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 that is placed near the bed can be practical and space-saving for parents who share a room.
Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper as it's spacious with lots of room for babies to grow and play, and more spacious than the typical Moses basket. It's also simple to put together and comes with a travel bag.
What is a bedside crib?
A bedside cot (also known as a side sleeper, bassinet or co-sleeper) is a safe method for your baby to sleep close to you throughout their first months. These cribs are attached to your bed and allow you to pull your child to you to feed them at night or even comfort them. These cribs are also great for mothers who are breastfeeding or recovering from a cesarean.
They're typically smaller than a standard cot, but offer plenty of space for your baby to sleep. You can pick from a wide range of styles and features, depending on what you prefer. Many cribs with a bedside feature a removable or drop-down side, which makes it easier to reach your baby at night for feedings. They also come in various heights based on the size of your bed.
Some bedside cribs have a riser which allows you to create an angle to the sleep area. This can be helpful with reflux. They also come with the option of a zip-off side to make cleaning easy. Some have manual rocking features which can be a relaxing distraction for your baby. You'll need a mattress that is breathable to go with your crib. It must be at least 30cm deep to allow your baby plenty of headroom.
A bedside cot is an investment, but you can be certain that your newborn will get a peaceful and safe night's sleep. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi hadid are all fans of SNOO's bedside crib. It is definitely worth considering as an alternative to the Moses basket.
Safety
Official guidelines for safe sleep 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 lower the chance of suffocation and to decrease the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib allows you to keep your infant close to you to soothe them to sleep and even feed them at night without having to leave your bed. This 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 pick for a crib that can be used as a bedside. It's compact and folds down flat to fit into its travel bag, making it perfect for holidays or nights away from home. It's one of the tiniest bedside cot options and has a comfy deep foam mattress that has mesh air-flow panels, and an 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 a built-in changing mat and storage solution It weighs just 10kg, and has an adjustable side that can be lowered down to make it easy to access.
Style
For many mothers, particularly those recovering from a C-section A crib for bedside can prove to an absolute blessing. You can easily reach your baby without getting out of bed. This allows you to soothe and feed your infant during the night. They're also a great choice for breastfeeding mothers since the close proximity can help boost the amount of milk they produce.
Bassinets aren't just functional, but also stylish. This is why they are so popular. They're often a bit bigger than Moses baskets and come in a variety of different styles, with some featuring extra features like a gentle tilt to the reflux. They're 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 travelling parents.
It's important to choose an cot with bedside that is easy to use drop-sides. This lets you 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. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one of these models that has been acknowledged and shortlisted by Mumsnetters in the category of Best Cot or Crib Moses Basket for our 2021 Mother and Baby Awards.
Another great feature that certain models come with is a translucent side that allows you to see your baby at all times. This is especially helpful when you're groggy at 3am and you need to feed your baby. A quick glance could make a big difference. One such option is the Sleepiest BassiNest which is easy to lower, as was noted by our MFM home tester Emily.
Budget
A bedside crib is a great option if you are not yet ready to upgrade to a full-sized crib. This bassinet-style cot attaches to the side of your bed to allow you to easily reach your baby's feedings at night and soothe them without disrupting your sleep. It's a great choice for those with restricted movement after an operation such as a C-section. travel cot bedside crib like Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen it.
Our Parents Testers loved this new version of the popular Chicco crib, which won 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot or Crib. It's large, breathable, and has six different height settings for babies who are growing. There is also a soft reflux setting. You can also use it as a travel cot. Additionally, it comes with an easy-to-store storage bag.
A bedside crib can be tricky to move around the home however our Parents Testers found the Shnuggle Air on the side of the crib easy to maneuver. It's among the lightest options and small enough to fit into its own travel bag which means you can carry it along with you on your trip.
The SnuzPod bedside cot is a highly rated item that's easy to put together and fold away and comes with a variety of features to ensure a restful night's sleep. It has a 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 gentle rocking function and an incline setting to help with reflux, and is lightweight enough to use as a travel cot if you're out and about. It's a bit more expensive than other bedside cots however our Parents Testers say it's well worth the extra cost.