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 crib for bed is a practical and space-saving option for room-sharing new parents.
Mumsnetters love the co-sleeper as it's spacious, with plenty of room for babies to grow and wriggle. It is also much bigger than a Moses Basket. small bedside cot 's also easy to assemble and comes with a bag for travel.
What is a bedside cot?
Bedside cribs (also called bassinets, side sleepers, or co-sleepers) are an ideal and safe way for your baby to sleep with you in the first few months. These cribs can be attached to your bed and let you lift your child to you for night-feeding or comforting. These cribs are also great for mums who are breastfeeding or recovering from a Cesarean Section.
They're often slightly smaller than a standard cot or cotbed, yet they provide ample space for your baby to sleep. You can pick from a wide range of designs and features depending on what you like best. Many bedside cribs have the option of a drop-down or removable side that makes it easier to reach your baby's feeding at night. They are also available in different heights to suit the size of your bed.
Some cribs with a bedside have a riser that allows you to add a slight rise to the sleep space which can aid in reflux and the ability to zip off the sides for easy cleaning. Some cribs feature manual rocking options that can be a soothing distractor for your infant. You'll also need a breathable mattress to match your new crib, which must be at least 30cm in depth to ensure that your baby has enough head space.
You can be sure 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 awed by the SNOO bedside crib, it's definitely worth considering this fashionable alternative to a moses basket.
Safety
The Lullaby Trust, in conjunction with the NHS, has issued official safe sleeping guidelines which recommend 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 decrease the risk of suffocation or sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib is a great option that allows your baby to remain close enough to you to feed them at night and comfort them back to sleep without having to leave your own bed. It's also ideal for those who have a limited mobility after an operation or are recovering from an operation such as a C-section.
Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3 in 1 travel cot bedside crib is our top pick for a bedside crib. It's compact and folds down flat to fit into a travel bag and is perfect for nights out on the town or away from home. It's one of the tiniest bedside cot options and has a comfy deep foam mattress with 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.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another excellent bedside crib. It was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has a built-in storage solution and changing mat, is lightweight (only 10kg) and features an adjustable side that makes it easy to access.
Style
A crib for your bed can be a lifesaver for many mothers, particularly those recovering from C-sections. They can be attached to your bed so that you can reach your baby easily without having to get out of bed, allowing you to night feed them and comfort them quickly. The close proximity to the baby can also increase milk production for mothers who breastfeed.
They are not just convenient but also stylish. This is why they're so popular. They're usually larger than Moses baskets and come in a variety of different styles, some having additional features like a gentle tilt to the reflux. Designed to fit by your bed, they are able to be moved around the home when baby gets older and some are able to be taken on the go too which makes them ideal for new parents traveling.
When bedside cot for twins are choosing a bedside cot, it's important to look for designs that have easy-to-use drop sides. This allows you to lower your child into the bassinet, without lifting them up into your arms. This can be a challenge for mothers with limited mobility. 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 come with is a translucent side that lets you see your baby at all times. This is especially helpful when you are groggy at 3am and you need to feed your baby. A quick glance can make a big difference. One such option is the Sleepiest BassiNest that is easy to lower as noted by our MFM home tester Emily.
Budget
If you're still not ready to make the transition to a larger cot, a bedside crib may be a great option. This bassinet-style cot attaches to the bed's side so that you can easily reach your baby for evening feeds and also comfort them without disrupting your sleep. It's also a great choice for those who suffer from restricted movement after the birth, and is a popular option for celeb moms like Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.
Our Parents Testers loved this new version of the well-loved Chicco crib, which was awarded the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards as the Best Cot or Crib. It's large comfortable, breathable, and comes with six different height settings for growing babies. There is also a soft reflux setting. It can be used as a crib for travel and comes with a handy storage case.
A bedside cot can be difficult to move around the home However, our Parent Testers found the Shnuggle Air beside crib really easy to maneuver. It's one of the lightest options and compact enough to fit into its own bag for travel, which means you can take it along with you on your trip.
The SnuzPod bedside cot is yet another highly rated product that's simple to fold and assemble with plenty of features for a restful night's sleep. It has a removable, lift-off bassinet which fits more beds than other cots. The fabric is breathable and helps keep your baby's temperature in check. It features a soft rocking feature, as well as an incline to aid in reflux. It is also lightweight enough to use as a travel crib when you are out and about. It's more expensive than other bedside cribs however, Parent Testers agree that it's worth the extra expense.