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 live in a room together.
Mumsnetters love the co-sleeper as it's big and has plenty of space for babies to grow and play. It's also bigger than the Moses Basket. It's also simple to put together and comes with a bag for travel.
What is a bedside cot?
Bedside cots (also known as side sleepers, bassinets or co-sleepers) are an ideal and safe way for your baby to be close to you during their first few months. These cribs can be attached to your bed and let you lift your child to you to feed them at night or for comforting. They're also a great choice for mothers who are breastfeeding or recovering from a caesarean section.
They're typically smaller than a standard cot, but they provide ample space for your baby to lay down. You can pick from a wide range of styles and features, according to what you prefer. Many bedside cribs come with an adjustable or drop-down side that makes it easier to reach your baby at night for feedings. They are also available in various heights based on your bed size.
Some cribs for bedside use a riser that allows you to add a slight incline to the sleep area that could help with reflux. It also has an easy zip-off side for cleaning. Some cribs have manual rocking features that can be a soothing distractor for your infant. You'll need a mattress that is breathable to go with your crib. It must be at least 30cm in depth to give your baby enough headroom.
You can be confident that your baby will be safe and comfortable in a cot that is positioned at the bedside. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams, and Gigi Hadid are all avid users of SNOO's crib for babies. It is definitely worth considering as an alternative to the Moses basket.
Safety
The Lullaby Trust, in conjunction with the NHS has released official safe sleeping guidelines 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 baby close to you to help calm them down and night feed them without having to leave your bed. This is also a great option for when you are recovering from an operation or a C-section, and have limited mobility.
cot bedside for a bedside crib, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 bedside crib for travel is small and folds flat in a matter of 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 has a soft, comfortable foam mattress with mesh panels which allow air to flow. It also has an option for incline. It also won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Moses basket or Cot Crib.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another great bedside crib option. It was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has built-in storage and a changing mat, is lightweight (only 10kg) and comes with an adjustable side for easy access.
Style
A bedside crib is a godsend for many mums, especially those recovering from C-sections. They can be attached to your bed so that you can reach your baby easily without needing to get out of bed in order to feed them and comfort them quickly. Being close to the baby can also aid in increasing milk production for mothers who are breastfeeding.
These bassinets are not only practical, but also stylish. This is why they're so popular. They're often a bit bigger than Moses baskets and come in lots of different styles, some even having extra features, like a soft reflux incline setting. The baskets are designed to fit under your bed, they can be moved around the house as the baby grows older, and some are portable enough to take to the go, making them great for parents who are new to traveling.
When selecting a cot for your bedside it is important to choose a model that have drop sides that are simple to use. This allows you to lower your child into the bassinet, without lifting them up into your arms. This can be a challenge for mothers with limited mobility. One of these models is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been highly praised by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted in our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards' Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category.
Some models also come with a transparent side, allowing you to be able to always view your baby. This is especially useful in the case of 3am feeds that are bleary-eyed where one glance could make all the difference. One of these options is the Sleepiest BassiNest, which is easy to lower, as was noted by our MFM home tester Emily.
Budget
If you're not quite ready to make the leap to a larger cot the bedside crib could be an ideal solution. The bassinet-style crib is attached to the bed's side so that you can easily reach your baby for feedings at night and soothe them without disrupting your sleep. It's a great option for those who are unable to move after the C-section. Celebrity moms such as Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen it.
Our Parents Testers loved the new version of the popular Chicco crib, which was awarded the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot or Crib. It's afclimatizing and spacious and has six height settings to accommodate growing babies, as well as a gentle setting for incline. It can also be used as a crib for travel and comes with a handy storage case.
It can be a challenge to move an upholstered bedside cot throughout the house However, our Parents Testers reported that the Shnuggle Air beside cot was very simple to move. It's one of the smallest options and small enough to fit into its own travel bag, so you can take it with you on your travels.
The SnuzPod bedside cot is a highly rated item that's easy to assemble and fold, with many features for the perfect 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 keep your baby's temperature in check. It also features a soft rocking feature and an incline setting to help with reflux, and is light enough to be used as a travel cot while you're out and about. It's a bit more expensive than other bedside cribs but Parents Testers believe it's worth the extra expense.