10 Quick Tips On Best Bedside Cot Uk
How to Choose the Best bedside cot 6 months plus Cot uk
Both the NHS and the Lullaby Trust have issued official safe sleeping guidelines which advise that babies sleep in their own Moses basket or cot. A bedside crib is practical and space-saving for parents who share a room.
Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper as it's spacious with lots of room for baby to grow and wriggle and far more substantial than the typical Moses basket. It's also easy to put together, and comes with a carry bag.
What is a bedside crib?
Bedside cribs (also called bassinets, side sleepers, or co-sleepers) are an effective and safe method for your baby to sleep near you during the early months. These cribs attach to your bed and allow you to raise your baby bedside crib towards you at night for feeding or comforting without the threat of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome that is a result of traditional bed-sharing. These cribs are also great for mums who are breastfeeding or recovering from a cesarean section.
These cots are often a little smaller than standard cots but they provide plenty of space for your baby to rest. You can pick from a variety of styles and features based on your preferences. A majority of cribs for bedside use a drop down or removable side, which makes it easier to reach your baby's night feeds and are also available in various sizes to fit the dimensions of your bed.
Some cribs for bedside use an adjustable riser that allows you to add a slight slope 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 relaxing distraction for your newborn. You'll require a mattress that's breathable to go with your crib. It must be at least 30cm thick to allow your baby plenty of headroom.
You can rest assured that your baby bedside cot will be safe and comfortable in a cot that is positioned at the bedside. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid are all big fans of SNOO's bedside crib. It is definitely worth considering as an alternative to the Moses basket.
Safety
The Lullaby Trust, in conjunction with the NHS has issued official safe sleeping guidelines which recommend that babies are in the same room as their parents for the first six months. However they shouldn't sleep in your bed. This is to reduce the risk of suffocation, or sudden infant death syndrome. A crib that is placed near your bed is a great option that lets your baby safely be close enough for you to night feed them and soothe them back to sleep without having to leave your bed. It's also a great option for when you are recovering from an operation or a C-section, and have limited mobility.
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 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 newborn crib and features a comfortable deep foam mattress with mesh panels which allow air to flow. It also comes with an optional incline option. Plus, it won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot Crib or Moses basket.
Another great bedside cot is the Chicco Next2me Magic bedside crib which was awarded 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 to make it easy to access.
Style
A crib for your bed is a godsend for many moms, particularly those recovering from C-sections. You can easily reach your baby without getting out of bed. This lets you comfort and feed your infant at night. The close proximity to the baby can also help increase the amount of milk produced by mothers who are breastfeeding.
Bassinets aren't just convenient but also stylish. This is the reason they are so popular. Some are bigger than Moses Baskets, and some have extra features, like a gentle upward slope. They're designed to sit right next to your bed and can be moved around the house as baby grows. Some are portable, which means they're ideal for parents who travel.
It is essential to select a cot for your bed with drop-sides that are easy to use. This lets you lower your child into the bassinet, without having to lift them up into your arms. This can be difficult for mothers who have limited mobility. One such model is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been 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 have is a transparent side that lets you be able to see your baby at all times. This is especially useful when you're exhausted at 3am and need to feed your child. A quick glance could make a huge difference. One such option is the Sleepiest BassiNest that is easy to lower as was noted by our MFM home tester Emily.
Budget
If you're still not ready to move to a larger cot, an infant crib on your bed could be an ideal solution. This bassinet-style cot attaches to the side of your bed so you can easily reach your baby for feedings at night and soothe them without disturbing your sleep. It's also a great choice for those suffering from restricted movement following the birth, and is a popular choice with celeb mums including Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.
Our Parent Testers loved the new version of this bestselling crib from Chicco which was awarded the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It's spacious, breathable, and has six different height settings for babies who are growing. There is also a gentle reflux setting. 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, but our Parent Testers found the Shnuggle Air beside crib really easy to maneuver. It's among the lightest options and small enough to fit in its own bag for travel, which means you can carry it along with you on your trip.
The SnuzPod is a different highly rated bedside cot that's simple to assemble and fold away and comes with a variety of features that will ensure your child gets an enjoyable night's sleep. It has a bassinet with a lift-off that can fit more beds than any other cot and its breathable fabric can help your baby to regulate their temperature. 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 when you're out and about. It's a bit more expensive than other bedside sleeper cot cribs however, Parent Testers are of the opinion that it is worth the extra cost.