How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk
Official safe sleeping guidance from both NHS and Lullaby Trust recommends that newborns sleep in their own crib or Moses basket. A crib for bed is an effective and space-saving solution for room-sharing new parents.
Mumsnetters adore the co-sleeper because it is spacious, with plenty of room for babies to grow and wriggle. It is also much larger than the Moses Basket. It’s also easy to put together and comes with a bag for carrying.
What is a bedside cot?
Bedside cots (also known as bassinets, side sleepers or co-sleepers) are an ideal and safe way for your baby to sleep near you during their early months. These cribs can be attached to your bed and let you lift your child to you for night-feeding or comforting. These cribs are also ideal for mothers who are breastfeeding or recovering from a cesarean.
These cots are typically 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 designs and features according to what you prefer. A lot of cribs for bedside use the option of removing or dropping down the side that makes it easier to reach the baby during feeding time at night. They are also available in different heights depending on your bed size.
Some bedside cribs have a riser which allows you to add an incline in the sleeping area. This can help with reflux. They also come with the option of a zip-off side for easy cleaning. Some cribs have manual rocking options that can be a soothing distraction for your baby. You’ll also require a breathable mattress to match your new crib. It should be a minimum of 30cm deep to ensure your baby has enough head space.
A bedside crib is an investment but you can be sure your baby will be peaceful and safe night’s sleep. With stars like Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all awed by the SNOO bedside crib, it’s definitely worth considering this fashionable alternative to moses basket.
Safety
The Lullaby Trust, in conjunction with the NHS has released official safe sleeping guidelines that advise that babies sleep in the same bedroom as their parents for the first six months. However, they should not sleep in your bed. This is to decrease the chance of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib is an excellent option that allows your child to remain close enough to you to feed them at night and soothe them back to sleep without having to get out of your bed. This is also a great option for when 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 choice for a crib to sleep in. It’s compact and folds flat to fit in its transport bag, making it perfect for nights out on the town or away from home. It’s among the lightest bedside cots and has the most comfortable deep foam mattress with mesh air-flow panels, and an tilt setting, and it was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Crib, Cot or Moses Basket.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another excellent bedside crib. It won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It features a built-in change mat and storage system and weighs only 10kg. It is light at 10kg, and comes with an adjustable side that can be lowered down to make it easy to access.
Style
A crib for your bed is a blessing for many mothers, particularly those who are recovering from C-sections. They can be attached to your bed so that you can easily reach your baby without needing to get up in order to feed them and comfort them quickly. The close proximity to your baby can also aid in increasing the amount of milk produced by mothers who breastfeed.
In addition to being extremely useful, bassinets can also look elegant, which is why they’re so sought-after. Some are bigger than Moses Baskets, and some have extra features, like a gentle incline. They’re designed to fit close to your bed and can be moved around the house as baby grows. Some are portable, which means they’re great for travelling parents.
When selecting a cot for your bedside, it’s important to select a model that have easy-to-use drop sides. These allow you to lower your baby into the bassinet without lifting them into your arms, which can be difficult for moms with limited mobility. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one such model that has been highly praised and was shortlisted by Mumsnetters in the category of Best Cot or Crib or Moses Basket for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.
Some models also have a transparent side, allowing you to see your baby. This is particularly useful when you’re exhausted at 3am and need to feed your baby. A quick glance could make a big difference. As was noted by Emily, our MFM home tester, the Sleepiest BassiNest is a great option. It is easy to lower.
Budget
A bedside crib is an excellent option if you are not yet ready to upgrade to a full-sized crib. bedside crib and travel cot is attached to the bed’s side so that you can easily reach your baby for evening feeds and also comfort them without disturbing your sleep. It’s a great choice for those who are unable to move after an operation such as a C-section. Celebrity moms like Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen it.
Our Parents Testers loved this latest version of the bestselling Chicco crib, which took home the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot or Crib. It’s large and breathable, and comes with six different height settings for growing babies. There is also a gentle reflux setting. It can also be used as a crib for travel and comes with a storage case that is convenient for storage.
A bedside cot can be a little difficult to move around the home, but our Parents Testers found the Shnuggle Air on the side of the crib easy to move around. It is among the lighter options and can be tucked away in its own travel bag.
The SnuzPod bedside cot is yet another highly rated item that’s easy to assemble and fold and comes with a variety of features to ensure the perfect night’s rest. It has 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, as well as an incline setting for reflux, and is lightweight enough to be used as a travel cot when you’re out and about. It’s a bit more expensive than other bedside cots, but our Parent Testers say it’s well worth the extra money.
