How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk

Both the NHS and Best Bedside Cot Lullaby Trust have issued official safe sleeping guidelines that advise that babies sleep in their own Moses basket or cot. A crib for bed is an effective and space-saving solution for room-sharing new parents.

Mumsnetters love the co-sleeper as it's big and has plenty of space for babies to grow and wiggle. It's also larger than the Moses Basket. It's also easy to put together and comes with a travel bag.

What is a bedside cot?

A bedside cot (also called a bassinet, side-sleeper or co-sleeper) is a safe way for your baby to rest close to you throughout the first few months of their life. These cribs attach to your bed and let you raise your baby towards you to feed them at night or for comforting without the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome that is a result of traditional bed-sharing. These cribs are also ideal for mothers who are breastfeeding or recovering from a Cesarean Section.

These cots are often a little smaller than a standard cot, but still offer plenty of space for your baby to rest. You can choose between various styles and features depending on your preferences. A lot of cribs with a bedside feature a drop down or removable side, which makes it easier to reach your baby's night feeds and are also available in various sizes to fit the dimensions of your bed.

Some cribs for bedside use an adjustable riser that allows you to create an incline in the sleeping area. This can be helpful with reflux. They also come with an open side for easy cleaning. Some cribs have manual rocking options that can provide a relaxing distractor for your infant. You'll require a mattress that's air-conditioned to match your crib. It should be at least 30cm thick to allow your baby plenty of headroom.

A bedside crib is a major 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 big fans of SNOO's crib for babies. It is definitely worth considering as an alternative to the Moses basket.

Safety

Official safe sleeping guidance from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that newborn babies should sleep in the same room as you for 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 crib that is placed near your bed is an excellent option that lets your baby remain close enough to you to feed them during the night and help them return to sleep without having to get out of your own 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 crib that turns into cot crib, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 travel cot bedside crib is compact and folds flat in seconds to fit into a travel bag which makes it perfect for trips to the beach and nights away from home. It's one of the lightest bedside cot options and has a comfy deep foam mattress that has mesh air-flow panels, and an incline setting, plus it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the Best Crib, Cot, or Moses Basket.

Another great bedside cot is the Chicco Next2me Magic bedside crib that won Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has a built-in changing mat and storage system It weighs just 10kg, and comes with an adjustable side that drops down to make it easy to access.

Style

For a lot of moms, especially those who are recovering from C-sections, a bedside crib can be an absolute godsend. They are attached to your bed so you can reach your baby easily without needing to get up in order to feed them and soothe them quickly. Being close to the baby can also aid in increasing the amount of milk produced by mothers who are breastfeeding.

These bassinets are not only convenient but also fashionable. This is the reason they're so popular. Some are bigger than Moses Baskets, and some have extra features such as a gentle reflux upward slope. They're designed to fit close to your bed and can be moved around the house as your baby grows. Some are portable, which means they're great for parents who travel.

It is important to choose a bedside cot with drop-sides that are easy to use. This lets you lower your baby into the bassinet without lifting them up into your arms. This can be a challenge for mothers who have limited mobility. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one of the models that has been acknowledged and shortlisted by Mumsnetters in the category of 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 allows you to see your baby at all times. This is especially useful in the case of 3am feeds that are bleary-eyed where just a glance can make all the difference. One of these options is the Sleepiest BassiNest which is simple to lower, as noted by our MFM home tester Emily.

Budget

If you're not quite ready to move to a larger cot, a bedside crib may be a great option. This bassinet-style cot attaches to the bed's side to allow you to easily reach your baby's night feeds and comfort them without disturbing your own sleep. It's also a great option for those suffering from limited movement after a C-section 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, which won the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It's spacious, breathable, and has six different height settings for babies who are growing. There is also a gentle reflux setting. It can also be used as a travel cot, and it comes with an excellent storage bag.

A bedside co sleeper cot 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 is one of the lightest options and can be tucked away in its own travel bedside crib bag.

The SnuzPod bedside cot is yet another highly rated product that's easy to assemble and fold, with many features for a restful night's sleep. It has a removable bassinet that lifts off to fit 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 a little more expensive than other cots for bed, but our Parents Testers believe it's worth the extra money.