, which can fit more beds than other cots. The fabric is breathable, and helps to regulate your baby's temperature. It also has a gentle rocking function and an incline option for reflux, and is lightweight enough to be used as a travel cot if you're on the move. It's more expensive than other bedside cribs however, Parent Testers believe it's worth the extra cost.