How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk

Both the NHS and the Lullaby Trust have issued official safe sleeping guidelines which advise that babies sleep in their own Moses basket or cot. 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 wiggle. It's also bigger than the Moses Basket. It's also easy to put together and comes with a bag for travel.

What is a bedside crib?

bedside cot crib cribs (also called side sleepers, bassinets or co-sleepers) are a safe and convenient way for your baby to sleep near you during the early months. These cribs fix to your bed and let you bring your baby closer to you at night for feeding or comforting without the danger of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome as a result of traditional bed sharing. These cribs are also great for mums who are breastfeeding or recovering from a Cesarean Section.

They're usually a little smaller than a regular cot or cotbed, but offer plenty of space for your baby to sleep. You can pick from various styles and features depending on your preferences. Many cribs with a bedside feature an adjustable or drop-down side that makes it easier to reach the baby during feeding time at night. They are also available in different heights, based on your bed size.

Some cribs with a bedside have a riser which allows you to build an incline in the sleep area. This can be helpful with reflux. They also come with an open side to make cleaning easy. Others have manual rocking functions which can be a soothing distraction for your infant. You'll need a mattress that is breathable to go with your crib. It must be at least 30cm deep to give your baby enough headroom.

A 4-in-1 bedside crib crib is a major investment, but you can rest assured that your baby will be secure and comfortable sleep. With stars like Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all being fans of the SNOO bedside crib, it's worth considering this stylish alternative to moses basket.

Safety

The Lullaby Trust, in conjunction with the NHS, has issued official guidelines for safe sleeping which recommend that babies stay in the same bedroom as their parents for the first six months. However, they should not sleep in your bed. This is to lower the chance of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome. A crib that is placed near your bed allows you to keep your infant close to you to calm them down and even feed them at night without leaving your bed. It's also great when you are unable to move following an operation or recovering from C-section.

Our top choice for a bedside cot, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 travel cot bedside crib is compact and folds flat in seconds to fit into its own travel bag making it ideal for travel and nights away from home. It's one the lightest options for a large bedside crib crib and features a comfortable deep foam mattress with mesh panels that allow air to flow. It also has an incline option that can be added. Plus, it 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 that won Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It comes with built-in storage and a changing mat, is lightweight (only 10kg), and has an adjustable side for easy access.

Style

For many mothers, particularly those who are recovering from a C-section, a bedside crib with wheels crib could prove to be an absolute godsend. You can easily reach your baby without getting out of bed. This lets you provide comfort and food to your infant during the night. Being close to the baby can also increase the production of milk for mothers who breastfeed.

In addition to being extremely convenient, these bassinets are attractive too which is the reason they're so sought-after. They are larger than Moses Baskets and some even have additional features such as a gentle reflux incline. Designed to fit by your bed, they are able to be moved around the home when baby gets older and some can be carried with you on the go making them perfect for new parents travelling.

When selecting a cot for your bedside it is important to choose a model with drop sides that are easy to use. This lets you lower your baby into the bassinet without having to lift them up into your arms. This can be a hassle for mothers who have limited mobility. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one such model that has been acknowledged and shortlisted by Mumsnetters in the category of the Best Cot or Crib, Travel Cot Bedside Crib or Moses Basket for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.

Some models also have a translucent side, allowing you to be able to always view your baby. This is especially helpful when you're groggy at 3am and you need to feed your child. A quick glance could make a huge difference. One of these options is the Sleepiest BassiNest which is easy to lower as was noted by our MFM home tester Emily.

Budget

If you're still not ready to move to a full-sized cot, a bedside crib may be an ideal solution. This bassinet-style crib attaches to your bed, ensuring that 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 with restricted movement after an operation such as a C-section. Celebrity moms such as Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen it.

Our Parent Testers loved the new version of this well-loved crib from Chicco which was awarded the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. It's afclimatizing and spacious and comes with six height settings to accommodate growing babies, as well as a gentle setting for incline. You can also use it as a travel cot. Additionally, it comes with a handy storage bag.

A bedside cot can be difficult to move around your home however our Parent Testers found the Shnuggle Air on the side of the crib easy to maneuver. It's one of the smallest options and is small enough to fit into its own bag for travel, so you can take it along with you on your trip.

The SnuzPod is another highly rated bedside crib to cot cot that's easy to put together and fold away and packed with features for an enjoyable night's sleep. It comes with a lift-off bassinet that fits more beds than any other cot, and its breathable fabric can help your baby to regulate their temperature. It has a gentle rocking feature, as well as an incline for reflux. It is also lightweight enough to use as a crib for travel while you're out and about. It's a little more expensive than other bedside cribs however, Parent Testers agree that it's worth the extra cost.