How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk

Official safety sleeping guidelines 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 option for parents who share a room.

Mumsnetters love the co-sleeper because it's big and has plenty of room for babies to grow and play. It is also much bigger than the Moses Basket. It's also easy to put together, and comes with a bag for carrying.

What is a bedside cot?

A bedside cot (also known as a side sleeper, bassinet or co-sleeper) is a safe method for your newborn to sleep near you during their first few months. These cribs can be attached to your bed and allow you to pull your child to you for night-feeding or comforting. They're also a great option for mothers who are breastfeeding or recovering from a caesarean section.

These cots are often smaller than a standard cot however, they still provide plenty of room for your baby to sleep. You can pick from a variety of designs and features depending on what you prefer. Many bedside cribs have an adjustable or drop down side that makes it easier to reach your baby for feeding at night. They are also available in different sizes to fit the dimensions of your bed.

Some bedside crib and travel cot cribs have an adjustable riser that allows you to create an incline to the sleep area. This can help with reflux. They also have an open side for easy cleaning. Some cribs feature manual rocking options which can provide a soothing distraction for your baby. You'll also need a breathable mattress to go with your new crib, which should be a minimum of 30cm deep to ensure your newborn has enough headroom.

You can be confident that your child will be comfortable and safe in a bedside cot. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams, and Gigi Hadid are all big fans of SNOO's crib for babies. 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 sleep that advise that babies sleep in the same bedroom as their parents for the first six months. However they shouldn't sleep in your bed. This is to reduce the risk of suffocation, or sudden infant death syndrome. A crib for bed lets you keep your baby close to soothe them to sleep and feed them at night without leaving your bed. It's also a great option for when you are recovering from an operation or a C-section, and have limited mobility.

Our top pick for a bedside cot the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 travel cot bedside crib is small and folds flat in a matter of seconds and fits into a travel bag so it's perfect for holidays and nights away from home. It's one of the lightest bedside cot options and has the most comfortable deep foam mattress, air-flow panels and an tilt setting, and it was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket.

Chicco Next2me Magic is another fantastic bedside crib. It won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It features a built-in change mat and storage solutions It weighs just 10kg, and has an adjustable side that drops down to make it easy to access.

Style

For many mothers, particularly those who have had C-sections A crib that is placed near the bed could prove to be a blessing in disguise. You can easily reach your baby without getting out of bed. This allows you to provide comfort and food to your infant during the night. The close proximity to your baby can also increase milk production for mothers who are breastfeeding.

They are not just functional, but also stylish. This is why they're so sought-after. They're usually bigger than Moses baskets and come in a variety of different styles, with some even having extra features like a gentle reflux incline setting. They're designed to sit right next to your bed and can be moved around the home as baby grows. Some are portable, so they're great for parents who travel.

It's important to choose a cot for your bed with drop-sides that are easy to use. These allow you to lower your infant into the bassinet without having to lift them into your arms, which can be difficult for mums with mobility issues. One of these models 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.

Some models also have a translucent side, allowing you to see your baby. This is especially useful in the case of 3am feeds that are bleary-eyed when one glance could make all the difference. As was noted by Emily, our MFM home tester, the Sleepiest BassiNest is a great option. It's easy to lower.

Budget

A bedside crib is a great alternative if you're not ready to move to a full-sized crib. The bassinet-style crib can be attached to your bed, so you can easily reach your baby for night feeds or comfort them without causing any disturbance to yourself. It's an excellent choice for those with restricted movement after the C-section. Famous moms 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, which won the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It's afclimatizing and spacious and has six height settings to accommodate growing babies plus a gentle reflux incline setting. It can also be used as a crib for travel and comes with a storage case that is convenient for storage.

It can be a challenge to move a bedside cot 6 months plus cot around the home however our Parents Testers said that the Shnuggle Air next to the cot was easy to maneuver. It's one of the lightest alternatives and is small enough to fit into its own travel bag, which means you can carry it with you when you travel.

The SnuzPod bedside cot is a highly rated product that's easy to put together and fold away with plenty of features for an unwinding night's sleep. It comes with 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 has a soft rocking function and an incline setting to help with reflux, and is light enough to be used as a travel cot when you're on the move. It's a bit more expensive than other cribs for bed however, Parent Testers are of the opinion that it is worth the extra expense.