How to Choose the Best bedside crib to cot Cot uk

Official safety sleeping guidelines from both NHS and Lullaby Trust recommends that newborns sleep in their own crib or Moses basket. A bedside crib is an efficient and space-saving choice for parents who share a room.

Mumsnetters adore the co-sleeper because it's spacious, with plenty of room for babies to grow and wiggle. It's also bigger than the Moses Basket. It's also easy to put together and comes with a bag for carrying.

What is a bedside crib?

Bedside cots (also known as bassinets, side sleepers or co-sleepers) are a safe and convenient way for your baby to be close to you during the first few months. These cribs attach to your bed, allowing you to lift your child in your arms to feed them at night or for comforting. They're also a great choice for breastfeeding mothers or mums recovering from a Caesarean section.

They're usually a little smaller than a regular cot, but they provide ample space for your baby to lay down. You can pick from a variety of styles and features, according to what you prefer. A lot of cribs for bedside use the option of removing or dropping down the side, which makes it easier to reach your baby during the night to feed them. They also come in various heights based on the size of your bed.

Some cribs with a bedside have an adjustable riser that allows you to add a slight rise to the sleep space which could help with reflux. It also has an easy zip-off side for cleaning. Other cribs have manual rocking functions which can be a relaxing distraction for your baby. 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 sufficient head room.

A bedside crib is an investment but you can rest assured that your baby will be comfortable and safe sleep. With stars like Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all awed by 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 advise that babies stay 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 risk of suffocation, or sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib lets you keep your baby close to you to help calm them down and even feed them at night without having to leave your bed. It's also a great option if you are recovering from an operation or C-section and are unable to move.

Our top choice for a bedside cot, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 travel cot bedside crib is compact and folds flat in seconds to fit into its own travel bag which makes it perfect for trips to the beach and nights away from home. It's one the lightest options for a bedside cot and has a soft, comfortable foam mattress with mesh panels which allow air to flow. It also has an incline option that can be added. It also won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot Crib or Moses basket.

Chicco Next2me Magic is another excellent bedside cots uk crib. It won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has a built-in changing mat and storage solutions It weighs just 10kg, and comes with an adjustable side that slides down for easy access.

Style

For a lot of moms, especially those recovering from C-sections A crib that is placed near the bed can be an absolute godsend. They are attached to your bed so that you can reach your baby easily without needing to get out of bed, allowing you to night feed them and soothe them quickly. The close proximity to your baby can also help increase the production of milk for mothers who are breastfeeding.

Bassinets aren't just convenient but also stylish. This is why they're so sought-after. They're typically larger than Moses baskets and are available in many different styles, with some even having extra features, like a soft reflux incline setting. They are designed to fit next to your bed and can be moved around the home as baby grows. Some are portable so they're great for parents who travel.

When choosing a bedside cot, it's important to select a model with drop sides that are easy to use. They allow you to lower your infant into the bassinet without needing to lift them into your arms, which is difficult for moms with mobility issues. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one such model that has been praised and shortlisted by Mumsnetters in the category of the Best Cot or Crib Moses Basket for our 2021 Mother and Baby Awards.

Some models also come with a transparent side, allowing you to see your baby bedside crib. This is especially helpful during bleary-eyed 3am feeds when a quick glance can make all the difference. One such option is the Sleepiest BassiNest that is easy to lower, as outlined by our MFM home tester Emily.

Budget

A bedside crib is a great option if you're not ready to move to a larger crib. The crib is attached to your bed, so you can easily reach your baby to feed them at night or even comfort them without disturbing yourself. It's also a great option for those with restricted movement following a C-section and is a popular choice with celeb mums including Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.

Our Parents Testers loved this new version of the well-loved Chicco crib, which won 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot or Crib. It's afclimatizing and spacious and has six height settings to accommodate growing babies, and a gentle reflux incline setting. You can also use it as a travel cot and it comes with an excellent storage bag.

It can be difficult to move a bedside cot around the house, but our Parent Testers stated that the Shnuggle Air alongside the cot was easy to move. It's one of the smallest options and small enough to fit in its own travel bag, so you can take it along with you on your trip.

The SnuzPod bedside cot is another highly rated product that's simple to put together and fold away and comes with a variety of features to ensure the perfect night's rest. 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 help with reflux. It is also lightweight enough to be used as a travel crib while you're on the move. It's a bit more expensive than other bedside cots but our Parents Testers say it's well worth the extra cost.