20 Myths About Best Bedside Cot Uk: Dispelled

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 crib or Moses basket. A crib for bed is an effective and space-saving solution for parents who live together.

Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper as it's big enough with plenty of space for babies to grow and play, and far more substantial than a Moses basket. It's also easy to put together and comes with a travel bag.

What is a bedside crib?

Bedside cribs (also known as side sleepers, bassinets or co-sleepers) are an effective and safe method for your baby to sleep with you during the 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 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 standard cots but they provide plenty of room for your baby to sleep. You can choose from a wide range of designs and features according to what your preference is. A lot of cribs for bedside use the option of removing or dropping down the side that makes it easier to reach your baby during the night to feed them. They also come in different heights depending on the size of your bed.

Some cribs for bedside cot crib use an adjustable riser that allows you to add a slight incline to the sleep space which can help with reflux and an easy zip-off side for cleaning. Some cribs have manual rocking options which can provide a soothing distraction to your newborn. You'll also require a comfortable mattress for 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 an investment but you can be sure your baby will have a secure and comfortable sleep. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams, and Gigi Hadid are all big fans of SNOO's crib for babies. It is definitely worth considering as an alternative to a Moses basket.

Safety

Official safe sleeping guidelines from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that babies born today should be in the same room as you during the 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 crib that is placed near your bed is a fantastic option that lets your baby remain close enough to you to night feed them and soothe them back to sleep without having to leave your own bed. It's also a great option if you are recovering from an operation or C-section and have limited mobility.

Our top pick for a bedside crib, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 travel cot bedside crib is compact and folds flat in a matter of seconds to fit into a travel bag so it's perfect for holidays and nights away from home. It's among the lightest bedside cots and has an extremely comfortable mattress, air-flow panels, an optional tilt setting, and it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket.

Chicco Next2me Magic is another fantastic bedside cot co sleeper crib. It was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has an integrated storage unit and changing mat, is light (only 10kg) and features an adjustable side that allows for easy access.

Style

For a lot of moms, especially those who are recovering from C-sections, a bedside crib could prove to be an absolute godsend. You can easily reach your baby without getting out of bed. This lets you provide comfort and food to your infant during the night. They're an excellent choice for breastfeeding mothers since their close proximity will help boost their milk supply.

As well as being incredibly useful, bassinets can look pretty elegant, which is why they're so sought-after. Some are more spacious than Moses Baskets and some come with additional features like a gentle reflux incline. The baskets are designed to fit under your bed, they can be moved around your home when the baby grows older. Additionally, some are able to be taken on the go too making them perfect for new parents travelling.

When choosing a bedside cot it is important to select a model that have drop sides that are simple to use. These allow you to lower your baby's bassinet without lifting them into your arms, which is difficult for moms with mobility issues. One of these models 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.

Some models also come with a transparent side, allowing you to always see your baby. This is especially helpful during bleary-eyed 3am feeds when one glance could 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 option if you're not yet ready to upgrade to a full-sized crib. This bassinet-style cot attaches to the bed's side so that you can easily reach your baby for feedings at night and soothe them without disrupting your sleep. It's a great choice for those who have limited movement after the C-section. Celebrity moms such as Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen this model.

Our Parents Testers loved the new version of the well-loved Chicco crib, which was awarded the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot or Crib. It's spacious and breathable and has six height settings to accommodate growing babies, plus a gentle reflux setting for the incline. It can be used as a crib for travel and comes with a convenient storage case.

A bedside cots uk cot can be a little tricky to move around the home However, our Parent Testers found the Shnuggle Air on the side of the crib easy to maneuver. It is among the lighter options and can be put in its own travel bag.

The SnuzPod is another highly rated large bedside cot cot that's simple to put together and fold away, with plenty of features for an enjoyable night's sleep. It has a removable lift-off bassinet which fits more beds than other cots. The fabric is breathable, and helps keep your baby's temperature in check. It also features a soft rocking function and an incline setting for reflux, and is light enough to be used as a travel cot if you're out and about. It's a bit more expensive than other cots for bed however our Parent Testers say it's well worth the extra money.