The History Of Best Bedside Cot Uk
How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk
Official safe sleeping guidance from both NHS and Lullaby Trust recommends that newborns sleep in their own cot or Moses basket. A crib that is placed near the bed is an effective and space-saving solution for parents who live together.
Mumsnetters love the co-sleeper as it's spacious, with plenty of space for babies to grow and wriggle. It's also bigger than the Moses Basket. It's also simple to put together and comes with a carry-on bag.
What is a large bedside crib cot?
A bedside cot (also called a side sleeper, bassinet or co-sleeper) is a secure way for your baby to sleep near you during their first few months. These cribs attach to your bed and let you raise your baby towards you at night for feeding or comforting without the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome associated with traditional bed-sharing. These cribs are also great for mums who are breastfeeding or recovering from a Cesarean Section.
They're usually a little smaller than a regular cot or cotbed, yet 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 like best. A lot of cribs for bedside use an adjustable or drop-down side that makes it easier to reach the baby at night for feedings. They also come in various heights based on your bed size.
Some cribs with a bedside baby bed have a riser which allows you to create an incline in the sleeping area. This can be helpful with reflux. They also have an open side to make cleaning easy. Others have manual rocking functions which can be a soothing distraction for your baby. You'll require a mattress that's air-conditioned to match your crib. It should be at least 30cm thick to give your baby enough headroom.
A bedside cot is an investment, but you can be sure your baby will have a secure and comfortable sleep. With the likes of Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all being fans of the SNOO bedside crib, it's definitely worth considering this stylish alternative to moses basket.
Safety
Official safe sleeping guidance from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that newborn babies should be in the same room as you during the first six months but not in your bed to lower the risk of suffocation, and to decrease the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. A crib for bed allows you to keep your infant close to you so that you can calm them down and even feed them at night without having to leave your bed. It's also ideal for those who have a limited mobility after an operation or recovering from an operation such as a C-section.
Our top choice for a bedside cot, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 travel cot bedside crib is compact and folds flat in a matter of seconds and fits into its own bag for travel, making it ideal for travel and nights away from home. It's among the lightest bedside cot options and has the most comfortable deep foam mattress, air-flow panels, an optional tilting setting, and it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the Best Crib, Cot, or Moses Basket.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another excellent bedside crib. It won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has a built-in storage solution and changing mat, is lightweight (only 10kg) and features an adjustable side that allows for easy access.
Style
A bedside crib can be a lifesaver for many mothers, particularly those recovering from C-sections. You can easily reach your baby without having to get out of your bed. This allows you to provide comfort and food to your infant during the night. They're also a great choice for breastfeeding mothers since the close proximity can help boost their milk supply.
As well as being incredibly practical, these bassinets can look pretty attractive too which is the reason they're so popular. They're typically bigger than Moses baskets and come in lots of different styles, with some featuring extra features such as a gentle tilting of the reflux. They're designed to sit close to your bed and can be moved around the home as baby grows. Some are portable so they're great for parents who travel.
It is essential to select a cot for your bed with drop-sides that are easy to use. These let you lower your infant into the bassinet without having to lift them into your arms, which can be difficult for mothers with limited mobility. One of these models is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been 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 translucent side, allowing you to always see your baby. This is particularly useful when you are tired and sleepy, when a quick glance can make all the difference. As noted by Emily who is our MFM home tester, the Sleepiest BassiNest is an excellent choice. It is simple to lower.
Budget
If you're not ready to make the leap to a larger cot, the bedside crib could be the perfect solution. The cot is attached to the bed's side so that you can easily reach your baby's feedings at night and soothe them without disturbing your sleep. It's also a great option for those who suffer from limited movement after an operation and is a popular option for celeb moms like Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.
Our Parent Testers loved this new version of the bestselling Chicco crib, which won 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot or Crib. It's spacious and breathable and has six height settings to accommodate growing babies, as well as a gentle incline setting. You can also use it as a travel cot. Additionally, it comes with an excellent storage bag.
A bedside crib can be tricky to move around the home however our Parents Testers found the Shnuggle Air on the side of the crib easy to move around. It is one of the lighter options that can be tucked away in its own travel bag.
The SnuzPod is a different highly rated large bedside crib cot that is easy to assemble and fold away and comes with a variety of features for a good night's sleep. It comes with a bassinet with a lift-off that can fit more beds than any other cot and its breathable fabric helps your baby maintain their temperature. It features a soft rocking feature as well as an incline to help with reflux. It is also lightweight enough to be used as a crib for travel while you're traveling. It's a little more expensive than other bedside cots but our Parent Testers say it's well worth the extra cost.