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 crib that is placed near the bed is an efficient and space-saving choice for parents who live together.
Mumsnetters love the co-sleeper as it's big and has plenty of room for babies to grow and wriggle. It is also much larger than the Moses Basket. It's also easy to assemble and comes with a bag for travel.
What is a bedside cot?
A bedside cot (also known as a bassinet, side-sleeper or co-sleeper) is a secure way for your baby to rest close to you overnight during their first few months. These cribs are attached to your bed and let you lift your child towards you for night-feeding or comforting. These cribs are also great for mums who are nursing or recovering from a cesarean section.
They're typically smaller than a regular cot or cotbed, yet they provide ample space for your baby to lay down. You can pick from various styles and features based on your preferences. A lot of cribs for bedside use an adjustable or drop-down side, which makes it easier to reach the baby during the night to feed them. They are also available in different heights, based on the size of your bed.
Some cribs with a bedside have an adjustable riser that allows you to add a slight incline to the sleep area that can aid in reflux and a zip-off side for easy cleaning. Some cribs have manual rocking features that can be a soothing distraction to your newborn. You'll also require a breathable mattress for your new crib, which should be a minimum of 30cm deep to ensure that your baby has enough head space.
You can rest assured 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 fans of 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 released official guidelines for safe sleeping that recommend that newborns sleep in the same bedroom as their parents for the first six months. However they shouldn't sleep in your bed. This is to lower the risk of suffocation or sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib is a great option that lets your baby comfortably be near enough for you to night feed them and soothe them back to sleep without having to get out of your bed. It's also a great option for those who have a limited mobility after an operation or recovering from an operation such as a C-section.
best bedside cot for a bedside cot, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 bedside crib for travel is compact and folds down in a matter of seconds to fit into its own travel bag so it's perfect for holidays and nights away from home. It's among the lightest bedside cot options and has an extremely comfortable mattress, air-flow panels, an optional incline setting, plus it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for 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 features a built-in change mat and storage solution It weighs just 10kg, and features an adjustable side that slides down to make it easy to access.
Style
For many mothers, particularly those who have had C-sections, a bedside crib can prove to be a blessing in disguise. They attach to your bed so that you can easily reach your baby without needing to get up in order to feed them and soothe them quickly. The close proximity to the baby can also increase the production of milk for mothers who breastfeed.
Alongside being incredibly practical, these bassinets can also look stylish too, which is why they're so sought-after. They are larger than Moses Baskets and some even have additional features, like a gentle incline. They are designed to be placed near your bed, they are able to be moved around the house when baby gets older and some are able to be taken on the go too, making them great for new parents traveling.
When you are choosing a bedside cot It is essential to select 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 a challenge for mothers with limited mobility. One such model is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been highly praised by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted in our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards' Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category.
Another great feature that certain models come with is a transparent side that allows you to be able to see your baby at all times. This is especially helpful during bleary-eyed 3am feeds where a quick glance can make all the difference. As mentioned by Emily, our MFM home tester, the Sleepiest BassiNest is a great option. It's easy to lower.
Budget
A bedside crib is a great option if you are not ready to move to a full-sized crib. This bassinet-style cot attaches to the bed's side so you can easily reach your baby for feedings at night and soothe them without disturbing your sleep. It's also a great choice for those who suffer from restricted movement after the birth, and is a popular option with famous mothers like Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.
Our Parent Testers loved the new version of this popular crib from Chicco, which won the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. It is spacious comfortable, breathable, and comes with six different height settings for babies who are growing. There is also a soft reflux setting. It can also be used as a travel cot and it comes with an easy-to-store storage bag.
A bedside crib can be difficult to move around the home, but our Parent Testers found the Shnuggle Air on the side of the crib easy to maneuver. It's one of the lightest alternatives and is small enough to fit into its own bag for travel, so you can take it with you when you travel.
The SnuzPod is another highly-rated bedside cot that is easy to put together and fold away and packed with 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 regulate your baby's temperature. It has a gentle rocking feature, as well as an incline to aid in reflux. It is also lightweight enough to be used as a crib for travel when you're on the move. It's a bit more expensive than other bedside cribs but Parents Testers believe it's worth the extra cost.