How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk
Both the NHS and Lullaby Trust have issued official safe sleeping guidelines which suggest that infants sleep in their own Moses basket or cot. A bedside crib is an efficient and space-saving choice for parents who share a room.
Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper as it's large and spacious, with plenty of room for baby to grow and wriggle and far more substantial than a Moses basket. It's also easy to assemble and comes with a bag for travel.
What is a bedside crib?
Bedside cribs (also called bassinets, side sleepers or co-sleepers) are a safe and convenient way for your baby to sleep with you during their early months. These cribs fix to your bed and let you lift your baby out towards you to feed them at night or for comforting without the threat of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome that is a result of traditional bed-sharing. These cribs are also great for mums who are nursing or recovering from a cesarean.
These cots are typically smaller than standard cots but they provide plenty of space for your baby to rest. You can pick from various designs and features based on your preferences. Many cribs with a bedside feature an adjustable or drop-down side that makes it easier to reach the baby during the night to feed them. They also come in various heights based on the size of your bed.
Some cribs with a bedside have an adjustable riser that allows you to add a slight slope to the sleep area that can aid in reflux and the ability to zip off the sides for easy cleaning. Some have manual rocking features which can be a soothing distraction for your newborn. You'll need a mattress that is breathable to go with your crib. It should be at least 30cm thick to give your baby enough headroom.
A bedside crib is an investment but you can rest assured that your baby will have a secure and comfortable sleep. With stars like Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all awed by the SNOO bedside crib, it's worth considering this fashionable alternative to moses basket.
Safety
The Lullaby Trust, in conjunction with the NHS has issued official guidelines for safe sleeping which recommend 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 decrease the risk of suffocation, or sudden infant death syndrome. A crib that is placed near your bed allows you to keep your infant close to you to calm them down and feed them at night without having to leave your bed. This is an excellent option if you are recovering from an operation or a C-section and are unable to move.
Our top pick for a bedside cot, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 travel cot bedside crib is compact and folds down in a matter of seconds and fits into its own travel bag which makes it perfect for trips to the beach 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 tilting setting, and it was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the best Crib, Cot or Moses Basket.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another fantastic bedside crib. It won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It features a built-in change mat and storage solution and weighs only 10kg. It is light at 10kg, and comes with an adjustable side that can be lowered down to make it easy to access.
Style
A bedside crib is a blessing for many mums, especially those who are recovering from C-sections. You can easily reach your baby without having to get out of your bed. This lets you soothe and feed your baby at night. Being close to the baby can also aid in increasing the amount of milk produced by mothers who are breastfeeding.
Bassinets aren't just practical, but also stylish. This is the reason they are so popular. They are larger than Moses Baskets and some even have additional features like a gentle reflux and incline. Designed to fit by your bed, they are able to be moved around the house as the baby grows older, and some can be carried to the go making them perfect for parents who are new to traveling.
It is essential to select a bedside cot that is easy to use drop-sides. These allow you to lower your baby into the bassinet without needing to lift them into your arms, which is difficult for moms with limited mobility. One of them is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been applauded by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards' Best Cot Crib, Moses or Crib Basket category.
Another great feature that certain models come with is a translucent side that lets you see your baby at all times. This is especially useful during bleary-eyed 3am feeds, when just a glance can make all the difference. As mentioned 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 a great option. The cot is attached to the bed's side so you can easily reach your baby for feedings at night and soothe them without disturbing your own sleep. bedside cosleeper 's also a great option for those who suffer from limited movement after a C-section, and is a popular option for celeb moms like Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.
Our Parent Testers loved the new model of this popular crib from Chicco that won the 2021 Mother&Baby Award for Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. It's spacious and breathable, and comes with six different height settings for babies who are growing. There is also a soft reflux setting. It can also be used as a crib for travel and comes with a handy storage case.
It can be difficult to move a bedside cot around the home however our Parent Testers stated that the Shnuggle Air beside cot was very easy to move. It is among the lighter options and can be packed into its own travel bag.
The SnuzPod bedside cot is yet another highly rated product that's simple to fold and assemble, with many features for the perfect night's rest. It has a removable lift-off bassinet that fits more beds than any other cot and its breathable fabric can help your baby regulate their temperature. It also has a soft rocking feature and an incline setting to help with reflux, and is lightweight enough to use as a travel cot if you're out and about. It's a bit more expensive than other cribs for bed however, Parent Testers believe it's worth the extra expense.