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 crib for bed is a practical and space-saving option for room-sharing new parents.

Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper as it's large bedside cot and spacious, with plenty of room for baby to grow and wriggle and far more substantial than the typical Moses basket. It's also easy to put together and comes with a bag for travel.

What is a bedside cot?

A bedside cot (also called a bassinet, side sleeper or co-sleeper) is a safe way for your baby to rest close to you throughout their first few months. These cribs fix to your bed and let you lift your baby out towards you at night for feeding or comforting without the threat of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome associated with traditional bed-sharing. They're also a great choice for breastfeeding mothers or mums recovering from a Caesarean section.

These cots are often smaller than a standard cot, but still offer plenty of room for your baby to relax. You can pick from a wide range of designs and features according to what you like best. Many cribs with a bedside feature an adjustable or drop-down side to make it easier to reach the baby at night for feedings. They also come in different heights, based on your bed size.

Some cribs for 4-in-1 bedside crib use an adjustable riser that allows you to build an incline to the sleeping area. This can help with reflux. They also come with an open side to make cleaning easy. Some cribs feature manual rocking options which can provide a soothing distraction to your newborn. You'll require a mattress that's breathable to go with your crib. It should be at least 30cm in depth to allow your baby plenty of headroom.

A bedside cot is an investment, but you can rest assured that your baby will have a comfortable and safe sleep. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams, and Gigi hadid are all fans of SNOO's crib for babies. It is definitely worth a look as an alternative to a Moses basket.

Safety

The Lullaby Trust, in conjunction with the NHS, has issued official safe sleeping guidelines that recommend that newborns stay in the same bedroom as their parents for the first six months. However, they should not sleep in your bed. This is to decrease the risk of suffocation or sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib is a fantastic option that allows your child to comfortably be near enough for you to feed them at night and soothe them back to sleep without needing to leave your own bed. It's also ideal when you are unable to move after an operation or are 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 a matter of seconds to fit into a travel bag so it's perfect for holidays and nights away from home. It's the lightest option for a bedside crib and comes with a comfy deep foam mattress with mesh panels which allow air to flow. It also comes with an optional incline option. It also won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Moses basket or Cot Crib.

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

Style

For a lot of moms, especially those who have had C-sections A crib that is placed near the bed could prove to be a blessing in disguise. You can easily reach your baby without having to get out of bed. This allows you to comfort and feed your infant during the night. Being close to the baby can also aid in increasing milk production for mothers who are breastfeeding.

In addition to being extremely useful, bassinets can also look elegant and that's why they're so popular. They're typically more spacious than Moses baskets and come in lots of different styles, with some having additional features such as a gentle tilt to the reflux. The baskets are designed to fit under your bed, they can be moved around your home as the baby grows older, and some can be carried on the go too making them perfect for new parents traveling.

When choosing a bedside cot, it's important to choose a model with drop sides that are easy to use. This lets you lower your child into the bassinet, without having to lift them up into your arms. This can be difficult for mothers with mobility issues. One of them is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been highly praised by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards' Best Cot Moses, Crib or Basket category.

Another handy feature that some models have is a transparent side that allows you to observe your baby at all times. This is especially useful when you are tired and sleepy where just a glance can make all the difference. As mentioned by Emily, our MFM home tester the Sleepiest BassiNest an excellent choice. It is easy to lower.

Budget

A bedside cot wooden crib is a great alternative if you're not ready to upgrade to a bigger crib. 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 are unable to move after a C-section. Famous moms such as Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen it.

Our Parents Testers loved the new model of this bestselling crib from Chicco which was awarded the 2021 Mother&Baby Award for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It is spacious comfortable, breathable, and comes with six different height settings for growing babies. 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 the house however our Parents Testers stated that the Shnuggle Air alongside the cot was easy to move. It's one of the smallest alternatives and is small enough to fit into its own travel bag so you can take it with you when you travel.

The SnuzPod is another highly-rated bedside cot that is easy to set up and take down and packed with features to ensure a good night's sleep. It has a lift-off bassinet that fits more beds than any other cot and its breathable fabric can help your baby maintain their temperature. It has a gentle rocking feature and an incline to help with reflux. It is also lightweight enough to use as a crib for travel when you are traveling. It's more expensive than other cots for bed however our Parents Testers believe it's worth the extra cost.