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 cot or Moses basket. A bedside crib is an efficient and space-saving choice for room-sharing new parents.

Mumsnetters love the co-sleeper because it is spacious, with plenty of room for babies to grow and wriggle. It’s also bigger than the Moses Basket. It’s also easy to put together and comes with a bag for carrying.

What is a bedside cot?

Bedside cots (also called side sleepers, bassinets or co-sleepers) are an ideal and safe way for your baby to sleep near you during the early 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 danger of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome associated with traditional bed-sharing. They’re also a great choice for breastfeeding mothers or mums recovering from a caesarean section.

They are usually a little smaller than standard cots but they provide plenty of space for your baby to relax. You can choose from different designs and features based on your preferences. A majority of cribs for bedside use the option of a drop-down or removable side, which makes it easier to reach your baby for feeding at night. They are also available in various heights to accommodate the size of your bed.

Some cribs for bedside use an adjustable riser that allows you to add an incline in the sleep area. This can be helpful with reflux. They also come with a zip off side to make cleaning easy. Some cribs have manual rocking options that can provide a relaxing distractor for your infant. You’ll require a mattress that’s air-conditioned to match your crib. It should be at least 30cm deep to allow your baby plenty of headroom.

You can be confident that your child will be safe and secure in a bedside cot. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams, and Gigi Hadid are all avid users of SNOO’s bedside crib. It is definitely worth a look as an alternative to the Moses basket.

Safety

The Lullaby Trust, in conjunction with the NHS has released official guidelines for safe sleep which recommend 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 lower the risk of suffocation or sudden infant death syndrome. A crib that is placed near your bed allows you to keep your baby close to you to help calm them down and even feed them at night without leaving your bed. It is also a great option for when you are recovering from an operation or a C-section, and have limited mobility.

Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3 in 1 travel cot bedside Crib is our top pick for a crib to sleep in. It’s compact and folds flat to fit into its bag for travel which makes it ideal for trips away on holidays or from home. It’s the lightest option for a bedside cot and comes with a comfy deep foam mattress with mesh panels which allow air to flow. It also has an incline option that can be added. Additionally, it was awarded Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Moses Basket or Cot Crib.

Another great bedside cot is the Chicco Next2me Magic bedside crib which was awarded Bronze in 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 drops down to make it easy to access.

Style

For many mothers, particularly those who are recovering from a C-section A crib for bedside can prove to an absolute blessing. You can easily reach your baby without having to get out of your bed. This lets you provide comfort and food to your infant during the night. They are also a great choice for mothers who are breastfeeding as the close proximity can help increase their milk supply.

In addition to being extremely practical, these bassinets can also look elegant and that’s why they’re so popular. They are larger than Moses Baskets, and some have extra features, like a gentle incline. They are designed to be placed near your bed, they can be moved around the home when baby gets older and some are able to be taken to the go making them perfect for parents who are new to traveling.

When you are choosing a bedside cot It is essential to select a model that have drop sides that are simple to use. These let you lower your baby’s bassinet without lifting them into your arms, which is difficult for mums with limited mobility. One of these models is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been applauded by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot Crib, Moses or Crib Basket category.

Another handy feature that some models come with is a transparent side that lets you see your baby at all times. This is especially helpful when you are groggy at 3am and need to feed your child. A quick glance can make a big difference. One of these options is the Sleepiest BassiNest that is simple to lower, as was noted by our MFM home tester Emily.

Budget

If you’re still not ready to make the leap to a full-sized cot, a bedside crib may be an ideal solution. The cot is attached to the bed’s side so you can easily reach your baby for night feeds and comfort them without disturbing your own sleep. It’s also a great choice for those with restricted movement following a C-section and is a popular option with famous mothers like Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.

bedside cot co sleeper loved the new model of this popular crib from Chicco, which won the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. It’s spacious comfortable, breathable, and comes with six different height settings for babies who are growing. There is also a soft reflux setting. You can also use it as a travel cot, and it comes with a handy storage bag.

A bedside crib can be tricky to move around the home however our Parent Testers found the Shnuggle Air beside crib really simple to move. It’s one of the lighter options that can be packed into its own travel bag.

The SnuzPod bedside cot is yet another highly rated item that’s easy to put together and fold away, with many features for a restful night’s sleep. It has a removable bassinet that lifts off to fit more beds than any other cot, and its breathable fabric helps your baby to regulate their temperature. It also has a soft rocking feature and an incline option for reflux, and is light enough to use as a travel cot if you’re out and about. It’s more expensive than other bedside cots however our Parent Testers say it’s well worth the extra cash.