Best Bedside Cot Uk: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

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 can be an efficient and space-saving option for parents who share a room.

Mumsnetters love the co sleeper bedside cot-sleeper as it's big and has plenty of room for babies to grow and wriggle. It is also much bigger than a Moses Basket. It's also easy to assemble, and comes with a carry bag.

What is a bedside crib?

Bedside cribs (also known as bassinets, side sleepers or co-sleepers) are an effective and safe method for your baby to sleep with you in the first few months. These cribs attach to your bed and let you raise your baby towards you for night feeding or comforting without the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome that is a result of traditional bed-sharing. They're also a great option for breastfeeding mothers or mothers recovering from a caesarean.

These cots are often smaller than a standard cot however, they still provide plenty of space for your baby to sleep. You can choose from a wide range of designs and features according to what you prefer. Many cribs with a bedside feature a removable or drop-down side to make it easier to reach the baby during the night to feed them. They are also available in different heights depending on your bed size.

Some cribs with a bedside have an adjustable riser that allows you to build an incline in the sleeping area. This can be helpful with reflux. They also come with the option of a zip-off side for easy cleaning. Some have manual rocking features that can provide a relaxing distraction for your baby. You'll require a mattress that's breathable to go with your crib. It must be at least 30cm deep to allow your baby plenty of headroom.

You can rest assured that your baby will be safe and secure in a cot that is positioned at the bedside. With the likes of Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all fans of the SNOO bedside crib, it's definitely worth considering this stylish alternative to moses basket.

Safety

The Lullaby Trust, in conjunction with the NHS, has issued official guidelines for safe sleep that advise that babies stay in the same bedroom as their parents for the first six months. However they should not be sleeping in your bed. This is to reduce the risk of suffocation or sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib is a fantastic option that allows your child to comfortably be near enough for you to feed them at night and soothe them back to sleep without needing to leave your bed. It's also a great option if you are recovering from an operation or a C-section, and have limited mobility.

Our top choice for a bedside cot the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 travel cot bedside crib is compact and folds flat in a matter of seconds and fits into its own travel bag which makes it perfect for trips to the beach and nights away from home. It's one the lightest options for a newborn bedside cot crib and comes with a comfy deep foam mattress with mesh panels that let air flow. It also comes with an incline option that can be added. Additionally, it was awarded Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot Crib or Moses basket.

Chicco Next2me Magic is another fantastic bedside crib. It was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It features a built-in change mat and storage solution and weighs only 10kg. It is light at 10kg, and features an adjustable side that slides down to make it easy to access.

Style

For many mums, particularly those recovering from a C-section, a bedside crib could prove to be an absolute godsend. They can be attached to your bed so that you can reach your baby easily without needing to get out of bed and letting you feed them and soothe them quickly. The close proximity to your baby can also aid in increasing milk production for mothers who breastfeed.

In addition to being extremely practical, these bassinets can also look stylish too and that's why they're so popular. They're usually larger than Moses baskets and come in a variety of different styles, some having additional features such as a gentle tilt to the reflux. Designed to fit by your bed, they are able to be moved around the house as the baby grows older, and some are portable enough to take on the go too making them perfect for new parents travelling.

When choosing a bedside cot reviews cot, it's important to look for designs that have drop sides that are simple to use. These allow you to lower your infant into the bassinet without lifting them into your arms, which can be difficult for moms with limited mobility. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one of the models that has been praised and shortlisted by Mumsnetters in the category of the best Cot or Crib 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 useful when you're groggy at 3am and have to feed your baby. A quick glance can make a big 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 not quite ready to make the transition to a larger cot the bedside baby sleeper crib could be a great option. The crib is attached to your bed, so you can easily reach your baby to feed them at night or even comfort your child without causing disturbance. It's also a great choice for those suffering from restricted movement following an operation and is a popular option for celeb moms like Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.

Our Parent Testers loved the new version of the well-loved Chicco crib, which won 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot or Crib. It's spacious comfortable, breathable, and comes with six different height settings for babies who are growing. There is also a gentle reflux setting. It can be used as a travel crib and comes with a handy storage case.

It can be difficult to move a bedside cot around your house however our Parents Testers said that the Shnuggle Air alongside the cot was easy 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 easy to fold and assemble, with many features for the perfect night's rest. It has a removable, lift-off bassinet which fits more beds than other cots. The fabric is breathable and can help regulate your baby's temperature. It also has a gentle rocking function and an incline setting for reflux, and it's light enough to be used as a travel cot while you're on the move. It's a little more expensive than other bedside cots but our Parent Testers believe it's worth the extra cash.