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 an effective and space-saving solution for room-sharing new parents.

Mumsnetters adore this co-sleeper since it's large and spacious, with plenty of space for babies to grow and wriggle and much bigger than a Moses basket. It is also easy to assemble, and comes with a carry bag.

What is a bedside crib?

A bedside cot (also known as a bassinet, side sleeper or co-sleeper) is a secure way for your newborn to sleep near you during the first few months of their life. These cribs are attached to your bed and allow you to pull your child in your arms to feed them at night or even comfort them. They're also a great choice for mothers who are breastfeeding or recovering from a Caesarean section.

They are usually a little smaller than a standard cot but they provide plenty of room for your baby to relax. You can choose from a variety of designs and features depending on what you like best. A lot of cribs for bedside use an adjustable or drop-down side to make it easier to reach your baby during feeding time at night. They are also available in different heights, based on your bed size.

Some cribs with a bedside have a riser that allows you to add a slight rise to the sleep area that can aid in reflux and the ability to zip off the sides for easy cleaning. Some cribs come with manual rocking options which can provide a soothing distraction to your newborn. You'll need a mattress that is air-conditioned to match your crib. It must be at least 30cm in depth to allow your baby plenty of headroom.

A bedside cot is an investment, but you can be sure your newborn will get a secure and comfortable sleep. Kate Hudson, Best Bedside Cot uk Serena Williams, and Gigi Hadid are all avid users of SNOO's crib for babies. It is definitely worth a look as an alternative to the 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 reduce the risk of suffocation, and to reduce the chance of sudden infant death syndrome. A crib that is placed near your bed is a fantastic option that allows your child to comfortably be near enough for you to night feed them and comfort them back to sleep without having to leave your own bed. It's also a great option when you are unable to move following an operation or recovering from a C-section.

Our top pick for a wooden bedside cot crib, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 bedside crib that travels cots is compact and folds flat in a matter of seconds to fit into its own bag for travel, which makes it perfect for trips to the beach and nights away from home. It's one of the lightest bedside cots and has the most comfortable deep foam mattress that has mesh air-flow panels, an optional tilting setting, and it was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for best bedside cot uk Crib, Cot or Moses Basket.

Chicco Next2me Magic is another fantastic bedside crib. It won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has an integrated storage unit and changing mat, is lightweight (only 10kg) and features an adjustable side that allows for easy access.

Style

A bedside crib is a godsend for many moms, particularly those recovering from C-sections. You can easily reach your baby without having to get out of the bed. This allows you to soothe and feed your infant during the night. The close proximity to the baby can also help increase the production of milk for mothers who are breastfeeding.

As well as being incredibly practical, these bassinets are elegant and that's why they're so sought-after. They're often a bit bigger than Moses baskets and come in lots of different styles, some featuring extra features such as a gentle tilt to the reflux. The baskets are designed to fit under your bed, they can usually be moved around the home as the baby grows older, and some are portable enough to take with you on the go, making them great for parents who are new to traveling.

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

Another handy feature that some models come with is a transparent side that allows you to be able to see your baby at all times. This is particularly useful when you're exhausted at 3am and you need to feed your baby. A quick glance can make a big difference. One of these options is the Sleepiest BassiNest that is easy to lower, as was noted by our MFM home tester Emily.

Budget

A bedside crib is an excellent alternative if you're not ready to upgrade to a bigger crib. The bassinet-style crib can be attached to your bed, so you can easily reach your baby for night feeds or comfort them without causing any disturbance to yourself. It's also a great option for those who suffer from restricted movement after the birth and is a favorite option with famous mothers like Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.

Our Parents 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 is spacious, breathable, and has six different height settings suitable for growing babies. There is also a gentle reflux setting. It can 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 home however our Parents Testers said that the Shnuggle Air alongside the cot was simple to move. It is one of the lighter options that can be packed into its own travel bag.

The SnuzPod is a different highly rated bedside cot that's simple to put together and fold away and comes with a variety of features for the best night's rest. It has a removable bassinet with a lift-off that can fit more beds than any other cot, and its breathable fabric can help your baby maintain their temperature. It also has a gentle rocking feature and an incline setting for reflux, and is lightweight enough to be used as a travel cot bedside when you're on the move. It's a bit more expensive than other cribs for bed but Parents Testers agree that it's worth the extra expense.