How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk
Official safe sleeping guidance from both NHS and Lullaby Trust recommends that newborns sleep in their own crib or Moses basket. A crib for bed is an efficient and space-saving choice for room-sharing new parents.
Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper as it's big enough with plenty of space for babies to grow and play, and much bigger than the typical Moses basket. It's also easy to assemble and comes with a travel bag.
What is a bedside crib?
Bedside cots (also known as bassinets, side sleepers, or co-sleepers) are an ideal and safe way for your baby to sleep near you in the early months. These cribs are attached to your bed and let you raise your baby towards you to feed them at night or for comforting without the threat of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome associated with traditional bed-sharing. These cribs are also ideal for mums who are breastfeeding or recovering from a cesarean.
These cots are typically a little smaller than standard cots however, they still provide plenty of space for your baby to relax. You can choose from a variety of styles and features based on your preferences. Many cribs with a bedside feature a removable or drop-down side, which makes it easier to reach the baby at night for feedings. They also come in various heights based on the size of your bed.
Some cribs with a bedside have a riser which allows you to build an incline in the sleeping area. This can help with reflux. They also have an open side to make cleaning easy. Some cribs come with manual rocking options which can provide a soothing distraction to your newborn. You'll also require a breathable mattress to match your new crib. It should be a minimum of 30cm in depth to ensure that your newborn has sufficient head room.
twin bedside cot is a major investment, but you can rest assured that your newborn will get a comfortable and safe sleep. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid are all big fans of SNOO's bedside crib. It is definitely worth considering as an alternative to the Moses basket.
Safety
Official safe sleeping guidelines from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that newborn babies should be in the same room as you for their first six months but not in your bed to reduce the risk of suffocation, and to reduce the chance of sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib is an excellent option that allows your baby to comfortably be near enough for you to night feed them and soothe them back to sleep without having to leave your bed. This is an excellent option if you are recovering from an operation or C-section and are unable to move.
Our top pick for a bedside cot, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 bedside crib for travel is small and folds flat in seconds to fit into a travel bag which makes it perfect for trips to the beach and nights away from home. It's one the lightest options for a bedside cot and comes with a comfy deep foam mattress with mesh panels that let air flow. It also has an optional incline option. Additionally, it was awarded Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Moses basket or Cot Crib.
Another fab bedside cot option is the Chicco Next2me Magic bedside crib that won Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has a built-in changing mat and storage solutions, is lightweight at 10kg, and features an adjustable side that drops down for easy access.
Style
A bedside crib is a godsend for many mothers, particularly those who are recovering from C-sections. They can be attached to your bed so that you can easily reach your baby without having to get up in order to feed them and soothe them quickly. They are an excellent choice for breastfeeding mothers since their close proximity will help increase their milk supply.
These bassinets are not only functional, but also fashionable. This is the reason they're so popular. They're typically larger than Moses baskets and come in lots of different styles, with some featuring extra features like a gentle tilting of the reflux. They are designed to be placed near your bed, they can be moved around the house when baby gets older and some are able to be taken on the go too, making them great for parents who are new to traveling.
When selecting a cot for your bedside It is essential to choose a model with drop sides that are easy to use. This allows you to lower your child into the bassinet, without having to lift them up into your arms. This can be a challenge for mothers with mobility issues. One of these models is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been praised by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot Moses, Crib or Basket category.
Some models also have a translucent side, which allows you to see your baby. This is especially useful when you're exhausted at 3am and you need to feed your baby. A quick glance could make a huge difference. One of these options is the Sleepiest BassiNest, which is easy to lower as outlined by our MFM home tester Emily.
Budget
A bedside crib is an excellent option if you're not ready to move to a full-sized crib. This bassinet-style cot attaches to the side of your bed to allow you to easily reach your baby for night feeds and comfort them without disturbing your sleep. It's an excellent choice for those who are unable to move following a C-section. Celebrity moms like Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen this model.
Our Parents Testers loved the new model of this popular crib from Chicco that won the 2021 Mother&Baby Award for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It's spacious and breathable and comes with six height settings to accommodate growing babies plus a gentle reflux incline setting. It can also be used as a crib for travel and comes with a convenient storage case.
It can be difficult to move a bedside cot around the house however our Parents Testers said that the Shnuggle Air beside cot was very simple to move. It's among the lightest options and compact enough to fit into its own bag for travel, so you can take it with you when you travel.
The SnuzPod bedside cot is yet another highly rated item that's easy to assemble and fold with plenty of features for an unwinding night's sleep. It has a bassinet that lifts off to fit more beds than any other cot and its breathable fabric can help your baby regulate their temperature. It features a soft rocking feature as well as an incline to help with reflux. It is also lightweight enough to be used as a travel crib when you're out and about. It's a bit more expensive than other cribs for bed but Parents Testers agree that it's worth the extra expense.