How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk
Official guidelines for safe sleep 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 is an efficient and space-saving choice for room-sharing new parents.
Mumsnetters love the co-sleeper as it’s spacious, with plenty of space for babies to grow and wriggle. It’s also larger than the Moses Basket. It’s also easy to put together, and comes with a bag for carrying.
What is a bedside crib?
A bedside cot (also known as a bassinet, side sleeper or co-sleeper) is a secure way for your baby to sleep close to you overnight during the first few months of their life. These cribs attach to your bed and allow you to raise your baby towards you to feed them at night or for comforting without the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome associated with traditional bed-sharing. They’re also a great option for breastfeeding mothers or mums recovering from a caesarean section.
They are usually a little smaller than standard cots, but still offer plenty of room for your baby to rest. You can choose from a variety of styles and features, according to what you prefer. A lot of cribs with a bedside feature a drop down or removable side that makes it easier to reach your baby for evening feeds. They are also available in different heights to suit the size of your bed.
Some cribs with a bedside have a riser which allows you to create an incline in the sleep area. This can be helpful with reflux. They also have an open side to make cleaning easy. Some cribs come with manual rocking options that can be a soothing distraction for your baby. You’ll also require a breathable mattress to go with your new crib, which should be a minimum of 30cm in depth to ensure that your newborn has sufficient head room.
A bedside crib is an investment but you can rest assured that your baby will have a secure and comfortable sleep. With the likes of Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all being fans of the SNOO bedside crib, it’s worth considering this stylish alternative to a moses basket.
Safety
The Lullaby Trust, in conjunction with the NHS has issued official guidelines for safe sleeping which recommend that babies are in the same room as their parents for the first six months. However, they should not sleep in your bed. This is to reduce 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 during the night and comfort them back to sleep without having to get out of your own bed. It’s also a great option when you are unable to move following an operation or recovering from C-section.
Our top pick for a bedside cot, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 bedside crib for travel is compact and folds down 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 and comes with a comfy deep foam mattress with mesh panels that let air flow. It also has an optional incline option. Additionally, it was awarded Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Moses Basket or Cot Crib.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another fantastic bedside crib. It won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It features a built-in change mat and storage solution and weighs only 10kg. It is light at 10kg, and has an adjustable side that slides down to make it easy to access.
Style
For a lot of moms, especially those recovering from a C-section A crib for bedside can prove to an absolute blessing. You can easily reach your baby without getting out of your bed. This allows you to soothe and feed your infant during the night. They’re also a great choice for breastfeeding mothers since the close proximity can help boost the amount of milk they produce.
These bassinets are not only functional, but also fashionable. This is why they are so popular. They’re usually larger than Moses baskets and come in lots of different styles, some even having extra features like a gentle tilt to the reflux. They’re designed to sit right next to your bed and can be moved around the house as your baby grows. Some are portable, which means they’re great for parents who travel.
It is important to choose a cot for your bed that has easy-to-use drop-sides. This lets you lower your child into the bassinet, without having to lift them up into your arms. This can be a hassle for mothers with mobility issues. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one such model 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 great feature that certain models come with is a transparent side that allows you to be able to see your baby at all times. This is particularly useful during bleary-eyed 3am feeds where just a glance can make all the difference. As was noted by Emily, our MFM home test participant Sleepiest BassiNest is an excellent choice. It’s easy to lower.
Budget
A bedside crib is a great option if you are not ready to move to a larger crib. The cot is attached to the side of your bed to allow you to easily reach your baby for night feeds and comfort them without disturbing your own sleep. It’s a great option for those who have limited movement following the C-section. Celeb mums such as Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen this model.
Our Parent Testers loved the new model of this well-loved crib from Chicco, which won the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It’s large and breathable, and has six height settings to accommodate growing babies, plus a gentle reflux incline setting. It can also be used as a travel crib and comes with a convenient storage case.
It can be a challenge to move a bedside cot around your home, but our Parents Testers said that the Shnuggle Air next to the cot was easy to maneuver. It is among the lightest options and can be packed into its own travel bag.
The SnuzPod bedside cot is a highly rated product that’s easy to assemble and fold with plenty of features for an unwinding night’s sleep. It comes with a removable, adjustable bassinet that lifts off, which can fit more beds than other cots. The fabric is breathable, and helps keep your baby’s temperature in check. It also features a soft rocking function and an incline option for reflux, and it’s light enough to use as a travel cot when you’re out and about. bedside crib vs cot ‘s a little more expensive than other bedside cots but our Parent Testers believe it’s worth the extra cash.
