20 Myths About Best Bedside Cot Uk: Dispelled

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 that is placed near the bed can be practical and space-saving for parents who share a room.

Mumsnetters adore the co-sleeper because it is spacious, with plenty of room for babies to grow and wiggle. It is also much larger than 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 bassinet, side-sleeper or co-sleeper) is a safe method for your baby to rest close to you throughout their first few months. These cribs attach to your bed and let you raise your baby towards you for night feeding or comforting without the danger of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome as a result of traditional bed sharing. These cribs are also ideal for mums who are breastfeeding or recovering from a Cesarean Section.

They are usually smaller than a standard cot, but still offer plenty of room for your baby to rest. You can choose from a wide range of styles and features, depending on what your preference is. Many bedside cribs come with an adjustable or drop-down side, which makes it easier to reach your baby during feeding time at night. They are also available in different heights depending on the size of your bed.

Some cribs for bedside use an riser that permits you to add a slight rise to the sleeping space that can help with reflux and the ability to zip off the sides for easy cleaning. Some cribs have manual rocking options that can be a soothing distractor for your infant. You'll require a mattress that's air-conditioned to match your crib. It must be at least 30cm thick to allow your baby plenty of headroom.

A bedside crib is a major investment, but you can be sure your newborn will get 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 guidelines from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that newborns sleep in the same room as you during the first six months, but not in your bed to lower the risk of suffocation and to lower the chance of sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib is an excellent option that allows your child to comfortably be near enough for you to feed them during the night and help them return to sleep without needing to leave your own bed. It's also a great option for when you are recovering from an operation or C-section and are unable to move.

Our top pick for a bedside cot the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 travel cot bedside crib to cot crib (Discover More Here) is small 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 one of the tiniest bedside crib with changing table cots available and comes with a a comfy deep foam mattress that has mesh air-flow panels and an tilting setting, and it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Crib, Cot or Moses Basket.

Another fantastic bedside cot is the Chicco Next2me Magic bedside crib that won Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has an integrated storage unit and changing mat, is lightweight (only 10kg) and features an adjustable side for easy access.

Style

A bedside crib is a godsend for many mothers, particularly those recovering from C-sections. They can be attached to your bed so you can easily reach your baby without needing to get out of bed and letting you feed them and soothe them quickly. They're an excellent choice for breastfeeding mothers as close proximity can boost their milk supply.

Alongside being incredibly practical, these bassinets can also look elegant which is the reason they're so popular. They're typically larger than Moses baskets and come in lots of different styles, some featuring extra features like a gentle tilt to the reflux. They are 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 parents who travel.

It is essential to select a bedside cot with drop-sides that are easy to use. This allows you to lower your child into the bassinet, without having to lift them up into your arms. This can be a hassle for mothers who have limited mobility. One such model is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been applauded by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards' Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category.

Some models also have a translucent side, allowing you to be able to always view your baby. This is particularly useful when you are groggy at 3am and need to feed your baby. A quick glance could make a huge difference. One of these options is the Sleepiest BassiNest that is easy to lower, as was noted by our MFM home tester Emily.

Budget

A bedside crib is an excellent option if you're not yet ready to upgrade to a larger crib. The bassinet-style crib is attached to the side of your bed so you can easily reach your baby bedside co sleeper for feedings at night and soothe them without disturbing your sleep. It's also a great option for those who suffer from limited movement after a C-section 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 won the 2021 Mother&Baby Award for Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. It's spacious comfortable, breathable, and comes with six different height settings suitable for growing babies. There is also a soft reflux setting. It can be used as a travel crib and comes with a storage case that is convenient for storage.

A twin bedside cot crib can be difficult to move around the home However, our Parent Testers found the Shnuggle Air beside crib really simple to move. It is one of the lighter options that can be tucked away in its own travel bag.

The SnuzPod bedside cot is another highly rated item that's easy to put together and fold away, with many features for a restful night's sleep. It has a removable, lift-off bassinet which fits more beds than other cots. The fabric is breathable and helps to regulate your baby's temperature. It also has a soft rocking function, as well as an incline setting to help with reflux, and is light enough to be used as a travel cot when you're on the move. It's a bit more expensive than other bedside cribs however, Parent Testers agree that it's worth the extra expense.