Best Bedside Cot Uk 10 Things I'd Like To Have Known Earlier
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 crib that is placed near the bed is a practical and space-saving option for parents who share a room.
Mumsnetters love the co-sleeper because it is spacious, with plenty of space for babies to grow and play. It is also much larger than a Moses Basket. It's also easy to assemble and comes with a carry-on bag.
What is a bedside cot?
A bedside cot (also called a bassinet, side sleeper or co-sleeper) is a secure way for your newborn to sleep close to you throughout the first few months of their life. These cribs attach to your bed, allowing you to lift your child to you for night-feeding or comforting. They're also a great option for breastfeeding mothers or mums recovering from a Caesarean section.
They're usually a little smaller than a regular cot, but provide plenty of space for your baby to sleep. You can choose from a wide range of styles and features, depending on what you like best. A lot of cribs with a bedside feature an adjustable or drop down side, which makes it easier to reach your baby's feeding at night. They are also available in different heights to accommodate the size of your bed.
Some cribs with a bedside have a riser that allows you to add a slight incline to the sleep space which can help with reflux and a zip-off side for easy cleaning. Some have manual rocking features that can provide a relaxing distraction for your infant. You'll require a mattress that's air-conditioned to match your crib. It should be at least 30cm in depth to give your baby enough headroom.
You can rest assured that your baby will be comfortable and safe in a cot that is positioned at the bedside. With stars like Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all being fans of the SNOO bedside crib, it's worth considering this stylish alternative to a moses basket.
Safety
The Lullaby Trust, in conjunction with the NHS has released 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 crib that is placed near your bed is a great 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 bed. It's also great if you have limited mobility after an operation or recovering from an operation such as a C-section.
Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3 in 1 travel cot bedside Crib is our top choice for a bedside crib. It's small and folds flat to fit in its transport bag and is perfect for nights out on the town or away from home. It's one of the lightest bedside cot options and has an extremely comfortable mattress with mesh air-flow panels, and an tilting setting, and it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Crib, Cot, or Moses Basket.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another great bedside crib option. It was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It comes with a built-in changing mat and storage solution It weighs just 10kg, and features an adjustable side that drops down to make it easy to access.
Style
A bedside crib can be a lifesaver for many moms, particularly those recovering from C-sections. They can be attached to your bed so you can easily reach your baby without needing to get up and letting you feed them and soothe them quickly. small bedside cot are an excellent choice for breastfeeding mothers since their close proximity will help boost their milk supply.
They are not just functional, but also stylish. This is the reason they're so popular. They're usually larger than Moses baskets and come in a variety of different styles, with some featuring extra features, like a soft tilting of the reflux. They're designed to fit next to your bed and can be moved around the house as your baby grows. Some are portable, which means they're great for travelling parents.
When choosing a bedside cot, it's important to look for designs with drop sides that are easy to use. These let you lower your baby's bassinet without needing to lift them into your arms, which is difficult for mothers with limited mobility. One such model is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been praised by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot Crib, Moses or Crib Basket category.
Another useful feature that a few models come with is a transparent side that allows you to observe your baby at all times. This is particularly useful when you are tired and sleepy, when just a glance can make all the difference. One of these options is the Sleepiest BassiNest, which is easy to lower as outlined by our MFM home tester Emily.
Budget
If you're not ready to make the transition to a larger cot an infant crib on your bed could be an ideal solution. The bassinet-style crib is attached to the side of your bed to allow you to easily reach your baby's feedings at night and soothe them without disrupting your sleep. It's also a great choice for those with limited movement after an operation, and is a popular option for celeb moms like Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.
Our Parents Testers loved the new version of this bestselling crib from Chicco which was awarded the 2021 Mother&Baby Award for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It's afclimatizing and spacious and has six height settings to accommodate growing babies as well as a gentle setting for the incline. It can also be used as a travel crib and comes with a handy storage case.
It can be a challenge to move an upholstered bedside cot throughout the home However, our Parent Testers reported that the Shnuggle Air beside cot was very easy to move. It is one of the lightest options and can be tucked away in its own travel bag.
The SnuzPod is a different highly rated bedside cot that's easy to put together and fold away, with plenty of features to ensure the best night's rest. 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 features a soft rocking feature as well as an incline to help with reflux. It is also lightweight enough to be used as a travel crib while you're traveling. It's more expensive than other cots for bed but our Parents Testers say it's well worth the extra cash.