How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk
Official safety sleeping guidelines from both NHS and Lullaby Trust recommends that newborns sleep in their own crib or Moses basket. A bedside crib can be a space-saving and practical option for parents who share a room.
Mumsnetters adore this co-sleeper since it's large and spacious, with plenty of room for baby to grow and play and is far more substantial than the size of a Moses basket. It's also simple to put together and comes with a bag for travel.
What is a bedside crib?
A bedside cot (also known as a side sleeper, bassinet or co-sleeper) is a safe way for your baby to rest close to you throughout their first few months. These cribs attach to your bed and allow you to pull your child towards you to feed them at night or for comforting. They're also a great choice for breastfeeding mothers or mums recovering from a caesarean section.
They're typically smaller than a standard cot or cotbed, but they provide ample space for your baby to rest. You can pick from a wide range of styles and features, depending on what you like best. A lot of cribs for bedside use a removable or drop-down side that makes it easier to reach the baby during the night to feed them. They are also available in different heights, based on your bed size.
Some cribs for bedside use a riser that allows you to add a slight slope to the sleep space which can aid in reflux and an easy zip-off side for cleaning. Some have manual rocking features that can provide a relaxing distraction for your newborn. You'll also require a breathable mattress for your crib. It should be a minimum of 30cm deep to ensure that your baby has enough head space.
You can be sure 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 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 guidelines for safe sleeping that advise 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 allows you to keep your infant close to you to calm them down and even feed them at night without leaving your bed. This is also a great option for when you are recovering from an operation or C-section, and have limited mobility.
Our top pick for a bedside crib, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 bedside crib for travel is small and folds flat in seconds to fit into a travel bag making it ideal for travel and nights away from home. It's one of the tiniest bedside cots and has an extremely comfortable mattress, air-flow panels, and an tilt setting, and it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the Best Crib, Cot or Moses Basket.
Another great bedside cot is the Chicco Next2me Magic bedside crib that won Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It comes with an integrated storage unit and changing mat, is lightweight (only 10kg), and has an adjustable side for easy access.
Style
A crib for your bed is a godsend for many moms, particularly those recovering from C-sections. You can easily reach your baby without getting out of the bed. This allows you to comfort and feed your baby at night. They're also a great choice for breastfeeding mothers as close proximity can boost their milk supply.
In addition to being extremely useful, bassinets can look pretty elegant and that's why they're so popular. They're often a bit bigger than Moses baskets and are available in many different styles, some having additional features like a gentle tilt to the reflux. They're designed to fit right next to your bed and can be moved around the house as baby grows. Some are portable, which means they're great for travelling parents.
It's important to choose a bedside cot that is easy to use drop-sides. These allow you to lower your baby's bassinet without lifting them into your arms, which can be difficult for mums with limited mobility. One of these models is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been applauded by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted in our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards' Best Cot Crib, Moses or Crib Basket category.
Another great feature that certain 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 you need to feed your child. A quick glance can make a big difference. As noted by Emily, our MFM home tester Sleepiest BassiNest is a great option. It is easy to lower.
Budget
If you're not ready to make the transition to a larger cot a bedside crib may be the perfect solution. bedside crib with wheels is attached to the side of your bed so you can easily reach your baby's feedings at night and soothe them without disturbing your sleep. It's a great option for those who have limited movement following an operation such as a C-section. Famous moms like Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen it.
Our Parents Testers loved this new version of the well-loved Chicco crib, which took home the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot or Crib. It's large and breathable, and comes with six height options to accommodate growing babies, and a gentle reflux setting for incline. It can be used as a crib for travel and comes with a handy storage case.
It can be a challenge to move a bedside cot around the home however our Parent Testers reported that the Shnuggle Air next to the cot was easy to move. It is among the lightest options and can be packed into its own travel bag.
The SnuzPod bedside cot is another highly rated item that's easy to assemble and fold with plenty of features for the perfect night's rest. 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 gentle rocking feature and an incline option for reflux, and is lightweight enough to be used as a travel cot while you're out and about. It's a bit more expensive than other cribs for bed, but Parent Testers agree that it's worth the extra expense.