20 Myths About Best Bedside Cot Uk: Busted

How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk

Official safe sleeping guidance 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 room-sharing new parents.

Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper because it's large and spacious, with plenty of space for babies to grow and play and is more spacious than the size of a Moses basket. It's also easy to assemble and comes with a bag for travel.

What is a bedside crib?

Bedside cribs (also known as bassinets, side sleepers, or co-sleepers) are a safe and convenient way for your baby to sleep with you during the early months. These cribs can be attached to your bed and allow you to pull your child towards you to feed them at night or even comfort them. They're also a great option for mothers who are breastfeeding or recovering from a caesarean.

They're usually a little smaller than a regular cot or cotbed, yet offer plenty of space for your baby to sleep. You can choose between different styles and features depending on your preferences. A majority of cribs for bedside use an adjustable or drop down side that allows you to reach your baby for feeding at night. They are also available in various heights to accommodate the size of your bed.

Some cribs with a bedside have an adjustable riser that allows you to add a slight rise to the sleeping space that can help with reflux and a zip-off side for easy cleaning. Some cribs feature manual rocking features which can provide a soothing distraction for your baby. You'll also need a breathable mattress to match your new crib, which should be a minimum of 30cm deep to ensure your newborn has sufficient head room.

A bedside crib is a major 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 definitely worth considering this stylish alternative to a moses basket.

Safety

Official safe sleeping guidance from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that newborns be in the same room as you for the first six months but not in your bed, to decrease the chance of suffocation and to lower the chance of sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib is a fantastic option that lets your baby comfortably be near enough for you to feed them at night and comfort them back to sleep without needing to leave your bed.  bedside crib or cot 's also a great option for those who have a limited mobility after an operation or recovering from 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 flat in a matter of seconds to fit into its own travel bag making it ideal for travel and nights away from home. It's among the lightest bedside cots available and comes with a an extremely comfortable mattress with mesh air-flow panels, and an tilt setting, and it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket.

Another fab bedside cot option is the Chicco Next2me Magic bedside crib that was awarded Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It comes with a built-in storage solution and changing mat, is lightweight (only 10kg) and features an adjustable side for easy access.

Style

A bedside crib can be a lifesaver for many mothers, particularly those recovering from C-sections. You can easily reach your baby without getting out of bed. This lets you comfort and feed your baby at night. They are an excellent choice for mothers who are breastfeeding as their close proximity will help increase their milk supply.

In addition to being extremely practical, these bassinets can also look stylish too which is the reason they're so sought-after. They're usually more spacious than Moses baskets and come in a variety of different styles, with some having additional features such as a gentle tilt to the reflux. They are designed to fit right next to your bed and can be moved around the home as baby grows. Some are portable, so they're great for parents who travel.

It is essential to select an cot with bedside that is easy to use drop-sides. These allow you to lower your baby into the bassinet without having to lift them into your arms, which is difficult for mothers with limited mobility. One of these models is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been praised by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot Moses, Crib or Basket category.

Another great feature that certain models come with is a transparent side that lets you observe your baby at all times. This is especially useful when you're exhausted at 3am and have to feed your baby. A quick glance could make a huge difference. One of these options is the Sleepiest BassiNest that is simple to lower, as noted by our MFM home tester Emily.

Budget

If you're still not ready to move to a larger cot, an infant crib on your bed could be a great option. The cot is attached to the side of your bed so you can easily reach your baby for evening feeds and also comfort them without disturbing your sleep. It's also a great choice for those with limited movement after an operation and is a favorite option for celeb moms like Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.

Our Parent Testers loved the new version of this bestselling crib from Chicco, which won the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It's afclimatizing and spacious and comes with six height settings to accommodate growing babies plus a gentle reflux setting for the incline. You can also use it as a travel cot, and it comes with a handy storage bag.

It can be a challenge to move a bedside cot around the home however our Parents Testers stated that the Shnuggle Air beside cot was very easy to maneuver. It's among the lightest alternatives and is small enough to fit in its own travel bag, so you can take it with you on your travels.

The SnuzPod bedside cot is another highly rated product that's simple to put together and fold away with plenty of features for a restful night's sleep. It has a removable adjustable bassinet that lifts off, which can fit more beds than other cots. The fabric is breathable, and helps keep your baby's temperature in check. It features a soft rocking feature and an incline for reflux. It's also light enough to be used as a travel crib when you're on the move. It's more expensive than other bedside cots however our Parents Testers believe it's worth the extra cost.