10 Things You Learned In Preschool That'll Help You Understand Best Bedside Cot Uk

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 cot or Moses basket. A crib that is placed near the bed can be a space-saving and practical option for parents who share a room.

Mumsnetters adore the co-sleeper because it is spacious, with plenty of room for babies to grow and play. It's also larger than a Moses Basket. It's also simple to put together and comes with a bag for travel.

What is a bedside cot?

A bedside cot (also known as a side sleeper, bassinet or co-sleeper) is a safe method for your baby to sleep close to you throughout their first few months. These cribs can be attached to your bed and let you lift your child in your arms for night-feeding or comforting. They're also a great option for breastfeeding mothers or mums recovering from a Caesarean section.

They're often slightly smaller than a standard cot or cotbed, yet provide plenty of space for your baby to lay down. You can choose from a variety of styles and features, depending on what you prefer. Many cribs with a bedside feature an adjustable 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 the size of your bed.

Some cribs for bedside baby bed use an adjustable riser that allows you to add an incline in the sleeping area. This can aid in reducing reflux. They also have the option of a zip-off side to make cleaning easy. Some cribs feature manual rocking options that can provide a relaxing distractor for your infant. You'll also require a breathable mattress to match your new crib, which should be a minimum of 30cm deep to ensure that your newborn has enough headroom.

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

Safety

The Lullaby Trust, in conjunction with the NHS has issued official guidelines for safe sleep that recommend that newborns sleep in the same bedroom as their parents for the first six months. However they shouldn't sleep in your bed. This is to lower the chance of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome. A crib that is placed near your bed is an excellent option that allows your baby to safely be close enough for you to feed them during the night and comfort them back to sleep without needing to leave your bed. It's also a great option for when you are recovering from an operation or a C-section, and have limited mobility.

Our top choice for a bedside crib, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 travel cot bedside crib is compact and folds down in seconds to fit into a travel bag 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 has an option for incline. Additionally, it was awarded Gold at the 2021 Mother&baby bedside cot Awards for the Best Moses basket or Cot Crib.

Another great bedside cot is the Chicco Next2me Magic bedside crib that was awarded Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has a built-in changing mat and storage solutions It weighs just 10kg, and has an adjustable side that slides down to make it easy to access.

Style

A crib for your bed can be a lifesaver for many mothers, particularly those who are recovering from C-sections. You can easily reach your baby without having to get out of the bed. This lets you comfort and feed your baby at night. They are also a great option for breastfeeding mothers as close proximity can boost their milk supply.

Alongside being incredibly convenient, these bassinets can look pretty attractive too which is the reason they're so popular. They're often a bit larger than Moses baskets and come in lots of different styles, with some having additional features such as a gentle tilting of the reflux. The baskets are designed to fit under your bed, they can usually be moved around the house when baby gets older and some are able to be taken on the go too, making them great for parents who are new to traveling.

When you are choosing a bedside cot, it's important to look for designs that have easy-to-use drop sides. They allow you to lower your baby into the bassinet without having to lift them into your arms, which can be difficult for mothers with mobility issues. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one such model that has been highly praised and was shortlisted by Mumsnetters in the category of the best bedside cots Cot or Crib Moses Basket for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.

Some models also come with a transparent side, allowing you to see your baby. This is especially useful when you are tired and sleepy where a quick glance can make all the difference. One of these options is the Sleepiest BassiNest which is easy to lower as outlined by our MFM home tester Emily.

Budget

If you're still not ready to move to a full-sized cot, an infant crib on your bed could be an ideal solution. The cot is attached to the side of your bed so you can easily reach your baby's evening feeds and also comfort them without disturbing your own sleep. It's a great option for those who are unable to move after a C-section. Celeb mums such as Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen it.

Our Parents Testers loved the new version of this bestselling crib from Chicco which was awarded the 2021 Mother&Baby Award for Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. It's large and breathable, and comes with six height settings to accommodate growing babies plus a gentle reflux incline 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 the home however our Parent Testers stated that the Shnuggle Air alongside the cot was simple to move. It's one of the lighter options that can be tucked away in its own travel bag.

The SnuzPod is another highly-rated bedside cot that is easy to assemble and fold away and packed with features for the best night's rest. It has a bassinet that lifts off to fit more beds than any other cot, and its breathable fabric helps your baby maintain their temperature. It also has a gentle rocking feature and an incline option for reflux, and is lightweight enough to use as a travel cot if you're out and about. It's a little more expensive than other cots for bed but our Parents Testers say it's well worth the extra money.