We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.

Our pick of the best pod-style baby nests for comfort, style and Insta-cuteness

New baby in the house? After a few days of gazing lovingly at your perfect little creation, one thing the experts don't warn you about is the pressing need to put your newborn down for a moment. If you're solo parenting for any length of time during mat leave, popping your tiny tot down while you tend to your own needs can feel strangely heart wrenching. But even the lightest babies can start to give you arm ache after a while, and a woman needs to pee/put the kettle on/conquer the world.

During the first few weeks, newborn babies can snooze for up to 22 hours a day. While snuggles are essential for bonding, if your bubba only dozed in your arms for that entire time, you would never get anything done! So, if you want to provide a safe space for your little one to relax and give your biceps a break in the process, this is where baby nests step in.

From luxury print pods that will add style to the nursery, to easy-clean cocoons you can have in every room, keep scrolling for the best baby nests on the market.

Also known as cocoons or pods, a baby nest is essentially a mini cushioned day bed that comes with padded sides to provide your little one with a safe, snuggly and compact spot to relax. It might sound like an absolute luxury, but during those precious early days you spend a lot of time juggling your little one with life admin.

What's more, they come in the cutest designs and fabrics, so you'll find it impossible not to post Insta-worthy baby snaps all day long. And with celebrity fans including Kim Kardashian and Lauren Conrad, you know it's a baby trend worth getting onboard with.

They are great for freeing up your arms during the day, but baby nests are not recommended for use during the night or for unsupervised sleep. According to The Lullaby Trust, sleeping on anything but a firm, flat surface can increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

'Babies are highly evolved to sleep in a very particular and safe way and certain things can interfere with this evolved type of sleep,' says Rachel Fitz D, Baby and Parenting Expert and speaker at The Baby Show. 'What parents should do if they are going to use a sleep nest is only use them on a flat surface, during the daytime in order to have a quiet safe place to put the baby, to allow the parent to get on with other jobs. But they shouldn’t be used for overnight sleep or sleep at all if the parent is not going to be present.'

To keep your newborn safe and snug, follow baby sleep safety guidelines outlined by The Safe To Sleep campaign:

From DockaTot's achingly cool designs to Cam Cam's Scandi-inspired floral nests, keep scrolling for the best baby pods to shop now.

Swedish brand DockATot (previously known as Sleepyhead) calls its pods a ‘docking station’ for babies, and the brand has won numerous design awards. We had one when my son was born and our tiny tester clearly loved having a dedicated pitstop downstairs. He always seemed really content in his little pod. Every part of this nest is washable which comes in very handy, and the clip at the end meant we could extends its use. But best of all we loved the removable covers that come in a range of gorgeous prints including William Morris, marble and lush fern, perfect for Insta-worthy baby pics.

This simple but effective cocoon from baby brand Koo-di comes with mesh sides to increase airflow. While you should never leave your little one unsupervised in a nest, additional ventilation will definitely put anxious mama's minds at rest. It also comes with a handy storage bag with a carry handle so you can take it on mini breaks or easily switch rooms at home.

This 100% cotton pod from Purflo is the first nest of its kind to be certified safe for unsupervised, overnight sleep by the British Standards Institute. Thanks to a breathable mesh base and sides, it's been cleverly designed to allow air to safely circulate, giving new parents peace of mind and new babies a lovely spot to snooze. It's also light and portable and the botanical print design will look at home in any nursery. The matching swaddle bag is super-cute too.

Looking for a cost-effective nest? This neutral white baby pod from Kally Sleep has been designed by sleep-safety experts and its hypoallergenic cover comes with Oeko-Tex certifications, making it extra safe for rest, play and supervised tummy time. Plus it's cheaper than most of its competitors and it's light enough to easily move about the house or even take away for the weekend. Furthermore, Velcro straps release at the bottom, turning it into an emergency changing mat too.

Dimensions: 80cm x 45cm x 15 cm

If you're struggling to pop your new baby down, this sumptuous lounger from cult US baby brand Snuggle Me Organic is a big hit across the pond. Made from all-natural and hypoallergenic fabric, it comes with extra squishy sides to mimic the feeling of being cuddled. What's not to love?

This floral print baby nest from Copenhagen-based brand Cam Cam is simply adorable. Thanks to a padded foam mattress and soft organic cotton sides it has all the features you'd expect from a quality pod, plus it comes with an adjustable length to fit your growing baby. Our mum tester praised this pod for saving her arms on many occasions, and she particularly loves the fabric. We're huge fans of the changing bag, swaddle and mat in the same super cute fiori print too.

A cross between a nest and a play mat, this cosy cocoon from Swedish brand Buddy & Hope is ideal for multiple babies, playing and fine-tuning tummy time. It comes with a seriously cute cotton flounce and it's lightweight and easy to carry about, but due to its size it is better suited to older babies and homes with a bit more floor space.

What the Cocoonababy lacks in style, it makes up for with popularity amongst its customer base. According to the Mum grapevine, fractious newborns love this simple product and it's a big hit with parents desperate for chill time too. The nest's cocoon-like shape is said to reduce reflux and startle reflex, plus it promotes a semi-foetal position that is said to mimic the womb, helping everyone bank a bit more me-time.

This chic little baby nest from Danish brand Done by Deer has everything you'd expect from a quality pod including a machine washable cover and tube plus a cosy foam mattress, but it also comes out ever so slightly longer and wider than some of its counterparts, making it a great option for larger babies.

The Doomoo is designed to be adjustable, so it will see your little one from the newborn stage right up until they're able to use it as a play chair/teddy storage. While you should always follow sleep safety guidelines, this nest is made using fabric that claims to help regulate baby's body temperature and offers ventilation, giving you extra peace of mind.