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 bedside crib is an efficient and space-saving choice for parents who live together.
Mumsnetters love the co-sleeper as it's spacious, with plenty of room for babies to grow and wriggle. It is also much bigger than the Moses Basket. It's also simple to put together and comes with a bag for travel.
What is a bedside cot?
Bedside cribs (also known as bassinets, side sleepers or co-sleepers) are an ideal and safe way for your baby to sleep with you during their early months. newborn bedside cot attach to your bed, allowing you to lift your child towards you to feed them at night or even comfort them. They're also a great choice for breastfeeding mothers or mothers recovering from a Caesarean section.
These cots are typically a little smaller than a standard cot however, they still provide plenty of space for your baby to relax. You can choose from various designs and features based on your preferences. Many cribs with a bedside feature an adjustable or drop-down side that makes it easier to reach your baby during feeding time at night. They also come in various heights based on your bed size.
Some cribs with a bedside have an adjustable riser that allows you to add a slight incline to the sleep space which could help with reflux. It also has a zip-off side for easy cleaning. Some cribs have manual rocking options which can provide a soothing distraction for your baby. You'll need a mattress that is breathable to go with your crib. It should be at least 30cm thick to give your baby enough headroom.
A bedside crib is a major investment, but you can rest assured that your newborn will get a secure and comfortable 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 safe sleeping guidelines from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that babies born today should be in the same room as you for the first six months, but not in your bed, to decrease the chance of suffocation and to reduce the chance of sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib allows you to keep your baby close to soothe them to sleep and even feed them at night without having to leave your bed. It is an excellent option if you are recovering from an operation or C-section and have limited mobility.
Our top pick for a bedside cot, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 bedside crib that travels cots is compact and folds flat in seconds to fit into its own bag for travel, so it's perfect for holidays and nights away from home. It's one of the tiniest bedside cot options and has the most comfortable deep foam mattress with mesh air-flow panels, an optional tilting setting, and it was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Crib, Cot, or Moses Basket.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another fantastic bedside crib. It won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has a built-in changing mat and storage system, is lightweight at 10kg, and comes with an adjustable side that can be lowered down to make it easy to access.
Style
For many mums, particularly those recovering from C-sections A crib that is placed near the bed can prove to be a blessing in disguise. You can easily reach your baby without getting out of bed. This allows you to soothe and feed your baby at night. The close proximity to the baby can also help increase the amount of milk produced by mothers who are breastfeeding.
In addition to being extremely practical, these bassinets can look pretty elegant which is the reason they're so sought-after. Some are bigger than Moses Baskets and some even have additional features, like a gentle incline. Designed to fit by your bed, they can be moved around the house when baby gets older and some are portable enough to take with you on the go, making them great for parents who are new to traveling.
When you are choosing a bedside cot, it's important to select 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 hassle for mothers with mobility issues. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one of the models that has been highly praised and was shortlisted by Mumsnetters in the category of Best Cot or Crib Moses Basket for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.
over here that a few models come with is a transparent side that lets you be able to see your baby at all times. This is particularly useful during bleary-eyed 3am feeds where just a glance can make all the difference. One such option is the Sleepiest BassiNest which is easy to lower as noted by our MFM home tester Emily.
Budget
A bedside crib is a fantastic option if you're not ready to upgrade to a larger crib. This bassinet-style cot attaches to the bed's side so that you can easily reach your baby's feedings at night and soothe them without disrupting your sleep. It's a great choice for those who are unable to move following an operation such as a C-section. Famous moms like Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen it.
Our Parents Testers loved the new model of this bestselling crib from Chicco that won the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. It's spacious and breathable and comes with six height settings to accommodate growing babies and a gentle reflux incline setting. It can also be used as a crib for travel and comes with a storage case that is convenient for storage.
A bedside cot can be tricky to move around the home however our Parent Testers found the Shnuggle Air beside crib really easy to move around. It's one of the lightest options and compact enough to fit into its own travel bag which means you can carry it with you when you travel.
The SnuzPod bedside cot is a highly rated product that's simple to put together and fold away and comes with a variety of features to ensure the perfect night's rest. It has a removable lift-off bassinet that fits more beds than any other cot and its breathable fabric helps your baby to regulate their temperature. It also has a gentle rocking feature and an incline option for reflux, and is light enough to use as a travel cot when you're out and about. It's a little more expensive than other cots for bed, but our Parents Testers affirm that it's worth the extra money.