Official safety sleeping guidelines from both NHS and Lullaby Trust recommends that newborns sleep in their own crib or Moses basket. A bedside crib is practical and space-saving for parents who share a room.
Mumsnetters adore this co-sleeper since it's spacious with lots of space for babies to grow and play, and far more substantial than the size of a Moses basket. It's also simple to put together and comes with a carry-on bag.
Bedside cribs (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 attach to your bed and allow you to pull your child in your arms to feed them at night or for comforting. They're also a great choice for breastfeeding mothers or mothers recovering from a caesarean section.
They're typically smaller than a standard cot or cotbed, yet offer plenty of space for your baby to rest. You can pick from different styles and features based on your preferences. A lot of cribs for bedside use the option of removing or dropping down the side that makes it easier to reach the baby at night for feedings. They are also available in different heights, based on the size of your bed.
Some cribs with a bedside have an adjustable riser that allows you to add a slight rise to the sleeping space that could help with reflux. It also has a zip-off side for easy cleaning. Others have manual rocking functions that can provide a relaxing distraction for your newborn. You'll also require a breathable mattress for your new crib. It should be a minimum of 30cm deep to ensure your newborn has sufficient head room.
You can rest assured that your baby will be comfortable and safe in a bedside cot. With the likes of Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all fans of the SNOO bedside crib, it's worth looking into this elegant alternative to a moses basket.
Safety
Official safe sleeping guidelines from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that newborns sleep in the same room as you for their first six months, but not in your bed to reduce the chance of suffocation and to reduce the chance of sudden infant death syndrome. A crib that is placed near your bed is an excellent option that lets your baby remain close enough to you to feed them at night and help them return to sleep without having to leave your bed. It is also a great option for when you are recovering from an operation or a C-section and have limited mobility.
Our top choice for a bedside cot, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 bedside crib for travel is compact and folds flat in a matter of seconds and fits into its own bag for travel, so it's perfect for holidays and nights away from home. It's one of the lightest bedside crib and cot cots and has the most comfortable deep foam mattress that has mesh air-flow panels, an optional 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 excellent bedside crib. It was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has a built-in storage solution and changing mat, is light (only 10kg), and has an adjustable side that makes it easy to access.
Style
A bedside crib is a blessing for many moms, particularly those recovering from C-sections. You can easily reach your baby without getting out of the bed. This allows you to soothe and feed your infant during the night. Being close to the baby can also help increase the amount of milk produced by mothers who are breastfeeding.
These bassinets are not only convenient but also stylish. This is the reason they are so popular. They're typically more spacious than Moses baskets and come in a variety of different styles, some having additional features, like a soft reflux incline setting. They are designed to be placed near your bed, they can usually be moved around the house as the baby grows older, and some can be carried to the go which makes them ideal for parents who are new to traveling.
When you are choosing a bedside cot It is essential to choose a model that have drop sides that are simple to use. This allows you to lower your infant into the bassinet without lifting them up into your arms. This can be difficult for mothers who have limited mobility. One such model is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been highly praised 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 be able to always view your baby. This is particularly useful when you're groggy at 3am and have to feed your child. A quick glance can make a huge difference. As mentioned by Emily, our MFM home test participant, the Sleepiest BassiNest is an excellent choice. It's easy to lower.
Budget
If you're not ready to move to a larger cot, an infant crib on your bed could be the perfect solution. This bassinet-style cot attaches to the side of your bed so that you can easily reach your baby for night feeds and comfort them without disturbing your sleep. It's also a great choice for those who suffer from limited movement after the birth, and is a popular option for celeb moms like Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.
Our Parent Testers loved the new version of this popular crib from Chicco that won the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It's 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 crib for travel and comes with a storage case that is convenient for storage.
It can be difficult to move an upholstered bedside cot throughout 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 options and compact enough to fit into its own bag for travel, so you can take it along with you on your trip.
The SnuzPod bedside crib with changing table cot is yet another highly rated product that's simple to assemble and fold and comes with a variety of features to ensure a restful night's sleep. It comes with a bassinet that lifts off to fit more beds than any other cot and its breathable fabric helps your baby regulate their temperature. It also has a gentle rocking function and an incline setting for reflux, and it's light enough to be used as a travel cot while you're on the move. It's more expensive than other bedside cots however our Parent Testers affirm that it's worth the extra cost.