How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk
Both the NHS and the Lullaby Trust have issued official safe sleeping guidelines which advise that babies sleep in their own Moses basket or cot. A crib for bed is a practical and space-saving option for parents who live together.
Mumsnetters adore the co-sleeper because it is spacious, with plenty of room for babies to grow and wriggle. It is also much bigger than a Moses Basket. It's also easy to put together and comes with a travel bag.
What is a bedside cot?
A bedside cot (also called a bassinet, side sleeper or co-sleeper) is a secure way for your newborn to sleep near you during the first few months of their life. These cribs are attached to your bed and let you lift your baby out towards you at night for feeding or comforting without the danger of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome associated with traditional bed-sharing. These cribs are also great for mums who are nursing or recovering from a cesarean section.
They're often slightly smaller than a regular cot or cotbed, yet offer plenty of space for your baby to rest. You can choose from a wide range of styles and features, depending on what you prefer. A lot of cribs with a bedside feature an adjustable or drop down side that allows you to reach your baby for feeding at night. They are available in a variety of sizes to fit the dimensions of your bed.
Some cribs for bedside use an adjustable riser that allows you to add a slight incline to the sleep area that can aid in reflux and a zip-off side for easy cleaning. Others have manual rocking functions which can be a relaxing distraction for your baby. You'll need a mattress that is breathable to go with your crib. It should be at least 30cm deep to allow your baby plenty of headroom.
A bedside crib is a major investment, but you can be certain that your baby will have a comfortable and safe sleep. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid are all avid users of SNOO's bedside crib. It is definitely worth a look as an alternative to a Moses basket.
Safety
Official safe sleeping guidance from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that newborns be in the same room as you for their first six months, but not in your bed to lower the risk of suffocation, and to reduce the chance of sudden infant death syndrome. A crib that is placed near your bed allows you to keep your baby close to you so that you can comfort them and night feed them without leaving your bed. This is also a great option for when you are recovering from an operation or a C-section and are unable to move.
Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3 in 1 bedside cot travel cot is our top pick for a crib to sleep in. It's small and folds flat to fit into a travel bag, making it perfect for nights out on the town or away from home. It's one of the lightest bedside cots available and comes with a a comfy deep foam mattress, air-flow panels and an tilting setting, and it won 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 won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It features a built-in change mat and storage system and weighs only 10kg. It is light at 10kg, and comes with an adjustable side that can be lowered down for easy access.
Style
For a lot of moms, especially those who are recovering from a C-section A crib that is placed near the bed could prove to an absolute blessing. You can easily reach your baby without getting out of your bed. This lets you comfort and feed your infant at night. The close proximity to the baby can also help increase milk production for mothers who breastfeed.
Bassinets aren't just practical, but also fashionable. This is why they're so popular. They're usually larger than Moses baskets and come in lots of different styles, with some featuring extra features like a gentle reflux incline setting. 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 great for parents who travel.
When you are choosing a bedside cot it is important to select a model that have easy-to-use drop sides. This lets you lower your child into the bassinet, without lifting them up into your arms. This can be a hassle 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 Best Cot or Crib Moses Basket for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.
Another great feature that certain models have is a transparent side that lets you observe your baby at all times. This is particularly useful when you're exhausted at 3am and have to feed your baby. agree with this can make a big difference. As was noted by Emily, our MFM home test participant, the Sleepiest BassiNest is an excellent choice. It is simple to lower.
Budget
A bedside crib is a fantastic option if you're not yet ready to upgrade to a full-sized crib. This bassinet-style cot attaches to the side of your bed so you can easily reach your baby's evening feeds and also comfort them without disturbing your own sleep. It's an excellent choice for those with restricted movement following the C-section. Famous moms like Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen this model.
Our Parents Testers loved this new version of the well-loved Chicco crib, which took home the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot or Crib. It's spacious and breathable, and comes with 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, and it comes with a handy storage bag.
A bedside cot can be a little difficult to move around your home, but our Parents Testers found the Shnuggle Air near the crib to be easy to maneuver. It's among the lightest options and compact enough to fit into its own travel bag which means you can take it along with you on your trip.
The SnuzPod is another highly rated bedside cot that's easy to set up and take down and comes with a variety of features for a good night's sleep. It comes with a removable, adjustable bassinet that lifts off, which can fit more beds than other cots. The fabric is breathable and can help regulate your baby's temperature. It also has a gentle rocking feature and an incline setting for reflux, and is light enough to use as a travel cot if you're out and about. It's a little more expensive than other bedside cribs, but Parent Testers agree that it's worth the extra expense.