How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk
Both the NHS and Lullaby Trust have issued official safe sleeping guidelines which advise that babies sleep in their own Moses basket or cot. A bedside crib is an effective and space-saving solution for room-sharing new parents.
Mumsnetters love the co-sleeper as it's spacious, with plenty of space for babies to grow and play. It is also much larger than a Moses Basket. It's also easy to put together, and comes with a bag for carrying.
What is a bedside cot?
Bedside cribs (also known as side sleepers, bassinets or co-sleepers) are a safe and convenient way for your baby to sleep near you in the first few months. These cribs fix to your bed and allow you to lift your baby out towards you at night for feeding or comforting without the danger of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome that is a result of traditional bed-sharing. They're also a great option for mothers who are breastfeeding or recovering from a caesarean section.
These cots are often a little smaller than a standard cot however, they still provide plenty of space for your baby to sleep. You can choose from a wide range of styles and features, according to what you prefer. Many bedside cribs come with the option of removing or dropping down the side to make it easier to reach your 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 angle to the sleeping area. This can be helpful with reflux. They also come with a zip off side for easy cleaning. Other cribs have manual rocking functions that can provide a relaxing distraction for your newborn. You'll need a mattress that is breathable to go with your crib. It should be at least 30cm in depth to give your baby enough headroom.
bedside crib with wheels can be confident that your child will be comfortable and safe in a bedside cot. With stars like Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all being fans of the SNOO bedside crib, it's worth considering this fashionable alternative to moses basket.
Safety
The Lullaby Trust, in conjunction with the NHS has issued official safe sleeping guidelines that advise that babies are in the same room as their parents for the first six months. However they should not be sleeping in your bed. This is to reduce the chance of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome. A crib for bed allows you to keep your baby close so that you can comfort them and even feed them at night without having to leave your bed. It's also great when you are unable to move following an operation or recovering from a C-section.
Our top pick for a bedside cot the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 bedside crib for travel is compact and folds flat in a matter of seconds to fit 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 lightest bedside cots and has an extremely comfortable mattress with mesh air-flow panels and an incline setting, plus it was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the Best Crib, Cot, or Moses Basket.
Another fantastic bedside cot is the Chicco Next2me Magic bedside crib that was awarded Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It comes with a built-in storage solution and changing mat, is lightweight (only 10kg) and comes with an adjustable side for easy access.
Style
A bedside crib is a godsend for many mums, especially those recovering from C-sections. You can easily reach your baby without having to get out of bed. what is it worth allows you to provide comfort and food to your baby at night. The close proximity to the baby can also aid in increasing the amount of milk produced by mothers who breastfeed.
In addition to being extremely practical, these bassinets can also look elegant which is the reason they're so popular. They are larger than Moses Baskets, and some have extra features, like a gentle upward slope. The baskets are designed to fit under your bed, they are able to be moved around the house when the baby grows older. Additionally, some are portable enough to take with you on the go making them perfect for new parents travelling.
It's important to choose an cot with bedside that is easy to use drop-sides. This allows you to lower your baby into the bassinet without lifting them up into your arms. bedside cot 6 months plus can be difficult for mothers with mobility issues. One such model is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been highly praised by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted in our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards' Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category.
Some models also come with a transparent side, allowing you to be able to always view your baby. This is particularly useful during bleary-eyed 3am feeds where one glance could make all the 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 a fantastic alternative if you're not ready to upgrade to a bigger crib. The cot is attached to the bed's side so you can easily reach your baby for night feeds and comfort them without disrupting your sleep. It's also a great option for those with restricted movement after an operation, and is a popular choice with celeb mums including Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.
Our Parents Testers loved this latest version of the well-loved Chicco crib, which won 2021 Mother&Baby Awards as the Best Cot or Crib. It's large comfortable, breathable, and comes with six different height settings for growing babies. There is also a soft reflux setting. You can also use it as a travel cot. Additionally, it comes with an easy-to-store storage bag.
It can be difficult to move a bedside cot around your house however our Parents Testers said that the Shnuggle Air alongside the cot was easy to move. It's among the lightest options and is compact enough to fit into its own travel bag, so you can take it with you when you travel.
The SnuzPod bedside cot is yet another highly rated product that's simple to fold and assemble with plenty of features for an unwinding night's sleep. It has a removable lift-off bassinet that fits more beds than other cots. The fabric is breathable, and helps regulate your baby's temperature. It also features a soft rocking function and an incline setting to help with reflux, and is light enough to be used as a travel cot if you're on the move. It's a bit more expensive than other bedside cots but our Parents Testers affirm that it's worth the extra cost.