Ten Apps To Help Manage Your 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 for bed is a practical and space-saving option for room-sharing new parents.
Mumsnetters love this co-sleeper because it's big enough with plenty of space for babies to grow and play, and far more substantial than the typical Moses basket. It's also easy to put together, and comes with a carry bag.
What is a bedside crib?
A bedside cot (also known as a bassinet, side sleeper or co-sleeper) is a safe way for your newborn to sleep near you during their first months. These cribs fix to your bed and allow you to bring your baby closer to you at night for feeding or comforting without the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome associated with traditional bed-sharing. These cribs are also great for mothers who are nursing or recovering from a Cesarean Section.
They're often slightly smaller than a regular cot or cotbed, but offer plenty of space for your baby to sleep. You can choose between a variety of styles and features depending on your preferences. Many cribs with a bedside feature a removable or drop-down side to make it easier to reach the baby at night for feedings. They are also available in various heights based on your bed size.
Some bedside cribs have an adjustable riser that allows you to add an incline in the sleep area. This can be helpful with reflux. They also have the option of a zip-off side to make cleaning easy. Some have manual rocking features which can be a relaxing distraction for your newborn. You'll need a mattress that is comfortable to be used with your crib. It must be at least 30cm thick to allow your baby plenty of headroom.
A bedside crib is a major 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 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 released official safe sleeping guidelines that advise 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 lower the risk of suffocation or sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib allows you to keep your infant close to you to soothe them to sleep and feed them at night without leaving your bed. It's also ideal for those who have a limited mobility following an operation or recovering from C-section.
Our top pick for a bedside cot the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 bedside crib for travel is small and folds flat in a matter of seconds to fit into its own bag for travel, so it's perfect for holidays and nights away from home. It's among the lightest bedside cot options and has the most comfortable deep foam mattress that has mesh air-flow panels, an optional tilting setting, and it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket.
Another fab bedside cot option is the Chicco Next2me Magic bedside crib which was awarded Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has a built-in changing mat and storage system, is lightweight at 10kg, and features an adjustable side that drops down for easy access.
Style
A crib for your bed is a godsend for many moms, particularly those who are recovering from C-sections. They can be attached to your bed so that you can reach your baby easily without needing to get out of bed and letting you feed them and comfort them quickly. They are also a great option for breastfeeding mothers since the close proximity can help boost the amount of milk they produce.
As well as being incredibly practical, these bassinets can also look stylish too which is the reason they're so sought-after. Some are more spacious than Moses Baskets, and some have extra features such as a gentle reflux upward slope. They are designed to be placed near your bed, they can 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.

It's important to choose a bedside cot that is easy to use drop-sides. This lets you lower your baby into the bassinet without having to lift them up into your arms. This can be a challenge for mothers with mobility issues. bedside cots of these models is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been applauded by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted in our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards' Best Cot Crib, Moses or Crib Basket category.
Another great feature that certain models come with is a transparent side that lets you observe your baby at all times. This is particularly useful in the case of 3am feeds that are bleary-eyed when a quick glance can make all the difference. As mentioned by Emily who is our MFM home tester, the Sleepiest BassiNest is a great option. It is easy to lower.
Budget
A bedside crib is an excellent option if you are not ready to move to a larger crib. The bassinet-style crib is attached to the side of your bed so you can easily reach your baby for feedings at night and soothe them without disturbing your sleep. It's a great option for those with restricted movement after an operation such as a C-section. Celeb mums like Binky Felstead and Stacey Solomon have also chosen it.
Our Parent Testers loved the new version of the popular Chicco crib, which took home the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot or Crib. It's spacious, breathable, and has six different height settings for growing babies. There is also a soft reflux setting. It can also be used as a travel cot and it comes with a handy storage bag.
It can be a challenge to move a bedside cot around the house however our Parent Testers reported that the Shnuggle Air alongside the cot was easy to move. It is one of the lighter options that can be tucked away in its own travel bag.
The SnuzPod bedside cot is another highly rated product that's easy 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 can help to regulate your baby's temperature. It also features a soft rocking function and an incline setting for reflux, and it's light enough to be used as a travel cot if you're out and about. It's more expensive than other cribs for bed however, Parent Testers agree that it's worth the extra cost.