How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk
Official safety sleeping guidelines from both NHS and Lullaby Trust recommends that newborns sleep in their own crib or Moses basket. A bedside crib is an efficient and space-saving option for parents who live in a room together.
Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper because it's big enough with plenty of room for baby to grow and wriggle and far more substantial than the size of a Moses basket. It's also easy to put together and comes with a carry bag.
What is a bedside crib?
A bedside cot (also called a bassinet, side sleeper or co-sleeper) is a safe method for your baby to rest close to you throughout their first months. These cribs can be attached to your bed, allowing you to lift your child to you to feed them at night or even comfort them. They're also a great option for mothers who are breastfeeding or recovering from a Caesarean section.
They are usually a little smaller than standard cots but they provide plenty of room for your baby to rest. You can choose between different designs and features based on your preferences. A lot of cribs with a bedside feature the option of a drop-down or removable side that allows you to reach your baby's feeding at night. They are also available in different heights to accommodate the size of your bed.
Some cribs for bedside use a riser that allows you to add a slight slope to the sleep space which could help with reflux. It also has the ability to zip off the sides for easy cleaning. Others have manual rocking functions which can be a relaxing distraction for your infant. You'll also require a comfortable mattress for your new crib. It must be at least 30cm deep to ensure that your newborn has sufficient head room.
You can be confident that your baby will be safe and comfortable in a bedside cot. With the likes of Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all being fans of the SNOO bedside crib, it's definitely worth looking into this elegant alternative to moses basket.
Safety
The Lullaby Trust, in conjunction with the NHS has issued official guidelines for safe sleep that recommend that newborns sleep in the same bedroom as their parents for the first six months. However, they should not sleep in your bed. This is to reduce the risk of suffocation or sudden infant death syndrome. A crib that is placed near your bed allows you to keep your infant close to you to help calm them down and night feed them without having to leave your bed. It's also a great option if you are recovering from an operation or a C-section, and have limited mobility.
Our top pick for a bedside crib, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 bedside crib that travels cots is compact and folds flat in seconds to fit into a travel bag making it ideal for travel and nights away from home. It's one of the tiniest bedside cot options and has the most comfortable deep foam mattress that has mesh air-flow panels, and an tilting setting, and it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket.
Another fantastic bedside cot 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 solution and weighs only 10kg. It is light at 10kg, and has an adjustable side that can be lowered down for easy access.
Style
For many mothers, particularly those who are recovering from C-sections, a bedside crib can an absolute blessing. You can easily reach your baby without getting out of your bed. This allows you to soothe and feed your infant at night. Being close to the baby can also increase the production of milk for mothers who breastfeed.
In addition to being extremely practical, these bassinets can look pretty stylish too and that's why they're so popular. Some are more spacious than Moses Baskets, and some have extra features, like a gentle upward slope. They're designed to sit next to your bed and can be moved around the home as baby grows. Some are portable so they're great for travelling parents.
When selecting a cot for your bedside it is important to look for designs that have drop sides that are simple to use. This allows you to lower your infant into the bassinet without lifting them up into your arms. This can be difficult for mothers with limited mobility. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one of these models that has been praised and shortlisted by Mumsnetters in the category of Best Cot or Crib, or Moses Basket for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.
Some models also have a transparent side, allowing you to be able to always view your baby. This is particularly useful when you're groggy at 3am and need to feed your baby. A quick glance can make a huge difference. As mentioned by Emily who is our MFM home test participant, the Sleepiest BassiNest is a great option. It is easy to lower.
Budget
A bedside crib is a fantastic option if you're not ready to move to a full-sized crib. This bassinet-style crib attaches to your bed so that you can easily reach your baby for night feeds or comfort them without causing any disturbance to yourself. It's also a great choice for those who suffer from restricted movement after a C-section and is a favorite choice with celeb mums including Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.
Our Parent Testers loved the new version of this well-loved crib from Chicco which was awarded the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It's large and breathable, and comes with six height options to accommodate babies who are growing, plus a gentle reflux setting for incline. It can also be used as a travel cot, and it comes with an easy-to-store storage bag.
It can be difficult to move a bedside cot around your house, but our Parent Testers reported that the Shnuggle Air next to the cot was easy to maneuver. It's one of the lighter options that can be tucked away in its own travel bag.
The SnuzPod bedside cot is a highly rated product that's easy to fold and assemble with plenty of features for a restful 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. bedside crib travel cot features a soft rocking feature, as well as an incline for reflux. It is also lightweight enough to be used as a travel crib while you're on the move. It's a bit more expensive than other cribs for bed, but Parent Testers believe it's worth the extra expense.