"Ask Me Anything": Ten Answers To Your Questions About Best Bedside Cot Uk
From Shiapedia
How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk
Both the NHS and the Lullaby Trust have issued official safe sleeping guidelines which advise that babies sleep in their own Moses basket or cot. A bedside crib can be a space-saving and practical option for parents who live in a room together.
Mumsnetters adore this co-sleeper since it's large and spacious, with plenty of room for baby to grow and wriggle and much bigger than the size of a Moses basket. It's also easy to put together and comes with a travel bag.
What is a bedside crib?
bedside co sleeper cribs (also called bassinets, side sleepers, or co-sleepers) are a safe and convenient way for your baby to be close to you in the first few months. These cribs are attached to your bed and let you raise your baby towards you for night feeding or comforting without the danger of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome associated with traditional bed-sharing. These cribs are also ideal for mums who are breastfeeding or recovering from a Cesarean Section.
They're usually a little smaller than a regular cot or cotbed, but offer plenty of space for your baby to lay down. You can choose between various designs and features based on your preferences. Many bedside cribs come with a removable or drop-down side, which makes it easier to reach the baby during feeding time at night. They are also available in different heights, based on 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 aid in reflux and the ability to zip off the sides for easy cleaning. Some cribs come with manual rocking options that can be a soothing distraction for your baby. You'll also require a breathable mattress to go with your crib. It must be at least 30cm in depth to ensure that your newborn has enough headroom.
You can be confident that your child will be comfortable and safe in a cot that is positioned at the bedside. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams, and Gigi Hadid are all big fans of SNOO's bedside crib. It is definitely worth considering as an alternative to a Moses basket.
Safety
The Lullaby Trust, in conjunction with the NHS has issued official safe sleeping guidelines which recommend that babies sleep in the same bedroom as their parents for the first six months. However, they should not sleep in your bed. This is to lower the risk of suffocation, or sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib is an excellent option that lets your baby safely be close enough for you to night feed them and soothe them back to sleep without needing to leave your own bed. It's also a great option for when you are recovering from an operation or C-section and are unable to move.
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, making it ideal for travel and nights away from home. It's among the lightest bedside cots available and comes with a an extremely comfortable mattress that has mesh air-flow panels and an tilt setting, and it was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the Best Crib, Cot or Moses Basket.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another fantastic bedside travel crib crib. It won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has a built-in changing mat and storage solutions, is lightweight at 10kg, and has an adjustable side that can be lowered down for easy access.
Style
A crib for your bed can be a lifesaver for many mums, especially those who are recovering from C-sections. You can easily reach your baby without getting out of bed. This allows you to soothe and feed your infant at night. They are also a great choice for mothers who are breastfeeding as their close proximity will help boost the amount of milk they produce.
They are not just practical, but also fashionable. This is the reason they are so popular. They're typically more spacious than Moses baskets and come in a variety of different styles, some even having extra features like a gentle tilt to the reflux. Designed to fit by your bed, they can be moved around the house when the baby grows older. Additionally, some are portable enough to take with you on the go making them perfect for new parents travelling.
When selecting a cot for your bedside it is important to select a model that have drop sides that are simple to use. They allow you to lower your infant into the bassinet without lifting them into your arms, which is difficult for moms with mobility issues. One such model is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been praised by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards' Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category.
Another great feature that certain models come with is a translucent side that allows you to see your baby at all times. This is especially helpful during bleary-eyed 3am feeds where one glance could make all the difference. As mentioned by Emily, our MFM home tester Sleepiest BassiNest is an excellent choice. It is simple to lower.
Budget
If you're not ready to move to a full-sized cot, the bedside crib could be a great option. The bassinet-style crib can be attached to your bed, so you can easily reach your baby for night feeds or comfort them without causing any disturbance to yourself. It's a great option for those who are unable to move following a C-section. Celeb mums such as Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen this model.
Our Parent Testers loved the new version of the popular Chicco crib, which was awarded the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards as the Best Cot or Crib. It's spacious and breathable and comes with six height settings to accommodate growing babies, plus 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 a challenge to move an upholstered bedside cot throughout the house, but our Parents Testers said that the Shnuggle Air next to the cot was easy to maneuver. It's among the lightest options and is compact enough to fit into its own travel bag which means you can take it with you when you travel.
The SnuzPod bedside cot is a 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 helps to regulate your baby's temperature. 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 out and about. It's a bit more expensive than other bedside cot used cots, but our Parents Testers say it's well worth the extra money.
