How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk

Official safety sleeping guidelines from both NHS and Lullaby Trust recommends that newborns sleep in their own crib or Moses basket. A bedside crib is an effective and space-saving solution for room-sharing new parents.

Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper because it's large and spacious, with plenty of space for babies to grow and wriggle and much bigger than a Moses basket. It is also easy to assemble, and comes with a carry bag.

What is a bedside cot?

A bedside cot (also known as a bassinet, side sleeper or co-sleeper) is a safe method for your baby to rest near you during their first months. These cribs fix to your bed and let you lift your baby out towards you to feed them at night or for comforting without the danger of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome as a result of traditional bed sharing. These cribs are also great for mothers who are breastfeeding or recovering from a cesarean section.

They're usually a little smaller than a regular cot or cotbed, yet they provide ample space for your baby to rest. You can choose from a wide range of styles and features, depending on what your preference is. A lot of cribs with a bedside rocking crib feature the option of a drop-down or removable side, which makes it easier to reach your baby's night feeds and are available in a variety of heights to accommodate the size of your bed.

Some bedside cribs have a riser which allows you to build an angle to the sleeping area. This can help with reflux. They also come with a zip off side for easy cleaning. Some cribs feature manual rocking options that can provide a relaxing distractor for your infant. You'll need a mattress that is air-conditioned to match your crib. It must be at least 30cm deep to give your baby enough headroom.

You can be sure that your child will be safe and comfortable in a cot that is positioned at the bedside. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams, and Gigi Hadid are all avid users of SNOO's bedside crib. It is definitely worth a look as an alternative to the Moses basket.

Safety

Official safe sleeping guidance from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that newborns be in the same room as you for their first six months, but not in your bed to reduce the risk of suffocation and to decrease the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib is an excellent option that allows your baby to comfortably be near enough for you to feed them during the night and soothe them back to sleep without having to get out of your bed. This is also a great option if you are recovering from an operation or C-section and are unable to move.

Our top choice for a bedside crib, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 travel cot bedside crib is compact and folds down in a matter of seconds and fits into a travel bag so it's perfect for holidays and nights away from home. It's among the lightest bedside cots available and comes with a an extremely comfortable mattress, air-flow panels and an tilt setting, and it was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the best Crib, cot for bedside, or Moses Basket.

Chicco Next2me Magic is another excellent bedside crib. It won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It comes with built-in storage and a changing mat, is lightweight (only 10kg) and comes with an adjustable side for easy access.

Style

For many mums, particularly those who are recovering from C-sections, a bedside cot bed crib can an absolute blessing. You can easily reach your baby without getting out of bed. This allows you to comfort and feed your infant at night. The close proximity to the baby can also increase the production of milk for mothers who are breastfeeding.

These bassinets are not only practical, but also stylish. This is the reason they're so sought-after. They are larger than Moses Baskets and some even have additional features, like a gentle incline. They are designed to be placed near your bed, they can usually be moved around the home as the baby grows older, and some are portable enough to take to the go making them perfect for new parents travelling.

It is essential to select an cot with bedside that has easy-to-use drop-sides. This allows you to lower your baby 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 in our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot Crib, Moses or Crib Basket category.

Some models also have a transparent side, allowing you to see your baby. This is particularly useful in the case of 3am feeds that are bleary-eyed where a quick glance can make all the difference. One such option is the Sleepiest BassiNest that is easy to lower as was noted by our MFM home tester Emily.

Budget

A bedside crib is a great option if you are not ready to upgrade to a full-sized crib. This bassinet-style cot attaches to the side of your bed to allow you to easily reach your baby for night feeds and comfort them without disrupting your sleep. It's also a great choice for those suffering from restricted movement following an operation, and is a popular choice with celeb mums including Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.

Our Parents Testers loved the new version of this well-loved crib from Chicco, which won the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. It is spacious and breathable, and comes with six different height settings suitable for growing babies. There is also a gentle reflux setting. It can also be used as a travel cot and it comes with an easy-to-store storage bag.

It can be difficult to move an upholstered bedside cot throughout the home however our Parent Testers stated that the Shnuggle Air next to the cot was easy to maneuver. It's one of the lightest options and can be put in its own travel bag.

The SnuzPod bedside cot is yet another highly rated product that's easy to put together and fold away with plenty of 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 can help regulate your baby's temperature. It features a soft rocking feature and an incline to aid in reflux. It is also lightweight enough to use as a travel crib when you are traveling. It's more expensive than other bedside cribs but Parents Testers believe it's worth the extra expense.