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 crib or Moses basket. A bedside crib is practical and space-saving for parents who share a room.
Mumsnetters love the co-sleeper because it's spacious, with plenty of space for babies to grow and wriggle. It's also bigger than the Moses Basket. It's also easy to assemble and comes with a travel bag.
What is a bedside cot?
Bedside cots (also called side sleepers, bassinets or co-sleepers) are a safe and convenient way for your baby to sleep with you during the first few months. These cribs are attached to your bed and allow you to bring your baby closer to you for night feeding or comforting without the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome associated with traditional bed-sharing. These cribs are also great for mums who are breastfeeding or recovering from a cesarean section.
They are usually a little smaller than standard cots however, they still provide plenty of space for your baby to relax. You can choose from different styles and features depending on your preferences. A lot of cribs for bedside use an adjustable or drop-down side, which makes it easier to reach your baby during the night to feed them. They are also available in various heights based on your bed size.
Some cribs with a bedside have a riser that allows you to add a slight rise to the sleeping space that could help with reflux. It also has an easy zip-off side for cleaning. Others have manual rocking functions which can be a relaxing distraction for your newborn. You'll need a mattress that is comfortable to be used with your crib. It must be at least 30cm in depth to allow your baby plenty of headroom.
You can be sure that your child will be comfortable and safe in a cot that is positioned at the bedside. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi hadid are all fans of SNOO's crib for babies. It is definitely worth a look as an alternative to the Moses basket.
Safety
Official safe sleeping guidance from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that newborn babies should sleep in the same room as you for their first six months but not in your bed to reduce the risk of suffocation, and to reduce the chance of sudden infant death syndrome. A crib that is placed near your bed allows you to keep your infant close to you to help soothe them to sleep and night feed them without leaving your bed. It's also great when you are unable to move after an operation or are recovering from an operation such as a C-section.
Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3 in 1 travel cot bedside Crib is our top pick for a bedside crib. It's compact and folds down flat to fit into a bag for travel, making it perfect for trips away on holidays or from home. It's among the lightest bedside cots available and comes with a an extremely comfortable mattress that has mesh air-flow panels, and an incline setting, plus it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another fantastic bedside crib. It was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has an integrated storage unit and changing mat, is lightweight (only 10kg) and features an adjustable side that allows for easy access.
Style
A bedside crib is a blessing for many moms, particularly those who are recovering from C-sections. They attach to your bed so you can reach your baby easily without needing to get out of bed and letting you feed them and soothe them quickly. They are also a great choice for breastfeeding mothers since the close proximity can help increase their milk supply.
As well as being incredibly convenient, these bassinets can also look stylish too, which is why they're so sought-after. Some are more spacious than Moses Baskets and some come with additional features such as a gentle reflux incline. They're designed to sit next to your bed and can be moved around the home as baby grows. Some are portable, which means they're ideal for parents who travel.
When selecting a cot for your bedside, it's important to look for designs that have easy-to-use drop sides. These let you lower your baby into the bassinet without needing to lift them into your arms, which is difficult for mothers with mobility issues. One of these models is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been highly praised by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted in our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards' Best Cot Moses, Crib or Basket category.
amazon bedside cot have a translucent side, allowing you to see your baby. This is especially useful when you are tired and sleepy where just a glance can make all the difference. One such option is the Sleepiest BassiNest, which is easy to lower as noted 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 the perfect solution. The cot is attached to the bed's side to allow you to easily reach your baby for night feeds and comfort them without disturbing your sleep. It's an excellent choice for those who have limited movement following the C-section. Celeb mums like Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen this model.
Our Parent Testers loved the new model of this well-loved crib from Chicco which was awarded the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. It is spacious, breathable, and has six different height settings suitable for growing babies. There is also a gentle reflux setting. Read Webpage can also use it as a travel cot and it comes with an easy-to-store storage bag.
A bedside crib can be tricky to move around the home, but our Parent Testers found the Shnuggle Air beside crib really easy to maneuver. It's one of the smallest alternatives and is small enough to fit into its own travel bag, which means you can carry it along with you on your trip.
The SnuzPod bedside cot is a highly rated product that's easy to put together and fold away and comes with a variety of features to ensure a restful 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 has a gentle rocking feature as well as an incline to aid in reflux. It is also lightweight enough to use as a crib for travel when you're on the move. It's more expensive than other bedside cribs however, Parent Testers believe it's worth the extra expense.