How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk
Both the NHS and Lullaby Trust have issued official safe sleeping guidelines that advise that babies sleep in their own Moses basket or cot. A crib that is placed near the bed is a practical and space-saving option for parents who share a room.
Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper as it's spacious with lots of space for babies to grow and wriggle and much bigger than the size of a Moses basket. It's also easy to put together and comes with a bag for travel.
What is a bedside cot?
Bedside cots (also called side sleepers, bassinets or co-sleepers) are a safe and convenient way for your baby to sleep with you during the first few months. These cribs attach to your bed and allow you to 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 great for mums who are nursing or recovering from a Cesarean Section.
They're often slightly smaller than a standard cot or cotbed, yet they provide ample space for your baby to rest. You can pick from a variety of styles and features, according to what your preference is. 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 the size of your bed.
Some cribs with a bedside have a riser which allows you to add an angle to the sleeping area. This can help with reflux. They also come with a zip off side to make cleaning easy. Others have manual rocking functions which can be a relaxing distraction for your baby. You'll also require a breathable mattress for your new crib, which must be at least 30cm in depth to ensure that your newborn has enough headroom.
You can be sure that your child will be safe and comfortable in a cot that is positioned at the bedside. With the likes of Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all fans of the SNOO bedside crib, it's worth considering this stylish alternative to a moses basket.
Safety
The Lullaby Trust, in conjunction with the NHS has released official guidelines for safe sleep that advise that babies sleep in the same bedroom as their parents for the first six months. However they shouldn't sleep in your bed. This is to decrease the risk of suffocation, or sudden infant death syndrome. A crib that is placed near your bed is an excellent option that lets your baby comfortably be near enough for you to feed them at night and soothe them back to sleep without needing to leave your bed. It's also ideal if you have limited mobility following an operation or recovering from C-section.
Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3 in 1 travel cot bedside Crib is our top pick for a crib that can be used as a bedside. It's small and folds flat to fit in its travel bag, making it perfect for holidays or nights away from home. It's one of the lightest bedside cots available and comes with a a comfy deep foam mattress with mesh air-flow panels, and an tilt setting, and it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the best Cot, Crib 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 solutions, is lightweight at 10kg, and comes with an adjustable side that drops down for easy access.
Style
For many mums, particularly those who have had C-sections A crib for bedside can be a blessing in disguise. You can easily reach your baby without having to get out of the bed. This allows you to soothe and feed your baby at night. The close proximity to the baby can also help increase the production of milk for mothers who are breastfeeding.
Alongside being incredibly useful, bassinets are elegant, which is why they're so popular. what is it worth than Moses baskets and come in a variety of different styles, some having additional features such as a gentle tilting of the reflux. Designed to fit by bedside cots for newborns , they are able to be moved around the house as the baby grows older, and some are able to be taken to the go making them perfect for new parents travelling.
When choosing a bedside cot it is important to look for designs that have easy-to-use drop sides. These let you lower your baby into the bassinet without needing to lift them into your arms, which can be difficult for moms with limited mobility. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one of the models that has been praised and shortlisted by Mumsnetters in the category of the best Cot or Crib or Moses Basket for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.
Another useful feature that a few models have is a transparent side that lets you observe your baby at all times. This is especially useful during bleary-eyed 3am feeds when a quick glance can make all the difference. One of these options is the Sleepiest BassiNest, which is easy to lower as noted by our MFM home tester Emily.
Budget
If you're still not ready to move to a larger cot, the bedside crib could be an ideal solution. This bassinet-style cot attaches to the side of your bed so that you can easily reach your baby's feedings at night and soothe them without disturbing your sleep. It's an excellent choice for those who have limited movement after a C-section. Celeb mums like Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen it.
Our Parent Testers loved the new model of this popular crib from Chicco, which won the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It's large, breathable, and has six different height settings for babies who are growing. There is also a soft reflux setting. It can also be used as a crib for travel and comes with a storage case that is convenient for storage.
A bedside crib can be tricky to move around the home however our Parents Testers found the Shnuggle Air beside crib really simple to move. It's one of the smallest options and compact enough to fit into its own travel bag so you can take it along with you on your trip.
The SnuzPod is a different highly rated bedside cot that's simple to assemble and fold away and packed with features for a good 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 maintain their temperature. It also has a gentle rocking function, as well as an incline option for reflux, and is lightweight enough to use as a travel cot when you're out and about. It's a little more expensive than other bedside cots but our Parent Testers believe it's worth the extra cost.