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 crib or Moses basket. A bedside crib is an effective and space-saving solution for parents who share a room.
Mumsnetters adore this co-sleeper since it's large and spacious, with plenty of room for babies to grow and wriggle and much bigger than the typical Moses basket. It's also easy to assemble and comes with a travel bag.
What is a bedside crib?
bedside sleeper cot www.cots4tots.co.uk (also called bassinets, side sleepers, or co-sleepers) are an ideal and safe way for your baby to sleep near you during the first few months. These cribs attach to your bed and let you lift your baby out towards you to feed them at night or for comforting without the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome as a result of traditional bed sharing. They're also a great choice for mothers who are breastfeeding or recovering from a Caesarean section.
They are usually a little smaller than standard cots but they provide plenty of room for your baby to sleep. You can pick from a wide range of styles and features, depending on what you like best. A lot of cribs with a bedside feature a drop down or removable side that makes it easier to reach your baby's feeding at night. They are also available in different heights to accommodate the size of your bed.
Some cribs for bedside use a riser which allows you to create an angle to the sleep area. This can be helpful with reflux. They also come with the option of a zip-off side for easy cleaning. Others have manual rocking functions which can be a relaxing distraction for your infant. You'll need a mattress that is breathable to go with your crib. It must be at least 30cm in depth to give your baby enough headroom.
A bedside cot is an investment, but you can be certain that your newborn will get a secure and comfortable sleep. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi hadid are all fans of SNOO's bedside crib. It is definitely worth considering as an alternative to a Moses basket.
Safety
Official safe sleeping guidance from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that newborns be placed in the same bed as you for the first six months but not in your bed to reduce the risk of suffocation and to reduce the chance of sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib lets you keep your baby close to you to comfort them and even feed them at night without having to leave your bed. It's also a great option if you have limited mobility following an operation or recovering from an operation such as a C-section.
Our top pick for a bedside crib, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 bedside crib for travel is compact and folds down in seconds to fit into its own bag for travel, which makes it perfect for trips to the beach and nights away from home. It's one the lightest options for a bedside crib and features a comfortable deep foam mattress with mesh panels that allow air to flow. It also has an option for incline. Plus, it won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot Crib or Moses basket.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another fantastic bedside crib. It won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It features a built-in change mat and storage system It weighs just 10kg, and has an adjustable side that can be lowered down to make it easy to access.
Style
For many mums, particularly those who are recovering from C-sections A crib that is placed near the bed could prove to be an absolute godsend. They attach to your bed so that you can reach your baby easily without needing to get up, allowing you to night feed them and soothe them quickly. They're also a great choice for mothers who are breastfeeding as close proximity can increase their milk supply.
Bassinets aren't just functional, but also fashionable. This is the reason they are so popular. They are larger than Moses Baskets and some even have additional features like a gentle reflux upward slope. The baskets are designed to fit under your bed, they can be moved around your home when baby gets older and some are able to be taken on the go too which makes them ideal for parents who are new to traveling.
It is essential to select a cot for your bed that is easy to use drop-sides. This lets you lower your baby into the bassinet without lifting them up into your arms. This can be difficult for mothers with limited mobility. One of these models is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been highly praised by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted in our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category.
Another handy feature that some models have is a transparent side that lets you observe your baby at all times. This is especially useful in the case of 3am feeds that are bleary-eyed where a quick glance can make all the difference. As mentioned by Emily our MFM home tester Sleepiest BassiNest is an excellent choice. It's easy to lower.
Budget
A bedside crib is a fantastic option if you're not yet ready to upgrade to a full-sized crib. This bassinet-style crib attaches to your bed, so you can reach your baby easily for night feeds or comfort your child without causing disturbance. It's also a great option for those with restricted movement after a C-section and is a favorite choice with celeb mums including Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.
Our Parent Testers loved this new version of the well-loved Chicco crib, which took home the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot or Crib. It is spacious, breathable, and has six different height settings for growing babies. There is also a soft reflux setting. You can also use it as a travel cot and it comes with a handy storage bag.
It can be difficult to move a bedside cot around the home, but our Parent Testers said that the Shnuggle Air next to the cot was easy to maneuver. It's one of the lighter options that can be packed into its own travel bag.
The SnuzPod bedside cot is another highly rated product that's easy to put together and fold away and comes with a variety of features to ensure the perfect night's rest. It has a removable lift-off bassinet that fits more beds than any other cot and its breathable fabric can help your baby regulate their temperature. It also has a soft rocking function and an incline option for reflux, and is lightweight enough to be used as a travel cot if you're out and about. It's a little more expensive than other cots for bed however our Parents Testers affirm that it's worth the extra cash.