Ask Me Anything: 10 Answers To Your Questions About Best Bedside Cot Uk

How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk

Official safety sleeping guidelines from both NHS and Lullaby Trust recommends that newborns sleep in their own cot or Moses basket. A bedside crib can be practical and space-saving for parents who live in a room together.

Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper as it's spacious with lots of room for babies to grow and wriggle and much bigger than the typical Moses basket. It's also easy to assemble and comes with a carry-on bag.

What is a bedside cot?

Bedside cribs (also called side sleepers, bassinets or co-sleepers) are an ideal and safe way for your baby to be close to you during the early 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 danger of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome associated with traditional bed-sharing. These cribs are also great for mothers who are breastfeeding or recovering from a Cesarean Section.

These cots are often a little smaller than a standard cot, but still offer plenty of room for your baby to sleep. You can pick from a wide range of styles and features, according to what you like best. A lot of cribs with a bedside feature an adjustable or drop down side, which makes it easier to reach your baby's night feeds and are also available in different heights to suit the size of your bed.

Some cribs with a bedside have an adjustable riser that allows you to add an angle to the sleeping area. This can help with reflux. They also have an open side to make cleaning easy. Some cribs come with manual rocking features that can be a soothing distraction for your baby. You'll also require a comfortable mattress to match your new crib. It must be at least 30cm in depth to ensure that your newborn has enough headroom.

You can rest assured that your child will be safe and secure in a cot that is positioned at the bedside. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi hadid are all fans of SNOO's bedside crib.  bedside rocking crib  is definitely worth a look as an alternative to a Moses basket.

Safety

The Lullaby Trust, in conjunction with the NHS has issued official guidelines for safe sleeping 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 decrease the risk of suffocation, or sudden infant death syndrome. A crib for bed lets you keep your baby close to help comfort them and feed them at night without having to leave your bed. It's also a great option for those who have a limited mobility after an operation or recovering from a C-section.

Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3 in 1 bedside cot travel cot is our top choice for a crib that can be used as a bedside. It's compact and folds down flat to fit into its transport bag and is perfect for holidays or nights away from home. It's one of the lightest bedside cot options and has a comfy deep foam mattress that has mesh air-flow panels, an optional tilt setting, and it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the 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 has an integrated storage unit and changing mat, is light (only 10kg) and comes with an adjustable side that allows for easy access.

Style

For many mums, particularly those who have had a C-section, a bedside crib can be an absolute godsend. You can easily reach your baby without getting out of your bed. This allows you to comfort and feed your infant at night. The close proximity to the baby can also increase the amount of milk produced by mothers who are breastfeeding.

These bassinets are not only functional, but also stylish. This is why they are so popular. They're usually more spacious than Moses baskets and are available in many different styles, with some featuring extra features such as a gentle reflux incline setting. They're designed to sit right next to your bed and can be moved around the house as baby grows.  wooden bedside cot  are portable, so they're ideal for parents who travel.

It is important to choose a cot for your bed that is easy to use drop-sides. 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 who have limited mobility. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one of these models that has been acknowledged and shortlisted by Mumsnetters in the category of the best Cot or Crib, or Moses Basket for our 2021 Mother and Baby Awards.

Another great feature that certain models come with is a transparent side that allows you to see your baby at all times. This is especially useful when you are groggy at 3am and have to feed your baby. A quick glance can make a big 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 ready to upgrade to a bigger crib. The cot is attached to the bed's side so you can easily reach your baby for evening feeds and also comfort them without disturbing your sleep. It's also a great option for those who suffer from restricted movement following a C-section and is a favorite option for celeb moms like Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.

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 spacious and breathable and has six height settings to accommodate growing babies, as well as a gentle incline setting. It can also be used as a crib for travel and comes with a convenient storage case.

It can be difficult to move a bedside cot around your home however our Parent Testers stated that the Shnuggle Air next to the cot was easy to maneuver. It is among the lighter options and can be packed into its own travel bag.

The SnuzPod bedside cot is a highly rated product that's simple to fold and assemble, with many features for a restful night's sleep. It has a removable bassinet that lifts off to fit more beds than any other cot, and its breathable fabric helps your baby regulate their temperature. It also features a soft rocking function and an incline setting to help with reflux, and is light enough to use as a travel cot while you're on the move. It's more expensive than other bedside cots but our Parent Testers affirm that it's worth the extra money.