How to Choose the
Best Bedside Cot ukOfficial guidelines for safe sleep from both NHS and Lullaby Trust recommends that newborns sleep in their own crib or Moses basket. A crib that is placed near the bed is a practical and space-saving option for parents who live together.
Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper because it's big enough with plenty of space for babies to grow and play, and more spacious than the typical Moses basket. It's also easy to put together and comes with a carry-on bag.
What is a bedside cot?
Bedside cribs (also called bassinets, side sleepers or co-sleepers) are a safe and convenient way for your baby to sleep with you during the early months. These cribs fix to your bed and let you lift your baby out towards you for night feeding or comforting without the danger of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome that is a result of traditional bed-sharing. They're also a great option for mothers who are breastfeeding or recovering from a caesarean.
These cots are typically a little smaller than standard cots but they provide plenty of space for your baby to sleep. You can choose from a variety of styles and features depending on your preferences. A lot of cribs with a
large bedside cot feature an adjustable or drop down side that allows you to reach your baby's feeding at night. They are available in a variety of sizes to fit the dimensions of your bed.
Some bedside cribs come with a riser that allows you to add a slight rise to the sleeping space that can aid in reflux and a zip-off side for easy cleaning. Some cribs have manual rocking features that can be a soothing distraction to your newborn. You'll need a mattress that is breathable to go with your crib. It must be at least 30cm thick to allow your baby plenty of headroom.
A bedside crib is a major investment, but you can rest assured that your newborn will get a peaceful and safe night's sleep. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid are all big fans of SNOO's bedside crib. It is definitely worth considering as an alternative to a 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 their 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 bedside crib lets you keep your baby close to you so that you can comfort them and night feed them without having to leave your bed. This is also a great 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 crib that can be used as a bedside. It's compact and folds down flat to fit into its travel bag which makes it ideal for holidays or nights away from home. It's one of the lightest bedside cot options and has the most comfortable deep foam mattress with mesh air-flow panels, an optional incline setting, plus it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Crib, Cot or Moses Basket.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another fantastic bedside crib. It won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It comes with a built-in changing mat and storage system and weighs only 10kg. It is light at 10kg, and features an adjustable side that slides down to make it easy to access.
Style
For many mothers, particularly those who have had a C-section A crib for
bedside crib travel can prove to be an absolute godsend. You can easily reach your baby without getting out of bed. This lets you comfort and feed your infant at night. They're an excellent choice for breastfeeding mothers as their close proximity will help increase their milk supply.
In addition to being extremely convenient, these bassinets can also look stylish too, which is why they're so popular. They're typically larger than Moses baskets and come in a variety of different styles, with some even having extra features like a gentle reflux incline setting. They're designed to fit close to your bed and can be moved around the house as your baby grows. Some are portable so they're ideal for parents who travel.
It is important to choose a bedside cot with drop-sides that are easy to use. This allows you to lower your infant into the bassinet without having to lift them up into your arms. This can be difficult for mothers with limited mobility. One of them is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been praised by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards'
best bedside cot Cot Moses, Crib or Basket category.
Some models also have a transparent side, which allows you to be able to always view your baby. This is particularly useful when you are tired and sleepy when just a glance can make all the difference. One of these options is the Sleepiest BassiNest, which is easy to lower as was noted by our MFM home tester Emily.

Budget
A bedside crib is an excellent option if you are not ready to move to a bigger crib. This bassinet-style cot attaches to the side of your bed to allow you to 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 following an operation and is a popular option for celeb moms like Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.
Our Parent Testers loved the new model of this popular crib from Chicco, which won the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. It's spacious comfortable, breathable, and comes with six different height settings for babies who are growing. There is also a gentle reflux setting. You can also use it as a travel cot. Additionally, it comes with an easy-to-store storage bag.
It can be a challenge to move a bedside cot around your home However, our Parent Testers said that the Shnuggle Air beside cot was very easy to move. It's one of the smallest options and is small enough to fit into its own travel bag, which means you can take it with you when you travel.
The SnuzPod bedside cot is a highly rated product that's simple to put together and fold away and comes with a variety of features to ensure the perfect night's rest. It comes with a lift-off bassinet that fits more beds than any other cot and its breathable fabric helps your baby regulate their temperature. It also has a gentle rocking function and an incline setting to help with reflux, and is light enough to be used as a travel cot when you're out and about. It's a little more expensive than other bedside cribs however, Parent Testers are of the opinion that it is worth the extra cost.