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 bedside crib is an efficient and space-saving choice for parents who share a room.
Mumsnetters love the co-sleeper because it's big and has plenty of space for babies to grow and wiggle. It's also bigger than the Moses Basket. It's also simple to put together and comes with a travel bag.
What is a bedside crib?
A bedside cot (also known as a bassinet, side-sleeper or co-sleeper) is a safe way for your baby to sleep near you during their first months. These cribs are attached to your bed and allow you to bring your baby closer to you for night feeding or comforting without the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome as a result of traditional bed sharing. They're also a great option for breastfeeding mothers or mums recovering from a caesarean section.
They are usually a little smaller than standard cots, but still offer plenty of space for your baby to relax. You can pick from a variety of designs and features according to what you prefer. A lot of cribs for bedside use an adjustable or drop-down side, which makes it easier to reach your baby at night for feedings. They also come in different heights, based on your bed size.
Some bedside cribs come with an adjustable riser that allows you to add a slight slope to the sleep space which could help with reflux. It also has a zip-off side for easy cleaning. Some have manual rocking features that can provide a relaxing distraction for your baby. You'll also require a comfortable mattress for your crib. It must be at least 30cm deep to ensure that your baby has enough head space.
A bedside crib is a major investment, but you can be certain that your baby will be peaceful and safe night's sleep. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams, and Gigi hadid are all fans of SNOO's crib for babies. It is definitely worth a look as an alternative to the Moses basket.
Safety
The Lullaby Trust, in conjunction with the NHS has released official guidelines for safe sleeping that advise that babies stay in the same bedroom as their parents for the first six months. However they shouldn't sleep in your bed. This is to decrease the risk of suffocation, or sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib allows you to keep your baby close so that you can comfort them and night feed them without having to leave your bed. This is also a great option if you are recovering from an operation or a C-section and have limited mobility.
Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3 in 1 travel cot bedside crib is our top choice for a crib to sleep in. It's compact and folds flat to fit into its travel bag, making it perfect for holidays or nights away from home. It's the lightest option for a bedside cot. It has a soft, comfortable foam mattress with mesh panels that allow air to flow. It also comes with an incline option that can be added. It also won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the 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 solution and weighs only 10kg. It is light at 10kg, and features an adjustable side that slides down for easy access.
Style
For a lot of moms, especially those who have had C-sections A crib for bedside could prove to be a blessing in disguise. You can easily reach your baby without having to get out of the bed. This lets you comfort and feed your infant during the night. They are an excellent choice for mothers who are breastfeeding as close proximity can boost their milk supply.
As well as being incredibly practical, these bassinets are attractive too, which is why they're so sought-after. They're typically bigger than Moses baskets and come in a variety of different styles, with some even having extra features, like a soft tilt to the reflux. They're designed to sit right next to your bed and can be moved around the house as baby grows. Some are portable, which means they're great for parents who travel.
When selecting a cot for your bedside It is essential to choose a model that have drop sides that are simple to use. 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 with mobility issues. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one of the models that has been praised and shortlisted by Mumsnetters in the category of Best Cot or Crib Moses Basket for our 2021 Mother and Baby Awards.
Some models also have a transparent side, allowing you to see your baby. This is especially useful during bleary-eyed 3am feeds when one glance could make all the difference. One such option 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 cot attaches to the side of your bed to allow you to easily reach your baby for feedings at night and soothe them without disrupting your sleep. It's a great option for those with restricted movement following an operation such as a C-section. bedside crib that turns into cot moms such as Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen it.
Our Parent Testers loved the new model of this popular crib from Chicco which was awarded the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It's spacious and breathable and comes with six height settings to accommodate growing babies, and a gentle reflux setting for incline. It can be used as a travel crib and comes with a convenient storage case.
It can be a challenge to move an upholstered bedside cot throughout the house However, our Parent Testers stated that the Shnuggle Air next to the cot was simple to move. It's among the lightest options and small enough to fit in its own travel bag which means you can take it along with you on your trip.
The SnuzPod bedside cot is another highly rated product that's easy 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 helps your baby to regulate their temperature. It also has a soft rocking feature and an incline option for reflux, and is lightweight enough to use as a travel cot while you're out and about. It's a little more expensive than other cribs for bed, but Parent Testers believe it's worth the extra cost.