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 crib or Moses basket. A crib for bed is a practical and space-saving option for parents who live together.
Mumsnetters adore the co-sleeper because 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 easy to assemble and comes with a travel bag.
What is a bedside crib?
Bedside cribs (also known as bassinets, side sleepers or co-sleepers) are a safe and convenient way for your baby to sleep with you in the early months. These cribs fix to your bed and allow you to lift your baby out towards you for night feeding or comforting without the threat of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome as a result of traditional bed sharing. They're also a great option for mothers who are breastfeeding or recovering from a caesarean section.
They're typically smaller than a standard cot or cotbed, yet they provide ample space for your baby to lay down. You can choose from various styles and features based on your preferences. A lot of cribs for bedside use the option of removing or dropping down the side to make it easier to reach the baby during the night to feed them. They are also available in different heights depending on your bed size.
Some cribs for bedside use an riser that permits you to add a slight rise to the sleep area that could help with reflux. It also has the ability to zip off the sides for easy cleaning. Some cribs feature manual rocking options that can be a soothing distraction for your baby. 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.
A bedside crib is a major investment, but you can be sure your baby will have a peaceful and safe night's sleep. With stars like Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all awed by the SNOO bedside crib, it's definitely worth looking into this elegant alternative to a moses basket.
Safety
Official safe sleeping guidelines from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that newborns be placed in the same bed as you for their first six months, but not in your bed to reduce the risk of suffocation, and to decrease the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib is an excellent option that allows your baby to remain close enough to you to feed them at night and soothe them back to sleep without needing to leave your own bed. It's also ideal when you are unable to move after an operation or are 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 crib to sleep in. It's compact and folds down flat to fit in its transport bag and is perfect for trips away on holidays or from home. It's among the lightest bedside cots and has an extremely comfortable mattress, air-flow panels, and an incline setting, plus it was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket.
Another fantastic bedside cot is the Chicco Next2me Magic bedside crib that was awarded Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It comes with built-in storage and a changing mat, is lightweight (only 10kg) and features an adjustable side for easy access.
Style
For many mums, particularly those who are recovering from C-sections A crib for bedside could prove to an absolute blessing. You can easily reach your baby without getting out of your bed. This allows you to comfort and feed your baby at night. They are an excellent choice for mothers who are breastfeeding as the close proximity can help boost their milk supply.
As well as being incredibly useful, bassinets are attractive too and that's why they're so popular. They're typically larger than Moses baskets and come in a variety of different styles, some having additional features, like a soft tilting of the reflux. They are designed to be placed near your bed, they are able to be moved around the house when baby gets older and some are portable enough to take to the go making them perfect for new parents travelling.
It is important to choose a bedside cot that has easy-to-use drop-sides. This lets you lower your baby into the bassinet without lifting them up into your arms. This can be a hassle for mothers who have limited mobility. One of them 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 handy feature that some models come with is a translucent side that allows you to observe your baby at all times. This is especially useful when you are tired and sleepy when just a glance can make all the difference. As was noted by bedside crib travel cot who is our MFM home tester Sleepiest BassiNest is a great option. It is easy to lower.
Budget
If you're not quite ready to move to a full-sized cot, the bedside crib could be a great option. The bassinet-style crib is attached to the side of your bed to allow you to easily reach your baby's evening feeds and also comfort them without disturbing your own sleep. It's a great option for those who are unable to move after a C-section. bedside crib and travel cot like Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen it.
Our Parents Testers loved this latest version of the well-loved Chicco crib, which took home the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards as the Best Cot or Crib. It's large and breathable, and has six height settings to accommodate babies who are growing, plus a gentle reflux setting for incline. It can also be used as a travel crib and comes with a convenient storage case.
It can be difficult to move a bedside cot around your home However, our Parents Testers reported that the Shnuggle Air beside cot was very easy to move. It's one of the lighter options that can be put in its own travel bag.
The SnuzPod bedside cot is another highly rated item that's easy to fold and assemble, with many features for the perfect night's rest. It comes with a bassinet that lifts off to fit more beds than any other cot and its breathable fabric can help your baby maintain their temperature. It features a soft rocking feature as well as an incline to aid in reflux. It is also lightweight enough to use as a crib for travel when you are traveling. It's a bit more expensive than other bedside cots but our Parent Testers believe it's worth the extra cash.