How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk

Official safety sleeping guidelines from both NHS and Lullaby Trust recommends that newborns sleep in their own cot or Moses basket. A bedside crib is a space-saving and practical option for parents who live in a room together.

Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper because it's spacious with lots of room for babies to grow and wriggle and more spacious than a Moses basket. It's also easy to assemble, and comes with a bag for carrying.

What is a bedside cot newborn cot?

A bedside cot (also known as a bassinet, side-sleeper or co-sleeper) is a safe way for your newborn to sleep close to you overnight during their first few months. These cribs attach to your bed and allow you to lift your baby out towards you to feed them at night or for comforting without the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome associated with traditional bed-sharing. They're also a great choice for mothers who are breastfeeding or recovering from a caesarean section.

They're typically smaller than a standard cot or cotbed, but provide plenty of space for your baby to sleep. You can pick from a wide range of designs and features according to what you like best. A majority of cribs for bedside use an adjustable or drop down side that allows you to reach your baby's evening feeds. They are also available in different heights to suit the size of your bed.

Some cribs for bedside cots for newborns use an riser that permits you to add a slight incline to the sleeping space that could help with reflux. It also has a zip-off side for easy cleaning. Other cribs have manual rocking functions which can be a relaxing distraction for your newborn. You'll also require a comfortable mattress for your new crib. It should be a minimum of 30cm in depth to ensure that your newborn has enough headroom.

A bedside crib is an investment but you can be sure your newborn will get a peaceful and safe night's sleep. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi hadid are all 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 guidelines for safe sleep that recommend that newborns are in the same room as their parents for the first six months. However, they should not sleep in your bed. This is to reduce the chance of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome. A crib for bed lets you keep your infant close to you so that you can calm them down and feed them at night without leaving your bed. It's also ideal when you are unable to move after an operation or are recovering from an operation such as a C-section.

Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3 in 1 travel cot bedside crib is our top choice for a Bedside Rocking Crib crib. It's compact and folds flat to fit into its transport bag and is perfect for trips away on holidays or from home. It's among the lightest options for a bedside cot and features a comfortable deep foam mattress with mesh panels that allow air to flow. It also comes with an optionuick glance can make all the difference. One such option is the Sleepiest BassiNest that is simple to lower, as outlined by our MFM home tester Emily.

Budget

If you're not quite ready to make the leap to a full-sized cot, the bedside crib could be the perfect solution. The cot is attached to the side of your bed so that you can easily reach your baby for feedings at night and soothe them without disturbing your sleep. It's also a great choice for those suffering from restricted movement following an operation and is a popular choice with celeb mums including Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.

Our Parent Testers loved this latest version of the bestselling Chicco crib, which took home the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot or Crib. It's afclimatizing and spacious and comes with six height settings to accommodate growing babies, and a gentle reflux setting for incline. You can also use it as a travel cot and it comes with a handy storage bag.

It can be difficult to move a bedside cot around the house, but our Parent Testers stated that the Shnuggle Air beside cot was very easy to maneuver. It's one of the smallest options and small enough to fit in its own bag for travel, Bedside Rocking Crib which means you can carry it with you when you travel.

The SnuzPod is another highly rated bedside cot that's easy to put together and fold away and comes with a variety of features that will ensure your child gets the best night's rest. It comes with a lift-off bassinet that fits more beds than any other cot and its breathable fabric can help your baby to regulate their temperature. It also has a soft rocking function and an incline setting for reflux, and is lightweight enough to be used as a travel cot while you're out and about. It's more expensive than other bedside cots but our Parent Testers affirm that it's worth the extra money.