How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk

Official safety sleeping guidelines from both NHS and Lullaby Trust recommends that newborns sleep in their own cot or Moses basket. A bedside crib is a space-saving and practical option for parents who live in a room together.

Mumsnetters adore the co-sleeper because it is spacious, with plenty of room for babies to grow and play. It is also much larger than a Moses Basket. It’s also easy to assemble and comes with a carry-on bag.

What is a bedside cot?

A bedside cot (also called a side sleeper, bassinet or co-sleeper) is a secure way for your baby to sleep close to you throughout the first few months of their life. These cribs are attached to your bed and let you bring your baby closer to you to feed them at night or for comforting without the threat of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome as a result of traditional bed sharing. They’re also a great option for breastfeeding mothers or mothers recovering from a caesarean section.

They’re typically smaller than a standard cot or cotbed, yet offer plenty of space for your baby to rest. You can choose from a variety of styles and features based on your preferences. A lot of cribs with a bedside feature an adjustable or drop down side, which makes it easier to reach your baby’s night feeds and are also available in various heights to suit the size of your bed.

Some bedside cribs come with an adjustable riser that allows you to add a slight incline to the sleep space which could help with reflux. It also has the ability to zip off the sides for easy cleaning. Some have manual rocking features which can be a relaxing distraction for your newborn. You’ll need a mattress that is air-conditioned to match your crib. It must be at least 30cm in depth to allow your baby plenty of headroom.

You can be sure that your child will be safe and secure in a bedside cot. With stars like Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all fans of the SNOO bedside crib, it’s definitely worth looking into this elegant alternative to a moses basket.

Safety

Official safe sleeping guidelines from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that newborn babies should 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 reduce the chance of sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib is a great option that allows your child to safely be close enough for you to feed them during the night and soothe them back to sleep without needing to leave your bed. This is an excellent option if you are recovering from an operation or C-section, and have limited mobility.

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 which makes it perfect for trips to the beach and nights away from home. It’s the lightest option for a bedside cot and 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 Cot Crib or Moses basket.

Another fantastic bedside cot is the Chicco Next2me Magic bedside crib which was awarded Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It comes with a built-in changing mat and storage system It weighs just 10kg, and comes with an adjustable side that slides down for easy access.

Style

A crib for your bed is a godsend for many mothers, particularly those who are recovering from C-sections. They can be attached to your bed so you can reach your baby easily without needing to get up and letting you feed them and soothe them quickly. They’re also a great option for mothers who are breastfeeding as close proximity can boost their milk supply.

In addition to being extremely convenient, these bassinets can look pretty stylish too which is the reason they’re so popular. Some are bigger than Moses Baskets and some even have additional features, like a gentle upward slope. They are designed to be placed near your bed, they are able to be moved around the house when baby gets older and some are able to be taken with you on the go, making them great for parents who are new to traveling.

It’s important to choose a bedside cot that has easy-to-use drop-sides. This allows you to lower your baby into the bassinet without having to lift them up into your arms. This can be difficult for mothers who have limited mobility. bedside baby bed of them is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been praised by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted in our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category.

Some models also have a translucent side, allowing you to see your baby. This is particularly useful when you’re exhausted at 3am and you need to feed your child. A quick glance can make a huge difference. As mentioned by Emily our MFM home tester, the Sleepiest BassiNest is a great option. It’s easy to lower.

Budget

If you’re not ready to move to a larger cot the bedside crib could be a great option. The cot is attached to the side of your bed so that you can easily reach your baby for night feeds and comfort them without disturbing your sleep. It’s also a great option for those who suffer from limited movement after an operation, and is a popular option with famous mothers like Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.

Our Parent Testers loved this new version of the bestselling Chicco crib, which won 2021 Mother&Baby Awards as the Best Cot or Crib. It’s large, breathable, and has six different height settings suitable for growing babies. There is also a gentle reflux setting. It can be used as a travel crib and comes with a storage case that is convenient for storage.

It can be difficult to move a bedside cot around your home However, our Parents Testers said that the Shnuggle Air alongside the cot was easy to move. It’s one of the lightest alternatives and is compact enough to fit into its own travel bag which means you can carry it along with you on your trip.

The SnuzPod is another highly rated bedside cot that’s simple to assemble and fold away, with plenty of features for the best night’s rest. It has a removable adjustable bassinet that lifts off, which can fit more beds than other cots. The fabric is breathable and can help keep your baby’s temperature in check. It has a gentle rocking feature, as well as an incline to help with reflux. It is also lightweight enough to use as a travel crib when you are traveling. It’s a little more expensive than other bedside cribs however, Parent Testers agree that it’s worth the extra expense.