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 cot or Moses basket. A crib for bed is a practical and space-saving option for parents who live together.
Mumsnetters adore this co-sleeper since it’s spacious with lots of room for baby to grow and wriggle and much bigger than the typical Moses basket. It’s also simple to put together and comes with a bag for travel.
What is a bedside cot co sleeper cot?
A bedside cot wooden cot (also known as a bassinet, side-sleeper or co-sleeper) is a safe method for your baby to rest close to you overnight during their first months. These cribs attach to your bed and let you bring your baby closer to you for night feeding or comforting without the danger of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome that is a result of traditional bed-sharing. These cribs are also great for mothers who are breastfeeding or recovering from a cesarean.
These cots are typically a little smaller than a standard cot however, they still provide plenty of room for your baby to sleep. You can choose from different designs and features based on your preferences. A lot of cribs for bedside use the option of removing or dropping down the side to make it easier to reach the baby during the night to feed them. They are also available in different heights depending on the size of your bed.
Some cribs with a bedside have an adjustable riser that allows you to add an incline in the sleeping area. This can help with reflux. They also have a zip off side to make cleaning easy. Others have manual rocking functions which can be a soothing distraction for your baby. You’ll also need a breathable mattress to go with your new crib. It must be at least 30cm in depth to ensure that your baby has enough head space.
You can rest assured that your child will be safe and secure in a bedside cot. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi hadid are all fans of SNOO’s crib for babies. It is definitely worth a look as an alternative to a Moses basket.
Safety
Official safe sleeping guidelines from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that babies born today should be placed in the same bed as you during the first six months but not in your bed to reduce the risk of suffocation and to lower the chance of sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib is a fantastic option that lets your baby remain close enough to you to feed them during the night and soothe them back to sleep without having to get out of your bed. It’s also a great option when you are unable to move following an operation or recovering from C-section.
Our top pick for a bedside crib, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 bedside crib for travel is compact and folds down in seconds to fit into its own travel bag so it’s perfect for holidays and nights away from home. It’s one of the tiniest bedside cots available and comes with a an extremely comfortable mattress with mesh air-flow panels and an incline setting, plus it was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Crib, Cot or Moses Basket.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another great bedside crib and travel cot crib option. It won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It features a built-in change mat and storage solutions, is lightweight at 10kg, and features an adjustable side that can be lowered down to make it easy to access.
Style
For a lot of moms, especially those who have had a C-section A crib that is placed near the bed can prove to be an absolute godsend. You can easily reach your baby without getting out of your bed. This allows you to comfort and feed your baby at night. They are also a great choice for breastfeeding mothers since the close proximity can help boost their milk supply.
They are not just practical, but also fashionable. This is why they’re so popular. They’re often a bit bigger than Moses baskets and come in lots of different styles, with some even having extra features such as a gentle tilt to the reflux. 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 are able to be taken on the go too which makes them ideal for parents who are new to traveling.
When selecting a cot for your bedside, it’s important to select a model that have easy-to-use drop sides. These let you lower your infant into the bassinet without having to lift them into your arms, which is difficult for mothers who have 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, Crib or Moses Basket category.
Some models also have a transparent side, which allows you to be able to always view your baby. This is particularly useful when you’re groggy at 3am and you need to feed your baby. A quick glance can make a huge difference. As noted by Emily, our MFM home tester, the Sleepiest BassiNest is an excellent choice. It’s easy to lower.
Budget
If you’re still not ready to make the leap to a full-sized cot, a bedside crib may be the perfect solution. The cot is attached to the bed’s side so you can easily reach your baby for evening feeds and also comfort them without disrupting your sleep. It’s also a great option for those suffering from restricted movement after an operation and is a popular option with famous mothers like Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.
Our Parent Testers loved the new model of this bestselling crib from Chicco that won the 2021 Mother&Baby Award for Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. It’s spacious and breathable and has six height settings to accommodate babies who are growing, and a gentle reflux setting for the incline. It can also be used as a travel crib and comes with a handy storage case.
A bedside cot can be a little difficult to move around the home However, our Parents Testers found the Shnuggle Air beside crib really easy to move around. It’s among the lightest options and compact enough to fit into its own travel bag so you can take it with you when you travel.
The SnuzPod bedside cot is a highly rated item that’s easy to assemble and fold with plenty of features for a restful night’s sleep. It has a removable lift-off bassinet which fits more beds than other cots. The fabric is breathable and can help to regulate your baby’s temperature. It also features a soft rocking function, as well as an incline setting to help with reflux, and is light enough to use as a travel cot when you’re on the move. It’s a little more expensive than other cots for bed, but our Parent Testers say it’s well worth the extra cash.