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 bedside crib is an effective and space-saving solution for room-sharing new parents.

Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper because it's big enough with plenty of room for baby to grow and play, and far more substantial than the size of a Moses basket. It is also easy to put together, and comes with a bag for carrying.

What is a bedside cot?

Bedside cribs (also called bassinets, side sleepers, or co-sleepers) are an ideal and safe way for your baby to sleep with you in the early months. These cribs can be attached to your bed, allowing you to lift your child towards you to feed them at night or for comforting. They're also a great choice for mothers who are breastfeeding or recovering from a Caesarean section.

They are usually a little smaller than a standard cot, but still offer plenty of room for your baby to relax. You can choose from a variety of designs and features according to what you like best. Many cribs with a bedside feature a removable or drop-down side that makes it easier to reach the baby during the night to feed them. They are also available in different heights, based on the size of your bed.

Some bedside cribs come with an riser that permits you to add a slight rise to the sleep area that can aid in reflux and the ability to zip off the sides for easy cleaning. Others have manual rocking functions which can be a soothing distraction for your newborn. You'll require a mattress that's breathable to go with your crib. It must be at least 30cm deep to allow your baby plenty of headroom.

A bedside cot is an investment, but you can be sure your baby will have a peaceful and safe night's sleep. With stars like Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all being fans of the SNOO bedside cot crib crib, it's worth considering this fashionable alternative to moses basket.

Safety

Official safe sleeping guidelines from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that babies born today 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 decrease the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. A crib that is placed near your bed lets you keep your infant close to you to comfort them and even 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 cot, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 travel cot bedside crib is compact and folds down in seconds to fit into its own bag for travel, making it ideal for travel and nights away from home. It's the lightest option for a bedside cot wooden cot. It has a soft, comfortable foam mattress with mesh panels which allow air to flow. It also comes with an optional incline option. Plus, it won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot Crib or Moses basket.

Chicco Next2me Magic is another excellent bedside crib. It won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It comes with an integrated storage unit and changing mat, is lightweight (only 10kg), and has an adjustable side that makes it easy to access.

Style

For a lot of moms, especially those recovering from C-sections, a bedside crib can prove to be an absolute godsend. You can easily reach your baby without getting out of bed. This allows you to comfort and feed your infant at night. They are also a great choice for mothers who are breastfeeding as their close proximity will help increase their milk supply.

As well as being incredibly useful, bassinets can also look stylish too and that's why they're so sought-after. They are larger than Moses Baskets, and some have extra features, like a gentle upward slope. They are designed to be placed near your bed, they can usually be moved around the house when the baby grows older. Additionally, some are portable enough to take with you on the go which makes them ideal for parents who are new to traveling.

It is important to choose an cot with bedside that has easy-to-use drop-sides. This lets you lower your baby into the bassinet without having to lift them up into your arms. This can be a challenge for mothers with mobility issues. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one such model that has been highly praised and was shortlisted by Mumsnetters in the category of the best bedside cot uk Cot or Crib or Moses Basket for our 2021 Mother and Baby Awards.

Another handy feature that some models come with is a translucent side that allows you to observe your baby at all times. This is especially useful when you're groggy at 3am and have to feed your child. A quick glance can make a big difference. As noted by Emily, our MFM home tester, the Sleepiest BassiNest is an excellent choice. It is simple to lower.

Budget

If you're still not ready to make the leap to a full-sized cot, a bedside crib may be a great option. The cot is attached to the side of your bed to allow you to easily reach your baby's night feeds and comfort them without disrupting your sleep. It's a great choice for those who have limited movement following the C-section. Celebrity moms like Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen it.

Our Parents Testers loved the new version of this well-loved crib from Chicco, which won the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It is spacious and breathable, and comes with six different height settings for growing babies. There is also a soft reflux setting. It can be used as a travel crib and comes with a convenient storage case.

It can be difficult to move a bedside cot around the house however our Parent Testers said that the Shnuggle Air alongside the cot was easy to maneuver. It is among the lighter options that can be put in its own travel bag.

The SnuzPod is another highly-rated bedside cot that's simple to assemble and fold away and comes with a variety of features that will ensure your child gets an enjoyable 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 has a gentle rocking feature, as well as an incline for reflux. It is also lightweight enough to be used as a crib for travel while you're on the move. It's a bit more expensive than other cribs for bed, but Parent Testers agree that it's worth the extra expense.