How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk
Both the NHS and the Lullaby Trust have issued official safe sleeping guidelines which advise that babies sleep in their own Moses basket or cot. A crib that is placed near the bed can be a space-saving and practical option for parents who share a room.
Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper as it's spacious with lots of room for baby to grow and wriggle and more spacious than the typical Moses basket. It's also easy to assemble and comes with a carry-on bag.
What is a bedside cot?
Bedside cots (also called bassinets, side sleepers, or co-sleepers) are an ideal and safe way for your baby to sleep near you during their early months. These cribs are attached to your bed and allow you to raise your baby towards you at night for feeding or comforting without the threat of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome that is a result of traditional bed-sharing. These cribs are also ideal for mums who are breastfeeding or recovering from a Cesarean Section.
They are usually a little smaller than a standard cot, but still offer plenty of space for your baby to relax. You can choose from a wide range of styles and features, depending on what you prefer. Many bedside cribs have the option of a drop-down or removable side that allows you to reach your baby for night feeds and are also available in different heights to suit the size of your bed.
Some bedside cribs come with an riser that permits you to add a slight incline to the sleep area that can help with reflux and a zip-off side for easy cleaning. Some cribs have manual rocking features that can provide a relaxing distraction for your baby. 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.
You can rest assured that your child will be comfortable and safe in a bedside cot. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid are all avid users of SNOO's bedside crib. It is definitely worth considering as an alternative to the Moses basket.
Safety
Official safe sleeping guidelines from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that babies born today should sleep in the same room as you during the first six months, but not in your bed to lower the risk of suffocation, and to reduce the chance of sudden infant death syndrome. A crib that is placed near your bed is a great option that allows your baby to remain close enough to you to feed them during the night and soothe them back to sleep without having to leave your own bed. It's also a great option when you are unable to move following an operation or recovering from C-section.
Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3 in 1 bedside cot travel cot is our top choice for a crib that can be used as a bedside. It's compact and folds flat to fit in its travel bag, making it perfect for holidays or nights away from home. It's among the lightest options for a bedside cot and comes with a comfy deep foam mattress with mesh panels which allow air to flow. It also has an incline option that can be added. It also won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot Crib or Moses basket.
Another fab bedside cot option is the Chicco Next2me Magic bedside crib that won Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It features a built-in change mat and storage solutions and weighs only 10kg. It is light at 10kg, and comes with an adjustable side that slides down to make it easy to access.
Style
For many mums, particularly those who are recovering from C-sections A crib that is placed near the bed can be an absolute godsend. They can be attached to your bed so you can easily reach your baby without having to get out of bed, allowing you to night feed them and soothe them quickly. They are also a great option for breastfeeding mothers as the close proximity can help boost their milk supply.
In addition to being extremely convenient, these bassinets are elegant, which is why they're so popular. They're usually more spacious than Moses baskets and come in a variety of different styles, with some featuring extra features, like a soft tilting of the reflux. They are designed to fit close to your bed and can be moved around the home as baby grows. Some are portable, so they're great for parents who travel.
When you are choosing a bedside cot It is essential to select a model that have drop sides that are simple to use. They allow you to lower your baby into the bassinet without lifting them into your arms, which is difficult for moms 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 or Moses Basket category.
Some models also come with a transparent side, which allows you to see your baby. This is particularly useful when you are groggy at 3am and you need to feed your baby. A quick glance can make a big difference. As mentioned by Emily our MFM home test participant, the Sleepiest BassiNest is an excellent choice. It is simple to lower.
Budget
If you're not ready to move to a larger cot, a bedside crib may be a great option. The bassinet-style crib can be attached to your bed, so you can easily reach your baby for night feeds or comfort them without causing any disturbance to yourself. It's an excellent choice for those with restricted movement after the C-section. Famous moms like Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen it.
Our Parent Testers loved this new version of the popular Chicco crib, which was awarded the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot or Crib. It's spacious comfortable, breathable, and comes with six different height settings suitable for growing babies. There is also a soft reflux setting. my explanation can also be used as a crib for travel and comes with a convenient storage case.
A bedside cot can be difficult to move around the home however our Parents Testers found the Shnuggle Air on the side of the crib easy to move around. It's one of the smallest alternatives and is small enough to fit in its own travel bag, which means you can carry it with you when you travel.
The SnuzPod is another highly-rated bedside cot that is easy to set up and take down and packed with features that will ensure your child gets a good night's sleep. It comes with a bassinet with a lift-off that can fit more beds than any other cot and its breathable fabric helps your baby to regulate their temperature. It has a gentle rocking feature and an incline to help with reflux. It is also lightweight enough to use as a crib for travel when you're traveling. It's more expensive than other cribs for bed, but Parent Testers are of the opinion that it is worth the extra expense.