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 cot or Moses basket. A bedside crib is an efficient and space-saving choice for parents who live together.

Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper as it's big enough with plenty of space for babies to grow and play, and far more substantial than the size of a Moses basket. It's also easy to put together and comes with a bag for travel.

What is a bedside cot?

bedside baby bed cribs (also known as bassinets, side sleepers or co-sleepers) are an ideal and safe way for your baby to be close to you during the first few months. These cribs are attached to your bed and let you lift your child to you to feed them at night or for comforting. They're also a great option for breastfeeding mothers or mums recovering from a caesarean section.

These cots are typically a little smaller than standard cots however, they still provide plenty of room for your baby to relax. You can pick from a variety of designs and features according to what you like best. Many large bedside crib cribs have a drop down or removable side that allows you to reach your baby's night feeds and are available in a variety of heights to suit the size of your bed.

Some cribs for bedside use a riser that allows you to add a slight slope to the sleep area that can help with reflux and the ability to zip off the sides for easy cleaning. Some cribs have manual rocking features that can provide a relaxing distraction for your baby. You'll also need a breathable mattress to match your new crib. It must be at least 30cm in depth to ensure that your baby has enough head space.

You can be confident that your child will be safe and secure in a cot that is positioned at the bedside. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi hadid are all fans of SNOO's bedside crib. It is definitely worth a look as an 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 sleep 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 bedside crib is a great option that allows your child to comfortably be near enough for you to night feed them and comfort them back to sleep without needing to leave your bed. It 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 a matter of seconds to fit into its own travel bag so it's perfect for holidays and nights away from home. It's among the lightest bedside cots available and comes with a an extremely comfortable mattress with mesh air-flow panels and an tilting setting, and it was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the Best Crib, Cot or Moses Basket.

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

Style

A crib for your bed can be a lifesaver for many moms, particularly those recovering from C-sections. You can easily reach your baby without getting out of your bed. This allows you to soothe and feed your infant at night. They are an excellent choice for mothers who are breastfeeding as the close proximity can help increase their milk supply.

Bassinets aren't just functional, but also fashionable. This is why they are so popular. They're typically bigger 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 close to your bed and can be moved around the house as baby grows. Some are portable, which means they're ideal for parents who travel.

It is important to choose a cot for your bed with drop-sides that are easy to use. These let you lower your baby's bassinet without having to lift them into your arms, which can be difficult for mums with mobility issues. One of them is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been applauded 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 transparent side that allows you to be able to see your baby at all times. This is particularly useful during bleary-eyed 3am feeds, when just a glance can make all the difference. One such option is the Sleepiest BassiNest that is easy to lower as outlined by our MFM home tester Emily.

Budget

A small bedside cot crib is a fantastic option if you're not yet ready to upgrade to a full-sized crib. The bassinet-style crib is attached to the bed's side so you can easily reach your baby's night feeds and comfort them without disturbing your sleep. It's also a great option for those who suffer from restricted movement following the birth and is a popular option with famous mothers like Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.

Our Parent Testers loved this new version of the well-loved Chicco crib, which was awarded the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards as the Best Cot or travel cot bedside crib Crib. It's spacious and breathable, and comes with six different height settings for babies who are growing. There is also a soft reflux setting. You can also use it as a travel cot. Additionally, it comes with an excellent storage bag.

A bedside cot can be a little difficult to move around your home however our Parent Testers found the Shnuggle Air beside crib really easy to maneuver. It's among the lightest options and compact enough to fit into its own travel bag, which means you can carry it with you when you travel.

The SnuzPod is a different highly rated bedside cot that is easy to assemble and fold away, with plenty of features to ensure the best night's rest. It has a removable lift-off bassinet that fits more beds than other cots. The fabric is breathable and helps regulate your baby's temperature. It also features a soft rocking function and an incline setting to help with reflux, and it's light enough to use as a travel cot if you're out and about. It's a little more expensive than other bedside cribs but Parents Testers agree that it's worth the extra expense.