How to Choose the Best 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 can be a space-saving and practical option for parents who share a room.
Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper as it's large and spacious, with plenty of room for baby to grow and play and is more spacious than the typical Moses basket. It's also simple to put together and comes with a travel bag.
What is a bedside cot?
A bedside cot (also called a bassinet, side sleeper or co-sleeper) is a safe way for your baby to sleep close to you throughout their first months. These cribs are attached to your bed and let you raise your baby towards you to feed them at night or for comforting without the danger of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome as a result of traditional bed sharing. They're also a great option for mothers who are breastfeeding or recovering from a caesarean.
They're often slightly smaller than a regular cot or cotbed, but offer plenty of space for your baby to rest. You can pick from a variety of styles and features, according to what you like best. A lot of cribs for bedside use a removable or drop-down side, which makes it easier to reach your baby during the night to feed them. They also come in various heights based on your bed size.
check here come with a riser that allows you to add a slight incline to the sleep area that can help with reflux and an easy zip-off side for cleaning. Other cribs have manual rocking functions that can provide a relaxing distraction for your newborn. You'll require a mattress that's breathable to go with your crib. It must be at least 30cm thick to allow your baby plenty of headroom.
You can be confident that your child will be safe and secure in a bedside cot. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams, and Gigi Hadid are all avid users of SNOO's crib for babies. It is definitely worth considering as an alternative to the Moses basket.
Safety
The Lullaby Trust, in conjunction with the NHS has released official guidelines for safe sleep that advise that babies sleep in the same bedroom as their parents for the first six months. However they should not be sleeping in your bed. This is to decrease the risk of suffocation or sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib is a fantastic option that allows your child to comfortably be near enough for you to feed them during the night and comfort them back to sleep without having to leave your own bed. It's also a great option for when you are recovering from an operation or C-section, and have limited mobility.
Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3 in 1 travel cot bedside crib is our top pick for a crib to sleep in. It's compact and folds down flat to fit in its bag for travel, making it perfect for trips away on holidays or from home. It's among the lightest options for a bedside crib and features a comfortable deep foam mattress with mesh panels that allow air to flow. It also comes with an incline option that can be added. Additionally, it was awarded Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Moses Basket or Cot Crib.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another excellent bedside crib. It was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It comes with an integrated storage unit and changing mat, is light (only 10kg) and comes with an adjustable side for easy access.
Style
For a lot of moms, especially those who are recovering from C-sections A crib that is placed near the bed can an absolute blessing. You can easily reach your baby without getting out of your bed. This allows you to comfort and feed your infant during the night. They're also a great option for breastfeeding mothers as their close proximity will help boost the amount of milk they produce.
These bassinets are not only convenient but also stylish. This is the reason they are so popular. They're usually bigger 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 fit next to your bed and can be moved around the home as baby grows. Some are portable, so they're ideal for parents who travel.
It's important to choose a bedside cot that has easy-to-use drop-sides. This lets you lower your baby into the bassinet without lifting them up into your arms. This can be a challenge for mothers who have limited mobility. One such model is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been highly praised by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted in our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot Crib, Moses or Crib Basket category.
Some models also have a transparent side, which allows you to see your baby. This is especially useful during bleary-eyed 3am feeds, when one glance could make all the difference. As mentioned by Emily, our MFM home tester the Sleepiest BassiNest an excellent choice. It's easy to lower.
Budget
If you're not quite ready to move to a larger cot a bedside crib may be the perfect 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 who have limited movement following an operation such as a C-section. Celebrity moms such as Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen it.
Our Parents Testers loved this latest version of the popular Chicco crib, which was awarded the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards as the Best Cot or Crib. It's large and breathable, and has six height settings to accommodate growing babies and a gentle reflux setting for incline. You can also use it as a travel cot. Additionally, it comes with an excellent storage bag.
It can be a challenge to move a bedside cot around your home, but our Parent Testers said that the Shnuggle Air beside cot was very easy to move. It's one of the smallest alternatives and is small enough to fit into its own bag for travel, which means you can carry it with you when you travel.
The SnuzPod bedside cot is another highly rated item that's easy to fold and assemble, with many features for a restful night's sleep. It comes with a removable, lift-off bassinet that fits more beds than other cots. The fabric is breathable and helps to regulate your baby's temperature. It features a soft rocking feature as well as an incline for reflux. It is also lightweight enough to use as a travel crib when you are out and about. It's a little more expensive than other cribs for bed however, Parent Testers agree that it's worth the extra cost.