The Best Bedside Cots
A bedside crib is a bassinet type crib that can be attached directly to your bed. This lets your baby sleep safely close to you. This is an ideal option if you want your baby to be near to feed them without fuss in the beginning stages.
The HALO bassiNest Essentia was the winner in our top rated bedside cots for testing. It has an adjustable sleep surface that can be swiveled and sidewalls that can be lowered easily. This makes it easy to reach for comfort and lull them to sleep.
Safety
A bedside crib is a great solution for new parents who wish to keep their infant close but without compromising their security. This type of cot fixes to the bed's side and has a single end that can be lifted or dropped down so you can reach your baby. You can use a bedside crib to night feed your baby or help them go to sleep. It's also a great choice for mothers who've had C-sections. Bedside cots come in various sizes and styles, and some include storage. When choosing a cot for your bedside, be sure to check the safety features.
The Boori Oasis Oval Cot is a stylish-looking cot that's easy to put together and compact. Its oval shape is ideal for babies who tend to play around in their sleep, since it means that they won't be trapped in a corner like they might with the rectangular cot. This cot can also be easily fitted through doors with standard frames. This is a fantastic option for parents who are tight in space.
La Redoute Willox adjustable Cot Bed is another great option. It comes with a number of features that make parenting simpler and it looks stunning. Its adjustable sides mean that it can adapt to your child, and then transform into an infant bed when they're ready. It's also lightweight, which means it's easy to move around the home.
A quality crib for your bed should have mesh sides that are high to stop your child from falling out. It should also be fitted securely to your bed with no gaps or loose areas. Contact a professional if are not confident in installing a crib on your bed.
Sleeping in a co-sleeper is not recommended until your baby is at least six months of age. The official recommendation from the Lullaby Trust and the NHS is that infants should not be sleeping in your bed due to the risk of suffocation and overheating. However, if you have to sleep with your partner, a bedside crib is the most secure option.
Size
A bedside cot is a bassinet-style cot which is attached to the bed's side. It is a side that can be raised or lowered to allow you to reach your baby without having to leave the bed. They are a favorite of celeb moms such as Stacey Solomon, Binky Felstead and Lucy Mecklenburgh. They're ideal for parents who be unable to move after the C-section.
The Maxi-Cosi Lora is our top pick. It has the ability to peek at you to see your child at the bottom of the mattress. It also adjusts to the mattress's height however some mothers have complained about the difficulty of moving it up and down. It's also among the lightest options on our list and it folds down to an ideal size for a suitcase, making it ideal for travelling with your little one.
Another option is the Slumber Carbon 3-in-1, which transforms into a bassinet, travel cot and playpen. bedside cot used won our 2021 Mother&Baby Award gold award in the best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category. It has a handy storage shelf underneath and is light enough to carry into and out of the car. However, some mothers were concerned that it was too large and wide for small spaces, especially when used as a bedside mattress.
Design
The best bedside cribs are sleek, stylish and modern. Some have innovative designs such as a peek-a-boo flap on the side, to help you check in on baby without disrupting them. Other features such as adjustable height are beneficial when your spouse is having difficulty getting up. Some sleepers can also be used as a bassinet, cot, or for reflux babies. There are a lot of options if you're looking for something more traditional.
The CoZee Air by Tutti Bambini received bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the best Cot or Moses Basket category. Next2me Magic was also shortlisted. Both can be adjusted in height and can be used as a travel cot when away from home. They are also light and easy to move around.
Other mothers like the Lua Bedside Sleeper, which has an adjustable changing mat and storage space as it also has an adjustable bassinet that folds into a mini-portable crib and storage bag. Jasmine says that it is the perfect size for newborns and is larger than Moses baskets that can feel thin or flimsy.
Another option is an alternative is the iCandy Cocoon, which can be used as a Moses basket, cot or travel cot. It has a pop-up changing table and a shelf for books and toys, and an adjustable mesh side that allows you to observe your baby. It's not the tiniest however it's easy to move around and looks stylish in any bedroom.
Cost
If you're in the market for a bedside sleeping device, bassinet or crib, cost is a consideration. Some of the most sought-after models can be costly. However there are a lot of cheaper alternatives. They are available in a variety of styles and colors to match your nursery's decor.
The best bedside cribs can be adjusted and elevated to the level of your mattress. Some models come with an incline option which is ideal for babies suffering from reflux. They can also be folded when not in use and some models have bags for travel that is ideal for new mums who are often out and about or have guests staying with them.
Bedside cots tend to be slightly bigger than Moses baskets, but smaller than cribs. They can be moved from room to if you need to and some come with a side that drops down so you can lift your baby out towards you for night feeds or calming. Some have an integrated rocker so that you can soothe your little one to sleep.
The Clair de Lune is a mid-priced option that was shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category. The design is sleek and stylish, but it's slightly wider than some other options, so it's not the ideal choice for small spaces. It's also fairly heavy, at over 10kg, and needs some maneuvering to get it into the right position. Emily from Clair de Lune also notes that it's not as simple to get into and out of as some other beds for sleepers, as the sides don't flex much and you need to bend over to pick up your baby.