10 Things You Learned In Kindergarden That Will Help You 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 crib that is placed near the bed is a practical and space-saving option for parents who share a room.
Mumsnetters love the co-sleeper as it is spacious, with plenty of room for baby's to grow and wriggle. It is also much larger than the Moses Basket. It's also easy to put together and comes with a bag for travel.
What is a bedside crib?
A bedside cot (also known as a side sleeper, bassinet or co-sleeper) is a safe way for your newborn to sleep close to you throughout their first few months. These cribs are attached to your bed and let you lift your child towards you for night-feeding or 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 offer plenty of space for your baby to rest. You can choose from different styles and features based on your preferences. A lot of cribs with a bedside feature the option of a drop-down or removable side that makes it easier to reach your baby for evening feeds. They are also available in different heights to accommodate the size of your bed.
Some bedside cribs have a riser which allows you to build an incline to the sleeping area. This can be helpful with reflux. They also have the option of a zip-off side to make cleaning easy. Some cribs have manual rocking features that can be a soothing distraction for your baby. You'll require a mattress that's breathable to go with your crib. It should be at least 30cm thick to allow your baby plenty of 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 a look as an alternative to a Moses basket.
Safety
The Lullaby Trust, in conjunction with the NHS has released official safe sleeping guidelines that advise that babies are in the same room as their parents for the first six months. However, they should not sleep in your bed. This is to decrease the chance of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome. A crib that is placed near your bed is a great option that allows your baby to remain close enough to you to night feed them and help them return to sleep without having to leave your own bed. It is also a great option for when you are recovering from an operation or a C-section, and have limited mobility.
Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3 in 1 travel cot bedside Crib is our top pick for a bedside crib. It's compact and folds flat to fit into its bag for travel and is perfect for nights out on the town or 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 tilting setting, and it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Crib, Cot, or Moses Basket.
Another fab bedside cot option is the Chicco Next2me Magic bedside crib that was awarded Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It comes with a built-in changing mat and storage solutions It weighs just 10kg, and features an adjustable side that can be lowered down to make it easy to access.
Style
For a lot of moms, especially those who are recovering from C-sections, a bedside crib can an absolute blessing. They are attached to your bed so that you can easily reach your baby without having to get out of bed in order to feed them and soothe them quickly. Being close to travel bedside crib can also increase the production of milk for mothers who are breastfeeding.
They are not just convenient but also fashionable. This is why they are so popular. They are larger than Moses Baskets, and some have extra features such as a gentle reflux upward slope. The baskets are designed to fit under your bed, they are able to be moved around the house as the baby grows older, and some can be carried with you on the go which makes them ideal for new parents traveling.
When choosing a bedside cot it is important to choose a model with drop sides that are easy to use. These allow you to lower your infant into the bassinet without needing to lift them into your arms, which is difficult for mothers with limited mobility. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one such model that has been praised and shortlisted by Mumsnetters in the category of Best Cot or Crib or Moses Basket for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.
Another useful feature that a few models come with is a translucent side that lets you see your baby at all times. This is especially helpful when you are groggy at 3am and have to feed your baby. A quick glance can make a huge difference. One of these options is the Sleepiest BassiNest which is easy to lower as was noted by our MFM home tester Emily.
Budget
A bedside crib is a great alternative if you're not yet ready to upgrade to a larger crib. The cot is attached to the side of your bed to allow you to easily reach your baby's night feeds and comfort them without disturbing your own sleep. It's also a great option for those who suffer from restricted movement after an operation and is a favorite option for celeb moms like Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.
Our Parent Testers loved the new version of this popular crib from Chicco which was awarded the 2021 Mother&Baby Award for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It is spacious and breathable, and comes with six different height settings suitable for growing babies. There is also a soft reflux setting. It can be used as a crib for travel and comes with a convenient storage case.
A bedside cot can be difficult to move around your home, but our Parent Testers found the Shnuggle Air near the crib to be simple to move. It's among the lightest options and is small enough to fit in its own bag for travel, so you can take it with you when you travel.
The SnuzPod is a different highly rated bedside cot that's simple to set up and take down, with plenty of features that will ensure your child gets an enjoyable night's sleep. It has a removable adjustable bassinet that lifts off, which can fit more beds than other cots. The fabric is breathable and can help regulate your baby's temperature. It features a soft rocking feature, as well as an incline to aid in reflux. It is also lightweight enough to use as a crib for travel when you're out and about. It's a little more expensive than other bedside cribs however, Parent Testers believe it's worth the extra cost.