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 bedside crib can be a space-saving and practical option for parents who live in a room together.

Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper because it's large and spacious, with plenty of room for babies to grow and wriggle and far more substantial than a Moses basket. It's also easy to assemble and comes with a travel bag.

What is a bedside crib with changing table crib?

Bedside cribs (also known as side sleepers, bassinets or co-sleepers) are an effective and safe method for your baby to be close to you during the early months. These cribs attach to your bed and let you bring your baby closer to you at night for feeding or comforting without the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome as a result of traditional bed sharing. They're also a great option for mothers who are breastfeeding or recovering from a caesarean section.

These cots are often smaller than a standard cot but they provide plenty of space for your baby to sleep. You can pick from a variety of designs and features according to what you prefer. A majority of cribs for bedside use the option of a drop-down or removable side that allows you to reach your baby's feeding at night. They are available in a variety of heights to suit the size of your bed.

Some bedside cribs come with an adjustable riser that allows you to add a slight rise to the sleep area that could help with reflux. It also has an easy zip-off side for cleaning. Other cribs have manual rocking functions which can be a relaxing distraction for your newborn. You'll also need a breathable mattress for your new crib. It should be a minimum of 30cm deep to ensure your baby has enough head space.

A bedside sleeper cot crib is a major investment, but you can be sure your newborn will get a comfortable and safe sleep. 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 a moses basket.

Safety

Official guidelines for safe sleep from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that babies born today should sleep in the same room as you for their first six months but not in your bed, to decrease the chance of suffocation and to lower the chance of sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib lets you keep your baby close to calm them down and feed them at night without having to leave your bed. It's also a great option when you are unable to move 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 choice for a crib to sleep in. It's small and folds flat to fit into its travel bag which makes it ideal for trips away on holidays or from home. It's one of the lightest bedside cots available and comes with a an extremely comfortable mattress, air-flow panels, and an tilting setting, and it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket.

Chicco Next2me Magic is another fantastic bedside crib. It was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It comes with an integrated storage unit and changing mat, is lightweight (only 10kg) and comes with an adjustable side that makes it easy to access.

Style

For a lot of moms, especially those recovering from C-sections, a bedside crib can prove to an absolute blessing. They can be attached to your bed so you can reach your baby easily without having to get out of bed, allowing you to night feed them and comfort them quickly. Being close to the baby can also increase milk production for mothers who breastfeed.

In addition to being extremely practical, these bassinets are attractive too, which is why they're so popular. They are larger than Moses Baskets and some even have additional features, like a gentle and incline. They are designed to fit next to your bed and can be moved around the home as baby grows. Some are portable so they're ideal for parents who travel.

When choosing a bedside cot It is essential to select a model that have easy-to-use drop sides. They allow you to lower your baby into the bassinet without lifting them into your arms, which is difficult for mums with limited mobility. One of them 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 useful feature that a few models come with is a translucent side that lets you see your baby at all times. This is especially useful in the case of 3am feeds that are bleary-eyed, when a quick glance can make all the difference. One of these options is the Sleepiest BassiNest which is easy to lower, as outlined by our MFM home tester Emily.

Budget

A bedside crib is a fantastic alternative if you're not ready to move to a larger crib. The crib is attached to your bed, ensuring that you can reach your baby easily to feed them at night or even comfort them without disturbing yourself. It's an excellent choice for those with restricted movement after a C-section. Celebrity moms such as Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen this model.

Our Parents Testers loved the new version of this bestselling crib from Chicco which was awarded the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It is spacious comfortable, breathable, and comes with six different height settings for growing babies. There is also a soft reflux setting. It can also be used as a travel cot, and it comes with a handy storage bag.

It can be difficult to move a bedside cot around the house however our Parents Testers reported that the Shnuggle Air alongside the cot was easy to move. It is one of the lighter options that can be put in its own travel bag.

The SnuzPod bedside cot is a highly rated item that's easy to fold and assemble, 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 has a gentle rocking feature as well as an incline to help with reflux. It is also lightweight enough to be used as a crib for travel when you're on the move. It's more expensive than other cribs for bed, but Parent Testers agree that it's worth the extra expense.