What The Heck What Is Best Bedside Cot Uk

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 crib that is placed near the bed can be practical and space-saving for parents who share a room.

Mumsnetters adore this co-sleeper since it's spacious with lots of space for babies to grow and play and is much bigger than the typical Moses basket. It's also simple to put together and comes with a carry-on bag.

What is a bedside rocking crib cot?

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

They're often slightly smaller than a standard cot or cotbed, yet they provide ample space for your baby to sleep. You can pick from a wide range of styles and features, depending on what your preference is. A lot of cribs for bedside use a removable or drop-down side that makes it easier to reach the baby during the night to feed them. They also come in different heights depending on your bed size.

Some cribs for bedside crib vs cot use a riser which allows you to build an angle to the sleeping area. This can aid in reducing reflux. They also come with a zip off side to make cleaning easy. Some cribs come with manual rocking options which can provide a soothing distraction for your baby. You'll need a mattress that is comfortable to be used with your crib. It must be at least 30cm thick to give your baby enough headroom.

A bedside crib is a major 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 being fans of the SNOO bedside crib, it's definitely worth looking into this elegant alternative to moses basket.

Safety

The Lullaby Trust, in conjunction with the NHS, has issued official guidelines for safe sleep which recommend that babies stay in the same bedroom as their parents for the first six months. However they should not be sleeping in your bed. This is to lower the risk of suffocation or sudden infant death syndrome. A crib that is placed near your bed allows you to keep your infant close to you to help calm them down and night feed them without having to leave your bed. It's also great 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 cot, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 travel cot bedside crib is small and folds flat in seconds to fit into its own bag for travel, making it ideal for travel and nights away from home. It's among the lightest options for a bedside cot. It features a comfortable deep foam mattress with mesh panels which allow air to flow. It also comes with an option for incline. It also won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot Crib or Moses basket.

Chicco Next2me Magic is another great bedside crib option. It won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It comes with built-in storage and a changing mat, is light (only 10kg) and comes with an adjustable side that allows for easy access.

Style

For many mothers, particularly those recovering from C-sections A crib for bedside could prove to an absolute blessing. You can easily reach your baby without getting out of bed. This allows you to comfort and feed your infant during the night. Being close to the baby can also increase the amount of milk produced by mothers who are breastfeeding.

In addition to being extremely practical, these bassinets are elegant which is the reason they're so sought-after. They're often a bit larger than Moses baskets and come in lots of different styles, some even having extra features like a gentle tilting of the reflux. Designed to fit by your bed, they can usually be moved around your home as the baby grows older, and some are able to be taken to the go, making them great for new parents travelling.

It's important to choose a cot for your bed that is 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 challenge for mothers who have limited mobility. One of these models is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been applauded by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot Crib, Moses or Crib Basket category.

Another handy feature that some models come with is a translucent side that lets you see your baby at all times. This is especially useful when you're groggy at 3am and have to feed your child. A quick glance could make a big difference. As was noted by Emily our MFM home tester, the Sleepiest BassiNest is an excellent choice. It's easy to lower.

Budget

If you're not quite ready to move to a larger cot an infant crib on your bed could be an ideal solution. The crib is attached to your bed, ensuring that you can easily reach your baby to feed them at night or even comfort your child without causing disturbance. It's a great option for those who have limited movement following an operation such as a C-section. Celeb mums such as Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen this model.

Our Parent Testers loved the new version of the well-loved Chicco crib, which was awarded the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot or Crib. It's large and breathable, and has six height settings to accommodate growing babies as well as a gentle setting for incline. It can also be used as a travel crib and comes with a handy storage case.

A bedside crib can be difficult to move around the home however our Parent Testers found the Shnuggle Air on the side of the crib easy to move around. It's one of the lightest alternatives and is small enough to fit in its own travel bag, so you can take it along with you on your trip.

The SnuzPod is another highly rated bedside cot that is easy to put together and fold away and comes with a variety of features for a good night's sleep. It has a removable, adjustable bassinet that lifts off, which can fit more beds than other cots. The fabric is breathable and helps 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 little more expensive than other cots for bed, but our Parent Testers believe it's worth the extra cost.