How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk

Both the NHS and the Lullaby Trust have issued official safe sleeping guidelines, which recommend that newborns sleep only in their own Moses basket or cot. A bedside baby bed crib is a space-saving and practical option for parents who share a room.

Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper because it's spacious with lots of space for babies to grow and play, and far more substantial than a Moses basket. It's also simple to put together and comes with a travel bag.

What is a bedside crib?

A bedside cot (also called a bassinet, side sleeper or co-sleeper) is a safe method for your baby to rest close to you overnight during their first few months. These cribs attach to your bed and allow you to lift your baby out towards you to feed them at night or for comforting without the threat of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome associated with traditional bed-sharing. They're also a great choice for breastfeeding mothers or mums recovering from a caesarean section.

These cots are typically smaller than standard cots, but still offer plenty of room for your baby to rest. You can pick from a variety of styles and features based on your preferences. A lot of cribs for bedside use a removable or drop-down side to make it easier to reach the baby at night for feedings. They are also available in different heights, based on your bed size.

Some cribs for bedside use an riser that permits you to add a slight slope to the sleeping space that could help with reflux. It also has a zip-off side for easy cleaning. Some have manual rocking features which can be a soothing distraction for your infant. You'll also need a breathable mattress to go with your new crib. It should be a minimum of 30cm deep to ensure your newborn has sufficient head room.

A bedside cot is an investment, but you can rest assured that your newborn will get a peaceful and safe night's sleep. With the likes of Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all being fans of the SNOO bedside crib, it's worth looking into this elegant alternative to a moses basket.

Safety

The Lullaby Trust, in conjunction with the NHS has issued official guidelines for safe sleep 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 reduce the risk of suffocation, or sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib allows you to keep your baby close to you to comfort them and night feed them without having to leave your bed. It's also a great option if you are recovering from an operation or a C-section and are unable to move.

Our top choice for a bedside cot the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 travel cot bedside, https://Git.fuwafuwa.moe/cocoamole12, crib is compact and folds down in seconds to fit into its own travel bag making it ideal for travel and nights away from home. It's among the lightest bedside cots and has an extremely comfortable mattress, air-flow panels and an incline setting, plus it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Crib, Cot or Moses Basket.

Another fab bedside cot option is the Chicco Next2me Magic bedside crib that won Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has a built-in storage solution and changing mat, is lightweight (only 10kg), and has an adjustable side that makes it easy to access.

Style

A crib for your bed can be a lifesaver for many mums, especially those who are recovering from C-sections. You can easily reach your baby without having to get out of the bed. This allows you to soothe and feed your infant at night. The close proximity to your baby can also help increase the amount of milk produced by mothers who are breastfeeding.

In addition to being extremely convenient, these bassinets can look pretty elegant which is the reason they're so sought-after. They're often a bit larger than Moses baskets and come in lots of different styles, with some even having extra features such as a gentle tilting of the reflux. The baskets are designed to fit under your bed, they can usually be moved around your home when the baby grows older. Additionally, some can be carried on the go too making them perfect for parents who are new to traveling.

It is important to choose a bedside cot with drop-sides that are easy to use. This lets you lower your infant into the bassinet without having to lift them up into your arms. This can be a hassle for mothers who have limited mobility. One of them is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been applauded by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted in our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards' Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category.

Some models also come with a transparent side, which allows you to be able to always view your baby. This is especially helpful when you are tired and sleepy, when one glance could make all the difference. One of these options is the Sleepiest BassiNest that is easy to lower, as was noted by our MFM home tester Emily.

Budget

A bedside cot mattress crib is an excellent option if you're not ready to upgrade to a full-sized crib. The crib is attached to your bed, ensuring that you can easily reach your baby for feedings at night or cuddle them without causing any disturbance to yourself. It's a great choice for those with restricted movement following a C-section. Celebrity moms such as Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen it.

Our Parents Testers loved the new model of this well-loved crib from Chicco which was awarded the 2021 Mother&Baby Award for Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. It's spacious and breathable and comes with six height options to accommodate growing babies, as well as a gentle incline setting. It can be used as a crib for travel and comes with a handy storage case.

It can be a challenge to move an upholstered bedside cot throughout the home However, our Parent Testers stated that the Shnuggle Air beside cot was very simple to move. It's one of the lightest alternatives and is small enough to fit in its own travel bedside crib bag, which means you can carry it with you on your travels.

The SnuzPod is another highly rated bedside cot that is easy to put together and fold away and comes with a variety of features that will ensure your child gets an enjoyable night's sleep. It comes with a removable, adjustable bassinet that lifts off, which can fit more beds than other cots. The fabric is breathable and can help regulate your baby's temperature. It features a soft rocking feature, as well as an incline to help with reflux. It's also light enough to use as a crib for travel when you're traveling. It's a little more expensive than other bedside cots but our Parents Testers say it's well worth the extra money.