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 can be practical and space-saving for parents who share a room.
Mumsnetters love the co-sleeper because it's big and has plenty of room for baby's to grow and wiggle. It's also bigger than a Moses Basket. It's also simple to assemble, and comes with a bag for carrying.
What is a bedside crib?
A bedside cot (also called a bassinet, side sleeper or co-sleeper) is a safe method for your newborn to sleep near you during their first few months. These cribs fix to your bed and allow you to raise your baby towards you at night for feeding or comforting without the danger of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome associated with traditional bed-sharing. These cribs are also great for mothers who are nursing or recovering from a cesarean.
These cots are typically a little smaller than standard cots, but still offer plenty of room for your baby to rest. You can pick from a wide range of designs and features depending on what you like best. Many bedside cribs come with an adjustable or drop-down side to make it easier to reach your baby during the night to feed them. They also come in various heights based on the size of your bed.
Some cribs for bedside use a riser which allows you to add an incline to the sleeping area. This can aid in reducing reflux. They also have an open side to make cleaning easy. Others have manual rocking functions which can be a relaxing distraction for your infant. You'll require a mattress that's breathable to go with your crib. It must be at least 30cm thick to allow your baby plenty of headroom.
A bedside crib is an investment but you can be certain that your newborn will get a secure and comfortable sleep. With stars like Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all awed by 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 issued official guidelines for safe sleeping which recommend that babies are in the same room as their parents for the first six months. However they shouldn't sleep in your bed. This is to reduce the chance of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib allows you to keep your baby close to soothe them to sleep and even feed them at night without leaving your bed. This is an excellent option if you are recovering from an operation or C-section and are unable to move.
Our top choice for a bedside cot the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 bedside crib that travels cots is compact and folds flat in 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 among the lightest bedside cot options and has the most comfortable deep foam mattress that has mesh air-flow panels, and an tilt setting, and it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the Best Crib, Cot or Moses Basket.
Another fantastic bedside cot is the Chicco Next2me Magic bedside crib that won Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has built-in storage and a changing mat, is light (only 10kg) and features an adjustable side for easy access.
Style
A crib for your bed can be a lifesaver for many mums, especially those recovering from C-sections. You can easily reach your baby without having to get out of your bed. This allows you to comfort and feed your infant during the night. They're also a great option for breastfeeding mothers since the close proximity can help boost their milk supply.
As well as being incredibly convenient, these bassinets can look pretty stylish too, which is why they're so popular. They are larger than Moses Baskets and some come with additional features, like a gentle upward slope. Designed to fit by your bed, they are able to be moved around the home when baby gets older and some are portable enough to take to the go making them perfect for new parents traveling.
When selecting a cot for your bedside It is essential to choose a model that have easy-to-use drop sides. This allows you to lower your baby into the bassinet without lifting them up into your arms. This can be difficult for mothers with mobility issues. bedside sleeper cot 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.
Some models also have a transparent side, allowing you to see your baby. This is especially helpful when you are tired and sleepy when one glance could make all the difference. As mentioned by Emily who is our MFM home test participant, the Sleepiest BassiNest is a great option. It's easy to lower.
Budget
If you're not ready to make the leap to a larger cot a bedside crib may be a great option. This bassinet-style cot attaches to the side of your bed to allow you to easily reach your baby's night feeds and comfort them without disturbing your own sleep. It's a great choice for those who have limited movement following the C-section. Celebrity moms like Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen it.
Our Parents Testers loved the new model of this bestselling crib from Chicco which was awarded the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. It's large and breathable, and has six height settings to accommodate babies who are growing, as well as a gentle setting for incline. It can 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, but our Parents Testers said that the Shnuggle Air next to the cot was easy to maneuver. It is among the lighter options and can be packed into its own travel bag.
The SnuzPod is another highly rated bedside cot that's easy to set up and take down, with plenty of features that will ensure your child gets a good 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 also has a soft rocking function and an incline setting to help with reflux, and is lightweight enough to use as a travel cot while you're on the move. It's a little more expensive than other bedside cribs but Parents Testers are of the opinion that it is worth the extra cost.