Both the NHS and Lullaby Trust have issued official safe sleeping guidelines, which recommend that newborns sleep only in their own Moses basket or cot. A bedside crib can be practical and space-saving for parents who share a room.
Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper because it's spacious with lots of room for babies to grow and play, and much bigger than a Moses basket. It's also easy to put together and comes with a carry bag.What is a bedside cot?
Bedside cribs (also known as bassinets, side sleepers, or co-sleepers) are an ideal and safe way for your baby to be close to you during their early months. These cribs attach to your bed, allowing you to lift your child to you for night-feeding or comforting. They're also a great option for breastfeeding mothers or mums recovering from a caesarean.
These cots are often a little smaller than standard cots however, they still provide plenty of space for your baby to sleep. You can pick from different styles and features based on your preferences. A lot of cribs for bedside use the option of removing or dropping down the side to make it easier to reach your baby at night for feedings. They are also available in various heights based on the size of your bed.
Some cribs for bedside use an adjustable riser that allows you to add an incline to the sleep area. This can be helpful with reflux. They also have the option of a zip-off side to make cleaning easy. Other cribs have manual rocking functions which can be a relaxing distraction for your infant. You'll also require a comfortable mattress to match your new crib. It should be a minimum of 30cm deep to ensure your newborn has sufficient head room.
A bedside cot is an 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 fans of SNOO's crib for babies. It is definitely worth considering as an alternative to the Moses basket.
Safety
The Lullaby Trust, in conjunction with the NHS has released official guidelines for safe sleeping which recommend that babies sleep 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 an excellent 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 leave your own bed. It's also a great option when you are unable to move following an operation or recovering from a C-section.
Our top pick for a bedside cot, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 travel cot bedside crib travel crib [wifidb.science] is small 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 among the lightest options for a bedside crib and features a comfortable deep foam mattress with mesh panels that allow air to flow. It also has an optional incline option. Plus, it won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot Crib or Moses basket.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another fantastic bedside crib. It won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It comes with built-in storage and a changing mat, is light (only 10kg) and comes with an adjustable side for easy access.
Style
A bedside travel cot crib is a blessing for many mums, especially those who are recovering from C-sections. You can easily reach your baby without having to get out of your bed. This lets you soothe and feed your infant at night. The close proximity to your baby can also increase the production of milk for mothers who are breastfeeding.
In addition to being extremely convenient, these bassinets can look pretty attractive too, which is why they're so popular. They're usually larger than Moses baskets and are available in many different styles, some even having extra features, like a soft tilting of the reflux. The baskets are designed to fit under your bed, they are able to be moved around the home as the baby grows older, and some are able to be taken with you on the go, making them great for new parents traveling.
It's important to choose an cot with bedside with drop-sides that are easy to use. This allows you to lower your child into the bassinet, without lifting them up into your arms. This can be difficult for mothers with mobility issues. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one such model that has been acknowledged and shortlisted by Mumsnetters in the category of the Best Cot or Crib Moses Basket for our 2021 Mother&baby bedside co sleeper Awards.
Some models also have a transparent side, which allows you to be able to always view your baby. This is particularly useful in the case of 3am feeds that are bleary-eyed when one glance could make all the difference. One such option is the Sleepiest BassiNest that is easy to lower, as noted by our MFM home tester Emily.
Budget
A bedside crib is a great option if you are not ready to upgrade to a full-sized crib. This bassinet-style cot attaches to the bed's side to allow you to easily reach your baby's evening feeds and also comfort them without disturbing your sleep. It's also a great choice for those who suffer from restricted movement following a C-section and is a popular choice with celeb mums including Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.
Our Parent Testers loved the new model of this bestselling crib from Chicco that won the 2021 Mother&Baby Award for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It's spacious and breathable and comes with six height settings to accommodate growing babies and a gentle reflux setting for the incline. It can also be used as a crib for travel cot bedside and comes with a storage case that is convenient for storage.
It can be difficult to move a bedside cot around the house however our Parents Testers said that the Shnuggle Air beside cot was very easy to maneuver. It's among the lightest options and is small 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 assemble and fold and comes with a variety of features to ensure a restful night's sleep. It comes with 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 also has a gentle rocking function and an incline option for reflux, and it's light enough to use as a travel cot while you're out and about. It's more expensive than other cots for bed, but our Parents Testers say it's well worth the extra cost.
