How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk
Both the NHS and the Lullaby Trust have issued official safe sleeping guidelines which suggest that infants sleep in their own Moses basket or cot. A bedside crib is an effective and space-saving solution for room-sharing new parents.
Mumsnetters love the co-sleeper because it is spacious, with plenty of room for babies to grow and wriggle. It's also larger than the Moses Basket. It's also easy to put together and comes with a bag for travel.
What is a bedside cot?
A bedside cot (also known as a side sleeper, bassinet or co-sleeper) is a safe way for your newborn to sleep close to you overnight during the first few months of their life. These cribs attach to your bed and allow you to pull your child towards you for night-feeding or comforting. These cribs are also ideal for mums who are breastfeeding or recovering from a Cesarean Section.
They're often slightly smaller than a regular cot or cotbed, yet they provide ample space for your baby to lay down. You can choose between different styles and features based on your preferences. Many cribs with a bedside feature an adjustable or drop-down side to make it easier to reach the baby at night for feedings. They are also available in different heights depending on the size of your bed.
Some bedside cribs have a riser which allows you to create an incline in the sleeping area. This can help with reflux. They also have the option of a zip-off side to make cleaning easy. Some cribs have manual rocking features that can provide a relaxing distraction for your baby. You'll require a mattress that's air-conditioned to match 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 sure your newborn will get a peaceful and safe night's sleep. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi hadid are all fans of SNOO's bedside crib. It is definitely worth considering as an 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 stay 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 chance of suffocation and 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 leave your bed. This is an excellent option if you are recovering from an operation or C-section, and have limited mobility.
Our top choice for a bedside cot the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 bedside crib for travel is small and folds flat in a matter of seconds and fits into its own travel bag making it ideal for travel and nights away from home. It's the lightest option for a bedside cot and features a comfortable deep foam mattress with mesh panels that allow air to flow. It also comes with an option for incline. Additionally, it was awarded Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot Crib or Moses basket.
Another fantastic bedside cot is the Chicco Next2me Magic bedside crib that won 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 bedside crib can be a lifesaver for many moms, particularly those recovering from C-sections. They are attached 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.
Alongside being incredibly useful, bassinets can also look attractive too, which is why they're so sought-after. They're typically more spacious than Moses baskets and come in a variety of different styles, with some featuring extra features such as a gentle reflux incline setting. They're designed to fit close to your bed and can be moved around the home as baby grows. Some are portable so they're ideal for parents who travel.
It is important to choose a bedside cot that is easy to use drop-sides. These allow you to lower your infant into the bassinet without needing to lift them into your arms, which can be difficult for mums with limited mobility. 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 or Moses Basket for our 2021 Mother and Baby Awards.
Some models also come with a transparent side, allowing you to be able to always view your baby. This is particularly useful when you're exhausted at 3am and need to feed your baby. A quick glance can make a big difference. As noted by Emily who is our MFM home tester, the Sleepiest BassiNest is an excellent choice. It's easy to lower.
Budget
If you're not ready to make the leap to a larger cot the bedside crib could be a great option. newborn bedside cot -style cot attaches to the bed's side to allow you to easily reach your baby's night feeds and comfort them without disrupting your sleep. It's an excellent choice for those with restricted movement after the C-section. Famous moms like Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen it.
Our Parents Testers loved the new version of this well-loved crib from Chicco that won the 2021 Mother&Baby Award for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It's spacious and breathable and comes with six height options to accommodate babies who are growing, and a gentle reflux incline setting. 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 tricky to move around the home however our Parents Testers found the Shnuggle Air on the side of the crib easy to move around. It's one of the lightest alternatives and is compact enough to fit into its own bag for travel, so you can take it along with you on your trip.
The SnuzPod is another highly rated bedside cot that's simple to assemble and fold away, with plenty of features for the best night's rest. It has a removable lift-off bassinet that fits more beds than any other cot and its breathable fabric can help your baby to regulate their temperature. It has a gentle rocking feature as well as an incline for reflux. It is also lightweight enough to be used as a crib for travel when you're out and about. It's more expensive than other cots for bed but our Parent Testers say it's well worth the extra cost.