How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk

Official safety sleeping guidelines from both NHS and Lullaby Trust recommends that newborns sleep in their own cot or Moses basket. A bedside crib is an effective and space-saving solution for parents who live together.

Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper because it's big enough with plenty of space for babies to grow and wriggle and much bigger than a Moses basket. It's also simple to assemble, and comes with a bag for carrying.

What is a bedside crib?

A bedside cot reviews cot (also called a side sleeper, bassinet or co-sleeper) is a secure way for your newborn to sleep close to you overnight during the first few months of their life. These cribs are attached 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 as a result of traditional bed sharing. These cribs are also ideal for mums who are nursing or recovering from a Cesarean Section.

These cots are typically smaller than standard cots however, they still provide plenty of room for your baby to rest. You can choose from various designs and features based on your preferences. Many bedside cribs come with the option of removing or dropping down the side, which makes it easier to reach the baby during feeding time at night. They are also available in different heights, based on your bed size.

Some cribs with a bedside have an adjustable riser that allows you to add a slight incline to the sleep space which can help with reflux and an easy zip-off side for cleaning. Other cribs have manual rocking functions that can provide a relaxing distraction for your baby. You'll also require a breathable mattress for your new crib. It should be a minimum of 30cm deep to ensure your newborn has enough headroom.

A bedside crib is an investment but you can be certain that your newborn will get a comfortable and safe sleep. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams, and Gigi Hadid are all big fans of SNOO's crib for babies. It is definitely worth a look as an alternative to a Moses basket.

Safety

The Lullaby Trust, in conjunction with the NHS has issued official guidelines for safe sleep that recommend that newborns sleep in the same bedroom as their parents for the first six months. However they shouldn't sleep in your bed. This is to lower the chance of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib is an excellent option that allows your child to comfortably be near enough for you to feed them during the night and soothe them back to sleep without needing to leave your bed. It is also a great option if you are recovering from an operation or a C-section and have limited mobility.

Our top pick for a bedside cot crib cot the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 travel cot bedside crib is small and folds flat in a matter of seconds to fit into its own travel bag which makes it perfect for trips to the beach and nights away from home. It's one of the lightest bedside cots and has an extremely comfortable mattress, air-flow panels and an tilting setting, and it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Crib, Cot or Moses Basket.

Another great bedside cot is the Chicco Next2me Magic bedside crib which was awarded Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It features a built-in change mat and storage system, is lightweight at 10kg, and comes with an adjustable side that slides down to make it easy to access.

Style

For a lot of moms, especially those who are recovering from a C-section, a bedside crib could prove to be a blessing in disguise. You can easily reach your baby without having to get out of your bed. This lets you soothe and feed your baby at night. They're also a great option for breastfeeding mothers since their close proximity will help boost their milk supply.

In addition to being extremely convenient, these bassinets can look pretty elegant which is the reason they're so sought-after. Some are bigger than Moses Baskets and some come with additional features, like a gentle upward slope. They're designed to fit next to your bed and can be moved around the house as baby grows. Some are portable, which means they're great for travelling parents.

When you are choosing a bedside cot it is important to choose a model that have drop sides that are simple to use. This lets you lower your baby into the bassinet without having to lift them up into your arms. This can be difficult for mothers who have limited mobility. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one of the models that has been praised and shortlisted by Mumsnetters in the category of the Best Cot or Crib or Moses Basket for our 2021 Mother and Baby Awards.

Some models also come with a transparent side, which allows you to be able to always view your baby. This is particularly useful in the case of 3am feeds that are bleary-eyed when a quick glance can make all the difference. One of these options is the Sleepiest BassiNest which is easy to lower, as outlined by our MFM home tester Emily.

Budget

A bedside crib is an excellent option if you are not yet ready to upgrade to a full-sized crib. The crib is attached to your bed, ensuring that you can easily reach your baby for night feeds or comfort your child without causing disturbance. It's also a great option for those who suffer from restricted movement after the birth and is a favorite option with famous mothers like Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.

Our Parents Testers loved the new version of this popular crib from Chicco which was awarded the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It's large and breathable, and comes with six different height settings for growing babies. There is also a soft reflux setting. You can also use it as a travel cot and it comes with an excellent storage bag.

A bedside cot for twins crib can be difficult to move around your home However, our Parent Testers found the Shnuggle Air on the side of the crib simple to move. It is one of the lighter options and can be packed into its own travel bag.

The SnuzPod is another highly rated bedside cot that is easy to put together and fold away, with plenty of features to ensure a good night's sleep. It has a lift-off bassinet that fits more beds than any other cot and its breathable fabric can help your baby maintain their temperature. It also has a gentle rocking function and an incline option for reflux, and it's light enough to be used as a travel cot if you're on the move. It's a bit more expensive than other bedside cots but our Parents Testers believe it's worth the extra cost.