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 crib or Moses basket. A crib that is placed near the bed is an efficient and space-saving choice for parents who live together.

Mumsnetters adore this co-sleeper since it's large bedside cot and spacious, with plenty of room for babies to grow and wriggle and much bigger than the typical Moses basket. It's also easy to assemble and comes with a travel cot bedside bag.

What is a bedside cot?

Bedside cribs (also called bassinets, side sleepers, or co-sleepers) are an effective and safe method for your baby to sleep near you in the early months. These cribs attach to your bed and let you bring your baby closer to you to feed them at night or for comforting without the danger of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome associated with traditional bed-sharing. These cribs are also ideal for mums who are breastfeeding or recovering from a Cesarean Section.

They're usually a little smaller than a regular cot, but they provide ample space for your baby to rest. You can pick from different styles and features depending on your preferences. Many bedside cribs have an adjustable or drop down side, which makes it easier to reach your baby's evening feeds. They are also available in different sizes to fit the dimensions of your bed.

Some cribs with a bedside have an riser that permits you to add a slight rise to the sleeping space that could help with reflux. It also has an easy zip-off side for cleaning. Some cribs come with manual rocking features that can provide a relaxing distractor for your infant. You'll also require a comfortable mattress to match your new crib. It must be at least 30cm deep to ensure your newborn has enough headroom.

You can be confident that your baby will be safe and comfortable in a bedside cot. With stars like Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all awed by the SNOO bedside crib, it's worth considering this fashionable alternative to a moses basket.

Safety

The Lullaby Trust, in conjunction with the NHS, has issued official safe sleeping guidelines which recommend that babies stay in the same bedroom as their parents for the first six months. However they should not be sleeping in your bed. This is to lower the risk of suffocation, or sudden infant death syndrome. A crib for bed allows you to keep your baby close to help calm them down and feed them at night without having to leave your bed. It's also ideal for those who have a limited mobility after an operation or recovering from C-section.

Our top pick for a bedside cot, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 travel cot bedside crib is small and folds flat in a matter of seconds to fit into its own bag for travel, making it ideal for travel and nights away from home. It's among the lightest options for a bedside crib and has a soft, comfortable foam mattress with mesh panels that let air flow. It also has an option for incline. Additionally, it was awarded Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot Crib or Moses basket.

Chicco Next2me Magic is another excellent bedside crib. It was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has a built-in changing mat and storage solutions It weighs just 10kg, and features an adjustable side that slides down to make it easy to access.

Style

A 4-in-1 bedside crib crib is a blessing for many mothers, particularly those recovering from C-sections. They can be attached to your bed so that you can easily reach your baby without needing to get out of bed and letting you feed them and soothe them quickly. Being close to the baby can also increase the production of milk for mothers who breastfeed.

They are not just functional, but also stylish. This is the reason they're so sought-after. They're typically more spacious than Moses baskets and come in lots of different styles, some even having extra features, like a soft tilting of the reflux. The baskets are designed to fit under your bed, they can usually be moved around the home when baby gets older and some can be carried to the go, making them great for new parents travelling.

It's important to choose a bedside cot with drop-sides that are easy to use. These let you lower your baby into the bassinet without having to lift them into your arms, which is difficult for mothers who have limited mobility. One of them is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been highly praised by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category.

Another great feature that certain models come with is a translucent side that allows you to see your baby at all times. This is especially useful during bleary-eyed 3am feeds when one glance could make all the difference. As noted by Emily our MFM home tester the Sleepiest BassiNest an excellent choice. It is easy to lower.

Budget

If you're still not ready to move to a full-sized cot, a bedside rocking crib crib may be the perfect solution. This bassinet-style cot attaches to the side of your bed so that you can easily reach your baby bedside co sleeper for night feeds and comfort them without disrupting your sleep. It's also a great choice for those suffering from restricted movement following a C-section and is a favorite option for celeb moms like Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.

Our Parent Testers loved this new version of the well-loved Chicco crib, which took home the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot or Crib. It is spacious and breathable, and comes with six different height settings for babies who are growing. There is also a soft reflux setting. It can be used as a travel crib and comes with a convenient storage case.

A bedside crib can be difficult to move around your home, but our Parent Testers found the Shnuggle Air beside crib really simple to move. It's one of the lightest options and can be put in its own travel bag.

The SnuzPod is another highly-rated bedside cot that's easy to put together and fold away, with plenty of features that will ensure your child gets a good night's sleep. It comes with a removable, lift-off bassinet which fits more beds than other cots. The fabric is breathable and can help keep your baby's temperature in check. It also has a soft rocking function and an incline setting for reflux, and it's light enough to use as a travel cot when you're out and about. It's a bit more expensive than other cots for bed but our Parent Testers believe it's worth the extra cash.