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 share a room.
Mumsnetters love the co-sleeper because it's big and has plenty of room for baby's 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 co sleeper cot (also known as a bassinet, side-sleeper or co-sleeper) is a safe method for your baby to sleep near you during their first months. These cribs are attached to your bed, allowing you to lift your child towards you for night-feeding or comforting. They're also a great choice for breastfeeding mothers or mums recovering from a Caesarean section.
They're often slightly smaller than a standard cot or cotbed, but offer plenty of space for your baby to lay down. You can choose from various styles and features based on your preferences. A majority of cribs for bedside use a drop down or removable side that allows you to reach your baby's feeding at night. They are available in a variety of heights to accommodate the size of your bed.
Some bedside cribs have an adjustable riser that allows you to add an incline in the sleeping area. This can help with reflux. They also have an open side to make cleaning easy. Some cribs feature manual rocking options which can provide a soothing distraction for your baby. You'll also require a comfortable mattress to go with your crib. It must be at least 30cm deep to ensure your newborn has enough headroom.
You can be confident that your baby will be comfortable and safe in a cot that is positioned at the bedside. With the likes of Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all fans of the SNOO bedside crib, it's worth considering this fashionable alternative to moses basket.
Safety
The Lullaby Trust, in conjunction with the NHS has released official safe sleeping guidelines that advise that babies stay in the same bedroom as their parents for the first six months. However they shouldn't sleep in your bed. This is to reduce the chance of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib is a great option that allows your child to comfortably be near 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 great if you have limited mobility following 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 travel cot bedside crib is compact and folds down in seconds to fit into a travel bag making it ideal for travel and nights away from home. It's one of the lightest bedside cots and has a comfy deep foam mattress, air-flow panels, an optional incline setting, plus it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Crib, Cot or Moses Basket.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another excellent bedside crib. It won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has built-in storage and a changing mat, is light (only 10kg) and comes with an adjustable side that allows for easy access.
Style
For many mums, particularly those who are recovering from C-sections, a bedside crib could prove to an absolute blessing. They attach 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. The close proximity to the baby can also help increase milk production for mothers who are breastfeeding.
They are not just functional, but also fashionable. This is why they are so popular. Some are bigger than Moses Baskets and some even have additional features like a gentle reflux and incline. They are designed to fit close to your bed and can be moved around the home as baby grows. Some are portable, which means they're great for parents who travel.
When selecting a cot for your bedside it is important to look for designs that have easy-to-use drop sides. These allow you to lower your infant into the bassinet without needing to lift them into your arms, which is difficult for moms who have limited mobility. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one of the models that has been acknowledged and shortlisted by Mumsnetters in the category of Best Cot or Crib or Moses Basket for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.
Some models also have a transparent side, which allows you to always see your baby. This is especially useful when you are tired and sleepy, when one glance could make all the difference. As noted by Emily, our MFM home test participant Sleepiest BassiNest is a great option. It is simple to lower.
Budget
A bedside crib is a great option if you are not ready to upgrade to a bigger crib. The bassinet-style crib can be attached to your bed, so you can reach your baby easily to feed them at night or even comfort them without disturbing yourself. It's also a great choice for those with restricted movement after the birth and is a popular choice with celeb mums including Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.
Our Parent Testers loved this latest version of the popular Chicco crib, which won 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot or Crib. It's large and breathable, and comes with six height settings to accommodate babies who are growing, plus a gentle reflux setting for incline. It can also be used as a travel crib and comes with a handy storage case.
A bedside crib can be difficult to move around the home However, our Parents Testers found the Shnuggle Air beside crib really easy to move around. It's one of the smallest options and small enough to fit in its own bag for travel, which means you can take it along with you on your trip.
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 adjustable bassinet that lifts off, which can fit more beds than other cots. The fabric is breathable and can help regulate your baby's temperature. It also has a soft rocking function and an incline setting to help with reflux, and is light enough to be used as a travel cot while you're out and about. It's a little more expensive than other cots for bed, but our Parents Testers believe it's worth the extra cash.