How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk

Official guidelines for safe sleep from both NHS and Lullaby Trust recommends that newborns sleep in their own cot or Moses basket. A crib for bed is an effective and space-saving solution for parents who share a room.

Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper as it's big enough with plenty of room for baby to grow and play and is more spacious than a Moses basket. It's also simple to put together and comes with a bag for travel.

What is a bedside cot?

Bedside cribs (also known as bassinets, side sleepers, or co-sleepers) are a safe and convenient way for your baby to sleep with you in the early months. These cribs are attached to your bed and allow you to lift your baby out towards you to feed them at night or for comforting without the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome as a result of traditional bed sharing. These cribs are also great for mothers who are nursing or recovering from a cesarean section.

They're typically smaller than a standard cot, but they provide ample space for your baby to rest. You can choose from a wide range of designs and features depending on what you like best. Many bedside cribs have an adjustable or drop down side that makes it easier to reach your baby for feeding at night. They are available in a variety of heights to suit the size of your bed.

Some cribs for bedside use a riser that allows you to add a slight slope to the sleeping space that could help with reflux. It also has an easy zip-off side for cleaning. Some cribs have manual rocking features that can be a soothing distraction to your newborn. You'll need a mattress that is breathable to go with your crib. It should be at least 30cm in depth to give your baby enough headroom.

You can be sure that your child will be safe and secure in a cot that is positioned at the bedside. With stars like Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all awed by the SNOO bedside crib, it's definitely worth considering this stylish alternative to a moses basket.

Safety

The Lullaby Trust, in conjunction with the NHS, has issued official safe sleeping guidelines which recommend that babies are in the same room as their parents for the first six months. However they should not be sleeping in your bed. This is to lower the chance of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib with changing table crib is a fantastic option that allows your baby to safely be close enough for you to feed them during the night and help them return to sleep without having to leave your own bed. It's also a great option if you have limited mobility after an operation or are recovering from C-section.

Our top choice for a bedside crib, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 travel Cot bedside crib (Funsilo.date) is small and folds flat in a matter of seconds to fit into its own travel bag which makes it perfect for trips to the beach and nights away from home. It's one of the tiniest bedside cots available and comes with a the most comfortable deep foam mattress that has mesh air-flow panels and an tilt setting, and it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for best bedside cot for newborn Crib, Cot, or Moses Basket.

Another fantastic bedside cot is the Chicco Next2me Magic bedside crib which was awarded Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has a built-in storage solution and changing mat, is lightweight (only 10kg), and has an adjustable side for easy access.

Style

For a lot of moms, especially those who have had C-sections, a bedside travel cot crib could prove to an absolute blessing. They can be attached to your bed so that you can easily reach your baby without having to get out of bed in order to feed them and comfort them quickly. They're also a great option for breastfeeding mothers since close proximity can boost the amount of milk they produce.

In addition to being extremely practical, these bassinets are attractive too and that's why they're so popular. Some are bigger than Moses Baskets, and some have extra features such as a gentle reflux upward slope. Designed to fit by your bed, they can be moved around your home when the baby grows older. Additionally, some are portable enough to take with you on the go making them perfect for new parents travelling.

When choosing a bedside cot it is important to choose a model that have drop sides that are simple to use. This allows you to lower your infant into the bassinet without lifting them up into your arms. This can be difficult for mothers with 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, Moses or Crib Basket category.

Another useful feature that a few models have is a transparent side that lets you be able to see your baby at all times. This is especially helpful when you're exhausted at 3am and need to feed your baby. A quick glance could make a big difference. One of these options is the Sleepiest BassiNest, which is easy to lower as outlined by our MFM home tester Emily.

Budget

If you're not quite ready to make the transition to a full-sized cot, the bedside crib could be an ideal solution. The bassinet-style crib is attached to the bed's side so that you can easily reach your baby for feedings at night and soothe them without disturbing your sleep. It's also a great option for those with limited movement after an operation and is a favorite option for celeb moms like Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.

Our Parents Testers loved this latest version of the popular Chicco crib, which took home the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards as the Best Cot or Crib. It's afclimatizing and spacious and has six height settings to accommodate growing babies, and a gentle reflux incline setting. It can also be used as a travel cot, and it comes with an excellent storage bag.

It can be a challenge to move a bedside cot around your house however our Parent Testers stated that the Shnuggle Air beside cot was very easy to maneuver. It is among the lighter options and can be packed into 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 to ensure a good night's sleep. It has a lift-off bassinet that fits more beds than any other cot and its breathable fabric helps your baby regulate their temperature. It features a soft rocking feature and an incline to aid in reflux. It is also lightweight enough to be used as a crib for travel when you are out and about. It's a bit more expensive than other bedside cribs but Parents Testers agree that it's worth the extra expense.