How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk
Both the NHS and Lullaby Trust have issued official safe sleeping guidelines, which recommend that newborns sleep only 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 adore this co-sleeper since it's big enough with plenty of room for baby to grow and wriggle and much bigger than a Moses basket. It's also easy to assemble, and comes with a bag for carrying.
What is a bedside crib?
A bedside cot (also called a bassinet, side-sleeper or co-sleeper) is a safe way for your baby to rest near you during the first few months of their life. These cribs are attached to your bed, allowing you to lift your child to you for night-feeding or comforting. They're also a great option for breastfeeding mothers or mums recovering from a Caesarean section.
They're usually a little smaller than a standard cot, but offer plenty of space for your baby to sleep. You can choose between various styles and features based on your preferences. A majority of cribs for bedside use a drop down or removable side, which makes it easier to reach your baby for night feeds and are available in a variety of heights to accommodate the size of your bed.
Some bedside cribs have an adjustable riser that allows you to create an incline in the sleeping area. This can aid in reducing reflux. They also come with a zip off side to make cleaning easy. Some cribs have manual rocking features that can provide a relaxing distractor for your infant. You'll also require a comfortable mattress to go with your crib. It must be at least 30cm deep to ensure your baby has enough head space.
You can rest assured that your baby will be safe and comfortable in a bedside cot. With stars like Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all awed by the SNOO bedside crib, it's worth considering this stylish alternative to a moses basket.
Safety
Official safe sleeping guidelines from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that newborns be placed in the same bed as you for their first six months but not in your bed to lower the risk of suffocation, and to decrease the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib lets you keep your baby close to you to help soothe them to sleep and even feed them at night without leaving your bed. It's also great if you have limited mobility following an operation or recovering from an operation such as a C-section.
Our top choice for a bedside cot the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 travel cot bedside crib is compact and folds flat in a matter of seconds and fits into its own bag for travel, which makes it perfect for trips to the beach and nights 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, and an tilt setting, and it was awarded 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 was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It features a built-in change mat and storage system It weighs just 10kg, and features an adjustable side that can be lowered down to make it easy to access.
Style
For many mums, particularly those recovering from a C-section A crib for bedside can prove to be an absolute godsend. You can easily reach your baby without having to get out of your bed. This allows you to soothe and feed your infant at night. The close proximity to the baby can also help increase milk production for mothers who are breastfeeding.
In addition to being extremely convenient, these bassinets can look pretty attractive too, which is why they're so sought-after. Some are more spacious than Moses Baskets and some come with additional features like a gentle reflux upward slope. They're designed to fit right next to your bed and can be moved around the home as baby grows. Some are portable, which means they're great for travelling parents.
When selecting a cot for your bedside, it's important to look for designs with drop sides that are easy to use. These let you lower your baby's bassinet without lifting them into your arms, which is difficult for mothers with mobility issues. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one of these 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&Baby Awards.
Some models also have a translucent side, allowing you to always see your baby. This is particularly useful when you are tired and sleepy, when just a glance can make all the 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're not ready to upgrade to a full-sized crib. The crib is attached to your bed so that you can reach your baby easily for feedings at night or cuddle them without causing any disturbance to yourself. It's a great option for those who have limited movement after an operation such as a C-section. bedside sleeper cot like Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen it.
Our Parents Testers loved the new model of this bestselling crib from Chicco, which won the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It's afclimatizing and spacious and has six height settings to accommodate growing babies, and a gentle reflux incline setting. It can also be used as a travel crib and comes with a handy storage case.
bedside sleeper cot can be difficult to move around your home However, our Parent Testers found the Shnuggle Air beside crib really simple to move. It is one of the lightest options and can be packed into its own travel bag.
The SnuzPod is a different highly rated bedside cot that's easy to assemble and fold away and comes with a variety of features that will ensure your child gets the best night's rest. It has a bassinet with a lift-off that can fit more beds than any other cot and its breathable fabric helps your baby regulate their temperature. It features a soft rocking feature as well as an incline to aid in reflux. It's also light enough to use as a crib for travel while you're traveling. It's more expensive than other bedside cots however our Parents Testers believe it's worth the extra money.