How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk

Both the NHS and Lullaby Trust have issued official safe sleeping guidelines, which advise that babies sleep in their own Moses basket or cot. A bedside crib is practical and space-saving for parents who live in a room together.

Mumsnetters adore this co-sleeper since it's large and spacious, with plenty of space for babies to grow and play and is far more substantial than the typical Moses basket. It's also easy to put together and comes with a travel bag.

What is a bedside crib?

Bedside cribs (also known as bassinets, side sleepers, or co-sleepers) are a safe and convenient way for your baby to sleep near you during their early months. These cribs attach to your bed and let you bring your baby bedside cot closer to you for night feeding or comforting without the danger of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome that is a result of traditional bed-sharing. They're also a great choice 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 rest. You can pick from a variety of designs and features according to what you like best. A lot of cribs with a bedside feature an adjustable or drop down side that makes it easier to reach your baby's evening feeds. They are also available in different sizes to fit the dimensions of your bed.

Some bedside cosleeper cribs come with an riser that permits you to add a slight rise to the sleep space which can help with reflux and an easy zip-off side for cleaning. Some cribs feature manual rocking features that can be a soothing distraction to your newborn bedside cot. You'll require a mattress that's comfortable to be used with your crib. It must be at least 30cm thick to give your baby enough headroom.

A bedside cot is an investment, but you can be certain that your baby will have a secure and comfortable sleep. With stars like Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all awed by the SNOO bedside crib, it's definitely worth considering this stylish alternative to a moses basket.

Safety

The Lullaby Trust, in conjunction with the NHS, has issued official guidelines for safe sleeping which recommend that babies are in the same room 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 crib that is placed near your bed is an excellent option that allows your child to remain close enough to you to feed them at night and help them return to sleep without having to leave your bed. It's also ideal for those who have a limited mobility after an operation or recovering from an operation such as a C-section.

Our top choice for a bedside cot, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 travel cot bedside crib is compact and folds down in seconds to fit into a travel bag making it ideal for travel and nights away from home. It's one of the tiniest bedside cots and has a comfy deep foam mattress, 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 great bedside sleeper cot 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 solutions, is lightweight at 10kg, and features an adjustable side that can be lowered down to make it easy to access.

Style

A bedside crib can be a lifesaver for many mothers, particularly those who are recovering from C-sections. They attach to your bed so that you can reach your baby easily without needing to get up in order to feed them and soothe them quickly. The close proximity to the baby can also increase milk production for mothers who breastfeed.

Alongside being incredibly convenient, these bassinets are stylish too which is the reason they're so sought-after. They're typically more spacious than Moses baskets and are available in many different styles, with some featuring extra features like a gentle tilt to the reflux. They're designed to sit next to your bed and can be moved around the home as baby grows. Some are portable, which means they're great for travelling parents.

It is important to choose a cot for your bed with drop-sides that are easy to use. These let you lower your baby's bassinet without having to lift them into your arms, which can be difficult for mums with mobility issues. One such model is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been applauded by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted in our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category.

Another handy feature that some models have is a transparent side that allows you to see your baby at all times. This is particularly useful when you're exhausted at 3am and need to feed your child. A quick glance can make a huge difference. As noted by Emily, our MFM home tester the Sleepiest BassiNest a great option. It's easy to lower.

Budget

A bedside crib is an excellent option if you are not ready to move to a full-sized crib. The cot is attached to the bed's side to allow you to easily reach your baby's evening feeds and also comfort them without disturbing your own sleep. It's also a great choice for those with limited movement after an operation and is a favorite option with famous mothers 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 for Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. It's afclimatizing and spacious and comes with six height settings to accommodate growing babies, and a gentle reflux incline setting. It can also be used as a travel cot, and it comes with an excellent storage bag.

It can be difficult to move an upholstered bedside cot throughout the home, but our Parent Testers said that the Shnuggle Air next to the cot was easy to maneuver. It's one of the smallest options and small enough to fit in its own travel bag, so you can take it with you on your travels.

The SnuzPod twin bedside cot cot is another highly rated product that's simple to assemble and fold, with many features for a restful night's sleep. It has a removable bassinet that lifts off to fit more beds than any other cot, and its breathable fabric helps your baby maintain their temperature. It also features a soft rocking function, as well as an incline setting for reflux, and it's light enough to use as a travel cot if you're on the move. It's a little more expensive than other cribs for bed however, Parent Testers agree that it's worth the extra expense.