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 the co-sleeper as 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 baby to rest close to you overnight during their first few months. These cribs attach to your bed and let you lift your baby out towards you for night feeding or comforting without the danger of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome that is a result of traditional bed-sharing. These cribs are also ideal for mothers who are nursing or recovering from a cesarean.
These cots are typically a little smaller than a standard cot, but still offer plenty of room for your baby to rest. You can pick from a variety of styles and features based on your preferences. A lot of cribs with a bedside feature a drop down or removable side, which makes it easier to reach your baby for evening feeds. They are also available in different heights to accommodate the size of your bed.
Some cribs for bedside use an riser that permits you to add a slight incline to the sleep area that can help with reflux and a zip-off side for easy cleaning. Other cribs have manual rocking functions which can be a soothing distraction for your baby. You'll also require a breathable mattress to match your new crib. It must be at least 30cm deep to ensure that your newborn has enough headroom.
A bedside crib is a major investment, but you can rest assured that your baby will be peaceful and safe night's sleep. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams, and Gigi Hadid are all big fans of SNOO's bedside crib. It is definitely worth considering as an alternative to a 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 lower the chance of sudden infant death syndrome. A crib for bed lets you keep your infant close to you to comfort them and feed them at night without leaving your bed. It's also great for those who have a limited mobility following an operation or recovering from a C-section.
Our top choice for a bedside cot, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 bedside crib for travel is compact and folds down in a matter of seconds and fits into its own travel bag which makes it perfect for trips to the beach and nights away from home. It's among the lightest bedside cot options and has an extremely comfortable mattress, air-flow panels, an optional tilt setting, and it was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the Best Crib, Cot or Moses Basket.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another fantastic bedside crib. It won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has a built-in storage solution and changing mat, is light (only 10kg), and has an adjustable side for easy access.
Style
For many mums, particularly those recovering from C-sections A crib that is placed near the bed can prove to be an absolute godsend. They attach to your bed so you can easily reach your baby without needing to get out of bed and letting you feed them and comfort them quickly. The close proximity to your baby can also aid in increasing milk production for mothers who are breastfeeding.
They are not just functional, but also fashionable. This is the reason they are so popular. Some are more spacious than Moses Baskets and some even have additional features such as a gentle reflux upward slope. The baskets are designed to fit under your bed, they are able to be moved around your home when the baby grows older. Additionally, some are able to be taken to the go making them perfect for parents who are new to traveling.
It's 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 difficult for mothers with limited mobility. One such model is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been praised by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted in our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot Moses, Crib or Basket category.
bedside crib with wheels come with a transparent side, which allows you to always see your baby. This is especially useful during bleary-eyed 3am feeds, when a quick glance can make all the difference. As was noted by Emily who is our MFM home test participant the Sleepiest BassiNest an excellent choice. It is easy to lower.
Budget
If you're not ready to move to a larger cot, an infant crib on your bed could be the perfect solution. The bassinet-style crib can be attached to your bed, so you can easily reach your baby to feed them at night or even comfort them without causing any disturbance to yourself. It's also a great choice for those who suffer from limited movement after an operation, and is a popular option with famous mothers like Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.
Our Parents Testers loved this new version of the bestselling Chicco crib, which won 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot or Crib. It's large, breathable, and has six different height settings suitable for growing babies. There is also a soft reflux setting. It can also be used as a crib for travel and comes with a handy storage case.
It can be a challenge to move a bedside cot around the house However, our Parents Testers reported that the Shnuggle Air alongside the cot was easy to maneuver. It's among the lightest options and is compact enough to fit into its own bag for travel, which means you can carry it with you when you travel.
The SnuzPod is a different highly rated bedside cot that's simple to set up and take down and packed with features to ensure the best night's rest. It comes with a lift-off bassinet that fits more beds than any other cot and its breathable fabric helps your baby maintain their temperature. It features a soft rocking feature and an incline for reflux. It is also lightweight enough to use as a crib for travel while you're traveling. It's a bit more expensive than other cribs for bed however, Parent Testers believe it's worth the extra cost.