How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk

Both the NHS and Lullaby Trust have issued official safe sleeping guidelines, which recommend that newborns sleep only in their own Moses basket or cot. A crib for bed is an effective and space-saving solution for room-sharing new parents.

Mumsnetters love the co-sleeper as it's spacious, with plenty of space for babies to grow and wiggle. It's also larger than the Moses Basket. It's also easy to assemble and comes with a bag for travel.

What is a bedside cot?

Bedside cots (also called bassinets, side sleepers or co-sleepers) are a safe and convenient way for your baby to sleep with you in the early months. These cribs attach to your bed, allowing you to lift your child to you for night-feeding or comforting. They're also a great option for breastfeeding mothers or mums 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 designs and features according to what you like best. A majority of cribs for large bedside crib use an adjustable or drop down side that makes it easier to reach your baby for night feeds and are also available in different heights to suit the size of your bed.

Some cribs with a bedside have a riser that allows you to add a slight rise to the sleep area that can help with reflux and the ability to zip off the sides for easy cleaning. Some cribs have manual rocking options that can provide a relaxing distraction to your newborn. You'll also require a comfortable mattress to match your crib. It should be a minimum of 30cm deep to ensure your newborn has sufficient head room.

You can be confident that your baby will be safe and secure in a 4-in-1 bedside crib cot. With the likes of Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all being fans of the SNOO bedside crib, it's definitely worth considering this fashionable alternative to moses basket.

Safety

Official guidelines for safe sleep 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 reduce the risk of suffocation, and to decrease the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib is a great option that allows your baby to safely be close enough for you to feed them during the night and soothe them back to sleep without having to leave your bed. It's also great when you are unable to move after 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 travel cot bedside (recent nativ.media blog post) crib is compact and folds down in a matter of seconds and fits into its own travel bag making it ideal for travel and nights away from home. It's among the lightest options for a bedside cot and comes with a comfy 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.

Another great bedside cot is the Chicco Next2me Magic bedside cot crib crib which was awarded Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It comes with built-in storage and a changing mat, is lightweight (only 10kg), and has an adjustable side that allows for easy access.

Style

For a lot of moms, especially those recovering from a C-section A crib that is placed near the bed can prove to be an absolute godsend. You can easily reach your baby without having to get out of the bed. This lets you soothe and feed your baby at night. The close proximity to your baby can also aid in increasing the production of milk for mothers who breastfeed.

In addition to being extremely convenient, these bassinets are attractive too which is the reason they're so sought-after. They're usually larger than Moses baskets and come in lots of different styles, with some featuring extra features, like a soft tilting of the reflux. They are designed to fit close to your bed and can be moved around the house as baby grows. Some are portable, which means they're great for travelling parents.

It's important to choose a cot for your bed that has easy-to-use drop-sides. This allows you to lower your infant into the bassinet without lifting them up into your arms. This can be a hassle for mothers who have limited mobility. One such model is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been praised by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards' Best Cot Crib, Moses or Crib Basket category.

Some models also come with a transparent side, allowing you to see your baby. This is particularly useful when you're groggy at 3am and you need to feed your child. A quick glance could make a big difference. As mentioned by Emily, our MFM home tester Sleepiest BassiNest is an excellent choice. It is easy to lower.

Budget

If you're still not ready to move to a full-sized cot, an infant crib on your bed could be an ideal solution. The cot is attached to the side of your bed so that you can easily reach your baby for feedings at night and soothe them without disturbing your sleep. It's also a great choice for those suffering from restricted movement after an operation, and is a popular option for celeb moms like Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.

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

It can be difficult to move an upholstered bedside cot throughout the house However, our Parent Testers stated that the Shnuggle Air beside cot was very easy to maneuver. It's one of the lighter options and can be tucked away in its own travel bag.

The SnuzPod bedside cot is yet another highly rated product that's simple to assemble and fold with plenty of features for an unwinding night's sleep. It has a removable, adjustable bassinet that lifts off, which can fit more beds than other cots. The fabric is breathable and can help to regulate your baby's temperature. It has a gentle rocking feature and an incline to aid in reflux. It's also light enough to use as a crib for travel when you're on the move. It's a bit more expensive than other cribs for bed, but Parent Testers are of the opinion that it is worth the extra expense.