How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk
Both the NHS and the Lullaby Trust have issued official safe sleeping guidelines, which suggest that infants sleep in their own Moses basket or cot. A bedside crib is practical and space-saving 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's also larger than a Moses Basket. It's also easy 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 be close to you during the early months. These cribs fix to your bed and allow you to raise your baby towards you to feed them at night or for comforting without the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome associated with traditional bed-sharing. They're also a great option for breastfeeding mothers or mums recovering from a caesarean.
They're often slightly smaller than a standard cot or cotbed, but they provide ample space for your baby to sleep. You can pick from various styles and features depending on your preferences. Many cribs with a bedside feature a removable or drop-down side to make it easier to reach your baby during feeding time at night. They also come in various heights based on your bed size.
Some cribs for bedside use an adjustable riser that allows you to build an incline in the sleeping area. This can help with reflux. They also come with an open side for easy cleaning. Some cribs come with manual rocking options that can provide a relaxing distractor for your infant. You'll need a mattress that is comfortable to be used with your crib. It must be at least 30cm in depth to allow your baby plenty of headroom.
You can be confident that your baby will be safe and comfortable in a cot that is positioned at the bedside. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid are all big fans of SNOO's bedside crib. It is definitely worth a look as an alternative to the Moses basket.
Safety
Official guidelines for safe sleep 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 reduce the chance of sudden infant death syndrome. My Web Page that is placed near your bed is a fantastic option that lets your baby safely be close enough for you to feed them during the night and comfort them back to sleep without needing to leave your own bed. It's also great if you have limited mobility after 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 bedside crib for travel is compact and folds down in a matter of seconds to fit into its own bag for travel, which makes it perfect for trips to the beach and nights away from home. It's among the lightest options for a bedside cot. It features a comfortable deep foam mattress with mesh panels that let air flow. It also has an optional incline option. Additionally, it was awarded Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Moses basket or Cot Crib.
Another fab bedside cot option is the Chicco Next2me Magic bedside crib that won Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It comes with a built-in changing mat and storage solutions, is lightweight at 10kg, and has an adjustable side that can be lowered down to make it easy to access.
Style
A bedside crib is a blessing for many moms, particularly those recovering from C-sections. You can easily reach your baby without getting out of your bed. This lets you comfort and feed your infant during the night. The close proximity to the baby can also increase the amount of milk produced by mothers who are breastfeeding.
Alongside being incredibly convenient, these bassinets can look pretty stylish too which is the reason they're so sought-after. Some are bigger than Moses Baskets and some even have additional features such as a gentle reflux incline. They are designed to fit close to your bed and can be moved around the home as baby grows. Some are portable, which means they're great for travelling parents.
It is essential to select a bedside cot that has easy-to-use drop-sides. This lets you lower your child into the bassinet, without lifting them up into your arms. This can be difficult for mothers with limited mobility. One of them is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been applauded by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted in our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards' Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category.
Another useful feature that a few models have is a transparent side that lets you see your baby at all times. This is especially useful during bleary-eyed 3am feeds where just a glance can make all the difference. As mentioned by Emily our MFM home tester Sleepiest BassiNest is a great option. It is easy to lower.
Budget
If you're not ready to make the transition to a larger cot, a bedside crib may be an ideal solution. The crib is attached to your bed, ensuring that 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 who have limited movement after a C-section. Celebrity moms like Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen it.
Our Parents Testers loved the new model of this popular crib from Chicco, which won the 2021 Mother&Baby Award for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It's afclimatizing and spacious and has six height settings to accommodate babies who are growing, plus a gentle reflux incline setting. It can also be used as a travel cot, and it comes with an excellent storage bag.
A bedside cot can be difficult to move around your home However, our Parents Testers found the Shnuggle Air on the side of the crib simple to move. It is among the lighter options and can be packed into its own travel bag.
The SnuzPod bedside cot is another highly rated product that's simple to put together and fold away with plenty of features for the perfect night's rest. It has a bassinet with a lift-off that can fit more beds than any other cot, and its breathable fabric can help your baby to regulate their temperature. It also has a gentle rocking function, as well as an incline option for reflux, and is lightweight enough to use as a travel cot while you're on the move. It's more expensive than other bedside cribs, but Parent Testers agree that it's worth the extra cost.