How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk
Official safety sleeping guidelines from both NHS and Lullaby Trust recommends that newborns sleep in their own cot or Moses basket. A bedside crib is practical and space-saving for parents who live in a room together.
Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper because it's spacious with lots of room for baby to grow and play and is far more substantial than the typical Moses basket. It is also easy to assemble, and comes with a carry bag.
What is a bedside cot?
Bedside cribs (also known as bassinets, side sleepers or co-sleepers) are an ideal and safe way for your baby to be close to you in the early months. These cribs are attached to your bed, allowing you to lift your child towards you to feed them at night or even comfort them. They're also a great choice for breastfeeding mothers or mothers recovering from a Caesarean section.
They're typically smaller than a standard cot or cotbed, yet provide plenty of space for your baby to sleep. You can pick from different designs and features based on your preferences. A lot of cribs with a bedside feature the option of a drop-down or removable side that makes it easier to reach your baby's night feeds and are also available in various heights to suit the size of your bed.
Some bedside cribs have a riser which allows you to build an angle to the sleep area. This can aid in reducing reflux. They also have an open side to make cleaning easy. Others have manual rocking functions which can be a soothing distraction for your newborn. You'll also require a comfortable mattress for your crib. It must be at least 30cm deep to ensure that your baby has enough head space.
You can be confident that your baby will be safe and secure in a bedside cot. With the likes of Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all fans of 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 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 child to safely be close enough for you to feed them at night and help them return to sleep without having to get out of your own bed. This is 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 bedside cot travel cot is our top pick for a crib that can be used as a bedside. bedside cots for newborns and folds down flat to fit into its travel bag which makes it ideal for holidays or nights away from home. It's one the lightest options for a bedside crib and has a soft, comfortable foam mattress with mesh panels which allow air to flow. It also has an optional incline option. Plus, it won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot Crib or Moses basket.
Another fantastic bedside cot is the Chicco Next2me Magic bedside crib that was awarded Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It features a built-in change mat and storage system It weighs just 10kg, and features an adjustable side that drops down to make it easy to access.
Style
A bedside crib is a godsend for many mothers, particularly those who are recovering from C-sections. They are attached to your bed so that you can easily reach your baby without needing to get up in order to feed them and comfort them quickly. They're also a great choice for breastfeeding mothers as close proximity can boost the amount of milk they produce.
These bassinets are not only practical, but also fashionable. This is the reason they're so sought-after. They're typically more spacious than Moses baskets and come in a variety of different styles, some even having extra features like a gentle tilt to the reflux. They are designed to fit close 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 is important to choose a cot for your bed that has easy-to-use drop-sides. This allows you to lower your baby into the bassinet without having to lift them up into your arms. This can be a challenge for mothers with limited mobility. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one such model that has been praised and shortlisted by Mumsnetters in the category of the best Cot or Crib Moses Basket for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.
Some models also have a transparent side, allowing you to be able to always view your baby. This is especially useful when you're exhausted at 3am and you need to feed your baby. A quick glance could make a big difference. As mentioned by Emily who is our MFM home test participant the Sleepiest BassiNest an excellent choice. It's easy to lower.
Budget
If you're not ready to make the leap to a larger cot the bedside crib could be a great option. The crib is attached to your bed, ensuring that you can easily reach your baby for night feeds or comfort them without causing any disturbance to yourself. It's also a great choice for those with restricted movement after a C-section and is a popular choice with celeb mums including Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.
Our Parent Testers loved this new version of the popular Chicco crib, which was awarded the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot or Crib. It's spacious comfortable, breathable, and comes with six different height settings for babies who are growing. There is also a gentle reflux setting. You can also use it as a travel cot and it comes with an easy-to-store storage bag.
It can be difficult to move a bedside cot around your home However, our Parent Testers stated that the Shnuggle Air alongside the cot was easy to move. It's one of the lightest alternatives and is compact enough to fit into its own travel bag, which means you can take it with you on your travels.
cheap bedside cot is another highly-rated bedside cot that is easy to set up and take down, with plenty of features to ensure the best night's rest. It has a bassinet that lifts off to fit more beds than any other cot and its breathable fabric helps your baby regulate their temperature. It features a soft rocking feature as well as an incline to aid in reflux. It is also lightweight enough to use as a crib for travel when you are on the move. It's a little more expensive than other cribs for bed but Parents Testers are of the opinion that it is worth the extra cost.