10 Quick Tips About Best Bedside Cot Uk

How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk

Both the NHS and the Lullaby Trust have issued official safe sleeping guidelines that recommend that newborns sleep only in their own Moses basket or cot. A crib that is placed near the bed is an efficient and space-saving choice for room-sharing new parents.

Mumsnetters adore this co-sleeper since it's spacious with lots of space for babies to grow and wriggle and far more substantial than the size of a Moses basket. It's also easy to assemble and comes with a bag for travel.

What is a bedside cot?

A large bedside crib cot (also called a bassinet, side-sleeper or co-sleeper) is a safe method for your baby to rest near you during the first few months of their life. These cribs can be attached to your bed and let you lift your child towards you to feed them at night or even comfort them. 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 or cotbed, yet offer plenty of space for your baby to lay down. You can pick from a wide range of styles and features, depending on what you prefer. Many bedside cribs have a drop down or removable side, which makes it easier to reach your baby's night feeds and are also available in various heights to accommodate the size of your bed.

Some cribs for twin bedside cot use an adjustable riser that allows you to add a slight rise to the sleep space which can help with reflux and a zip-off side for easy cleaning. Some cribs come with manual rocking features that can be a soothing distractor for your infant. You'll also require a comfortable mattress to match your new crib, which should be a minimum of 30cm deep to ensure that your newborn has enough headroom.

You can be sure that your child will be safe and comfortable in a bedside cot. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi hadid are all fans of SNOO's bedside crib. It is definitely worth considering as an alternative to the Moses basket.

Safety

Official safe sleeping guidance from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that newborns be in the same room as you for their first six months but not in your bed, to decrease the chance of suffocation and to decrease the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. A crib that is placed near your bed is a fantastic option that allows your child to comfortably be near enough for you to night feed them and soothe them back to sleep without having to get out of your bed. It's an excellent option if you are recovering from an operation or a C-section and have limited mobility.

Our top pick for a bedside cot the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 travel cot bedside crib is compact and folds flat in 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 and comes with a comfy deep foam mattress with mesh panels that allow air to flow. It also has an optional incline option. Plus, it won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Moses Basket or Cot Crib.

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 and weighs only 10kg. It is light at 10kg, and comes with an adjustable side that slides down to make it easy to access.

Style

A crib for your bed is a godsend for many mothers, particularly those who are recovering from C-sections. You can easily reach your baby without getting out of the bed. This allows you to comfort and feed your infant during the night. Being close to the baby can also aid in increasing the production of milk for mothers who breastfeed.

Alongside being incredibly useful, bassinets can look pretty elegant which is the reason they're so sought-after. They're typically larger than Moses baskets and are available in many different styles, some even having extra features such as a gentle tilting of the reflux. They're designed to fit close to your bed and can be moved around the home as baby grows. Some are portable, so they're great for travelling parents.

It is essential to select a bedside cot that is easy to use drop-sides. They allow you to lower your baby into the bassinet without lifting them into your arms, which can be difficult for moms with limited mobility. One such model 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.

Another useful feature that a few models come with is a transparent side that allows you to see your baby at all times. This is especially helpful when you're exhausted at 3am and have to feed your baby. A quick glance could make a big difference. As noted by Emily, our MFM home test participant the Sleepiest BassiNest a great option. It's easy to lower.

Budget

A bedside crib is an excellent alternative if you're not yet ready to upgrade to a full-sized crib. The bassinet-style crib is attached to the side of your bed to allow you to easily reach your baby for night feeds and comfort them without disrupting your sleep. It's an excellent choice for those who are unable to move after an operation such as a C-section. Famous moms such as Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen it.

Our Parents Testers loved the new version of this bestselling crib from Chicco which was awarded the 2021 Mother&Baby Award for best bedside cot for newborn Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It's spacious and breathable and comes with six height options to accommodate growing babies plus a gentle reflux setting for the incline. It can also be used as a travel cot and it comes with an easy-to-store 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 easy to move around. It's among the lightest options and compact enough to fit into its own travel bag which means you can carry it with you on your travels.

The SnuzPod is another highly rated bedside cot that's simple to put together and fold away, with plenty of features that will ensure your child gets an enjoyable night's sleep. It has a lift-off bassinet that fits more beds than any other cot, and its breathable fabric helps your baby maintain their temperature. It has a gentle rocking feature and an incline to help with reflux. It is also lightweight enough to be used as a travel crib while you're traveling. It's a bit more expensive than other cots for bed however our Parent Testers believe it's worth the extra cost.