How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk
Both the NHS and Lullaby Trust have issued official safe sleeping guidelines, which advise that babies sleep in their own Moses basket or cot. A bedside crib is a practical and space-saving option for room-sharing new parents.
Mumsnetters adore this co-sleeper since it's large and spacious, with plenty of room for baby to grow and play, and much bigger than the typical Moses basket. It's also easy to put together and comes with a bag for travel.
What is a bedside crib?
A bedside cot (also called a bassinet, side-sleeper or co-sleeper) is a safe method for your newborn to sleep close to you throughout the first few months of their life. These cribs are attached to your bed and allow you to raise your baby towards you to feed them at night or for 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.
They're usually a little smaller than a regular cot or cotbed, but offer plenty of space for your baby to sleep. You can choose from different designs and features based on your preferences. Many bedside cribs come with the option of removing or dropping down the side to make it easier to reach the baby at night for feedings. They are also available in various heights based on your bed size.
Some cribs for bedside use an adjustable riser that allows you to add an incline to the sleep 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 distraction for your baby. 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.
You can be confident that your baby will be comfortable and safe in a cot that is positioned at the bedside. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid are all avid users of SNOO's bedside crib. It is definitely worth considering as an alternative to a Moses basket.
Safety
The Lullaby Trust, in conjunction with the NHS has issued official safe sleeping guidelines that advise that babies sleep in the same bedroom as their parents for the first six months. However, small bedside cot should not sleep in your bed. This is to lower the risk of suffocation or sudden infant death syndrome. A crib for bed allows you to keep your infant close to you to calm them down and night feed them without leaving your bed. It's also ideal for those who have a limited mobility after an operation or are recovering from a C-section.
Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3 in 1 bedside cot travel cot is our top choice for a crib to sleep in. It's small and folds flat to fit into a bag for travel and is perfect for holidays or nights away from home. It's one of the lightest bedside cots and has a comfy deep foam mattress that has mesh air-flow panels, and an tilting setting, and it was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Crib, Cot or Moses Basket.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another fantastic bedside crib. It won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It comes with an integrated storage unit and changing mat, is lightweight (only 10kg), and has an adjustable side that allows for easy access.
Style
For many mums, particularly those who are recovering from a C-section, a bedside crib could prove to be a blessing in disguise. They can be attached to your bed so you can easily reach your baby without having to get up, allowing you to night feed them and comfort them quickly. The close proximity to the baby can also help increase 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 sought-after. Some are more spacious than Moses Baskets and some even have additional features such as a gentle reflux and incline. They're designed to fit right next to your bed and can be moved around the house as your baby grows. Some are portable, so they're great for travelling parents.
When choosing a bedside cot, it's important to look for designs with drop sides that are easy to use. This allows you to lower your baby into the bassinet without having to lift them up into your arms. This can be difficult for mothers with limited mobility. One of them is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been highly praised by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards' Best Cot Moses, Crib or Basket category.
Another handy feature that some models come with is a transparent side that allows you to observe your baby at all times. This is especially useful during bleary-eyed 3am feeds when just a glance can make all the difference. One of these options is the Sleepiest BassiNest, which is simple to lower, as outlined by our MFM home tester Emily.
Budget
If you're not quite ready to move to a larger cot an infant crib on your bed could be a great option. The crib is attached to your bed, ensuring that you can reach your baby easily for night feeds or comfort them without disturbing yourself. It's also a great choice for those suffering from limited movement after the birth and is a favorite option for celeb moms like Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.
Our Parents Testers loved this latest version of the well-loved Chicco crib, which was awarded the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot or Crib. It's spacious and breathable and comes with six height settings to accommodate growing babies as well as a gentle setting for the incline. It can also be used as a travel crib and comes with a convenient storage case.
It can be a challenge to move a bedside cot around the home however our Parents Testers said that the Shnuggle Air next to the cot was easy to move. It is among the lighter options that can be tucked away in its own travel bag.
The SnuzPod is another highly rated bedside cot that's easy to assemble and fold away, with plenty of features to ensure a good night's sleep. It has a removable, lift-off bassinet which fits more beds than other cots. The fabric is breathable, and helps to regulate your baby's temperature. It also has a gentle rocking function and an incline setting for reflux, and is lightweight enough to use as a travel cot when you're out and about. It's a bit more expensive than other cribs for bed, but Parent Testers believe it's worth the extra expense.