How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk
Both the NHS and the 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 an efficient and space-saving option for parents who live in a room together.
Mumsnetters love the co-sleeper as it is spacious, with plenty of space for babies to grow and wriggle. It's also bigger than a Moses Basket. It's also easy to assemble and comes with a travel bag.
What is a bedside cot?
Bedside cots (also known as bassinets, side sleepers or co-sleepers) are an ideal and safe way for your baby to sleep near you during their first few months. These cribs are attached to your bed and let you lift your baby out towards you for night feeding or comforting without the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome associated with traditional bed-sharing. These cribs are also ideal for mums who are nursing or recovering from a cesarean.
They're typically smaller than a regular cot, but provide plenty of space for your baby to rest. You can pick from a variety of styles and features, according to what you prefer. A lot of cribs for bedside use the option of removing or dropping down the side to make it easier to reach your baby during feeding time at night. They also come in different heights, based on your bed size.
bedside cot bed have a riser which allows you to add an incline to the sleep area. This can aid in reducing reflux. They also come with the option of a zip-off side to make cleaning easy. Some cribs have manual rocking features that can provide a relaxing distraction to your newborn. You'll also require a comfortable mattress to match your new crib. It should be a minimum of 30cm in depth to ensure that your baby has enough head space.
You can be sure that your child will be safe and secure in a bedside cot. With stars like Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all 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 safe sleeping guidelines 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 reduce the risk of suffocation or sudden infant death syndrome. A crib that is placed near your bed is a fantastic option that allows your child to safely be close enough for you to night feed them and soothe them back to sleep without having to leave your own bed. This is also a great option if you are recovering from an operation or a C-section, and have limited mobility.
Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3 in 1 travel cot bedside crib is our top pick for a crib to sleep in. It's compact and folds down flat to fit into a transport bag and is perfect for trips away on holidays or from home. It's among the lightest bedside cots and has the most comfortable deep foam mattress that has mesh air-flow panels, an optional tilt setting, and it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the best Crib, Cot, or Moses Basket.
Another fab bedside cot option is the Chicco Next2me Magic bedside crib that was awarded Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It comes with a built-in changing mat and storage solutions, is lightweight at 10kg, and comes with an adjustable side that slides down for easy access.
bedside cot bed
For many mothers, particularly those who have had a C-section, a bedside crib could prove to be an absolute godsend. They can be attached to your bed so you can reach your baby easily without having to get out of bed, allowing you to night feed them and soothe them quickly. They are an excellent choice for breastfeeding mothers as close proximity can boost their milk supply.
As well as being incredibly practical, these bassinets can look pretty elegant which is the reason they're so sought-after. Some are bigger than Moses Baskets and some come with additional features like a gentle reflux upward slope. They're designed to fit next to your bed and can be moved around the house as baby grows. Some are portable, which means they're great for parents who travel.
It is essential to select an cot with bedside that is easy to use drop-sides. These let you lower your infant into the bassinet without lifting them into your arms, which is difficult for mums with mobility issues. One of them is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been highly praised by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category.
Some models also have a translucent side, which allows you to see your baby. This is particularly useful in the case of 3am feeds that are bleary-eyed when a quick glance can make all the difference. As mentioned by Emily our MFM home tester, the Sleepiest BassiNest is a great option. It is easy to lower.
Budget
A bedside crib is an excellent option if you are not yet ready to upgrade to a bigger crib. The crib is attached to your bed so that you can reach your baby easily to feed them at night or even comfort your child without causing disturbance. It's a great choice for those with restricted movement following a C-section. Celeb mums such as Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen this model.
Our Parent Testers loved this latest version of the popular Chicco crib, which took home the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards as the Best Cot or Crib. It's large and breathable, and comes with six height options to accommodate growing babies, and a gentle reflux incline setting. It can be used as a crib for travel and comes with a handy storage case.
It can be difficult to move a bedside cot around the home, but our Parents Testers said that the Shnuggle Air next to the cot was simple to move. It's among the lightest options and is small enough to fit into its own travel bag so you can take it along with you on your trip.
The SnuzPod is another highly rated bedside cot that's simple to assemble and fold away, with plenty of features to ensure an enjoyable night's sleep. It comes with a removable, lift-off bassinet that fits more beds than other cots. The fabric is breathable and helps keep your baby's temperature in check. It also has a soft rocking function and an incline setting for reflux, and is light enough to be used as a travel cot while you're on the move. It's more expensive than other cots for bed, but our Parents Testers affirm that it's worth the extra cash.