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 cot or Moses basket. A bedside crib is a space-saving and practical option for parents who live in a room together.

Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper as it's big enough with plenty of room for baby to grow and play, and more spacious than the typical Moses basket. It is also easy to assemble, and comes with a carry bag.

What is a bedside crib?

A bedside cot (also known as a side sleeper, bassinet or co sleeper bedside cot-sleeper) is a safe method for your baby to sleep near you during their first months. These cribs are attached to your bed and allow you to pull your child towards you for night-feeding or comforting. These cribs are also ideal for mothers who are breastfeeding or recovering from a Cesarean Section.

They're typically smaller than a regular cot or cotbed, but they provide ample space for your baby to sleep. You can pick from a variety of designs and features according to what you like best. Many cribs with a bedside feature an adjustable or drop-down side to make it easier to reach your baby during the night to feed them. They are also available in different heights, based on the size of your bed.

Some bedside cribs come with an riser that permits you to add a slight slope to the sleeping space that can help with reflux and an easy zip-off side for cleaning. Some cribs have manual rocking options which can provide a soothing distractor for your infant. You'll also require a breathable mattress for your new crib. It should be a minimum of 30cm deep to ensure your newborn has enough headroom.

You can be sure that your baby 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 worth looking into this elegant alternative to a moses basket.

Safety

The Lullaby Trust, in conjunction with the NHS has issued official safe sleeping guidelines that recommend that newborns sleep in the same bedroom 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 crib that is placed near your bed is a great option that allows your child to safely be close enough for you to feed them during the night and soothe them back to sleep without having to get out of your own bed. This is an excellent option if you are recovering from an operation or C-section, travel cot bedside and have limited mobility.

Our top pick for a bedside cot, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 travel cot bedside crib is compact and folds down in a matter of seconds to fit into a travel bag so it's perfect for holidays and nights away from home. It's among the lightest bedside cots available and comes with a the most comfortable deep foam mattress that has mesh air-flow panels and an incline setting, plus it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket.

Chicco Next2me Magic is another great bedside cots for newborns crib option. It won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It features a built-in change mat and storage system It weighs just 10kg, and comes with an adjustable side that can be lowered down to make it easy to access.

Style

For many mums, particularly those who have had a C-section A crib that is placed near the bed can prove to be a blessing in disguise. You can easily reach your baby without getting out of your bed. This allows you to soothe and feed your baby at night. They're also a great choice for mothers who are breastfeeding as their close proximity will help boost their milk supply.

Alongside being incredibly convenient, these bassinets can also look attractive too which is the reason they're so sought-after. They're usually larger than Moses baskets and come in lots of different styles, some even having extra features like a gentle tilt to the reflux. They're designed to fit right next to your bed and can be moved around the house as your baby grows. Some are portable so they're ideal for parents who travel.

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

Some models also come with a transparent side, allowing you to always see your baby. This is especially useful in the case of 3am feeds that are bleary-eyed when a quick glance can make all the difference. As noted by Emily, our MFM home tester Sleepiest BassiNest is an excellent choice. It is simple to lower.

Budget

A bedside crib is an excellent alternative if you're not ready to move to a larger crib. This bassinet-style cot attaches to the side of your bed so that you can easily reach your baby for feedings at night and soothe them without disrupting your sleep. It's a great option for those with restricted movement following the C-section. Celeb mums like Binky Felstead and Travel Cot Bedside Stacey Solomon have also chosen this model.

Our Parents Testers loved this new version of the bestselling Chicco crib, which took home the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards as the best bedside cots Cot or Crib. It's large 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 storage case that is convenient for storage.

It can be difficult to move a bedside crib travel cot cot around your house however our Parents Testers said that the Shnuggle Air alongside the cot was simple to move. It's among the lightest options and is small enough to fit in its own bag for travel, which means you can carry it with you on your travels.

The SnuzPod bedside crib to cot cot is yet another highly rated item that's easy to fold and assemble, with many features for a restful 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 has a soft rocking feature and an incline setting for reflux, and it's light enough to be used as a travel cot if you're on the move. It's a little more expensive than other bedside cribs, but Parent Testers believe it's worth the extra cost.