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 can be an efficient and space-saving option for parents who live in a room together.

Mumsnetters love the co-sleeper because it's big and has plenty of room for baby's to grow and play. It's also bigger than a Moses Basket. It's also easy to assemble and comes with a bag for travel.

What is a bedside crib?

bedside travel cot cribs (also called bassinets, side sleepers or co-sleepers) are a safe and convenient way for Best Bedside Cot uk your baby to sleep near you in the early months. These cribs are attached to your bed and allow you to pull your child in your arms to feed them at night or for comforting. These cribs are also ideal for mothers who are nursing or recovering from a cesarean section.

They're often slightly smaller than a standard cot or cotbed, yet offer plenty of space for your baby to sleep. You can choose from a wide range of designs and features according to what your preference is. Many bedside cribs come with an adjustable or drop-down side, which makes it easier to reach your baby during feeding time at night. They also come in various heights based on the size of your bed.

Some bedside cribs come with an riser that permits you to add a slight slope to the sleep space which could help with reflux. It also has the ability to zip off the sides for easy cleaning. Others have manual rocking functions which can be a soothing distraction for your infant. You'll also need a breathable mattress to go with your crib. It should be a minimum of 30cm in depth to ensure that your newborn has enough headroom.

You can rest assured that your baby will be safe and comfortable in a cot that is positioned at the bedside. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid are all avid users of SNOO's crib for babies. It is definitely worth a look as an alternative to the Moses basket.

Safety

Official guidelines for safe sleep from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that newborn babies should be in the same room as you for the first six months but not in your bed to lower the risk of suffocation and to reduce the chance of sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib allows you to keep your baby close to you so that you can calm them down and even feed them at night without having to leave your bed. It's also a great option if you have limited mobility after an operation or recovering from a C-section.

Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3 in 1 travel cot bedside cot for twins Crib is our top pick for a crib to sleep in. It's compact and folds flat to fit into its travel bag and is perfect for holidays or nights away from home. It's one of the lightest bedside cots and has the most comfortable 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 Best Crib, Cot, or Moses Basket.

Another fab bedside crib vs cot cot option is the Chicco Next2me Magic bedside crib which was awarded Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has an integrated storage unit and changing mat, is light (only 10kg) and features an adjustable side that allows for easy access.

Style

For many mums, particularly those who have had C-sections A crib for bedside could prove to be a blessing in disguise. You can easily reach your baby without having to get out of bed. This allows you to comfort and feed your infant during the night. They're also a great choice for mothers who are breastfeeding as the close proximity can help increase their milk supply.

Alongside being incredibly practical, these bassinets can also look stylish too which is the reason they're so sought-after. They're usually bigger than Moses baskets and come in a variety of different styles, some even having extra features like a gentle tilting of the reflux. Designed to fit by your bed, they can usually be moved around the home when baby gets older and some can be carried on the go too making them perfect for parents who are new to traveling.

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 child into the bassinet, without having to lift them up into your arms. This can be a hassle for mothers who have limited mobility. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one such model 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.

Another great feature that certain models have is a transparent side that lets you observe your baby at all times. This is especially useful when you are tired and sleepy where one glance could make all the difference. As mentioned by Emily our MFM home test participant, the Sleepiest BassiNest is a great option. It is simple to lower.

Budget

If you're still not ready to make the leap to a larger cot, the bedside cot wooden crib could be a great option. The bassinet-style crib can be attached to your bed so that you can reach your baby easily for feedings at night or cuddle your child without causing disturbance. It's an excellent choice for those who have limited movement following the C-section. Famous moms like Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen this model.

Our Parents Testers loved this new version of the well-loved Chicco crib, which won 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot or Crib. It's spacious and breathable and has six height settings to accommodate growing babies, as well as a gentle incline setting. It can be used as a crib for travel and comes with a storage case that is convenient for storage.

A bedside crib can be tricky to move around the home, but our Parents Testers found the Shnuggle Air on the side of the crib easy to move around. It's one of the smallest options and compact enough to fit into its own travel bag, which means you can take it with you on your travels.

The SnuzPod is another highly rated bedside cosleeper cot that's easy to assemble and fold away, with plenty of features for a good night's sleep. It has a bassinet with a lift-off that can fit more beds than any other cot and its breathable fabric helps your baby regulate their temperature. It has a gentle rocking feature and an incline to aid in reflux. It is also lightweight enough to use as a travel crib while you're out and about. It's a bit more expensive than other cribs for bed however, Parent Testers are of the opinion that it is worth the extra cost.