How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk
Official guidelines for safe sleep from both NHS and Lullaby Trust recommends that newborns sleep in their own cot or Moses basket. A crib for bed is a practical and space-saving option for room-sharing new parents.
foldable bedside crib adore the co-sleeper because it's big and has plenty of room for baby's to grow and wriggle. It's also larger than a Moses Basket. It's also easy to assemble and comes with a travel bag.
What is a bedside crib?
Bedside cribs (also called side sleepers, bassinets or co-sleepers) are an effective and safe method for your baby to be close to you in the first few months. These cribs are attached to your bed, allowing you to lift your child towards you to feed them at night or even comfort them. They're also a great choice for mothers who are breastfeeding or recovering from a caesarean section.
They're usually a little smaller than a standard cot or cotbed, yet provide plenty of space for your baby to sleep. You can choose from a variety of designs and features according to what you like best. A lot of cribs with a bedside feature an adjustable or drop down side that makes it easier to reach your baby's feeding at night. They are available in a variety of heights to accommodate the size of your bed.
Some cribs with a bedside have a riser which allows you to add an angle to the sleep area. This can be helpful with reflux. They also come with the option of a zip-off side for easy cleaning. Some have manual rocking features which can be a soothing distraction for your infant. You'll require a mattress that's breathable to go with your crib. It must be at least 30cm deep to allow your baby plenty of headroom.
A bedside crib is an investment but you can be sure your newborn will get a secure and comfortable sleep. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid are all big fans of SNOO's bedside crib. It is definitely worth considering as an alternative to the Moses basket.
Safety
The Lullaby Trust, in conjunction with the NHS has released official safe sleeping guidelines that advise that babies sleep in the same bedroom as their parents for the first six months. However they shouldn't sleep in your bed. This is to decrease the risk of suffocation, or sudden infant death syndrome. A crib that is placed near your bed is an excellent option that allows your baby to safely be close enough for you to feed them at night and comfort them back to sleep without having to get out of your bed. This is also a great option for when 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 bedside crib that travels cots is compact and folds flat in a matter of seconds to fit into a travel bag which makes it perfect for trips to the beach and nights away from home. It's one of the lightest bedside cot options and has an extremely comfortable mattress with mesh air-flow panels, an optional incline setting, plus 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 storage solution and changing mat, is light (only 10kg) and features an adjustable side that makes it easy to access.
Style
For a lot of moms, especially those who have had C-sections, a bedside crib could prove to be an absolute godsend. They attach to your bed so you can reach your baby easily without needing to get up and letting you feed them and soothe them quickly. Being close to the baby can also help increase the production of milk for mothers who breastfeed.
These bassinets are not only functional, but also fashionable. This is the reason they're so popular. They're often a bit larger than Moses baskets and come in lots of different styles, with some having additional features like a gentle tilting of the reflux. They are designed to fit close to your bed and can be moved around the house as your baby grows. Some are portable so they're great 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 infant into the bassinet without having to lift them up into your arms. This can be a hassle for mothers with limited mobility. One of them is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been praised by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards' Best Cot Crib, Moses or Crib Basket category.
Another useful feature that a few models have is a transparent side that lets you observe your baby at all times. This is especially useful during bleary-eyed 3am feeds where one glance could make all the difference. As noted by Emily, our MFM home test participant, the Sleepiest BassiNest is an excellent choice. It's easy to lower.
Budget
A bedside crib is a fantastic option if you're not ready to move to a full-sized crib. The crib is attached to your bed so 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 the C-section. Celebrity moms such as Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen this model.
Our Parent Testers loved this latest version of the well-loved Chicco crib, which won 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot or Crib. It's spacious and breathable and comes with six height options to accommodate growing babies, as well as a gentle setting for the incline. It can be used as a crib for travel and comes with a convenient storage case.
A bedside crib can be difficult to move around your home however our Parent Testers found the Shnuggle Air beside crib really simple to move. It's one of the lightest options and can be tucked away 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 many features for an unwinding night's sleep. It has a removable lift-off bassinet that fits more beds than any other cot, and its breathable fabric helps your baby regulate their temperature. It has a gentle rocking feature, as well as an incline to aid in reflux. It is also lightweight enough to use as a travel crib when you are on the move. It's a bit more expensive than other cribs for bed, but Parent Testers are of the opinion that it is worth the extra cost.