How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk
Both the NHS and the Lullaby Trust have issued official safe sleeping guidelines which advise that babies sleep in their own Moses basket or cot. A bedside crib is a practical and space-saving option for room-sharing new parents.
Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper because it's large and spacious, with plenty of room for babies to grow and wriggle and much bigger than a Moses basket. It's also simple to put together and comes with a travel bag.
What is a bedside cot?
A bedside cot (also known as a side sleeper, bassinet or co-sleeper) is a safe way for your baby to sleep close to you overnight during the first few months of their life. These cribs are attached to your bed and allow you to pull your child to you to feed them at night or for comforting. They're also a great choice for mothers who are breastfeeding or recovering from a caesarean section.
They're typically smaller than a regular cot, but provide plenty of space for your baby to rest. You can choose from a wide range of designs and features depending on what you prefer. Many cribs with a bedside feature an adjustable or drop-down side to make it easier to reach the 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 an adjustable riser that allows you to add an incline in the sleep area. This can help with reflux. They also come with the option of a zip-off side to make cleaning easy. Other cribs have manual rocking functions that can provide a relaxing distraction for your infant. You'll require a mattress that's air-conditioned to match your crib. It must be at least 30cm in depth to allow your baby plenty of headroom.
4-in-1 bedside crib is an investment, but you can be sure your baby will have a secure and comfortable sleep. With the likes of Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all being fans of the SNOO bedside crib, it's worth considering this fashionable alternative to a moses basket.
4-in-1 bedside crib , in conjunction with the NHS has released official guidelines for safe sleeping which recommend that babies are in the same room as their parents for the first six months. However they shouldn't sleep in your bed. This is to reduce the risk of suffocation, or sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib is an excellent option that lets your baby remain close enough to you to night feed them and help them return to sleep without needing to leave your bed. It's also great when you are unable to move after an operation or recovering from an operation such as a C-section.
Our top pick for a bedside crib, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 bedside crib that travels cots is small and folds flat in a matter of seconds and fits into a travel bag making it ideal for travel and nights away from home. It's among the lightest bedside cots and has a comfy deep foam mattress with mesh air-flow panels, and an tilt setting, and it was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Crib, Cot, or Moses Basket.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another great bedside crib option. It won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has 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 mothers, particularly those recovering from C-sections. You can easily reach your baby without getting out of your bed. This allows you to provide comfort and food to your infant during the night. They are an excellent choice for breastfeeding mothers since their close proximity will help boost the amount of milk they produce.
Alongside being incredibly convenient, these bassinets can also look stylish too, which is why they're so sought-after. Some are more spacious than Moses Baskets, and some have extra features, like a gentle upward slope. They're designed to fit close to your bed and can be moved around the house as your baby grows. Some are portable, so they're great for travelling parents.
When choosing a bedside cot it is important to choose a model with drop sides that are easy to use. These let you lower your baby into the bassinet without lifting them into your arms, which can be difficult for mums with limited mobility. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one of these models that has been praised and shortlisted by Mumsnetters in the category of the Best Cot or Crib Moses Basket for our 2021 Mother and Baby Awards.
Some models also come with a transparent side, allowing you to always see your baby. This is especially useful during bleary-eyed 3am feeds when just a glance can make all the difference. As noted by Emily who is our MFM home tester, the Sleepiest BassiNest is a great option. It is easy to lower.
Budget
A bedside crib is a great option if you're not yet ready to upgrade to a larger crib. The cot is attached to the bed's side so you can easily reach your baby's evening feeds and also comfort them without disrupting your sleep. It's a great choice for those who have limited movement after a C-section. Celebrity moms like Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen it.
Our Parent Testers loved the new model of this popular crib from Chicco which was awarded the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. It's afclimatizing and spacious and comes with six height options to accommodate babies who are growing, plus a gentle reflux incline setting. It can also be used as a travel crib and comes with a storage case that is convenient for storage.
A bedside cot can be a little difficult to move around the home however our Parent Testers found the Shnuggle Air beside crib really easy to move around. It is among the lighter options that can be packed into its own travel bag.
The SnuzPod is a different highly rated bedside cot that's simple to put together and fold away, with plenty of features to ensure an enjoyable night's sleep. It comes with a bassinet that lifts off to fit more beds than any other cot, and its breathable fabric helps your baby maintain their temperature. It also has a gentle rocking function, as well as an incline setting for reflux, and is lightweight enough to be used as a travel cot if you're out and about. It's a bit more expensive than other bedside cots, but our Parent Testers affirm that it's worth the extra cost.