How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk

Both the NHS and Lullaby Trust have issued official safe sleeping guidelines that advise that babies sleep in their own Moses basket or cot. A bedside crib (i thought about this) is a practical and space-saving option for room-sharing new parents.

Mumsnetters love the co-sleeper because it is spacious, with plenty of room for babies to grow and wriggle. It's also bigger than a Moses Basket. It's also easy to put together and comes with a bag for travel.

What is a bedside crib?

A bedside cot (also known as a bassinet, side-sleeper or co-sleeper) is a safe way for your newborn to sleep close to you throughout their first few months. These cribs fix to your bed and allow you to bring your baby closer to 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 mothers who are breastfeeding or recovering from a caesarean.

They're usually a little smaller than a regular cot, but they provide ample space for your baby to lay down. You can choose between different styles and features depending on your preferences. Many 4-in-1 bedside crib cribs have a drop down or removable side that allows you to reach your baby for night feeds and are also available in different heights to accommodate the size of your bed.

Some bedside cribs come with an adjustable riser that allows you to add a slight slope to the sleeping space that can aid in reflux and a zip-off side for easy cleaning. Some cribs have manual rocking options that can be a soothing distractor for your infant. You'll also require a comfortable mattress for your new crib. It should be a minimum of 30cm in depth to ensure that your newborn has sufficient head room.

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 definitely worth looking into this elegant alternative to a moses basket.

Safety

Official safe sleeping guidance from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that babies born today should be in the same room as you for the first six months, but not in your bed to reduce the chance of suffocation and to lower the chance of sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib is a fantastic option that allows your baby to comfortably be near enough for you to night feed them and soothe them back to sleep without having to get out of your own bed. It's an excellent option if you are recovering from an operation or C-section and are unable to move.

Our top pick for a bedside crib, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 travel cot bedside crib is small and folds flat in a matter of seconds to fit into its own bag for travel, making it ideal for travel and nights away from home. It's among the lightest bedside cots and has an extremely comfortable mattress with mesh air-flow panels, and an tilting setting, and it was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the Best Crib, Cot, or Moses Basket.

Another fantastic bedside cot is the Chicco Next2me Magic bedside crib that won Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has an integrated storage unit and changing mat, is lightweight (only 10kg) and features an adjustable side for easy access.

Style

For a lot of moms, especially those recovering from a C-section, a bedside rocking crib crib can prove to be a blessing in disguise. You can easily reach your baby without having to get out of bed. This allows you to provide comfort and food to your baby at night. The close proximity to the baby can also help increase the production of milk for mothers who are breastfeeding.

These bassinets are not only practical, but also stylish. This is the reason they're so sought-after. They're typically larger than Moses baskets and come in lots of different styles, some having additional features such as a gentle tilting of the reflux. They are designed to fit close to your bed and can be moved around the house as your baby grows. Some are portable, so they're great for parents who travel.

When you are choosing a bedside cot It is essential to look for designs that have drop sides that are simple to use. These allow you to lower your baby into the bassinet without lifting them into your arms, which can be difficult for mothers with limited mobility. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one of these models that has been praised and shortlisted by Mumsnetters in the category of the best Cot or Crib or Moses Basket for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.

Another handy feature that some models come with is a translucent side that lets you observe your baby at all times. This is particularly useful when you are tired and sleepy, when a quick glance can make all the difference. One of these options is the Sleepiest BassiNest that is simple to lower, as noted by our MFM home tester Emily.

Budget

If you're not ready to move to a full-sized cot, a bedside crib may be the perfect solution. The bassinet-style crib is attached to the side of your bed so you can easily reach your baby for night feeds and comfort them without disturbing your own sleep. It's a great option for those who have limited movement after a C-section. Celeb mums like Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen this model.

Our Parent Testers loved the new version of this bestselling crib from Chicco that won the 2021 Mother&Baby Award for Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. It's afclimatizing and spacious and comes with six height options to accommodate growing babies, plus a gentle reflux setting for the incline. It can also be used as a travel crib and comes with a convenient storage case.

A bedside crib can be tricky to move around the home, but our Parent Testers found the Shnuggle Air beside crib really easy to maneuver. It is one of the lightest options and can be packed into its own travel bag.

The SnuzPod is a different highly rated bedside cot that's simple to assemble and fold away and comes with a variety of features to ensure the best night's rest. It has a removable 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 soft rocking feature and an incline option for reflux, and is light enough to use as a travel cot when you're out and about. It's more expensive than other bedside crib or cot cribs, but Parent Testers are of the opinion that it is worth the extra cost.