Best Bedside Cot Uk: The Good The Bad And The Ugly
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 bedside crib can be a space-saving and practical option for parents who live in a room together.
Mumsnetters adore this co-sleeper since it's large and spacious, with plenty of space for babies to grow and wriggle and more spacious than the typical Moses basket. It's also easy to put together, and comes with a carry bag.
What is a bedside cot?
bedside cots uk cribs (also called bassinets, side sleepers or co-sleepers) are a safe and convenient way for your baby to sleep near you during the first few months. These cribs attach to your bed and allow you to pull your child to you for night-feeding or comforting. These cribs are also ideal for mothers who are nursing or recovering from a cesarean section.
These cots are typically smaller than a standard cot but they provide plenty of room for your baby to relax. You can choose from a variety of styles and features, depending on what you like best. A lot of cribs for bedside use a removable or drop-down side, which makes it easier to reach the baby at night for feedings. They are also available in various heights based on the size of your bed.
Some cribs for bedside cot wooden use a riser which allows you to build an incline to the sleeping area. This can be helpful with reflux. They also come with an open side for easy cleaning. Some cribs have manual rocking options that can be a soothing distractor for your infant. You'll also require a comfortable mattress to match your new crib, which must be at least 30cm deep to ensure that your newborn has sufficient head room.
You can rest assured that your child will be safe and comfortable in a cot that is positioned at the bedside. With the likes of Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all fans of the SNOO bedside crib, it's definitely worth considering this stylish alternative to a moses basket.
Safety
The Lullaby Trust, in conjunction with the NHS has released official guidelines for safe sleeping that recommend that newborns stay in the same bedroom as their parents for the first six months. However they shouldn't sleep in your bed. This is to lower the chance of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib lets you keep your baby close to you to comfort them and night feed them without leaving your bed. It's also a great option when you are unable to move after an operation or are recovering from a C-section.
Our top pick for a bedside crib, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 travel cot bedside crib is small and folds flat in seconds to fit into its own bag for travel, which makes it perfect for trips to the beach and nights away from home. It's the lightest option for a bedside cot and features a comfortable deep foam mattress with mesh panels that allow air to flow. It also has an option for incline. Plus, it won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Moses Basket or Cot Crib.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another fantastic bedside crib. It was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has an integrated storage unit and changing mat, is light (only 10kg) and features an adjustable side that makes it easy to access.
Style
A bedside crib is a godsend for many moms, particularly those who are recovering from C-sections. You can easily reach your baby without getting out of the bed. This lets you provide comfort and food to your infant during the night. Being close to the baby can also help increase the amount of milk produced by mothers who are breastfeeding.
As well as being incredibly useful, bassinets can look pretty elegant, which is why they're so sought-after. They're usually bigger than Moses baskets and are available in many different styles, with some having additional features, like a soft tilt to the reflux. Designed to fit by your bed, they can be moved around your home as the baby grows older, and some are able to be taken to the go which makes them ideal for new parents traveling.
When choosing a bedside cot it is important to look for designs that have drop sides that are simple to use. They allow you to lower your baby into the bassinet without lifting them into your arms, which can be difficult for mothers with limited mobility. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one of the models that has been praised and shortlisted by Mumsnetters in the category of the Best Cot or Crib Moses Basket for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.
Some models also come with a transparent side, allowing you to see your baby. This is especially helpful when you are groggy at 3am and have to feed your child. A quick glance can make a big difference. One such option is the Sleepiest BassiNest, which 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 full-sized crib. This bassinet-style crib attaches to your bed, so you can reach your baby easily for night feeds or comfort them without causing any disturbance to yourself. It's a great choice for those who are unable to move after the C-section. Celebrity moms like Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen it.
Our Parent Testers loved this new version of the well-loved Chicco crib, which took home the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot or Crib. It's spacious and breathable and comes with six height settings to accommodate growing babies, as well as a gentle setting for the incline. It can also be used as a travel cot and it comes with an excellent storage bag.
It can be difficult to move an upholstered bedside cot throughout the home however our Parent Testers said that the Shnuggle Air alongside the cot was easy to maneuver. It's one of the lighter options that can be put in its own travel bag.
The SnuzPod bedside cot for bedside is another highly rated product that's easy to fold and assemble, with many features for an unwinding night's sleep. It has a removable adjustable bassinet that lifts off, which can fit more beds than other cots. The fabric is breathable, and helps regulate your baby's temperature. It features a soft rocking feature, as well as an incline to help with reflux. It's also light enough to be used as a crib for travel while you're traveling. It's a bit more expensive than other cots for bed however our Parents Testers affirm that it's worth the extra cash.