How To Beat Your Boss Best Bedside Cot Uk
How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk
Both the NHS and the Lullaby Trust have issued official safe sleeping guidelines that suggest that infants sleep in their own Moses basket or cot. A bedside crib is an effective and space-saving solution for room-sharing new parents.
Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper as it's big enough with plenty 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 travel bag.
What is a bedside cot?
A bedside cot (also called a bassinet, side-sleeper or co-sleeper) is a safe method for your baby to rest close to you overnight during their first months. These cribs are attached to your bed and let you lift your child to you to feed them at night or even comfort them. They're also a great choice for breastfeeding mothers or mums recovering from a caesarean.
They're typically smaller than a regular cot, but provide plenty of space for your baby to sleep. You can pick from a wide range of designs and features according to what you prefer. A lot of cribs for bedside use an adjustable or drop-down side, which makes it easier to reach your baby at night for feedings. They also come in different heights, based on the size of your bed.
Some cribs for bedside use an adjustable riser that allows you to add a slight incline to the sleep space which can aid in reflux and the ability to zip off the sides for easy cleaning. Some cribs feature manual rocking features that can be a soothing distraction to your newborn. You'll also require a breathable mattress for 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 comfortable and safe in a bedside cot. With stars like Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all awed by the SNOO bedside crib, it's definitely worth looking into this elegant alternative to moses basket.
Safety
Official guidelines for safe sleep 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 reduce the risk of suffocation and to reduce the chance of sudden infant death syndrome. A crib for bed allows you to keep your infant close to you so that you can comfort them and night feed them without having to leave your bed. It's also great for those who have a limited mobility after an operation or recovering from an operation such as a C-section.
Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3 in 1 travel cot bedside Crib is our top pick for a crib to sleep in. It's small and folds flat to fit into a bag for travel and is perfect for holidays or nights away from home. It's one of the tiniest bedside cots and has an extremely comfortable mattress that has mesh air-flow panels, an optional incline setting, plus it was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket.
Another fab bedside cot option is the Chicco Next2me Magic bedside crib that was awarded Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has a built-in storage solution and changing mat, is light (only 10kg), and has an adjustable side that allows for easy access.
rocking bedside crib
For many mothers, particularly those who are recovering from C-sections, a bedside crib could prove to be a blessing in disguise. You can easily reach your baby without having to get out of your bed. This lets you soothe and feed your infant during the night. The close proximity to the baby can also help increase the production of milk for mothers who are breastfeeding.
These bassinets are not only practical, but also stylish. This is why they are so popular. They are larger than Moses Baskets and some come with additional features such as a gentle reflux upward slope. Designed to fit by your bed, they can be moved around the home when baby gets older and some are portable enough to take on the go too making them perfect for parents who are new to traveling.
When you are choosing a bedside cot It is essential to choose a model with drop sides that are easy to use. This lets you lower your baby into the bassinet without lifting them up into your arms. This can be a hassle for mothers who have limited mobility. One of these models is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been highly praised by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot, Crib or Moses 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 during bleary-eyed 3am feeds, when just a glance can make all the difference. One of these options is the Sleepiest BassiNest which is simple to lower, as was noted by our MFM home tester Emily.
Budget
A bedside crib is an excellent option if you're not ready to move to a full-sized crib. The crib is attached to your bed, so you can reach your baby easily for night feeds or comfort them without disturbing yourself. It's also a great choice for those with restricted movement after an operation and is a favorite option for celeb moms like Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.
Our Parent Testers loved the new version of this well-loved crib from Chicco that won the 2021 Mother&Baby Award for Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. It's large and breathable, and comes with six height options to accommodate growing babies as well as a gentle setting for incline. It can also be used as a travel cot and it comes with an easy-to-store storage bag.
A bedside cot can be difficult to move around the home However, our Parents Testers found the Shnuggle Air near the crib to be simple to move. It is one of the lighter options and can be tucked away in its own travel bag.
The SnuzPod bedside cot is a highly rated item that's easy to put together and fold away, with many features for an unwinding night's sleep. It comes with 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 features a soft rocking function, as well as an incline setting to help with reflux, and it's light enough to be used as a travel cot while you're on the move. It's a bit more expensive than other bedside cots, but our Parents Testers say it's well worth the extra money.