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 bedside crib is practical and space-saving for parents who live in a room together.
Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper as it's large and spacious, with plenty of room for babies to grow and play, and more spacious than a Moses basket. It is also easy to put together and comes with a carry bag.
What is a bedside cot?
Bedside cots (also called bassinets, side sleepers or co-sleepers) are a safe and convenient way for your baby to sleep near you during the early months. These cribs fix 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 associated with traditional bed-sharing. These cribs are also great for mums who are breastfeeding or recovering from a cesarean section.
These cots are often smaller than a standard cot but they provide plenty of space for your baby to rest. You can choose from different styles and features based on your preferences. A majority of cribs for bedside use a drop down or removable side, which makes it easier to reach your baby's evening feeds. They are available in a variety of sizes to fit the dimensions of your bed.
Some cribs for bedside use an riser that permits you to add a slight rise 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 need a mattress that is comfortable to be used with your crib. It must be at least 30cm thick to allow your baby plenty of headroom.
You can be sure that your child will be safe and secure in a cot that is positioned at the bedside. resources , Serena Williams, and Gigi Hadid are all big fans of SNOO's crib for babies. resources is definitely worth a look as an alternative to a 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 reduce the chance of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome. A crib for bed allows you to keep your baby close to calm them down and night feed them without leaving your bed. It's also a great option for when you are recovering from an operation or a C-section and are unable to move.
Our top choice for a bedside cot the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 bedside crib that travels cots is small and folds flat in seconds to fit into its own travel bag making it ideal for travel and nights away from home. It's among the lightest bedside cot options and has the most comfortable deep foam mattress that has mesh air-flow panels, an optional tilting setting, and it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket.
Another fab bedside cot option is the Chicco Next2me Magic bedside crib that was awarded Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It features a built-in change mat and storage solution and weighs only 10kg. It is light at 10kg, and has an adjustable side that drops down for easy access.
Style
A crib for your bed is a blessing for many mums, especially those who are recovering from C-sections. They can be attached to your bed so that you can reach your baby easily without needing to get out of bed and letting you feed them and comfort them quickly. They're also a great choice for mothers who are breastfeeding as their close proximity will help boost the amount of milk they produce.
Bassinets aren't just functional, but also stylish. This is why they're so sought-after. Some are more spacious than Moses Baskets, and some have extra features, like a gentle and incline. They're designed to sit close to your bed and can be moved around the house as baby grows. Some are portable so they're great for travelling parents.
It is essential to select an cot with bedside that is easy to use drop-sides. These allow you to lower your baby's bassinet without having to lift them into your arms, which is difficult for mothers with mobility issues. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one of these models that has been praised and shortlisted by Mumsnetters in the category of the Best Cot or Crib Moses Basket for our 2021 Mother and Baby Awards.
Some models also have a translucent side, which allows you to see your baby. This is especially helpful in the case of 3am feeds that are bleary-eyed where just a glance can make all the difference. As mentioned by Emily our MFM home test participant, the Sleepiest BassiNest is a great option. It's easy to lower.
Budget
If you're still not ready to make the leap to a larger cot an infant crib on your bed could be a great option. The crib is attached to your bed so that you can easily reach your baby to feed them at night or even comfort your child without causing disturbance. It's an excellent choice for those who have limited movement after a C-section. Celebrity moms 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 Award for Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. It's spacious and breathable and has six height settings to accommodate growing babies, and a gentle reflux setting for the incline. You can also use it as a travel cot, and it comes with an easy-to-store storage bag.
A bedside cot can be difficult to move around the home However, our Parent Testers found the Shnuggle Air beside crib really easy to move around. It's among the lightest options and small enough to fit into its own bag for travel, so you can take it along with you on your trip.
The SnuzPod bedside cot is a highly rated item that's easy to assemble and fold with plenty of features for the perfect night's rest. It has a removable, lift-off bassinet which fits more beds than other cots. The fabric is breathable and can help to regulate your baby's temperature. It has a gentle rocking feature and an incline for reflux. It's also light enough to use as a travel crib when you're out and about. It's more expensive than other bedside cribs but Parents Testers agree that it's worth the extra expense.