How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk

Both the NHS and Lullaby Trust have issued official safe sleeping guidelines that suggest that infants sleep in their own Moses basket or cot. A crib that is placed near the bed can be an efficient and space-saving option for parents who share a room.

Mumsnetters adore the co-sleeper because it's spacious, with plenty of space for babies to grow and wriggle. It's also larger than a Moses Basket. It's also simple to put together and comes with a bag for travel.

What is a bedside crib?

Bedside cribs (also called bassinets, side sleepers or co-sleepers) are a safe and convenient way for your baby to be close to you during their first few months. These cribs are attached to your bed and let you lift your baby out towards you at night for feeding or comforting without the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome that is a result of traditional bed-sharing. They're also a great choice for breastfeeding mothers or mums recovering from a caesarean.

These cots are often a little smaller than a standard cot but they provide plenty of room for your baby to sleep. You can pick from a variety of styles and features, according to what you like best. Many bedside crib to cot cribs come with an adjustable or drop-down side that makes it easier to reach your baby during feeding time at night. They also come in different heights depending on the size of your bed.

Some bedside cribs have a riser which allows you to build an incline in the sleep area. This can aid in reducing reflux. They also have an open side to make cleaning easy. Other cribs have manual rocking functions which can be a relaxing distraction for your infant. You'll also need a breathable mattress to go with your new crib, which must be at least 30cm deep to ensure that your baby has enough head space.

You can rest assured that your baby will be safe and secure in a bedside cot. With stars like Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all awed by the SNOO bedside crib, it's worth considering this stylish alternative to moses basket.

Safety

Official safe sleeping guidance from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that babies born today should be in the same room as you during the 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 is a fantastic option that allows your child to comfortably be near enough for you to feed them during the night and help them return to sleep without having to leave your bed. It's also a great option if you have limited mobility 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 travel cot bedside (my review here) crib is small and folds flat in a matter of seconds to fit into a travel bag which makes it perfect for trips to the beach and nights away from home. It's the lightest option for a bedside cot. It has a soft, comfortable foam mattress with mesh panels that let air flow. It also comes with an incline option that can be added. It also won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Moses basket or Cot Crib.

Another fantastic bedside cot is the Chicco Next2me Magic bedside crib that won Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It comes with a built-in changing mat and storage solutions, is lightweight at 10kg, and has an adjustable side that slides down to make it easy to access.

Style

For many mums, particularly those who have had a C-section, a bedside crib could prove to be an absolute godsend. You can easily reach your baby without getting out of bed. This lets you soothe and feed your infant at night. Being close to the baby can also help increase milk production for mothers who are breastfeeding.

As well as being incredibly convenient, these bassinets are elegant, which is why they're so sought-after. Some are more spacious than Moses Baskets and some even have additional features such as a gentle reflux incline. They're designed to fit right next to your bed and can be moved around the home as baby grows. Some are portable, so they're ideal for parents who travel.

It is essential to select a bedside cot that has easy-to-use drop-sides. These let you lower your baby's bassinet without needing to lift them into your arms, which is difficult for moms with mobility issues. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one of the models that has been acknowledged and shortlisted by Mumsnetters in the category of Best Cot or Crib or Moses Basket for our 2021 Mother and Baby Awards.

Another handy feature that some models come with is a transparent side that lets you see your baby bedside crib at all times. This is especially helpful in the case of 3am feeds that are bleary-eyed where just a glance can make all the difference. As noted by Emily our MFM home test participant the Sleepiest BassiNest an excellent choice. It is easy to lower.

Budget

A bedside crib is a fantastic option if you're not ready to upgrade to a larger crib. The cot is attached to the bed's side so that you can easily reach your baby's night feeds and comfort them without disrupting your sleep. It's also a great choice for those with restricted movement after a C-section and is a favorite choice with celeb mums including Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.

Our Parent Testers loved the new version of this bestselling crib from Chicco that won the 2021 Mother&Baby Award for Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. It's spacious comfortable, breathable, and comes with six different height settings for growing babies. There is also a soft reflux setting. It can be used as a crib for travel and comes with a handy storage case.

A bedside cot can be a little difficult to move around the home, but our Parents Testers found the Shnuggle Air near the crib to be easy to maneuver. It's among the lightest options and small enough to fit into its own travel bag, which means you can carry it with you on your travels.

The SnuzPod is a different highly rated bedside cot that's simple to set up and take down and packed with features that will ensure your child gets an enjoyable 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 features a soft rocking feature, as well as an incline for reflux. It's also light enough to use as a travel crib while you're on the move. It's a bit more expensive than other cribs for bed however, Parent Testers agree that it's worth the extra expense.