Which bedside cot?

[thehouseofmirth]

I'm after some advice about bedside cots please.

Currently DS2 (12 weeks) sleeps in the big bed with me and DS1 who is almost 4 sleeps in his own bed next to the big bed but inevitably comes in to the big bed at some point most nights. I thought I'd get a bedside cot to give us a bit more room, to prevent DS2 rolling out of bed on to the floor also so that hopefully at some point I can put him to bed before go up at night.

Am I right in thinking most bedside cots have sides which go under the cot? Would that then mean if I put DS2 to bed in the cot with the side up I'd need to move it away from the bed to put the side down when I come to bed? How practical is that in reality? It seems the (discontinued) Brio cot has a side which goes over the top rather than underneath. I'm wondering whether with that one you would be able to take the side away without moving it away from the bed?

Any advice gratefully received

i didn't know people used them like that , i have the mothercare one but the side is permanently off and the cot lashed to our bed with webbing straps. so far have not actually persuaded dd to sleep in it for any length of time though, it's normally just got toys in (ho hum). i assumed that when she did we'd just have to barricade her in with pillows or put cushions on the floor. now i feel like a bad mother

i wouldn't particularly recommend it if you are likely to use it with sides as the mechanism is a bit crap and clunky.

it has been sort of useful as a bed rail/overhang space for me when the baby is hogging the middle of the bed

We've got the mothercare one and agree with babyphat the mechanism is rubbish so I think it would be better either with the side on or the side off.

We have the M&P close & cosy one, which I love. The side does store away underneath so you are right if you wanted to use it you'd have to move the cot (quite far) away from the bed. However it does come with a sort of bolster cushion which covers any space between the bed and cot (need special sheets) - this would also stop any small baby moving out of the cot. We used it for a while but soon ditched it as it annoyed me lifting her over the bolster. To be honest DD seem well ensconced in the cot and didn't ever really move out of it in the 6 months she was bedside. I did use a rolled up towel stuffed down the far side of the cot matress to make sure there was totally no gap between the beds.

I can't recommend bedside cots highly enough for safe (and comfortable!) co-sleeping

I'm actually less concerned about small baby escaping than older brother migrating...With DS1 we just took the side off a normal cot but I'm keen on keeping DS2 safe from DS1.

I use the Cosatto Close to me Bedside Cot, its excellent. The side folds down under the bed really easily. DS also sleeps well in it so he must find it comfortable enough.

Like LionStarBigPants I couldn't recommend a bedside cot high enough. Safety First!!

xx