Some Of The Most Ingenious Things That Are Happening With Best Bedside Cot Uk
How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk
Both the NHS and Lullaby Trust have issued official safe sleeping guidelines that recommend that newborns sleep only in their own Moses basket or cot. A bedside crib is an effective and space-saving solution for room-sharing new parents.
Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper as it's large and spacious, with plenty of room for baby to grow and play, and more spacious than the size of a Moses basket. It's also simple to put together, and comes with a carry bag.
What is a bedside cot?
A bedside cot (also called 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 fix to your bed and let you lift your baby out towards you for night feeding or comforting without the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome as a result of 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, but they provide ample space for your baby to lay down. You can choose from a variety of designs and features according to what you like best. Many bedside cribs have an adjustable or drop down side, which makes it easier to reach your baby for feeding at night. They are also available in different heights to suit the size of your bed.
Some bedside cribs come with a riser that allows you to add a slight rise to the sleep area that can help with reflux and the ability to zip off the sides for easy cleaning. Some have manual rocking features which can be a relaxing distraction for your newborn. You'll need a mattress that is air-conditioned to match your crib. It should be at least 30cm deep to give your baby enough headroom.
A bedside crib is an investment but you can rest assured that your newborn will get a secure and comfortable sleep. With the likes of Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all being fans of 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 guidelines for safe sleep that recommend that newborns stay in the same bedroom as their parents for the first six months. However they should not be sleeping in your bed. This is to reduce the risk of suffocation, or sudden infant death syndrome. A crib that is placed near your bed is a fantastic option that allows your baby to comfortably be near enough for you to night feed them and help them return to sleep without having to get out of your own bed. It's also great for those who have a limited mobility after an operation or recovering from C-section.
Our top pick for a bedside crib, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 travel cot bedside crib is compact and folds flat in a matter of seconds and fits into its own travel bag making it ideal for travel and nights away from home. It's the lightest option for a bedside cot. It has a soft, comfortable foam mattress with mesh panels that allow air to flow. It also comes with an optional incline option. It also won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Moses Basket or Cot Crib.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another great bedside crib option. It was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has a built-in changing mat and storage solution, is lightweight at 10kg, and has an adjustable side that drops down to make it easy to access.
Style
For a lot of moms, especially those recovering from C-sections, a bedside crib could prove to an absolute blessing. You can easily reach your baby without having to get out of the bed. This allows you to comfort and feed your baby at night. The close proximity to the baby can also help increase the amount of milk produced by mothers who breastfeed.
Alongside being incredibly practical, these bassinets are attractive too, which is why they're so popular. They're often a bit more spacious than Moses baskets and come in lots of different styles, some having additional features like a gentle reflux incline setting. Designed to fit by your bed, they are able to 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 choosing a bedside cot it is important to select a model that have drop sides that are simple to use. This allows you to lower your infant into the bassinet without lifting them up into your arms. This can be difficult 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 handy feature that some models come with is a translucent side that lets you be able to see your baby at all times. foldable bedside crib is especially helpful during bleary-eyed 3am feeds where a quick glance can make all the difference. As mentioned by Emily our MFM home test participant Sleepiest BassiNest is a great option. It is simple to lower.
Budget
A bedside crib is a great option if you're not ready to upgrade to a larger crib. The bassinet-style crib is attached to the bed's side so you can easily reach your baby for night feeds and comfort them without disturbing your own sleep. It's an excellent choice for those with restricted movement after a C-section. Famous moms such as Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen this model.
Our Parents Testers loved the new version of this bestselling crib from Chicco, which won the 2021 Mother&Baby Award for Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. It's large, breathable, and has six different height settings for babies who are growing. There is also a gentle reflux setting. It can be used as a crib for travel and comes with a convenient storage case.
A bedside cot can be tricky to move around the home, but our Parents Testers found the Shnuggle Air beside crib really easy to maneuver. It's one of the lightest alternatives and is compact enough to fit into its own bag for travel, so you can take it with you when you travel.
The SnuzPod is another highly rated bedside cot that's simple to assemble and fold away, with plenty of features to ensure a good night's sleep. It has a removable lift-off bassinet which fits more beds than other cots. The fabric is breathable, and helps regulate your baby's temperature. It also has a gentle rocking function, as well as an incline setting to help with reflux, and is lightweight enough to be used as a travel cot if you're on the move. It's more expensive than other bedside cribs, but Parent Testers are of the opinion that it is worth the extra expense.