20 Trailblazers Setting The Standard In 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 crib that is placed near the bed is an efficient and space-saving choice for parents who live together.

Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper because it's large and spacious, with plenty of room for babies to grow and play and is much bigger than the typical Moses basket. It is also easy to put together and comes with a bag for travel Cot bedside crib carrying.

What is a bedside cot?

A bedside cot (also known as a side sleeper, bassinet or co-sleeper) is a secure way for your baby to rest close to you throughout the first few months of their life. These cribs are attached to your bed and let you raise your baby towards you at night for feeding or comforting without the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome associated with traditional bed-sharing. These cribs are also great for mums who are nursing or recovering from a Cesarean Section.

They're often slightly smaller than a standard cot or cotbed, but provide plenty of space for your baby to lay down. You can pick from a wide range of styles and features, according to what your preference is. Many bedside cribs have a drop down or removable side that makes it easier to reach your baby for night feeds and are available in a variety of heights to suit the size of your bed.

Some bedside cribs have an adjustable riser that allows you to create an incline to the sleep area. This can aid in reducing reflux. They also come with the option of a zip-off side for easy cleaning. Some have manual rocking features that can provide a relaxing distraction for your newborn. You'll also need a breathable mattress for your new crib. It must be at least 30cm deep to ensure your newborn has sufficient head room.

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

Safety

Official safe sleeping guidance from the Lullaby Trust and NHS advises that newborn babies should sleep in the same room as you for their first six months but not in your bed to lower the chance of suffocation and to decrease the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. A crib that is placed near your bed allows you to keep your baby close to you to calm them down and even feed them at night 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 pick for a bedside cot, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 travel cot bedside crib is compact and folds flat in a matter of seconds to fit into its own bag for travel, which makes it perfect for trips to the beach and nights away from home. It's the lightest option for a bedside cot. It comes with a comfy deep foam mattress with mesh panels that let air flow. It also has an incline option that can be added. Plus, it 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 won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It comes with a built-in changing mat and storage system It weighs just 10kg, and has an adjustable side that can be lowered down for easy access.

Style

A bedside crib can be a lifesaver for many mums, especially those who are recovering from C-sections. They are attached to your bed so you can easily reach your baby without needing to get out of bed and letting you feed them and comfort them quickly. The close proximity to the baby can also aid in increasing the amount of milk produced by mothers who are breastfeeding.

Bassinets aren't just convenient but also fashionable. This is why they're so sought-after. They're usually larger than Moses baskets and come in a variety of different styles, with some having additional features, like a soft tilt to the reflux. They are designed to fit right next to your bed and can be moved around the home as baby grows. Some are portable, which means they're great for travelling parents.

It is important to choose an cot with bedside that is easy to use drop-sides. They allow you to lower your baby into the bassinet without having to lift them into your arms, which is difficult for mums with limited mobility. One such model is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been applauded by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted in our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards' Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category.

Another great feature that certain models have is a transparent side that lets you see your baby at all times. This is particularly useful when you are tired and sleepy when a quick glance can make all the difference. One of these options is the Sleepiest BassiNest which is easy to lower as was noted by our MFM home tester Emily.

Budget

If you're still not ready to make the leap to a full-sized cot, the bedside crib could be the perfect solution. This bassinet-style cot attaches to the bed's side so you can easily reach your baby's feedings at night and soothe them without disturbing your own sleep. It's also a great choice for those with restricted movement following an operation, and is a popular choice with celeb mums including Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.

Our Parents Testers loved the new version of this well-loved crib from Chicco that won the 2021 Mother&Baby Award for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It's spacious comfortable, breathable, and comes with six different height settings for growing babies. There is also a gentle reflux setting. It can be used as a travel crib and comes with a convenient storage case.

A bedside crib travel crib can be difficult to move around your home, but our Parent Testers found the Shnuggle Air on the side of the crib simple to move. It's among the lightest alternatives 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 simple to assemble and fold with plenty of features for an unwinding night's sleep. It has a removable, lift-off bassinet that fits more beds than other cots. The fabric is breathable and can help keep your baby's temperature in check. It also features a soft rocking function, as well as an incline setting for reflux, and is lightweight enough to be used as a travel cot while you're out and about. It's a bit more expensive than other bedside cots however our Parent Testers affirm that it's worth the extra money.