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 cot or Moses basket. A bedside crib is a practical and space-saving option for parents who live together.
Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper because it's spacious with lots of room for baby to grow and play and is more spacious than the size of a Moses basket. It's also simple to put together and comes with a carry-on bag.
What is a bedside cot?
A bedside cot (also called a bassinet, side-sleeper or co-sleeper) is a safe way for your newborn to sleep close to you overnight during their first few months. These cribs fix to your bed and let you lift your baby out towards you for night feeding or comforting without the threat of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome as a result of traditional bed sharing. They're also a great choice for mothers who are breastfeeding or recovering from a Caesarean section.
They are usually a little smaller than a standard cot, but still offer plenty of room for your baby to sleep. You can choose from a variety of styles and features depending on your preferences. A lot of cribs for bedside use a removable 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 your bed size.
Some cribs for bedside use an adjustable riser that allows you to create an incline in the sleeping area. This can help with reflux. They also come with an open side to make cleaning easy. Some have manual rocking features which can be a soothing distraction for your baby. You'll require a mattress that's comfortable to be used with your crib. It should be at least 30cm in depth to give your baby enough headroom.
A bedside crib is a major investment, but you can rest assured that your baby will have a peaceful and safe night's sleep. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid are all big fans of SNOO's crib for babies. It is definitely worth considering as an alternative to a Moses basket.
Safety
Official safe sleeping guidelines from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that babies born today should sleep in the same room as you for the first six months but not in your bed to lower the chance of suffocation and to decrease the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. A crib that is placed near your bed is a great option that allows your baby to remain close enough to you to feed them at night and comfort them back to sleep without having to get out of your own bed. It is also a great option if you are recovering from an operation or C-section and have limited mobility.
Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3 in 1 travel cot bedside crib is our top pick for a crib to sleep in. It's compact and folds flat to fit into its travel bag, making it perfect for trips away on holidays or from home. It's the lightest option for a bedside crib and comes with a comfy deep foam mattress with mesh panels that let air flow. It also comes with an incline option that can be added. Additionally, it was awarded Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot Crib 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 light (only 10kg) and features an adjustable side that makes it easy to access.
Style
A bedside crib is a blessing for many moms, particularly those recovering from C-sections. You can easily reach your baby without having to get out of your bed. This lets you comfort and feed your baby at night. They're an excellent choice for breastfeeding mothers as close proximity can increase their milk supply.
In addition to being extremely convenient, these bassinets are attractive too and that's why they're so sought-after. They're usually more spacious than Moses baskets and come in lots of different styles, some even having extra features, like a soft reflux incline setting. They're designed to fit right next to your bed and can be moved around the home as baby grows. Some are portable so they're great for parents who travel.
When you are choosing a bedside cot, it's important to choose a model that have easy-to-use drop sides. These let you lower your baby into the bassinet without having to lift them into your arms, which is difficult for mothers with mobility issues. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one of the models that has been acknowledged and shortlisted by Mumsnetters in the category of Best Cot or Crib Moses Basket for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.
Another great feature that certain models come with is a translucent side that lets you see your baby at all times. This is particularly useful in the case of 3am feeds that are bleary-eyed where a quick glance can make all the difference. One of these options is the Sleepiest BassiNest which is easy to lower as noted by our MFM home tester Emily.
Budget
If you're still not ready to make the transition to a larger cot, an infant crib on your bed could be a great option. The bassinet-style crib can be attached to your bed, so you can easily reach your baby for night feeds or comfort them without causing any disturbance to yourself. It's an excellent choice for those who have limited movement following a C-section. Famous moms like Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen this model.
Our Parent Testers loved the new version of this well-loved crib from Chicco which was awarded the 2021 Mother&Baby Award for Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. It is spacious comfortable, breathable, and comes with six different height settings suitable for growing babies. There is also a soft reflux setting. It can also be used as a travel crib and comes with a convenient storage case.
bedside crib co sleeper can be tricky to move around the home However, our Parent Testers found the Shnuggle Air on the side of the crib easy to maneuver. It's one of the lightest options and can be packed into its own travel bag.
The SnuzPod is a different highly rated bedside cot that's simple to put together and fold away and packed with features for a good night's sleep. It comes with a removable, adjustable bassinet that lifts off, which can fit more beds than other cots. The fabric is breathable and helps regulate your baby's temperature. It features a soft rocking feature and an incline for reflux. It is also lightweight enough to use as a crib for travel while you're traveling. It's a little more expensive than other cots for bed but our Parents Testers say it's well worth the extra cash.