Best Bedside Cot Uk: The Good The Bad And The Ugly

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 bedside crib is a practical and space-saving option for parents who share a room.

Mumsnetters love the co-sleeper as it's big and has plenty of space for babies to grow and wiggle. It's also larger than the Moses Basket. It's also simple to put together, and comes with a bag for carrying.

What is a bedside crib?

Bedside cots (also known as bassinets, side sleepers or co-sleepers) are an ideal and safe way for your baby to sleep near you in the first few months. These cribs are attached to your bed, allowing you to lift your child towards you for night-feeding or comforting. These cribs are also great for mums who are nursing or recovering from a cesarean.

They're typically smaller than a regular cot or cotbed, but they provide ample space for your baby to sleep. You can pick from different styles and features depending on your preferences. Many bedside cribs come with a removable or drop-down side, which makes it easier to reach your baby during feeding time at night. They are also available in various heights based on the size of your bed.

Some cribs with a 4-in-1 bedside crib have an adjustable riser that allows you to add an incline to the sleep area. This can aid in reducing reflux. They also have the option of a zip-off side for easy cleaning. Other cribs have manual rocking functions 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 in depth to give your baby enough headroom.

A bedside crib is a major investment, but you can be sure your newborn will get a peaceful and safe night's sleep. With the likes of Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all awed by the SNOO bedside crib, it's definitely worth looking into this elegant alternative to moses basket.

Safety

Official guidelines for safe sleep from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that newborn babies should be in the same room as you for their first six months, but not in your bed, to decrease the risk of suffocation and to reduce the chance of sudden infant death syndrome. A crib for bed lets you keep your infant close to you so that you can comfort them and feed them at night without having to leave your bed. It's also great if you have limited mobility following an operation or recovering from an operation such as a C-section.

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 its own travel bag which makes it perfect for trips to the beach and nights away from home. It's one of the tiniest bedside cot options and has an extremely comfortable mattress that has mesh air-flow panels, an optional tilt setting, and it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the best Crib, Cot or Moses Basket.

Chicco Next2me Magic is another excellent bedside crib. It won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&baby bedside co sleeper Awards. It comes with a built-in changing mat and storage solutions and weighs only 10kg. It is light at 10kg, and features an adjustable side that can be lowered down for easy access.

Style

A crib for your bed is a blessing for many mothers, particularly those recovering from C-sections. You can easily reach your baby without getting out of the bed. This allows you to comfort and feed your infant at night. Being close to the baby can also increase milk production for mothers who breastfeed.

Alongside being incredibly practical, these bassinets can also look stylish too and that's why they're so popular. They are larger than Moses Baskets and some come with additional features like a gentle reflux upward slope. The baskets are designed to fit under your bed, they can usually be moved around your home when baby gets older and some are able to be taken on the go too which makes them ideal for new parents travelling.

It is essential to select a bedside cot that has easy-to-use drop-sides. This allows you to lower your child into the bassinet, without lifting them up into your arms. This can be a hassle for mothers who have 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.

Some models also have a translucent side, allowing you to be able to always view your baby. This is especially useful when you are groggy at 3am and have to feed your baby. A quick glance can make a big difference. One of these options is the Sleepiest BassiNest, which is easy to lower as noted by our MFM home tester Emily.

Budget

A bedside crib is an excellent alternative if you're not yet ready to upgrade to a bigger crib. This bassinet-style crib attaches to your bed, ensuring that you can easily reach your baby for feedings at night or cuddle them without disturbing yourself. It's also a great choice for those with restricted movement after an operation and is a favorite option with famous mothers like Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.

Our Parent 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, breathable, and has six different height settings for babies who are growing. There is also a soft reflux setting. It can be used as a travel crib and comes with a convenient storage case.

It can be difficult to move an upholstered bedside cot throughout the home however our Parent Testers stated that the Shnuggle Air alongside the cot for bedside was easy to move. It's among the lightest options and small enough to fit into its own travel bag, which means you can take it with you on your travels.

The SnuzPod is a different highly rated bedside cot that is easy to put together and fold away and packed with features that will ensure your child gets the best night's rest. It comes with a removable, lift-off bassinet that fits more beds than other cots. The fabric is breathable, and helps keep your baby's temperature in check. It has a gentle rocking feature as well as an incline to aid in reflux. It's also light enough to use as a crib for travel while you're out and about. It's a bit more expensive than other bedside cots but our Parent Testers affirm that it's worth the extra cost.