How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk
Both the NHS and Lullaby Trust have issued official safe sleeping guidelines, which suggest that infants sleep in their own Moses basket or cot. A bedside crib is a practical and space-saving option for parents who live together.
Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper as it's spacious with lots of room for babies to grow and wriggle and more spacious than a Moses basket. It's also simple to put together and comes with a travel bag.
What is a bedside crib?
A bedside cot (also known as a bassinet, side-sleeper or co-sleeper) is a safe way for your baby to rest close to you overnight during their first few months. These cribs attach to your bed and allow you to raise your baby towards you to feed them at night or for comforting without the threat of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome as a result of traditional bed sharing. They're also a great choice for breastfeeding mothers or mums recovering from a Caesarean section.
They're usually a little smaller than a regular cot or cotbed, but provide plenty of space for your baby to sleep. You can choose from a variety of designs and features based on your preferences. A lot of cribs with a bedside feature the option of a drop-down or removable side that makes it easier to reach your baby for feeding at night. bedside cot mattress are available in a variety of sizes to fit the dimensions of your bed.
Some cribs with a bedside have an adjustable riser that allows you to add a slight rise to the sleeping space that can help with reflux and an easy zip-off side for cleaning. Some cribs have manual rocking features that can be a soothing distraction for your baby. You'll need a mattress that is breathable to go with your crib. It should be at least 30cm thick to allow your baby plenty of headroom.
You can be confident that your child will be comfortable and safe in a bedside cot. With stars like 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
The Lullaby Trust, in conjunction with the NHS has issued official guidelines for safe sleeping which recommend that babies stay in the same bedroom as their parents for the first six months. However, they should not sleep in your bed. This is to lower the chance of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib allows you to keep your baby close to you to help calm them down and night feed them without leaving your bed. This is an excellent option if you are recovering from an operation or 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 down in a matter of seconds to fit into a travel bag making it ideal for travel and nights away from home. It's one the lightest options for a bedside cot and has a soft, comfortable foam mattress with mesh panels that let air flow. It also has an optional incline option. Additionally, it was awarded Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot Crib or Moses basket.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another excellent bedside crib. It was awarded Bronze at 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 bedside crib is a godsend for many mothers, particularly those who are recovering from C-sections. You can easily reach your baby without having to get out of the bed. This allows you to soothe and feed your infant during the night. They are also a great choice for breastfeeding mothers since the close proximity can help boost their milk supply.
In addition to being extremely useful, bassinets can look pretty elegant and that's why they're so popular. rocking bedside crib than Moses baskets and come in lots of different styles, some having additional features such as a gentle reflux incline setting. They're designed to fit 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.
When choosing a bedside cot, it's important to select a model with drop sides that are easy to use. This lets you lower your infant into the bassinet without lifting them up into your arms. This can be a challenge for mothers who have limited mobility. One such model is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been highly praised by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards' Best Cot Moses, Crib or Basket category.
Another handy feature that some models have is a transparent side that lets you observe your baby at all times. This is especially useful when you are tired and sleepy where just a glance can make all the difference. As was noted by Emily, our MFM home tester Sleepiest BassiNest is 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 larger crib. The crib is attached to your bed, so you can reach your baby easily to feed them at night or even comfort them without disturbing yourself. It's a great option for those with restricted movement following the C-section. Celeb mums like Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen it.
Our Parents Testers loved the new version of the well-loved Chicco crib, which was awarded the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot or Crib. It's large, breathable, and has 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 handy storage case.
A bedside cot can be a little difficult to move around the home, but our Parent Testers found the Shnuggle Air beside crib really simple to move. It is among the lighter options and can be packed into its own travel bag.
The SnuzPod bedside cot is another highly rated product that's easy to put together and fold away and comes with a variety of features to ensure a restful night's sleep. It comes with a removable, lift-off bassinet which fits more beds than other cots. The fabric is breathable and can help regulate your baby's temperature. It has a gentle rocking feature and an incline for reflux. It's also light enough to be used as a travel crib when you're out and about. It's a bit more expensive than other cots for bed but our Parent Testers affirm that it's worth the extra money.