Both the NHS and 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 can be a space-saving and practical option for parents who live in a room together.
Mumsnetters love the co-sleeper because it's big and has plenty of room for babies to grow and play. It is also much larger than a Moses Basket. It's also easy to assemble and comes with a carry-on bag.
What is a bedside crib?
Bedside cribs (also known as bassinets, side sleepers or co-sleepers) are a safe and convenient way for your baby to sleep with you during their early months. These cribs attach to your bed and let you raise your baby bedside cot towards you for night feeding or comforting without the threat of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome associated with traditional bed-sharing. They're also a great option for breastfeeding mothers or mums recovering from a caesarean section.
They're often slightly smaller than a regular cot, but they provide ample space for your baby to rest. You can choose from various styles and features based on your preferences. A majority of cribs for bedside use a drop down or removable side that makes it easier to reach your baby for feeding at night. They are also available in different heights to accommodate the size of your bed.
Some bedside cribs have a riser which allows you to add an incline to the sleep area. This can be helpful with reflux. They also come with the option of a zip-off side to make cleaning easy. Some have manual rocking features which can be a soothing distraction for your baby. You'll need a mattress that is breathable to go with your crib. It should be at least 30cm deep to give your baby enough headroom.
You can be sure that your child 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 awed by the SNOO bedside crib, it's worth considering this fashionable alternative to 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 for their first six months, but not in your bed, to decrease the chance of suffocation and to lower the chance of sudden infant death syndrome. A crib that is placed near your bed is an excellent option that allows your baby to remain close enough to you to feed them during the night and comfort them back to sleep without having to leave your own bed. This is also a great option if you are recovering from an operation or C-section and are unable to move.
Our top pick for a wooden bedside cot cot, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 travel cot bedside crib is compact and folds flat in seconds to fit into its own travel bag which makes it perfect for trips to the beach and nights away from home. It's one of the tiniest amazon bedside cot cots and has an extremely comfortable mattress that has mesh air-flow panels and an tilt setting, and it was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the best bedside cot Cot, Crib or Moses Basket.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another great bedside crib option. It was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It features a built-in change mat and storage solution and weighs only 10kg. It is light at 10kg, and has an adjustable side that drops down to make it easy to access.
Style
For many mothers, particularly those who have had a C-section A crib that is placed near the bed could prove to an absolute blessing. You can easily reach your baby without having to get out of your bed. This lets you soothe and feed your infant during the night. The close proximity to the baby can also aid in increasing the amount of milk produced by mothers who breastfeed.
These bassinets are not only functional, but also stylish. This is the reason they are so popular. Some are bigger than Moses Baskets, and some have extra features such as a gentle reflux upward slope. Designed to fit by your bed, they can be moved around the house when baby gets older and some are portable enough to take with you on the go making them perfect for new parents traveling.
When you are choosing a bedside cot it is important to look for designs that have easy-to-use drop sides. They allow you to lower your infant into the bassinet without having to lift them into your arms, which can be difficult for mothers with limited mobility. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one such model that has been highly praised and was shortlisted by Mumsnetters in the category of the best Cot or Crib, or Moses Basket for our 2021 Mother and Baby Awards.
Another great feature that certain models come with is a transparent side that allows you to be able to see your baby at all times. This is especially helpful when you are groggy at 3am and have to feed your baby. A quick glance can make a huge difference. As mentioned by Emily who is our MFM home test participant the Sleepiest BassiNest an excellent choice. It is simple to lower.
Budget
A bedside crib is a fantastic option if you're not yet ready to upgrade to a bigger crib. The bassinet-style crib is attached to the bed's side so that you can easily reach your baby for feedings at night and soothe them without disturbing your own sleep. It's a great option for those with restricted movement following a C-section. Celebrity moms like Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen it.
Our Parents Testers loved this latest version of the well-loved Chicco crib, which was awarded the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot or Crib. It's large, breathable, and has six different height settings suitable for growing babies. There is also a gentle reflux setting. You can also use it as a travel cot, and it comes with an excellent storage bag.
It can be a challenge to move an upholstered bedside cot throughout the home however our Parent Testers stated that the Shnuggle Air alongside the cot was easy to maneuver. It's among the lightest alternatives and is small enough to fit into its own travel bag, so you can take it along with you on your trip.
The SnuzPod bedside cot is another highly rated product that's easy to fold and assemble and comes with a variety of features to ensure the perfect night's rest. It has a removable, lift-off bassinet which fits more beds than other cots. The fabric is breathable and can help regulate your baby's temperature. It has a gentle rocking feature, as well as an incline to aid in reflux. It's also light enough to use as a crib for travel while you're out and about. It's more expensive than other cots for bed but our Parents Testers believe it's worth the extra money.