How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk
Both the NHS and Lullaby Trust have issued official safe sleeping guidelines, which recommend that newborns sleep only in their own Moses basket or cot. A crib for bed is an effective and space-saving solution for parents who live together.
Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper because it's large and spacious, with plenty of space for babies to grow and wriggle and much bigger than the size of a Moses basket. It's also easy to put together and comes with a carry-on bag.
What is a bedside crib?
Bedside cribs (also called side sleepers, bassinets or co-sleepers) are an ideal and safe way for your baby to sleep near you during the early months. These cribs fix to your bed and allow you to bring your baby closer to you to feed them at night or for comforting without the threat of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome that is a result of traditional bed-sharing. They're also a great choice for breastfeeding mothers or mothers recovering from a caesarean section.
These cots are typically a little smaller than a standard cot, but still offer plenty of room for your baby to sleep. You can pick from a variety of designs and features according to what you like best. A majority of cribs for bedside use the option of a drop-down or removable side that allows you to reach your baby's feeding at night. They are available in a variety of heights to suit the size of your bed.
Some bedside cribs come with an adjustable riser that allows you to add a slight slope to the sleep area that could help with reflux. It also has the ability to zip off the sides for easy cleaning. Others have manual rocking functions which can be a soothing distraction for your infant. You'll also require a breathable mattress for your new crib. It should be a minimum of 30cm in depth to ensure that your baby has enough head space.
A bedside cot is an investment, but you can be sure your baby will have a comfortable and safe sleep. With stars like Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all awed by the SNOO bedside crib, it's worth considering this fashionable alternative to a moses basket.
Safety
Official guidelines for safe sleep from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that babies born today should be in the same room as you for the first six months but not in your bed to lower the risk of suffocation and to decrease the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib lets you keep your baby close so that you can calm them down and feed them at night without leaving your bed. It's also great if you have limited mobility after an operation or recovering from an operation such as a C-section.
Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3 in 1 bedside cot travel cot is our top pick for a crib to sleep in. It's small and folds flat to fit into a travel bag, making it perfect for trips away on holidays or from home. It's the lightest option for a bedside cot and features a comfortable deep foam mattress with mesh panels which allow air to flow. It also has an optional incline option. It also won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Moses basket or Cot Crib.
Another fantastic bedside cot is the Chicco Next2me Magic bedside crib which was awarded Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It comes with built-in storage and a changing mat, is lightweight (only 10kg) and comes with an adjustable side that allows for easy access.
Style
For many mothers, particularly those who have had C-sections, a bedside crib can be a blessing in disguise. They are attached to your bed so that you can easily reach your baby without having to get up, allowing you to night feed them and comfort them quickly. They're also a great option for mothers who are breastfeeding as their close proximity will help boost their milk supply.
Bassinets aren't just functional, but also fashionable. This is the reason they're so sought-after. They're usually larger than Moses baskets and come in a variety of different styles, some featuring extra features like a gentle tilt to the reflux. The baskets are designed to fit under your bed, they can usually be moved around your home when baby gets older and some can be carried to the go, making them great for new parents traveling.
It is essential to select a bedside cot with drop-sides that are easy to use. This lets you lower your infant into the bassinet without lifting them up into your arms. This can be difficult for mothers with mobility issues. One such model is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been highly praised by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot Crib, Moses or Crib Basket category.
Another useful feature that a few models come with is a translucent side that lets you see your baby at all times. This is especially useful when you are tired and sleepy where one glance could make all the difference. As was noted by Emily who is our MFM home test participant Sleepiest BassiNest is an excellent choice. It is easy to lower.
Budget
If you're not ready to make the leap to a larger cot, a bedside crib may be the perfect solution. The crib is attached to your bed, so you can easily reach your baby to feed them at night or even comfort your child without causing disturbance. It's an excellent choice for those who have limited movement after an operation such as a C-section. Celeb mums such as Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen this model.
Our Parents Testers loved the new model of this well-loved crib from Chicco, which won the 2021 Mother&Baby Award for Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. It's large and breathable, and comes with six height options to accommodate babies who are growing, as well as a gentle setting for the incline. It can be used as a travel crib and comes with a storage case that is convenient for storage.
A bedside cot can be a little difficult to move around your home, but our Parent Testers found the Shnuggle Air on the side of the crib simple to move. It's among the lightest options and is compact enough to fit into its own bag for travel, which means you can take it along with you on your trip.
The SnuzPod bedside cot is yet another highly rated product that's easy to assemble and fold, with many features for the perfect night's rest. It has a removable, lift-off bassinet which fits more beds than other cots. The fabric is breathable, and helps keep your baby's temperature in check. It has a gentle rocking feature, as well as an incline to help with reflux. Cots For Tots 's also light enough to be used as a crib for travel while you're on the move. It's a little more expensive than other cribs for bed but Parents Testers agree that it's worth the extra cost.