How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk
Official guidelines for safe sleep from both NHS and Lullaby Trust recommends that newborns sleep in their own crib or Moses basket. A bedside crib is a practical and space-saving option for room-sharing new parents.
Mumsnetters love the co-sleeper as it’s big and has plenty of room for babies to grow and wiggle. It is also much larger than a Moses Basket. It’s also simple to put together, and comes with a bag for carrying.
What is a bedside crib?
bedside crib travel cots (also known as bassinets, side sleepers or co-sleepers) are an ideal and safe way for your baby to be close to you during their early months. These cribs can be attached to your bed and allow you to pull your child to you for night-feeding or comforting. These cribs are also ideal for mums who are breastfeeding or recovering from a Cesarean Section.
They’re usually a little smaller than a regular cot, but provide plenty of space for your baby to rest. You can pick from a variety of designs and features according to what you like best. A majority of cribs for bedside use a drop down or removable side that 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 adjustable riser that allows you to add a slight incline to the sleeping space that can help with reflux and the ability to zip off the sides for easy cleaning. Some cribs come with manual rocking features which can provide a soothing distraction to your newborn. You’ll also need a breathable mattress to match your new crib, which must be at least 30cm deep to ensure that your newborn has sufficient head room.
A bedside crib is an investment but you can be certain that your baby will have a peaceful and safe night’s sleep. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams, and Gigi Hadid are all avid users of SNOO’s bedside 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 safe sleeping guidelines that advise that babies are in the same room as their parents for the first six months. However they shouldn’t sleep in your bed. This is to reduce the risk of suffocation, or sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib is an excellent option that lets your baby safely be close enough for you to night feed them and comfort them back to sleep without having to get out of your own bed. It’s also ideal if you have limited mobility after an operation or recovering from a C-section.
Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3 in 1 travel cot foldable bedside crib Crib is our top choice for a crib that can be used as a bedside. It’s small and folds flat to fit in its bag for travel which makes it ideal for nights out on the town or away from home. It’s one the lightest options for a bedside cot and comes with a comfy deep foam mattress with mesh panels that allow air to flow. It also comes with an optional incline option. It also won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Moses basket or Cot Crib.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another excellent bedside crib. It won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It comes with a built-in changing mat and storage solutions, is lightweight at 10kg, and comes with an adjustable side that can be lowered down for easy access.
Style
For many mums, particularly those recovering from C-sections, a bedside crib can be a blessing in disguise. You can easily reach your baby without having to get out of bed. This lets you soothe and feed your infant during the night. They’re also a great choice for breastfeeding mothers since close proximity can boost their milk supply.
In addition to being extremely useful, bassinets are attractive too which is the reason they’re so sought-after. They’re usually bigger than Moses baskets and are available in many different styles, with some featuring extra features like a gentle tilt to the reflux. They are designed to be placed near your bed, they can be moved around the home as the baby grows older, and some can be carried on the go too making them perfect for new parents traveling.
It is essential to select an cot with bedside that has easy-to-use drop-sides. These let you lower your infant into the bassinet without having to lift them into your arms, which can be 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 the Best Cot or Crib or Moses Basket for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.
Another great feature that certain models come with is a transparent side that lets you observe your baby at all times. This is especially helpful when you’re groggy at 3am and have to feed your baby. A quick glance can make a huge difference. As mentioned by Emily who is our MFM home tester the Sleepiest BassiNest an excellent choice. It is simple to lower.
Budget
A bedside crib is a great option if you are not ready to upgrade to a bigger crib. This bassinet-style cot attaches to the side of your bed so you can easily reach your baby for feedings at night and soothe them without disrupting your sleep. It’s also a great choice for those who suffer from restricted movement after the birth and is a favorite choice with celeb mums including Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.
Our Parents Testers loved this latest version of the well-loved Chicco crib, which took home the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards as the Best Cot or Crib. It’s large, breathable, and has six different height settings suitable for growing babies. There is also a soft reflux setting. It can be used as a travel crib and comes with a handy storage case.
It can be difficult to move a bedside cot around the house however our Parents Testers reported that the Shnuggle Air alongside the cot was simple to move. It’s one of the smallest alternatives and is small enough to fit into its own bag for travel, which means you can carry it with you on your travels.
The SnuzPod is a different highly rated bedside crib travel cot cot that is easy to put together and fold away and comes with a variety of features for a good night’s sleep. It has a bassinet with a lift-off that can fit more beds than any other cot and its breathable fabric helps your baby maintain their temperature. It also has a soft rocking function, as well as an incline setting to help with reflux, and it’s light enough to use as a travel cot while you’re on the move. It’s a little more expensive than other cots for bed however our Parent Testers affirm that it’s worth the extra cost.