How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk
Both the NHS and Lullaby Trust have issued official safe sleeping guidelines, which recommend that newborns sleep only in their own Moses basket or cot. A crib for bed is an efficient and space-saving choice for room-sharing new parents.
Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper as it's large and spacious, with plenty of room for baby to grow and wriggle and more spacious than the size of a Moses basket. It's also easy to put together and comes with a carry-on 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 with you during their first few months. These cribs fix to your bed and allow you to lift your baby out towards you for night feeding or comforting without the danger of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome associated with traditional bed-sharing. They're also a great option for mothers who are breastfeeding or recovering from a Caesarean section.
These cots are typically a little smaller than standard cots but they provide plenty of space for your baby to relax. You can pick from a wide range of designs and features according to what you like best. A lot of cribs with a bedside feature the option of a drop-down or removable side, which makes it easier to reach your baby for evening feeds. They are available in a variety of heights to suit the size of your bed.
Some cribs with a bedside have a riser that allows you to add a slight rise to the sleep area that can aid in reflux and an easy zip-off side for cleaning. Others have manual rocking functions that can provide a relaxing distraction for your infant. You'll also require a comfortable mattress to go with your new crib, which should be a minimum of 30cm in depth to ensure that your newborn has sufficient head room.
A bedside crib is a major investment, but you can be certain that your baby will be secure and comfortable sleep. 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 a moses basket.
Safety
Official guidelines for safe sleep from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that babies born today should be placed in the same bed as you for the first six months but not in your bed, to decrease 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 remain close enough to you to night feed them and help them return to sleep without having to leave your own bed. It's also a great option if you are recovering from an operation or a C-section, and have limited mobility.
Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3 in 1 travel cot bedside Crib is our top choice for a bedside crib. It's small and folds flat to fit into its transport bag which makes it ideal for holidays or nights away from home. It's one of the lightest bedside cots and has a comfy deep foam mattress, air-flow panels, an optional tilt setting, and it was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the Best Crib, Cot, or Moses Basket.
Another great bedside cot is the Chicco Next2me Magic bedside crib that won Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has a built-in changing mat and storage solution and weighs only 10kg. It is light at 10kg, and comes with an adjustable side that can be lowered down to make it easy to access.
Style
For a lot of moms, especially those recovering from a C-section A crib for bedside can be an absolute godsend. You can easily reach your baby without getting out of bed. This lets you soothe and feed your baby at night. They are also a great option for mothers who are breastfeeding as close proximity can boost their milk supply.
Bassinets aren't just convenient but also fashionable. This is why they're so sought-after. Some are bigger than Moses Baskets and some come with additional features such as a gentle reflux and incline. They're designed to sit next to your bed and can be moved around the house as your baby grows. Some are portable, so they're ideal for parents who travel.
When selecting a cot for your bedside It is essential to look for designs that have drop sides that are simple 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. 4-in-1 bedside crib is one such model that has been praised and shortlisted by Mumsnetters in the category of the best Cot or Crib or Moses Basket for our 2021 Mother and Baby Awards.
Some models also come with a transparent side, allowing you to always see your baby. This is particularly useful in the case of 3am feeds that are bleary-eyed, when just a glance can make all the difference. One of these options is the Sleepiest BassiNest that is easy to lower, as was noted by our MFM home tester Emily.
Budget

If you're not ready to make the leap to a larger cot a bedside crib may be a great option. This bassinet-style cot attaches to the side of your bed to allow you to easily reach your baby for evening feeds and also comfort them without disturbing your own sleep. It's also a great choice for those who suffer from restricted movement following a C-section and is a favorite choice with celeb mums including Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.
Our Parent Testers loved this new version of the popular Chicco crib, which took home the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot or Crib. bedside crib or cot and breathable and comes with six height options to accommodate growing babies and a gentle reflux setting for incline. It can be used as a crib for travel and comes with a storage case that is convenient for storage.
A bedside crib can be tricky to move around the home However, our Parents Testers found the Shnuggle Air near the crib to be simple to move. It's one of the smallest options and is small enough to fit into its own bag for travel, so you can take it with you when you travel.
The SnuzPod bedside cot is another highly rated product that's simple to fold and assemble with plenty of features for the perfect night's rest. It comes with a removable, lift-off bassinet that fits more beds than other cots. The fabric is breathable and can help regulate your baby's temperature. It features a soft rocking feature as well as an incline for reflux. It is also lightweight enough to use as a crib for travel while you're traveling. It's a little more expensive than other bedside cots but our Parents Testers affirm that it's worth the extra cash.