How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk
Both the NHS and Lullaby Trust have issued official safe sleeping guidelines which recommend that newborns sleep only in their own Moses basket or cot. A crib for bed is an effective and space-saving solution for parents who live together.
Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper because it's large and spacious, with plenty of room for baby to grow and wriggle and more spacious than a Moses basket. It's also easy to put together and comes with a bag for travel.
What is a bedside crib?
Bedside cribs (also called side sleepers, bassinets or co-sleepers) are an effective and safe method for your baby to be close to you in the early months. These cribs can be attached to your bed and let you lift your child in your arms to feed them at night or for comforting. They're also a great option for breastfeeding mothers or mums recovering from a Caesarean section.
They're often slightly smaller than a standard cot or cotbed, but offer plenty of space for your baby to sleep. You can choose from a variety of styles and features depending on your preferences. Many bedside cribs come with a removable or drop-down side that makes it easier to reach the baby at night for feedings. They are also available in different heights depending on the size of your bed.
Some cribs with a bedside have an riser that permits you to add a slight slope to the sleep area that can help with reflux and the ability to zip off the sides for easy cleaning. Some cribs have manual rocking features that can be a soothing distraction to your newborn. 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 child will be safe and secure in a bedside cot. With stars like Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all being fans of the SNOO bedside crib, it's worth considering this fashionable alternative to a moses basket.
Safety
Official safe sleeping guidelines from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that newborns sleep in the same room as you during the first six months but not in your bed, to decrease the risk of suffocation and to lower the chance of sudden infant death syndrome. A crib that is placed near your bed is a great option that allows your baby to comfortably be near enough for you to night feed them and soothe them back to sleep without having to get out of your bed. It's an excellent option if you are recovering from an operation or a C-section and have limited mobility.
Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3 in 1 travel cot bedside crib is our top pick for a bedside crib. It's small and folds flat to fit into a travel bag, making it perfect for nights out on the town or away from home. It's among the lightest bedside cots and has a comfy deep foam mattress that has mesh air-flow panels, an optional tilt 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 has a built-in changing mat and storage solutions, is lightweight at 10kg, and features an adjustable side that can be lowered down for easy access.
Style
For many mums, particularly those who have had a C-section A crib that is placed near the bed could prove to be a blessing in disguise. They are attached to your bed so you can reach your baby easily without having to get up and letting you feed them and comfort them quickly. They are also a great option for breastfeeding mothers as close proximity can boost the amount of milk they produce.
Alongside being incredibly practical, these bassinets can also look elegant, which is why they're so sought-after. Some are more spacious than Moses Baskets and some come with additional features like a gentle reflux and incline. They are designed to be placed near your bed, they can be moved around the home when baby gets older and some can be carried on the go too, making them great for new parents traveling.
It is essential to select an cot with bedside with drop-sides that are easy to use. They allow you to lower your baby's bassinet without needing to lift them into your arms, which can be difficult for moms with mobility issues. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one of these models that has been acknowledged and shortlisted by Mumsnetters in the category of the Best Cot or Crib, or Moses Basket for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.
Another useful feature that a few models come with is a translucent side that lets you see your baby at all times. This is particularly useful when you are tired and sleepy, when a quick glance can make all the difference. As mentioned by Emily, our MFM home tester, the Sleepiest BassiNest is an excellent choice. It is simple to lower.
Budget
If you're still not ready to make the leap to a larger cot, the bedside crib could be an ideal solution. This bassinet-style crib attaches to your bed so that you can reach your baby easily for feedings at night or cuddle them without causing any disturbance to yourself. It's also a great choice for those with restricted movement after a C-section, and is a popular option for celeb moms like Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.
Our Parents Testers loved this latest version of the popular Chicco crib, which won 2021 Mother&Baby Awards as the Best Cot or Crib. bedside cots for newborns and breathable, and comes with six different height settings for growing babies. There is also a gentle reflux setting. It can also be used as a crib for travel and comes with a storage case that is convenient for storage.
It can be a challenge to move a bedside cot around the house however our Parents Testers reported that the Shnuggle Air next to the cot was easy to maneuver. It's one of the smallest alternatives and is small enough to fit into its own bag for travel, which means you can carry it along with you on your trip.
The SnuzPod is a different highly rated bedside cot that's simple to put together and fold away, with plenty of features that will ensure your child gets the best night's rest. It has a removable lift-off bassinet that fits more beds than any other cot, and its breathable fabric helps your baby to regulate their temperature. It features a soft rocking feature as well as an incline to aid in reflux. It is also lightweight enough to use as a crib for travel while you're on the move. It's more expensive than other cribs for bed, but Parent Testers are of the opinion that it is worth the extra expense.