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 crib that is placed near the bed is an effective and space-saving solution for parents who share a room.
Mumsnetters adore the co-sleeper because it is spacious, with plenty of room for babies to grow and wriggle. It's also larger than a Moses Basket. It is also easy to assemble, and comes with a bag for carrying.
What is a bedside cot?
A bedside cot (also called a bassinet, side-sleeper or co-sleeper) is a safe method for your baby to sleep close to you overnight during their first months. These cribs attach to your bed and let you bring your baby closer to you to feed them at night or for comforting without the threat of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome that is a result of traditional bed-sharing. They're also a great option for breastfeeding mothers or mums recovering from a caesarean section.
They're typically smaller than a regular cot, but offer plenty of space for your baby to lay down. small bedside cot can pick from a wide range of designs and features depending on what you prefer. A lot of cribs for bedside use a removable or drop-down side to make it easier to reach the baby during the night to feed them. They also come in different heights depending on your bed size.
Some cribs with a bedside have a riser which allows you to create an incline to the sleeping area. This can help with reflux. They also have an open side to make cleaning easy. Some cribs have manual rocking features which can provide a soothing distraction for your baby. You'll also require a comfortable mattress to go with your new crib. It must be at least 30cm deep to ensure your newborn has enough headroom.
You can be sure that your baby will be safe and comfortable in a cot that is positioned at the bedside. With stars like Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all being fans of the SNOO bedside crib, it's worth looking into this elegant alternative to a moses basket.
Safety
Official guidelines for safe sleep from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that babies born today should sleep in the same room as you during the first six months but not in your bed to lower 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 lets your baby remain close enough to you to feed them during the night and comfort them back to sleep without needing to leave your own 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.
Our top choice for a bedside cot, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 bedside crib that travels cots is compact and folds flat in a matter of seconds to fit into its own bag for travel, so it's perfect for holidays and nights away from home. It's one of the tiniest bedside cots available and comes with a a comfy deep foam mattress that has mesh air-flow panels, and an incline setting, plus it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the Best Crib, Cot, or Moses Basket.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another great bedside crib option. It was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It features a built-in change mat and storage solution It weighs just 10kg, and has an adjustable side that slides down to make it easy to access.
Style
A bedside crib is a godsend for many moms, particularly those recovering from C-sections. They are attached to your bed so that you can easily reach your baby without needing to get up, allowing you to night feed them and comfort them quickly. They're an excellent choice for breastfeeding mothers as their close proximity will help increase their milk supply.
Bassinets aren't just 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 like a gentle reflux and incline. They're designed to fit right next to your bed and can be moved around the house as baby grows. Some are portable so they're ideal for parents who travel.
When selecting a cot for your bedside It is essential to look for designs that have drop sides that are simple to use. This allows you to lower your infant into the bassinet without lifting them up into your arms. This can be difficult for mothers with mobility issues. One such model is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been praised by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted in our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards' Best Cot Moses, Crib or Basket category.
Another great feature that certain models come with is a transparent side that allows you to observe your baby at all times. This is particularly useful when you are tired and sleepy when one glance could make all the difference. As was noted by Emily who is our MFM home tester the Sleepiest BassiNest a great option. It's easy to lower.
Budget
A bedside crib is a great alternative if you're not yet ready to upgrade to a larger crib. This bassinet-style crib attaches to your bed so that you can easily reach your baby for night feeds or comfort them without disturbing yourself. It's also a great option for those suffering from limited movement after the birth and is a popular option for celeb moms like Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.
Our Parents Testers loved the new version of this well-loved crib from Chicco which was awarded the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It's afclimatizing and spacious and comes with six height settings to accommodate babies who are growing, as well as a gentle setting for the incline. It can also be used as a crib for travel and comes with a convenient storage case.
A bedside cot can be a little difficult to move around the home however our Parent Testers found the Shnuggle Air on the side of the crib simple to move. It is among the lighter options and can be put in its own travel bag.
The SnuzPod bedside cot is another highly rated item that's easy to fold and assemble with plenty of features for a restful night's sleep. It has a bassinet with a lift-off that can fit more beds than any other cot, and its breathable fabric can help your baby maintain their temperature. It has a gentle rocking feature as well as an incline to help with reflux. It is also lightweight enough to use as a crib for travel when you are out and about. It's a little more expensive than other cribs for bed however, Parent Testers believe it's worth the extra cost.