How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk

Both the NHS and the Lullaby Trust have issued official safe sleeping guidelines that advise that babies sleep in their own Moses basket or cot. A crib that is placed near the bed is a practical and space-saving option for room-sharing new parents.

Mumsnetters love the co-sleeper as it's big and has plenty of room for baby bedside cot's to grow and wiggle. It is also much larger than a Moses Basket. It's also simple to put together and comes with a bag for carrying.

What is a bedside crib?

A bedside cot (also called a bassinet, side-sleeper or co-sleeper) is a safe method for your newborn to sleep close to you throughout their first months. These cribs can be attached to your bed and let you lift your child towards 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.

They are usually a little smaller than standard cots, but still offer plenty of space for your baby to sleep. You can pick from a variety of styles and features depending on your preferences. A lot of cribs with a bedside sleeper cot feature an adjustable or drop down side, which makes it easier to reach your baby for night feeds and are also available in various sizes to fit the dimensions of your bed.

Some cribs with a bedside have an riser that permits you to add a slight incline to the sleep area that can aid in reflux and an easy zip-off side for cleaning. Some have manual rocking features that can provide a relaxing distraction for your infant. You'll require a mattress that's breathable to go with your crib. It must be at least 30cm thick to give your baby enough headroom.

A bedside crib is a major investment, but you can rest assured that your baby will be secure and comfortable sleep. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid are all big fans of SNOO's bedside crib. It is definitely worth considering as an alternative to a Moses basket.

Safety

The Lullaby Trust, in conjunction with the NHS has released official safe sleeping guidelines which recommend that babies 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 chance of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome. A crib for bed allows you to keep your baby close to you so that you can comfort them and night feed them without having to leave your bed. It's an excellent option if you are recovering from an operation or a C-section and have limited mobility.

Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3 in 1 travel cot bedside Crib is our top choice for a crib that can be used as a bedside. It's compact and folds flat to fit into a transport bag which makes it ideal for nights out on the town or away from home. It's one of the lightest bedside cot options and has the most comfortable deep foam mattress that has mesh air-flow panels, an optional tilting setting, and it was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Crib, Cot or Moses Basket.

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

Style

For many mums, particularly those who have had a C-section, a bedside crib could prove to be an absolute godsend. They attach to your bed so you can easily reach your baby without needing to get out of bed, allowing you to night feed them and soothe them quickly. They're also a great choice for breastfeeding mothers since their close proximity will help boost the amount of milk they produce.

As well as being incredibly practical, these bassinets are stylish too which is the reason they're so popular. They're usually more spacious than Moses baskets and are available in many different styles, with some having additional features like a gentle reflux incline setting. They're designed to fit close to your bed and can be moved around the house as your baby grows. Some are portable so they're great for parents who travel.

When selecting a cot for your bedside it is important to look for designs with drop sides that are easy to use. This allows you to lower your child into the bassinet, without lifting them up into your arms. This can be difficult for mothers with mobility issues. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one of these models that has been acknowledged and shortlisted by Mumsnetters in the category of the Best Cot or Crib Moses Basket for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.

Another great feature that certain models have is a transparent side that allows you to observe your baby at all times. This is particularly useful when you're exhausted at 3am and need to feed your baby. A quick glance could make a big difference. One such option 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 make the transition to a larger cot, an infant crib on your bed could be an ideal solution. The cot is attached to the bed's side so that you can easily reach your baby's night feeds and comfort them without disrupting your sleep. It's also a great option for those who suffer from limited movement after a C-section, and is a popular choice with celeb mums including Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.

Our Parent Testers loved the new version of this popular crib from Chicco, which won the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. It's spacious and breathable and comes with six height settings to accommodate babies who are growing, plus a gentle reflux setting for the incline. It can be used as a travel crib and comes with a convenient storage case.

It can be a challenge to move a bedside cot around your home however our Parents Testers reported that the Shnuggle Air alongside the cot was easy to maneuver. It's one of the lightest options and small enough to fit into its own travel bag which means you can take it with you on your travels.

The SnuzPod bedside co sleeper cot cot is a highly rated item that's easy to put together and fold away, with many features for a restful night's sleep. It has a removable bassinet that lifts off to fit more beds than any other cot, and its breathable fabric helps your baby maintain their temperature. It has a gentle rocking feature, as well as an incline to aid in reflux. It is also lightweight enough to use as a travel crib when you're on the move. It's a little more expensive than other cribs for bed, but Parent Testers believe it's worth the extra expense.