How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk
Both the NHS and the Lullaby Trust have issued official safe sleeping guidelines that suggest that infants sleep in their own Moses basket or cot. A crib that is placed near the bed is a practical and space-saving option for parents who live together.
Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper because it’s large and spacious, with plenty of room for babies to grow and wriggle and far more substantial than a Moses basket. It’s also easy to put together and comes with a travel bag.
What is a bedside crib?
A bedside cot (also known as a side sleeper, bassinet or co-sleeper) is a safe way for your baby to sleep close to you overnight during the first few months of their life. These cribs attach to your bed and let you lift your child in your arms for night-feeding or comforting. They’re also a great choice for breastfeeding mothers or mothers recovering from a Caesarean section.
They’re usually a little smaller than a regular cot or cotbed, yet provide plenty of space for your baby to lay down. You can pick from a variety of styles and features depending on your preferences. Many bedside cribs have an adjustable or drop down side, which makes it easier to reach your baby for evening feeds. They are available in a variety of heights to accommodate the size of your bed.
Some bedside cribs come with an adjustable riser that allows you to add a slight slope to the sleep space which can aid in reflux and an easy zip-off side for cleaning. Some have manual rocking features which can be a soothing distraction for your newborn. You’ll also require a comfortable mattress for your new crib. It must be at least 30cm in depth to ensure that your newborn has sufficient head room.
You can rest assured that your child will be safe and comfortable in a bedside cot. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams, and Gigi Hadid are all big fans of SNOO’s bedside cots for newborns crib. It is definitely worth a look as an alternative to a Moses basket.
Safety
The Lullaby Trust, in conjunction with the NHS has released official guidelines for safe sleeping that advise that babies stay in the same bedroom as their parents for the first six months. However they should not be sleeping in your bed. This is to lower the risk of suffocation or sudden infant death syndrome. A crib for bed allows you to keep your baby close to you to calm them down and feed them at night without having to leave your bed. It’s also great if you have limited mobility following an operation or recovering from C-section.
Our top pick for a bedside crib, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 travel cot bedside crib is small and folds flat in a matter of seconds and fits into a travel bag making it ideal for travel and nights away from home. It’s one of the lightest bedside crib with changing table cot options and has an extremely comfortable mattress that has mesh air-flow panels and an tilt setting, and it was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Crib, Cot, or Moses Basket.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another excellent bedside crib. It won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It comes with a built-in storage solution and changing mat, is lightweight (only 10kg) and comes with an adjustable side for easy access.
Style
For many mums, particularly those who are recovering from C-sections, a bedside cot used crib can be a blessing in disguise. They can be attached to your bed so that you can reach your baby easily without having to get up in order to feed them and soothe them quickly. They are also a great option for breastfeeding mothers as close proximity can boost their milk supply.
In addition to being extremely convenient, these bassinets are elegant which is the reason they’re so sought-after. Some are bigger than Moses Baskets and some even have additional features, like a gentle upward slope. They are designed to be placed near your bed, they can be moved around the house when the baby grows older. Additionally, some are able to be taken with you on the go which makes them ideal for new parents travelling.
It is important to choose a cot for your bed that has easy-to-use drop-sides. This allows you to lower your infant into the bassinet without having to lift them up into your arms. This can be a hassle for mothers with mobility issues. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one such model that has been highly praised and was shortlisted by Mumsnetters in the category of the best Cot or Crib or Moses Basket for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.
Some models also have a translucent side, allowing you to always see your baby. This is especially useful when you are tired and sleepy when a quick glance can make all the difference. As noted by Emily our MFM home test participant Sleepiest BassiNest is an excellent choice. It’s easy to lower.
Budget
If you’re not ready to make the transition to a larger cot, an infant crib on your bed could be the perfect solution. The crib is attached to your bed, so you can reach your baby easily for feedings at night or cuddle your child without causing disturbance. It’s a great option for those who have limited movement after an operation such as a C-section. Celebrity moms like Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen this model.
Our Parent Testers loved the new model of this bestselling crib from Chicco, which won the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It’s afclimatizing and spacious and comes with six height settings to accommodate growing babies, plus a gentle reflux setting for the incline. You can also use it as a travel cot, and it comes with an excellent storage bag.
A bedside cot can be a little difficult to move around your home however our Parent Testers found the Shnuggle Air on the side of the crib easy to maneuver. It’s among the lightest options and small enough to fit in its own bag for travel, which means you can take it along with you on your trip.
The SnuzPod is another highly rated bedside cot that is easy to assemble and fold away and comes with a variety of features to ensure an enjoyable night’s sleep. 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 also has a soft rocking feature and an incline setting to help with reflux, and it’s light enough to use as a travel cot when you’re on the move. It’s a bit more expensive than other bedside cots but our Parent Testers believe it’s worth the extra cost.