Best Bedside Cot Uk: The Ugly Reality About Best Bedside Cot Uk

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 can be a space-saving and practical option for parents who live in a room together.

Mumsnetters adore this co-sleeper since it's spacious with lots of room for baby to grow and play, and more spacious than the size of a Moses basket. It's also easy to assemble, and comes with a bag for carrying.

What is a bedside cot?

Bedside cots (also called bassinets, side sleepers or co-sleepers) are a safe and convenient way for your baby to sleep near you in the first few months. These cribs are attached to your bed and allow you to lift your baby out towards you at night for feeding or comforting without the threat of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome associated with traditional bed-sharing. They're also a great option for breastfeeding mothers or mothers recovering from a caesarean section.

They're typically smaller than a regular cot, but they provide ample space for your baby to rest. You can choose from a variety of designs and features based on your preferences. Many bedside cribs come with an adjustable or drop-down side to make it easier to reach your baby at night for feedings. They also come in various heights based on your bed size.

Some cribs with a bedside have an riser that permits you to add a slight rise to the sleep area that can help with reflux and the ability to zip off the sides for easy cleaning. Some cribs come with manual rocking options that can provide a relaxing distractor for your infant. You'll also require a breathable mattress to match your crib. It should be a minimum of 30cm in depth to ensure that your baby has enough head space.

A bedside cot is an investment, but you can be certain that your baby will be secure and comfortable sleep. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams, and Gigi hadid are all fans of SNOO's bedside baby bed crib. It is definitely worth a look as an alternative to a Moses basket.

Safety

Official safe sleeping guidelines 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 decrease the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. A crib that is placed near your bed is a great option that lets your baby remain close enough to you to feed them during the night and comfort them back to sleep without having to leave your bed. It's also great if you have limited mobility following an operation or recovering from an operation such as a C-section.

Our top pick for a bedside cot the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 travel cot bedside crib is small and folds flat in a matter of seconds and fits into its own bag for travel, so it's perfect for holidays and nights away from home. It's one the lightest options for a bedside cot and features a comfortable deep foam mattress with mesh panels which allow air to flow. It also comes with an optional incline option. Plus, it won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot Crib or Moses basket.

Chicco Next2me Magic is another great bedside crib option. It won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has an integrated storage unit and changing mat, is lightweight (only 10kg) and features an adjustable side for easy access.

Style

For many mothers, particularly those who are recovering from a C-section, a bedside crib can prove to be a blessing in disguise. They are 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 comfort them quickly. The close proximity to your baby can also help increase the production of milk for mothers who breastfeed.

As well as being incredibly convenient, these bassinets can also look elegant and that's why they're so sought-after. Some are more spacious than Moses Baskets and some even have additional features like a gentle reflux incline. They're designed to fit close to your bed and can be moved around the house as your baby grows. Some are portable, which means they're great for travelling parents.

It is essential to select a bedside cot with drop-sides that are easy to use. They allow you to lower your infant into the bassinet without lifting them into your arms, which is difficult for mums 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 and Baby Awards.

Some models also have a translucent side, which allows you to always see your baby bedside co sleeper. This is especially useful when you're exhausted at 3am and you need to feed your child. A quick glance could make a huge difference. One such option is the Sleepiest BassiNest, which is simple to lower, as outlined by our MFM home tester Emily.

Budget

If you're still not ready to move to a full-sized cot, a bedside crib may be an ideal solution. The bassinet-style crib can be 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 a great option for those who have limited movement following an operation such as a C-section. Celebrity moms like Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen it.

Our Parents Testers loved this new version of the bestselling Chicco crib, which won 2021 Mother&Baby Awards as the Best Cot or Crib. It's large and breathable, and comes with six height settings to accommodate growing babies plus a gentle reflux setting for incline. It can also be used as a travel cot, and it comes with an easy-to-store storage bag.

It can be difficult to move a bedside cosleeper cot around the house however our Parent Testers said that the Shnuggle Air next to the cot was simple to move. It is among the lightest options and can be packed into its own travel bag.

The SnuzPod is another highly rated bedside cot that's easy to put together and fold away, with plenty of features for a good night's sleep. It comes with a lift-off bassinet that fits more beds than any other cot and its breathable fabric can help your baby to regulate their temperature. It also features a soft rocking feature and an incline setting to help with reflux, and is light enough to use as a travel cot when you're on the move. It's more expensive than other bedside cribs but Parents Testers are of the opinion that it is worth the extra cost.