How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk
Both the NHS and the Lullaby Trust have issued official safe sleeping guidelines that suggest that infants sleep in their own Moses basket or cot. A bedside crib can be practical and space-saving for parents who share a room.
Mumsnetters love the co-sleeper as it is spacious, with plenty of room for babies to grow and wriggle. It is also much larger than the Moses Basket. It is also easy to assemble, and comes with a bag for carrying.
What is a bedside crib?
A bedside cot (also called a side sleeper, bassinet or co-sleeper) is a secure way for your newborn to sleep close to you throughout their first few months. These cribs are attached to your bed, allowing you to lift 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 Section.
These cots are often smaller than standard cots but they provide plenty of space for your baby to sleep. You can choose from different styles and features based on your preferences. A majority of cribs for bedside use an adjustable or drop down side, which makes it easier to reach your baby for night feeds and are also available in various heights to suit the size of your bed.
Some cribs for bedside use an adjustable riser that allows you to add a slight incline to the sleeping space that can aid in reflux and an easy zip-off side for cleaning. Others have manual rocking functions which can be a relaxing distraction for your baby. You'll also require a breathable mattress to go with your new crib, which should be a minimum of 30cm in depth to ensure that your newborn has sufficient head room.
A bedside crib is a major investment, but you can rest assured that your newborn will get a secure and comfortable sleep. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams, and Gigi Hadid are all big fans of SNOO's crib for babies. It is definitely worth a look as an alternative to the Moses basket.
Safety
The Lullaby Trust, in conjunction with the NHS, has issued official guidelines for safe sleep which recommend that babies stay in the same bedroom as their parents for the first six months. However, they should not sleep in your bed. This is to lower the risk of suffocation or sudden infant death syndrome. A crib for bed lets you keep your baby close to you to comfort them and even feed them at night without having to leave your bed. It's also ideal 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 is compact and folds down in seconds to fit into a travel bag so it's perfect for holidays and nights away from home. It's among the lightest options for a bedside crib and features a comfortable deep foam mattress with mesh panels that let air flow. It also comes with an incline option that can be added. It also won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Moses Basket or Cot Crib.
Another fantastic bedside cot is the Chicco Next2me Magic bedside crib that was awarded Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has an integrated storage unit and changing mat, is light (only 10kg), and has an adjustable side that makes it easy to access.
Style
A crib for your bed is a blessing for many mothers, particularly those recovering from C-sections. They can be attached to your bed so you can easily reach your baby without having to get up, allowing you to night feed them and soothe them quickly. They are also a great option for breastfeeding mothers as the close proximity can help boost the amount of milk they produce.
Alongside being incredibly convenient, these bassinets can also look elegant, which is why they're so sought-after. Some are more spacious than Moses Baskets and some even have additional features such as a gentle reflux and incline. They're designed to fit 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 an cot with bedside with drop-sides that are easy to use. They allow you to lower your infant into the bassinet without needing to lift them into your arms, which can be difficult for mothers with mobility issues. bedside crib or cot of these models is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been praised by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot Crib, Moses or Crib Basket category.
bedside crib or cot that a few models come with is a transparent side that lets you be able to see your baby at all times. This is especially helpful in the case of 3am feeds that are bleary-eyed, when just a glance can make all the difference. As was noted by Emily, our MFM home test participant Sleepiest BassiNest is a great option. It is easy to lower.
Budget
A bedside crib is an excellent alternative if you're not yet ready to upgrade to a full-sized crib. The bassinet-style crib can be attached to your bed so that you can easily reach your baby for feedings at night or cuddle your child without causing disturbance. It's an excellent choice for those with restricted movement after 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 well-loved crib from Chicco which was awarded the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It's afclimatizing and spacious and comes with six height options to accommodate growing babies, and a gentle reflux setting for incline. You can also use it as a travel cot, and it comes with an excellent storage bag.
It can be difficult to move a bedside cot around your home, but our Parents Testers stated that the Shnuggle Air beside cot was very easy to maneuver. It is one of the lighter options and can be packed into its own travel bag.
The SnuzPod bedside cot is another highly rated product that's simple to fold and assemble, with many features for an unwinding night's sleep. It comes with a bassinet that lifts off to fit more beds than any other cot and its breathable fabric helps your baby to regulate their temperature. It also features a soft rocking function and an incline option for reflux, and it's light enough to be used as a travel cot when you're out and about. It's a bit more expensive than other cots for bed, but our Parents Testers believe it's worth the extra cash.