How to Choose cot for bedside Cot uk
Both the NHS and 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 is an efficient and space-saving choice for parents who share a room.
Mumsnetters adore the co-sleeper because it’s big and has plenty of space for babies to grow and wiggle. It is also much larger than the Moses Basket. It’s also easy to assemble, and comes with a bag for carrying.
What is a bedside cot?
Bedside cribs (also known as bassinets, side sleepers, or co-sleepers) are an ideal and safe way for your baby to be close to you in the early months. These cribs fix to your bed and allow you to bring your baby closer to you for night 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.
They are usually a little smaller than a standard cot, but still offer plenty of room for your baby to rest. You can pick from various designs and features based on your preferences. A lot of cribs for bedside use an adjustable or drop-down side that makes it easier to reach the baby at night for feedings. They also come in different heights, based on the size of your bed.
Some bedside cribs come with an riser that permits you to add a slight slope to the sleeping space that could help with reflux. It also has the ability to zip off the sides for easy cleaning. Some have manual rocking features that can provide a relaxing distraction for your infant. You’ll also require a breathable mattress to match your new crib. It should be a minimum of 30cm deep to ensure that your baby has enough head space.
A bedside crib is an investment but you can be certain that your baby will be comfortable and safe sleep. With the likes of Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all being fans of the SNOO bedside crib, it’s worth considering this fashionable alternative to moses basket.
Safety
Official safe sleeping guidance from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that babies born today should be placed in the same bed as you during the first six months but not in your bed to lower the risk of suffocation and to decrease the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. A crib for bed allows you to keep your baby close to help calm them down and night feed them without leaving your bed. It’s also ideal when you are unable to move after an operation or are recovering from an operation such as a C-section.
Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3 in 1 bedside cot travel cot is our top pick for a bedside crib. It’s compact and folds flat to fit into its travel bag and is perfect for nights out on the town or away from home. It’s among the lightest bedside cot options and has an extremely comfortable mattress that has mesh air-flow panels and an tilting setting, and it was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the Best Crib, Cot or Moses Basket.
Another fantastic bedside cot is the Chicco Next2me Magic bedside crib which was awarded Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has a built-in changing mat and storage system It weighs just 10kg, and comes with an adjustable side that drops down to make it easy to access.
Style
A crib for your bed is a blessing for many moms, particularly those who are recovering from C-sections. You can easily reach your baby without getting out of bed. This allows you to provide comfort and food to your infant during the night. The close proximity to the baby can also increase the production of milk for mothers who are breastfeeding.
As well as being incredibly convenient, these bassinets can also look stylish too which is the reason they’re so sought-after. They’re often a bit bigger than Moses baskets and are available in many different styles, some having additional features like a gentle reflux incline setting. They’re designed to fit right next 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.
It is important to choose a cot for your bed that has easy-to-use drop-sides. This allows you to lower your child into the bassinet, without having to lift them up into your arms. This can be a hassle for mothers who have limited mobility. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one of the models that has been praised and shortlisted by Mumsnetters in the category of Best Cot or Crib, or Moses Basket for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.
Another great feature that certain models come with is a translucent side that lets you be able to see your baby at all times. This is especially helpful in the case of 3am feeds that are bleary-eyed where just a glance can make all the 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 quite ready to make the leap to a larger cot a bedside crib may be an ideal solution. The cot is attached to the bed’s side so that you can easily reach your baby’s feedings at night and soothe them without disturbing your sleep. It’s a great choice for those with restricted movement following an operation such as a C-section. Celebrity moms such as Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen this model.
Our Parent Testers loved the new model of this bestselling crib from Chicco which was awarded the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It’s large and breathable, and comes with six height settings to accommodate babies who are growing, and a gentle reflux setting for the incline. It can be used as a crib for travel and comes with a handy storage case.
A bedside crib can be difficult to move around the home, but our Parent Testers found the Shnuggle Air beside crib really easy to maneuver. It’s one of the smallest options and is compact enough to fit into its own travel bag which means you can carry it along with you on your trip.
The SnuzPod is another highly rated bedside cot that’s simple to put together and fold away, with plenty of features to ensure 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 maintain their temperature. It features a soft rocking feature and an incline to help with reflux. It’s also light enough to use as a travel crib while you’re out and about. It’s more expensive than other cots for bed but our Parent Testers believe it’s worth the extra cash.
