How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk

Both the NHS and Lullaby Trust have issued official safe sleeping guidelines, which suggest that infants sleep in their own Moses basket or cot. A bedside crib is an efficient and space-saving choice for room-sharing new parents.

Mumsnetters love the co-sleeper as it is spacious, with plenty of room for baby's to grow and play. It's also bigger than the Moses Basket. It's also easy to assemble and comes with a travel bag.

What is a bedside crib?

A bedside cot (also called a bassinet, side-sleeper or co-sleeper) is a safe method for your baby to rest near you during the first few months of their life. These cribs attach to your bed and allow you to pull your child to you to feed them at night or for comforting. They're also a great option for mothers who are breastfeeding or recovering from a caesarean section.

These cots are typically a little smaller than standard cots, but still offer plenty of room for your baby to relax. You can pick from a variety of styles and features depending on your preferences. Many cribs with a bedside feature a removable or drop-down side to make it easier to reach the baby at night for feedings. They also come in different heights, based on the size of your bed.

Some cribs for bedside use an adjustable riser that allows you to add an angle to the sleep area. This can be helpful with reflux. They also come with the option of a zip-off side for easy cleaning. Some cribs come with manual rocking options that can be a soothing distractor for your infant. You'll also need a breathable mattress to go with your crib. It must be at least 30cm deep to ensure your newborn has enough headroom.

You can be sure that your child will be safe and comfortable in a cot that is positioned at the bedside. With stars like Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all awed by the SNOO bedside co sleeper crib, it's definitely worth considering this stylish alternative to a moses basket.

Safety

Official safe sleeping guidelines from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that newborns be in the same room as you for the first six months but not in your bed to lower the chance of suffocation and to lower the chance of sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib is a fantastic 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 own bed. It's also ideal for those who have a limited mobility after an operation or are recovering from a C-section.

Our top pick for a bedside crib, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 travel cot bedside (such a good point) crib is compact and folds flat in a matter of seconds and fits into its own bag for travel, making it ideal for travel and nights away from home. It's one of the tiniest bedside co sleeper cot cot options and has an extremely comfortable mattress, air-flow panels and an incline setting, plus 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 was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It features a built-in change mat and storage system It weighs just 10kg, and comes with an adjustable side that drops down to make it easy to access.

Style

For many mums, particularly those who have had C-sections A crib for bedside can an absolute blessing. They can be attached to your bed so you can easily reach your baby without having to get out of bed and letting you feed them and comfort them quickly. Being close to the baby can also increase milk production for mothers who breastfeed.

Alongside being incredibly useful, bassinets can look pretty elegant, which is why they're so popular. Some are bigger than Moses Baskets and some come with additional features like a gentle reflux incline. They are designed to be placed near your bed, they can usually be moved around your home as the baby grows older, and some are able to be taken on the go too making them perfect for new parents travelling.

It is important to choose a cot for your bed that has easy-to-use drop-sides. This lets you lower your infant into the bassinet without lifting them up into your arms. This can be a challenge for mothers with mobility issues. One of them is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been highly praised by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted in our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot Crib, Moses or Crib Basket category.

Another great feature that certain models come with is a translucent side that allows you to see your baby bedside co sleeper at all times. This is especially helpful when you're groggy at 3am and need to feed your child. A quick glance could make a huge difference. One of these options is the Sleepiest BassiNest that is simple to lower, as was noted by our MFM home tester Emily.

Budget

If you're still not ready to make the transition to a larger cot a bedside crib may be the perfect solution. The crib is attached to your bed, ensuring that you can reach your baby easily for night feeds or comfort your child without causing disturbance. It's an excellent choice for those with restricted movement following the C-section. Celeb mums like Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen it.

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

A bedside crib can be difficult to move around your home, but our Parent Testers found the Shnuggle Air on the side of the crib easy to maneuver. It's one of the lightest options and small enough to fit in its own travel bag which means you can take it with you on your travels.

The SnuzPod bedside cot is yet another highly rated product that's easy to fold and assemble, with many features for an unwinding night's sleep. It has a removable lift-off bassinet that fits more beds than other cots. The fabric is breathable, and helps to regulate your baby's temperature. It has a gentle rocking feature, as well as an incline for reflux. It is also lightweight enough to use as a travel crib when you are on the move. It's a bit more expensive than other bedside cots, but our Parent Testers say it's well worth the extra cost.