How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk
Both the NHS and the Lullaby Trust have issued official safe sleeping guidelines, which suggest that infants sleep in their own Moses basket or cot. A crib that is placed near the bed can be an efficient and space-saving option for parents who share a room.
Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper because it's spacious with lots of room for baby to grow and wriggle and more spacious than a Moses basket. It is also easy to assemble, and comes with a carry bag.
What is a bedside crib?
A bedside cot (also known as a bassinet, side sleeper or co-sleeper) is a secure way for your newborn to sleep close to you overnight during their first few months. These cribs are attached to your bed, allowing you to lift your child to you to feed them at night or for comforting. These cribs are also great for mothers who are nursing or recovering from a cesarean.
They're usually a little smaller than a standard cot, but provide plenty of space for your baby to lay down. You can choose from a variety of styles and features, according to what you prefer. A lot of cribs for bedside use the option of removing or dropping down the side, which makes it easier to reach your baby during feeding time at night. They also come in various heights based on your bed size.
Some bedside cribs come with a riser that allows you to add a slight rise to the sleep area that can aid in reflux and a zip-off side for easy cleaning. Others have manual rocking functions that can provide a relaxing distraction for your infant. You'll require a mattress that's breathable to go with your crib. It must be at least 30cm thick to allow your baby plenty of headroom.
You can rest assured that your child will be safe and secure in a cot that is positioned at the bedside. With the likes of Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all being fans of the SNOO bedside crib, it's worth considering this stylish alternative to moses basket.
Safety
Official guidelines for safe sleep from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that babies born today should be in the same room as you for their 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 lets you keep your baby close to you to help calm them down and night feed them without leaving your bed. It's also a great option if you have limited mobility following an operation or recovering from C-section.
Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3 in 1 travel cot bedside crib is our top pick for a crib that can be used as a bedside. It's compact and folds down flat to fit into its bag for travel and is perfect for nights out on the town or away from home. It's the lightest option for a bedside cot and has a soft, comfortable foam mattress with mesh panels that allow air to flow. It also comes with an optional incline option. It also won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Moses Basket or Cot Crib.
Another great bedside cot is the Chicco Next2me Magic bedside crib that won Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It comes with a built-in changing mat and storage solution It weighs just 10kg, and comes with an adjustable side that slides down for easy access.
Style
For a lot of moms, especially those recovering from C-sections A crib that is placed near the bed can be an absolute godsend. You can easily reach your baby without having to get out of bed. This allows you to provide comfort and food to your infant at night. They're an excellent choice for breastfeeding mothers as close proximity can increase their milk supply.
Alongside being incredibly useful, bassinets are attractive too which is the reason they're so sought-after. Some are bigger than Moses Baskets, and some have extra features, like a gentle and incline. Designed to fit by your bed, they can usually be moved around your home when the baby grows older. Additionally, some are portable enough to take to the go, making them great for parents who are new to traveling.
When selecting a cot for your bedside it is important to choose a model that have easy-to-use drop sides. These let you lower your infant into the bassinet without lifting them into your arms, which is difficult for moms who have limited mobility. One of these models 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.
Another useful feature that a few models come with is a transparent side that lets you be able to see your baby at all times. This is especially useful when you're groggy at 3am and have to feed your child. A quick glance can make a big difference. One of these options is the Sleepiest BassiNest that is simple to lower, as outlined by our MFM home tester Emily.
Budget
If you're still not ready to make the transition to a larger cot, an infant crib on your bed could be an ideal solution. The cot is attached to the side of your bed so you can easily reach your baby's night feeds and comfort them without disrupting your sleep. It's also a great choice for those with restricted movement after an operation, and is a popular option for celeb moms like Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.
small bedside cot loved this new version of the well-loved Chicco crib, which won 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot or Crib. It's spacious comfortable, breathable, and comes with six different height settings suitable for growing babies. There is also a soft reflux setting. It can also be used as a crib for travel and comes with a storage case that is convenient for storage.
small bedside cot can be a challenge to move an upholstered bedside cot throughout the house however our Parents Testers said that the Shnuggle Air alongside the cot was simple to move. you could try these out of the lightest options and can be put in its own travel bag.
The SnuzPod bedside cot is another highly rated product that's easy to assemble and fold with plenty of features for the perfect night's rest. It comes with a bassinet with a lift-off that can fit more beds than any other cot and its breathable fabric can help your baby to regulate their temperature. It features a soft rocking feature as well as an incline to aid in reflux. It's also light enough to be used as a travel crib when you are on the move. It's more expensive than other bedside cots however our Parent Testers affirm that it's worth the extra cost.