What NOT To Do When It Comes To The Best Bedside Cot Uk Industry
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 crib that is placed near the bed can be a space-saving and practical option for parents who live in a room together.
Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper as it's large and spacious, with plenty of space for babies to grow and play, and far more substantial than the typical Moses basket. It's also simple to put together and comes with a carry bag.
What is a bedside cot?
A bedside cot (also known as a bassinet, side sleeper or co-sleeper) is a secure way for your baby to sleep close to you overnight during their first few months. These cribs attach to your bed and let you bring your baby closer to you to feed them at night or for comforting without the danger of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome that is a result of traditional bed-sharing. They're also a great choice for breastfeeding mothers or mums recovering from a Caesarean section.
These cots are typically a little smaller than standard cots however, they still provide plenty of space for your baby to rest. You can choose from various styles and features based on your preferences. Many bedside cribs have the option of a drop-down or removable side that allows you to reach your baby for night feeds and are also available in different heights to accommodate the size of your bed.
Some cribs with a bedside have a riser that allows you to add a slight incline to the sleep area that can aid in reflux and an easy zip-off side for cleaning. Some have manual rocking features which can be a soothing distraction for your baby. You'll require a mattress that's breathable to go with your crib. It must be at least 30cm thick to allow your baby plenty of headroom.
You can be confident that your child will be comfortable and safe in a bedside cot. With stars like Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all fans of the SNOO bedside crib, it's definitely worth looking into this elegant alternative to moses basket.
Safety
The Lullaby Trust, in conjunction with the NHS, has issued official guidelines for safe sleep that advise that babies are in the same room as their parents for the first six months. However, they should not sleep in your bed. This is to reduce the chance of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib lets you keep your baby close so that you can comfort them and night feed them without leaving your bed. It's also great when you are unable to move after an operation or are recovering from an operation such as a C-section.
Our top choice for a bedside crib, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 bedside crib that travels cots is compact and folds flat in seconds to fit into a travel bag making it ideal for travel and nights away from home. It's one the lightest options for a bedside cot and comes with a comfy deep foam mattress with mesh panels that allow air to flow. It also has an option for incline. It also won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Moses basket or Cot Crib.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another excellent bedside crib. It was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It comes with a built-in storage solution 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 C-sections, a bedside crib can be an absolute godsend. You can easily reach your baby without getting out of the bed. This allows you to provide comfort and food to your infant at night. They are also a great choice for breastfeeding mothers since the close proximity can help boost the amount of milk they produce.
In addition to being extremely useful, bassinets can also look attractive too, which is why they're so sought-after. Some are bigger than Moses Baskets, and some have extra features, like a gentle upward slope. They're designed to sit next to your bed and can be moved around the house as baby grows. Some are portable so they're ideal for parents who travel.
When you are choosing a bedside cot It is essential to look for designs that have easy-to-use drop sides. This lets you lower your infant into the bassinet without having to lift them up into your arms. This can be a challenge for mothers with mobility issues. One such model is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been highly praised by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards' Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category.
Another useful feature that a few models have is a transparent side that allows you to be able to see your baby at all times. This is especially useful in the case of 3am feeds that are bleary-eyed when one glance could make all the difference. As mentioned by Emily our MFM home tester the Sleepiest BassiNest a great option. It is simple to lower.
Budget
If you're still not ready to make the transition to a larger cot, the bedside crib could be a great option. This bassinet-style crib attaches to your bed, ensuring that you can reach your baby easily for feedings at night or cuddle your child without causing disturbance. It's a great choice for those who have limited movement following the C-section. Famous moms like Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen this model.
Our Parents Testers loved this latest version of the popular Chicco crib, which was awarded the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot or Crib. It's spacious and breathable and has six height settings to accommodate babies who are growing, and a gentle reflux setting for incline. It can also be used as a crib for travel and comes with a storage case that is convenient for storage.
It can be difficult to move a bedside cot around the home, but our Parent Testers stated that the Shnuggle Air beside cot was very simple to move. It's one of the lightest options and is small enough to fit in its own bag for travel, which means you can take it with you on your travels.
The SnuzPod bedside cot is yet another highly rated product that's easy to assemble and fold with plenty of features for a restful night's sleep. It comes with a bassinet that lifts off to fit more beds than any other cot, and its breathable fabric can help your baby to regulate their temperature. It also has a gentle rocking function and an incline option for reflux, and is lightweight enough to be used as a travel cot if you're on the move. cot for bedside 's more expensive than other bedside cribs but Parents Testers believe it's worth the extra expense.