How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk
Official guidelines for safe sleep from both NHS and Lullaby Trust recommends that newborns sleep in their own cot or Moses basket. A bedside crib can be an efficient and space-saving option for parents who live in a room together.
Mumsnetters adore this co-sleeper since it's large and spacious, with plenty of room for babies to grow and play, and more spacious than the size of a Moses basket. It's also easy to put together and comes with a carry-on bag.
What is a bedside crib?
A bedside cot (also known as a side sleeper, bassinet or co-sleeper) is a safe way for your newborn to sleep close to you overnight during their first few months. These cribs can be attached to your bed and let you lift your child in your arms to feed them at night or for comforting. They're also a great option for breastfeeding mothers or mothers recovering from a caesarean section.
They're often slightly smaller than a standard cot, but provide plenty of space for your baby to lay down. You can pick from a wide range of styles and features, depending on what you like best. A majority of cribs for bedside use the option of a drop-down or removable side, which makes it easier to reach your baby for feeding at night. They are also available in various sizes to fit the dimensions of your bed.
Some bedside cribs come with an riser that permits you to add a slight incline to the sleeping space that can aid in reflux and the ability to zip off the sides for easy cleaning. Other cribs have manual rocking functions which can be a soothing distraction for your baby. You'll need a mattress that is breathable to go with your crib. It should be at least 30cm deep to give your baby enough headroom.
A bedside crib is a major investment, but you can rest assured that your baby will have a secure and comfortable sleep. With the likes of Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all awed by the SNOO bedside crib, it's definitely worth considering this stylish alternative to moses basket.
Safety
Official safe sleeping guidelines from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that newborns be in the same room as you during the first six months, but not in your bed, to decrease the chance of suffocation and to reduce the chance of sudden infant death syndrome. A crib that is placed near your bed lets you 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 if you are recovering from an operation or a C-section and are unable to move.
Our top choice for a bedside crib, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 travel cot bedside crib is compact and folds flat in seconds to fit into a travel bag so it's perfect for holidays and nights away from home. It's one the lightest options for a bedside cot and features a comfortable deep foam mattress with mesh panels which allow air to flow. It also has an option for incline. Plus, it won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Moses Basket or Cot Crib.
Another fantastic bedside cot is the Chicco Next2me Magic bedside crib that won Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has a built-in changing mat and storage solutions, is lightweight at 10kg, and comes with an adjustable side that slides down for easy access.
Style
For many mothers, particularly those who are recovering from C-sections, a bedside crib can an absolute blessing. You can easily reach your baby without having to get out of the bed. This allows you to soothe and feed your baby at night. The close proximity to your baby can also aid in increasing the production of milk for mothers who breastfeed.
They are not just convenient but also fashionable. This is why they're so sought-after. They're typically more spacious than Moses baskets and are available in many different styles, some featuring extra features like a gentle tilting of the reflux. They're designed to sit next to your bed and can be moved around the house as your baby grows. Some are portable, which means they're ideal for parents who travel.
When you are choosing a bedside cot, it's important to select a model that have easy-to-use drop sides. This allows you to lower your infant into the bassinet without lifting them up into your arms. This can be a challenge for mothers with mobility issues. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one of the models that has been praised and shortlisted by Mumsnetters in the category of the best Cot or Crib, or Moses Basket for our 2021 Mother and Baby Awards.
Another handy feature that some models come with is a transparent side that lets you see your baby at all times. This is especially useful during bleary-eyed 3am feeds where just a glance can make all the difference. As noted by Emily, our MFM home test participant the Sleepiest BassiNest an excellent choice. It is simple to lower.
Budget
If you're not quite ready to make the transition to a full-sized cot, a bedside crib may be the perfect solution. The bassinet-style crib can be 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 an excellent choice for those who have limited movement after a C-section. Celebrity moms like Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen this model.
Our Parent Testers loved the new version of this well-loved crib from Chicco, which won the 2021 Mother&Baby Award for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It's spacious comfortable, breathable, and comes with six different height settings for babies who are growing. There is also baby bedside crib . It can also be used as a travel cot, and it comes with a handy storage bag.
A bedside cot can be a little tricky to move around the home However, our Parent Testers found the Shnuggle Air beside crib really simple to move. It's among the lightest alternatives and is small enough to fit into its own bag for travel, so you can take it with you on your travels.
The SnuzPod is another highly rated bedside cot that is easy to put together and fold away, with plenty of features to ensure an enjoyable 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 can help keep your baby's temperature in check. It features a soft rocking feature and an incline to aid in reflux. It's also light enough to be used as a travel crib while you're traveling. It's more expensive than other cribs for bed, but Parent Testers believe it's worth the extra cost.