How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk
Both the NHS and the Lullaby Trust have issued official safe sleeping guidelines which suggest that infants sleep in their own Moses basket or cot. A bedside crib is a practical and space-saving option for parents who live together.
Mumsnetters adore this co-sleeper since it's spacious with lots of space for babies to grow and play, and far more substantial than a Moses basket. It's also simple to put together, and comes with a bag for carrying.
What is a bedside crib?
Bedside cribs (also called side sleepers, bassinets or co-sleepers) are an ideal and safe way for your baby to sleep near you during the first few months. These cribs attach to your bed and allow you to pull your child to you to feed them at night or even comfort them. They're also a great option for breastfeeding mothers or mums recovering from a caesarean section.
They're often slightly smaller than a regular cot, but provide plenty of space for your baby to sleep. You can pick from different styles and features based on your preferences. A lot of cribs for bedside use a removable or drop-down side that makes it easier to reach your baby during feeding time at night. They are also available in different heights, based on your bed size.
Some bedside cribs have an adjustable riser that allows you to build an incline in the sleep area. This can aid in reducing reflux. They also have a zip off side for easy cleaning. Some cribs come with manual rocking features that can be a soothing distractor for your infant. You'll also require a comfortable mattress for your new crib. It should be a minimum of 30cm deep to ensure that your baby has enough head space.
You can be sure that your child will be comfortable and safe in a bedside cot. With stars like Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all awed by 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 newborns 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 decrease the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. A crib for bed allows you to keep your baby close to calm them down and feed them at night without leaving your bed. It's also great for those who have a limited mobility following an operation or recovering from a C-section.
Our top choice for a bedside crib, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 travel cot bedside crib is compact and folds down in seconds to fit into a travel bag making it ideal for travel and nights away from home. It's among the lightest options for a bedside crib and has a soft, comfortable foam mattress with mesh panels that allow air to flow. It also comes with an optional incline option. It also won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Moses basket or Cot Crib.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another great bedside crib option. It was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. bedside crib vs cot features a built-in change mat and storage solutions and weighs only 10kg. It is light at 10kg, and comes with an adjustable side that can be lowered down for easy access.
Style
For many mums, particularly those who are recovering from C-sections A crib for bedside can be an absolute godsend. They can be attached to your bed so that you can easily reach your baby without needing to get out of bed, allowing you to night feed them and soothe them quickly. The close proximity to your baby can also aid in increasing milk production for mothers who breastfeed.
These bassinets are not only functional, but also stylish. This is why they are so popular. They're typically larger than Moses baskets and are available in many different styles, with some having additional features like a gentle tilting of the reflux. Designed to fit by your bed, they can usually be moved around your home when baby gets older and some can be carried to the go making them perfect for new parents travelling.
When choosing a bedside cot, it's important to select a model that have drop sides that are simple to use. This lets you lower your child into the bassinet, without lifting them up into your arms. This can be a hassle for mothers with limited mobility. One of these models is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been applauded by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted in our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category.
Some models also have a transparent side, which allows you to always see your baby. This is especially useful during bleary-eyed 3am feeds when one glance could make all the difference. As noted by Emily, our MFM home tester Sleepiest BassiNest is an excellent choice. It is simple to lower.
Budget
If you're not ready to move to a larger cot, the bedside crib could be an ideal solution. The cot is attached to the side of your bed so that you can easily reach your baby's feedings at night and soothe them without disturbing your own sleep. It's an excellent choice for those who have limited movement following the C-section. Celebrity moms such as Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen this model.
Our Parent Testers loved this new version of the well-loved Chicco crib, which was awarded the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot or Crib. It's afclimatizing and spacious and comes with six height options to accommodate babies who are growing, plus a gentle reflux setting for the incline. You can also use it as a travel cot and it comes with an easy-to-store storage bag.
It can be a challenge to move a bedside cot around your house however our Parent Testers reported that the Shnuggle Air next to the cot was simple to move. It's one of the lightest alternatives and is compact enough to fit into its own travel bag, which means you can take it along with you on your trip.
The SnuzPod bedside cot is yet another highly rated product that's easy to fold and assemble with plenty of features for the perfect night's rest. It comes with a removable, lift-off bassinet that fits more beds than other cots. The fabric is breathable and helps keep your baby's temperature in check. It also has a soft rocking function and an incline setting for reflux, and is lightweight enough to be used as a travel cot if you're out and about. It's a little more expensive than other cots for bed, but our Parents Testers believe it's worth the extra cost.