How to Choose the best bedside cots Bedside Cot uk

Official guidelines for safe sleep from both NHS and Lullaby Trust recommends that newborns sleep in their own cot or Moses basket. A bedside crib is a practical and space-saving option for room-sharing new parents.

Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper because it's big enough with plenty of space for babies to grow and play, and much bigger than the typical Moses basket. It's also simple to put together, and comes with a carry 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 sleep near you during the early months. These cribs fix to your bed and allow you to lift your baby out towards you to feed them at night or for comforting without the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome that is a result of traditional bed-sharing. They're also a great choice for breastfeeding mothers or mums recovering from a caesarean.

They are usually smaller than a standard cot but they provide plenty of space for your baby to sleep. You can choose from a variety of styles and features depending on your preferences. Many bedside cribs come with the option of removing or dropping down the side to make it easier to reach the baby during the night to feed them. They also come in different heights, based on the size of your bed.

Some cribs for bedside cot used use a riser that allows you to add a slight incline to the sleeping space that can help with reflux and an easy zip-off side for cleaning. Others have manual rocking functions which can be a relaxing distraction for your baby. You'll require a mattress that's air-conditioned to match your crib. It must be at least 30cm in depth to give your baby enough headroom.

A bedside crib is an investment but you can be sure your baby will have a comfortable and safe sleep. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi hadid are all fans of SNOO's bedside travel crib crib. It is definitely worth considering as an alternative to a Moses basket.

Safety

Official safe sleeping guidelines 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 decrease the risk of suffocation, and to lower the chance of sudden infant death syndrome. A crib for bed allows you to keep your infant close to you so that you can soothe them to sleep and feed them at night without having to leave your bed. It's also a great option for when 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 (www.1moli.Top) crib is compact and folds flat in a matter of seconds to fit into its own travel bag making it ideal for travel and nights away from home. It's one of the tiniest bedside cots available and comes with a an extremely comfortable mattress with mesh air-flow panels, and an incline setting, plus it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the best Crib, Cot or Moses Basket.

Chicco Next2me Magic is another excellent bedside crib. It won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It features a built-in change mat and storage solutions, is lightweight at 10kg, and comes with an adjustable side that can be lowered down for easy access.

Style

A crib for your bed is a godsend for many mums, especially those recovering from C-sections. You can easily reach your baby without having to get out of the bed. This allows you to soothe and feed your infant during the night. The close proximity to your baby can also increase the amount of milk produced by mothers who breastfeed.

Alongside being incredibly convenient, these bassinets can look pretty elegant which is the reason they're so popular. They are larger than Moses Baskets, and some have extra features like a gentle reflux and incline. Designed to fit by your bed, they can usually be moved around the home as the baby grows older, and some are portable enough to take to the go which makes them ideal for new parents travelling.

When selecting a cot for your bedside cots for newborns It is essential to select a model with drop sides that are easy to use. These let you lower your baby's bassinet without needing to lift them into your arms, which can be difficult for moms who have limited mobility. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one of these models that has been praised and shortlisted by Mumsnetters in the category of Best Cot or Crib or Moses Basket for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.

Some models also have a transparent side, allowing you to see your baby. This is especially useful during bleary-eyed 3am feeds when a quick glance can make all the difference. One such option is the Sleepiest BassiNest that is easy to lower, as was noted by our MFM home tester Emily.

Budget

If you're not quite ready to make the transition to a larger cot, a bedside crib may be an ideal solution. This bassinet-style crib attaches to your bed, ensuring that you can reach your baby easily for feedings at night or cuddle your child without causing disturbance. It's an excellent choice for those with restricted movement after a C-section. Celebrity moms like Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen this model.

Our Parents Testers loved this new version of the popular Chicco crib, which won 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot or Crib. It's large and breathable, and comes with six different height settings for babies who are growing. There is also a soft reflux setting. It can also be used as a crib for travel and comes with a handy storage case.

A bedside cot can be a little difficult to move around your home however our Parents Testers found the Shnuggle Air near the crib to be easy to maneuver. It is one of the lighter options and can be packed into its own travel bag.

The SnuzPod is another highly-rated bedside cot that is easy to assemble and fold away and packed with features for an enjoyable night's sleep. It has a bassinet with a lift-off that can 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 for reflux. It's also light enough to use as a crib for travel while you're traveling. It's a bit more expensive than other bedside cots however our Parent Testers say it's well worth the extra cost.