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 that is placed near the bed is an efficient and space-saving choice for parents who live together.

Mumsnetters adore this co-sleeper since it's large and spacious, with plenty of room for baby to grow and play, and more spacious than the size of a Moses basket. It's also simple to put together and comes with a travel bag.

What is a bedside cot?

Bedside cots (also called bassinets, side sleepers, or co-sleepers) are an ideal and safe way for your baby to be close to you in the early months. These cribs attach to your bed, allowing you to lift your child towards you to feed them at night or even comfort them. They're also a great option for mothers who are breastfeeding or recovering from a caesarean.

They're often slightly smaller than a standard cot, but they provide ample space for your baby to lay down. You can choose from a wide range of designs and features depending on what your preference is. Many cribs with a bedside feature a removable or drop-down side, which makes it easier to reach the baby at night for feedings. They also come in different heights depending on the size of your bed.

Some cribs for bedside use a riser that allows you to add a slight rise to the sleep space which can aid in reflux and an easy zip-off side for cleaning. Some cribs have manual rocking options which can provide a soothing distraction to your newborn. You'll need a mattress that is comfortable to be used with your crib. It must be at least 30cm in depth to give your baby enough headroom.

You can rest assured that your baby will be safe and secure in a cot that is positioned at the bedside. With stars like Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all being fans of 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 newborn babies should sleep in the same room as you during the first six months but not in your bed to reduce the risk of suffocation and to lower the chance of sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib lets you keep your baby close to you to calm them down and even feed them at night without having to leave your bed. It's also ideal if you have limited mobility after an operation or are recovering from an operation such as a C-section.

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 seconds to fit into a travel bag making it ideal for travel and nights away from home. It's among the lightest bedside cot options and has an extremely comfortable mattress that has mesh air-flow panels, an optional tilt setting, and it was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Crib, Best Bedside Cot uk Cot, Best Bedside Cot uk or Moses Basket.

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

Style

A crib for your bed can be a lifesaver for many moms, particularly those who are recovering from C-sections. They are attached to your bed so that you can easily reach your baby without having to get out of bed and letting you feed them and comfort them quickly. The close proximity to your baby can also aid in increasing the amount of milk produced by mothers who breastfeed.

These bassinets are not only convenient but also fashionable. This is the reason they are so popular. Some are bigger than Moses Baskets and some come with additional features like a gentle reflux upward slope. Designed to fit by your bed, they can be moved around your home when baby gets older and some are able to be taken to the go, making them great for new parents travelling.

It is essential to select an cot with bedside that is easy to use drop-sides. They allow you to lower your baby bedside crib into the bassinet without lifting them into your arms, which is difficult for mothers with limited mobility. One 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.

Another handy feature that some models come with is a translucent side that allows you to be able to see your baby at all times. This is especially useful when you are tired and sleepy, when one glance could make all the difference. As mentioned by Emily our MFM home tester Sleepiest BassiNest is an excellent choice. It's easy to lower.

Budget

If you're not ready to move to a full-sized cot, the bedside crib or cot crib could be a great option. The cot is attached to the bed's side to allow you to easily reach your baby's feedings at night and soothe them without disturbing your sleep. It's a great choice for those who are unable to move after the C-section. Celebrity moms such as Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen this model.

Our Parents Testers loved the new version of the bestselling Chicco crib, which took home the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot or Crib. It is spacious, breathable, and has six different height settings suitable for growing babies. There is also a soft reflux setting. It can also be used as a travel cot, and it comes with an excellent storage bag.

A bedside cot can be difficult to move around your home however our Parents Testers found the Shnuggle Air near the crib to be simple to move. It's one of the lightest options and is small bedside cot enough to fit in its own travel bag, which means you can take it along with you on your trip.

The SnuzPod bedside cot is yet another highly rated product that's simple to fold and assemble, with many features for an unwinding night's sleep. It has a removable lift-off bassinet that fits more beds than any other cot, and its breathable fabric helps your baby regulate their temperature. It features a soft rocking feature and an incline for reflux. It's also light enough to be used as a travel crib when you are out and about. It's a little more expensive than other cribs for bed but Parents Testers believe it's worth the extra expense.