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 crib or Moses basket. A crib for bed is an effective and space-saving solution for parents who share a room.
Mumsnetters adore this co-sleeper since it's large and spacious, with plenty of space for babies to grow and wriggle and more spacious than the size of a Moses basket. It is also easy to assemble, and comes with a carry 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 near you during their first months. These cribs can be attached to your bed and allow you to pull your child towards you to feed them at night or even comfort them. They're also a great option for breastfeeding mothers or mums recovering from a caesarean section.
bedside crib that turns into cot than a standard cot or cotbed, yet offer plenty of space for your baby to lay down. You can pick from a variety of designs and features based on your preferences. Many bedside cribs come with an adjustable or drop-down side, which makes it easier to reach the baby during feeding time at night. They are also available in different heights depending on the size of your bed.
Some bedside cribs come with a riser that allows you to add a slight incline to the sleep area 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 newborn. You'll need a mattress that is air-conditioned to match your crib. It should be at least 30cm in depth to allow your baby plenty of headroom.
You can rest assured that your child will be safe and comfortable in a cot that is positioned at the bedside. With the likes of Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all being fans of the SNOO bedside crib, it's definitely worth considering this fashionable alternative to moses basket.
Safety
Official safe sleeping guidance from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that newborns sleep in the same room 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 an excellent option that allows your child to safely be close enough for you to night feed them and comfort them back to sleep without needing to leave your bed. It is also a great option for when you are recovering from an operation or C-section and are unable to move.
Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3 in 1 travel cot bedside crib is our top choice for a crib to sleep in. It's small and folds flat to fit into its transport bag which makes it ideal for nights out on the town or away from home. It's one of the tiniest bedside cots and has the most comfortable deep foam mattress that has mesh air-flow panels, an optional 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 won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It comes with built-in storage and a changing mat, is lightweight (only 10kg) and features an adjustable side that allows for easy access.
Style
For many mums, particularly those who have had a C-section, a bedside crib could prove to be a blessing in disguise. You can easily reach your baby without getting out of the bed. This lets you comfort and feed your infant at night. Being close to the baby can also increase milk production for mothers who are breastfeeding.
They are not just convenient but also fashionable. This is the reason they are so popular. Some are more spacious than Moses Baskets, and some have extra features such as a gentle reflux upward slope. Designed to fit by your bed, they can be moved around the home when the baby grows older. Additionally, some can be carried with you on the go which makes them ideal for new parents travelling.
When selecting a cot for your bedside, it's important to select a model with drop sides that are easy to use. This lets you lower your baby into the bassinet without having to lift them up into your arms. This can be a hassle for mothers with limited mobility. One such model is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been highly praised by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards' Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category.
Another handy feature that some models come with is a translucent side that lets you be able to see your baby at all times. This is particularly useful when you're groggy at 3am and have to feed your child. A quick glance can make a big difference. One of these options is the Sleepiest BassiNest, which is easy to lower as noted by our MFM home tester Emily.
Budget
A bedside crib is an excellent option if you are not ready to move to a larger crib. The cot is attached to the side of your bed to allow you to easily reach your baby for feedings at night and soothe them without disrupting your sleep. It's an excellent choice for those who have limited movement after an operation such as a C-section. Celebrity moms like Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen it.
Our Parent Testers loved the new model of this bestselling crib from Chicco which was awarded the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It's afclimatizing and spacious and comes with six height settings to accommodate babies who are growing, plus a gentle reflux setting for the incline. You can also use it as a travel cot, and it comes with an easy-to-store storage bag.
A bedside cot can be a little tricky to move around the home, but our Parents Testers found the Shnuggle Air on the side of the crib easy to maneuver. It's among the lightest alternatives and is small enough to fit into its own bag for travel, which means you can take it with you on your travels.
The SnuzPod is another highly-rated bedside cot that's easy to assemble and fold away and packed with features to ensure an enjoyable night's sleep. It has a removable lift-off bassinet that fits more beds than any other cot, and its breathable fabric helps your baby maintain their temperature. It also has a soft rocking feature and an incline setting to help with reflux, and is light enough to use as a travel cot if you're out and about. It's more expensive than other bedside cots, but our Parents Testers believe it's worth the extra cost.