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 crib for bed is an effective and space-saving solution for parents who share a room.
Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper because it's large and spacious, with plenty of space for babies to grow and wriggle and more spacious than the size of a Moses basket. It's also easy to put together and comes with a carry-on bag.
What is a bedside crib?
A bedside cot (also known as a bassinet, side sleeper or co-sleeper) is a safe way for your baby to rest near you during the first few months of their life. These cribs fix to your bed and allow you to raise your baby towards you at night for feeding or comforting without the danger of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome that is a result of traditional bed-sharing. They're also a great choice for breastfeeding mothers or mothers recovering from a Caesarean section.
They're typically smaller than a regular cot or cotbed, but provide plenty of space for your baby to sleep. You can pick from a variety of styles and features depending on your preferences. Many cribs with a bedside feature an adjustable or drop-down side, which makes it easier to reach the baby during the night to feed them. They also come in different heights depending on your bed size.
Some bedside cribs come with an adjustable riser that allows you to add a slight slope to the sleep area that can aid in reflux and a zip-off side for easy cleaning. Some cribs feature manual rocking options that can provide a relaxing distraction for your baby. You'll need a mattress that is breathable to go with your crib. It must be at least 30cm thick to allow your baby plenty of headroom.
A bedside crib is an investment but you can be certain that your baby will have a secure and comfortable sleep. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams, and Gigi Hadid are all big fans of SNOO's bedside crib. It is definitely worth a look as an alternative to a Moses basket.
Safety
Official guidelines for safe sleep from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that newborns sleep in the same room as you during the first six months, but not in your bed to reduce the risk of suffocation, and to decrease the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. A crib that is placed near your bed is an excellent option that allows your baby to safely be close enough for you to feed them during the night and soothe them back to sleep without having to get out of your own bed. It's also a great option for when you are recovering from an operation or a C-section and have limited mobility.
Our top pick for a bedside cot, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 travel cot bedside crib is compact and folds down in a matter of seconds and fits into a travel bag which makes it perfect for trips to the beach and nights away from home. It's the lightest option for a bedside cot and has a soft, comfortable foam mattress with mesh panels that let air flow. It also comes with an option for incline. Plus, it won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Moses Basket or Cot Crib.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another great bedside crib option. It won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It comes with built-in storage and a changing mat, is lightweight (only 10kg) and comes with an adjustable side that allows for easy access.
Style
A crib for your bed is a blessing for many mothers, particularly those recovering from C-sections. They attach to your bed so that you can reach your baby easily without having to get out of bed in order to feed them and comfort them quickly. They are also a great choice for mothers who are breastfeeding as their close proximity will help boost the amount of milk they produce.
As well as being incredibly convenient, these bassinets are stylish too which is the reason they're so popular. They are larger than Moses Baskets and some come with additional features, like a gentle and incline. The baskets are designed to fit under your bed, they are able to be moved around the house as the baby grows older, and some can be carried with you on the go, making them great for new parents travelling.
It's important to choose a cot for your bed that is easy to use drop-sides. These let you lower your baby's bassinet without lifting them into your arms, which can be difficult for mums with limited mobility. One of them is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been praised by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards' Best Cot Moses, Crib or Basket category.
Another great feature that certain models come with is a translucent side that allows you to see your baby at all times. This is especially useful in the case of 3am feeds that are bleary-eyed where a quick glance can make all the difference. As was noted by Emily, our MFM home test participant the Sleepiest BassiNest an excellent choice. It's easy to lower.
Budget
A bedside crib is a fantastic alternative if you're not yet ready to upgrade to a full-sized crib. The cot is attached to the bed's side so you can easily reach your baby for evening feeds and also comfort them without disturbing your own sleep. It's a great option for those with restricted movement after the C-section. Celeb mums such as Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen this model.
Our Parent Testers loved this new version of the bestselling Chicco crib, which was awarded the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards as the Best Cot or Crib. It's afclimatizing and spacious and has six height settings to accommodate growing babies, as well as a gentle setting for incline. It can be used as a travel crib and comes with a storage case that is convenient for storage.
A bedside cot can be a little difficult to move around the home However, our Parent Testers found the Shnuggle Air beside crib really simple to move. It's one of the lightest options and can be tucked away in its own travel bag.
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 the best night's rest. It comes with a bassinet with a lift-off that can fit more beds than any other cot and its breathable fabric helps your baby to regulate their temperature. It also has a gentle rocking feature and an incline option for reflux, and is lightweight enough to use as a travel cot when you're on the move. It's a little more expensive than other bedside cribs however, Parent Testers believe it's worth the extra expense.