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 crib or Moses basket. A bedside crib is a space-saving and practical option for parents who live in a room together.
Mumsnetters adore this co-sleeper since it's big enough with plenty of room for babies to grow and play and is far more substantial than a Moses basket. It's also easy to put together and comes with a carry bag.
What is a bedside cot?
Bedside cribs (also known as bassinets, side sleepers or co-sleepers) are an effective and safe method for your baby to sleep with you during their early months. These cribs attach to your bed and let you raise your baby towards you at night for feeding or comforting without the threat of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome as a result of traditional bed sharing. These cribs are also great for mothers who are nursing or recovering from a cesarean.
They're typically smaller than a regular cot or cotbed, but offer plenty of space for your baby to rest. You can choose between different styles and features based on your preferences. A lot of cribs with a bedside feature a drop down or removable side that makes it easier to reach your baby for feeding at night. They are available in a variety of heights to accommodate the size of your bed.
Some cribs for bedside use a riser which allows you to build an angle to the sleeping area. This can help with reflux. They also have a zip off side to make cleaning easy. Some cribs have manual rocking features which can provide a soothing distraction to your newborn. You'll need a mattress that is breathable to go with your crib. It should be at least 30cm thick to give your baby enough headroom.
A bedside crib is an investment but you can be certain that your baby will be secure and comfortable sleep. With stars like Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all being fans of the SNOO bedside crib, it's worth looking into this elegant alternative to moses basket.
Safety
Official safe sleeping guidelines from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that babies born today should be in the same room as you for the first six months, but not in your bed, to decrease the risk of suffocation, and to lower the chance of sudden infant death syndrome. bedside crib or cot that is placed near your bed lets you keep your infant close to you to comfort them and even feed them at night without having to leave your bed. It's also ideal for those who have a limited mobility after an operation or recovering from a C-section.
Our top pick for a bedside cot the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 bedside crib for travel is small and folds flat in a matter of seconds to fit into its own bag for travel, so it's perfect for holidays and nights away from home. It's one of the tiniest bedside cot options and has a comfy deep foam mattress, air-flow panels and an tilt setting, and it was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another great bedside crib option. It was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It comes with a built-in changing mat and storage solutions, is lightweight at 10kg, and comes with an adjustable side that can be lowered 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 having to get out of bed. This lets you soothe and feed your infant during the night. Being close to the baby can also aid in increasing milk production for mothers who are breastfeeding.
In addition to being extremely useful, bassinets are elegant which is the reason they're so sought-after. They are larger than Moses Baskets and some come with additional features like a gentle reflux upward slope. They are designed to be placed near your bed, they are able to be moved around the home when the baby grows older. Additionally, some are portable enough to take to the go, making them great for parents who are new to traveling.
When choosing a bedside cot It is essential to choose a model that have easy-to-use drop sides. This lets you lower your infant into the bassinet without lifting them up into your arms. This can be a challenge for mothers with 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, which allows you to always see your baby. This is especially helpful when you are tired and sleepy when just a glance can 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
If you're not quite ready to make the transition to a full-sized cot, the bedside crib could be an ideal solution. This bassinet-style crib attaches to your bed, so you can easily reach your baby for night feeds or comfort them without disturbing yourself. It's an excellent choice for those with restricted movement after an operation such as a C-section. Celeb mums like Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen this model.
Our Parents Testers loved the new version of the popular Chicco crib, which was awarded the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot or Crib. It's afclimatizing and spacious and has six height settings to accommodate growing babies and a gentle reflux incline setting. It can also be used as a crib for travel and comes with a storage case that is convenient for storage.
A bedside cot can be difficult to move around your home, but our Parent Testers found the Shnuggle Air beside crib really easy to maneuver. It's among the lightest alternatives and is small enough to fit in its own travel bag which means you can take it with you when you travel.
The SnuzPod is a different highly rated bedside cot that's simple to put together and fold away and comes with a variety of features for an enjoyable night's sleep. It has a removable bassinet with a lift-off that can fit more beds than any other cot, and its breathable fabric helps your baby regulate their temperature. 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 when you're out and about. It's a bit more expensive than other bedside cots but our Parents Testers affirm that it's worth the extra cost.