How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk

Both the NHS and the Lullaby Trust have issued official safe sleeping guidelines which suggest that infants sleep in their own Moses basket or cot. A crib for bed is a practical and space-saving option for parents who share a room.

Mumsnetters love the co-sleeper as it's big and has plenty of room for babies to grow and wiggle. It is also much bigger than the Moses Basket. It is also easy to put together, and comes with a carry bag.

What is a bedside cot?

A bedside cot for bedside (also called a side sleeper, bassinet or co sleeper bedside cot-sleeper) is a secure way for your baby to sleep near you during the first few months of their life. These cribs attach to your bed and allow you to pull your child in your arms for night-feeding or comforting. These cribs are also great for mums who are nursing or recovering from a cesarean.

They're often slightly smaller than a regular cot or cotbed, but they provide ample space for your baby to rest. You can pick from a variety of styles and features, depending on what you prefer. A lot of cribs for bedside use a removable or drop-down side that makes it easier to reach the baby during feeding time at night. They also come in different heights, based on the size of your bed.

Some bedside cribs have an adjustable riser that allows you to create an incline in the sleep area. This can aid in reducing reflux. They also have an open side to make cleaning easy. Others have manual rocking functions that can provide a relaxing distraction for your newborn. You'll need a mattress that is air-conditioned to match your crib. It should be at least 30cm thick to give your baby enough headroom.

A bedside cot is an investment, but you can be certain that your newborn will get a peaceful and safe night's sleep. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams, and Gigi Hadid are all avid users of SNOO's bedside crib. It is definitely worth considering as an alternative to a Moses basket.

Safety

Official guidelines for safe sleep from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that newborns sleep in the same room as you for their first six months but not in your bed, to decrease the risk of suffocation and to lower the chance of sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib is a great option that allows your child to remain close enough to you to feed them at night and comfort them back to sleep without having to leave your own bed. It's also great if you have limited mobility following an operation or recovering from a C-section.

Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3 in 1 bedside cot travel cot is our top choice for a crib that can be used as a bedside. It's compact and folds down flat to fit into its travel bag which makes it ideal for trips away on holidays or from home. It's among the lightest options for a bedside cot. It comes with a comfy deep foam mattress with mesh panels that let air flow. It also comes with an optional incline option. It also won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for 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 comes with an integrated storage unit and changing mat, is lightweight (only 10kg) and comes with an adjustable side that makes it easy to access.

Style

A bedside crib is a godsend for many moms, particularly those who are recovering from C-sections. You can easily reach your baby without having to get out of the bed. This allows you to soothe and feed your infant during the night. They're also a great option for breastfeeding mothers since their close proximity will help boost the amount of milk they produce.

Bassinets aren't just convenient but also fashionable. This is the reason they're so popular. They're typically more spacious than Moses baskets and are available in many different styles, with some featuring extra features like a gentle tilting of the reflux. 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 able to be taken on the go too making them perfect for new parents traveling.

When choosing a bedside cot It is essential to choose a model that have easy-to-use drop sides. This allows you to lower your child into the bassinet, without having to lift them up into your arms. This can be a hassle for mothers with limited mobility. One of them is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been applauded by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted in our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot Moses, Crib or Basket category.

Another great feature that certain models have is a transparent side that allows you to observe your baby at all times. This is especially helpful when you are groggy at 3am and need to feed your baby. A quick glance can make a big difference. As was noted by Emily, our MFM home tester Sleepiest BassiNest is an excellent choice. It is easy to lower.

Budget

If you're still not ready to move to a larger cot the bedside crib could be the perfect solution. This bassinet-style crib attaches to your bed so that you can reach your baby easily for feedings at night or cuddle them without causing any disturbance to yourself. It's a great option for those with restricted movement following an operation such as a C-section. Celeb mums like Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen this model.

Our Parents Testers loved the new model of this popular crib from Chicco, which won the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. It's spacious and breathable and comes with six height options to accommodate growing babies, as well as a gentle setting for incline. It can also be used as a crib for travel and comes with a handy storage case.

It can be difficult to move an upholstered bedside cot throughout the home however our Parents Testers said that the Shnuggle Air alongside the cot was easy to maneuver. It's one of the smallest options and is small enough to fit in its own bag for travel bedside crib, which means you can take it along with you on your trip.

The SnuzPod is another highly rated bedside cot that is easy to assemble and fold away and packed with features to ensure an enjoyable night's sleep. It has a removable bassinet with a lift-off that can fit more beds than any other cot, and its breathable fabric helps your baby regulate their temperature. It also has a gentle rocking function and an incline setting for reflux, and is light enough to use as a travel cot if you're on the move. It's a bit more expensive than other cribs for bed however, Parent Testers agree that it's worth the extra cost.