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 that is placed near the bed is a practical and space-saving option for parents who share a room.

Mumsnetters adore the co-sleeper because it's big and has plenty of room for babies to grow and wriggle. It is also much larger than a Moses Basket. It's also simple to put together and comes with a carry bag.

What is a bedside crib?

Bedside cribs (also called bassinets, side sleepers, or co-sleepers) are a safe and convenient way for your baby to sleep near you during the first few months. These cribs attach to your bed and let you lift your baby out towards you to feed them at night or for comforting without the danger of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome associated with traditional bed-sharing. They're also a great choice for mothers who are breastfeeding or recovering from a caesarean section.

These cots are typically a little smaller than standard cots but they provide plenty of space for your baby to rest. You can choose from a variety of designs and features depending on what your preference is. A majority of cribs for bedside crib with wheels use an adjustable or drop down side that makes it easier to reach your baby for night feeds and are also available in different sizes to fit the dimensions of your bed.

Some bedside cribs come with an adjustable riser that allows you to add a slight slope to the sleep area that can help with reflux and a zip-off side for easy cleaning. Some have manual rocking features that can provide a relaxing distraction for your newborn. You'll require a mattress that's air-conditioned to match your crib. It should be at least 30cm deep to give your baby enough headroom.

You can be confident that your baby will be safe and secure in a cot that is positioned at the bedside. With the likes of 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 issued official safe sleeping guidelines that recommend that newborns are in the same room as their parents for the first six months. However, they should not sleep in your bed. This is to decrease the risk of suffocation, or sudden infant death syndrome. A crib that is placed near your bed allows you to keep your infant close to you so that you can comfort them and even feed them at night without having to leave your bed. It is also a great option if you are recovering from an operation or a C-section and are unable to move.

Our top pick for a bedside cot the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 travel cot bedside crib is compact and folds flat in a matter of seconds and fits into its own bag for travel, which makes it perfect for trips to the beach and nights away from home. It's among the lightest bedside cot options and has a comfy deep foam mattress, air-flow panels and an incline setting, plus it was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&baby bedside co sleeper awards for the Best Crib, Cot or Moses Basket.

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

Style

For a lot of moms, especially those who are recovering from C-sections A crib for bedside can be an absolute godsend. They can be attached to your bed so you can reach your baby easily without having to get up, allowing you to night feed them and comfort them quickly. The close proximity to your baby can also help increase milk production for mothers who breastfeed.

In addition to being extremely convenient, these bassinets can look pretty elegant which is the reason they're so sought-after. They're typically larger than Moses baskets and come in lots of different styles, some featuring extra features like a gentle tilting of the reflux. They're designed to sit right next to your bed and can be moved around the house as baby grows. Some are portable so they're great for parents who travel.

It's important to choose a bedside cot that is easy to use drop-sides. These allow you to lower your infant into the bassinet without needing to lift them into your arms, which is difficult for moms who have limited mobility. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one such model that has been highly praised and was shortlisted by Mumsnetters in the category of the Best Cot or Crib or Moses Basket for our 2021 Mother and Baby Awards.

Some models also have a transparent side, which allows you to see your baby. This is especially helpful when you are groggy at 3am and you need to feed your child. A quick glance could make a huge difference. As noted by Emily, our MFM home tester, the Sleepiest BassiNest is an excellent choice. It is simple to lower.

Budget

A bedside crib is a great alternative if you're not ready to upgrade to a full-sized crib. The bassinet-style crib is attached to the bed's side to allow you to easily reach your baby's night feeds and comfort them without disrupting your sleep. It's a great option for those who have limited movement after a C-section. Celeb mums such as Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen this model.

Our Parent Testers loved the new version of this bestselling crib from Chicco that won the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. It's large and breathable, and has six height settings to accommodate babies who are growing, as well as a gentle incline setting. It can also be used as a travel cot and it comes with a handy storage bag.

It can be a challenge to move a bedside crib with changing table cot around the home, but our Parents Testers said that the Shnuggle Air next to the cot was easy to move. It's among the lightest alternatives and is compact enough to fit into its own travel bag, so you can take it with you when you travel.

The SnuzPod bedside cot bed cot is a highly rated product that's easy to assemble and fold with plenty of features for a restful night's sleep. It comes with a bassinet that lifts off to fit more beds than any other cot and travel cot bedside its breathable fabric helps your baby maintain their temperature. It also has a gentle rocking function and an incline setting for reflux, and is lightweight enough to be used as a travel cot if you're out and about. It's more expensive than other bedside cribs, but Parent Testers agree that it's worth the extra cost.