The Best Bedside Cots
A bedside crib is a bassinet style that attaches to your own bed and allows your infants to sleep close. This is a great choice for parents who want their child to be close for fuss-free feedings during the first few months of his life.
The HALO BassiNest Essentia took home our best bedside cot test, offering a swiveling bed and sidewalls that drop down without difficulty. This makes it easy to reach out to relax and get to sleep.
Safety
A bedside crib is an ideal solution for new parents that want to keep their baby close but without compromising their security. This type of crib is attached to one side of your mattress. It also has a moveable end that you can reach out to your baby. You can also use a bedside crib to feed your baby at night or help them go back to sleep. It's also a great choice for mothers who have had C-sections. Bedside cots are available in a variety of designs and sizes, and some come with storage. If you're shopping for a bedside cot ensure you look over the safety features to be sure it's safe for your baby.
The Boori Oasis Oval Cot is an elegant cot that is easy to put together and compact. The oval shape is perfect for babies who lay around during sleep, as it means they won't get stuck in the corner like they might with an oblong cot. It is also able to fit into doors with standard frames which is a huge plus for space-stretched new parents.
Another option is the La Redoute Willox Adjustable Cot Bed. This cot is an excellent all-purpose cot, with lots of features to make parenting easier and a gorgeous look. Its adjustable sides mean it can adapt to your child, and then transform into a toddler bed when they're ready. It's also light, so it is easy to move around.
A high-quality bedside crib should have high mesh sides to stop your baby from falling out. It should be fitted securely to your bed, with no gaps or loose areas. If you're not confident about installing a bedside cot on your own or hiring a professional, let a professional complete the task for you.
Co-sleeping is not recommended until your baby is at least six months old age. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS, advise that you don't let your infant sleep in your bed. This is due to the risk of suffocation and overheating. If rocking bedside crib are forced to share a bed with your child, a crib by the bedside is the best option.
Size
A bedside cot, also referred to as the bassinet is a cot which attaches to the side of your mattress. It features a side that is able to be lowered or raised so that you can reach your baby without having to leave the bed. Celebrity moms like Stacey Solomon Binky Felstead, and Lucy Mecklenburgh are awestruck by these. They are perfect for those with limited mobility after a C-section.
Our top pick, the Maxi Cosi Lora, comes with a peekaboo flap that lets you peek at your baby from the bottom of the bed. It can also be adjusted to the height of your mattress however some moms have claimed it was difficult to move it up and down. It's also among the lightest options we've seen and it folds down to an ideal size for a suitcase, making it ideal for traveling with your child.
Another option is the Slumber Carbon 3-in-1, which converts into an a portable cot, bassinet and playpen - it even won our 2021 Mother&Baby Award gold medal 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 mums were concerned that it was too big and bulky for small spaces, particularly when it is used as a bedside sleeping device.
Design
The best bedside cribs are sleek, stylish and modern. Some cribs come with innovative designs, like a peek-a-boo flap on the sides to allow you to check on your baby without disturbing him. Other features such as adjustable height are beneficial if your partner is having difficulty getting out of bed. These sleepers can be used as a bassinet or cot and some even have tilt positions for babies with reflux. If you're looking for something more traditional there are a lot of options as well.
The CoZee Air by Tutti Bambini received bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It was the best Cot or Moses Basket category. Next2me Magic was also shortlisted. Both come with adjustable heights, and can be converted into a travel cot that can be used for use outside of the home. They are also light and easy for you to move around.
Other mums like the Lua Bedside Sleeper, which has a changing mat and storage space as in addition to an adjustable bassinet that folds into a mini portable cot and a storage bag. Jasmine says it's the ideal size for a baby and is larger than Moses baskets, which can seem flimsy and thin.
Another option that is great is an alternative is the iCandy Cocoon, which can be used as an Moses basket, cot, or travel cot. It comes with an adjustable changing table that pops up, a shelf for toys and books, and an adjustable mesh side that lets you observe your baby. It's not lightweight, but it is easy to move around and looks fantastic in any bedroom.
Cost
If you're looking for a bedside sleeper bassinet or crib, cost will be a factor. Some of the most popular models are costly, but there are plenty of cheaper alternatives that won't break the bank. Many are available in a range of different styles and colors to match the decor of your nursery.
The best cribs for beds can be adjusted and raised up to the height of your mattress. Some also have an incline position that is perfect for babies suffering from reflux. They can also fold away when not in use, and some models have an included travel bag that is perfect for mothers who are often out and about or have guests staying in.
Bedside cots are usually slightly bigger than Moses baskets but smaller than cribs. They can also be moved from room to in case you have to, and some have a side that drops down so that you can pull your child towards you for feedings at night or calming. Some models come with a built-in rocker that can help soothe your baby to sleep.
Clair de Lune, a mid-priced baby model, was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Crib category. The design is sleek and elegant however, it's a bit larger than some of the other options, which means it's not the ideal choice for small spaces. It's also quite heavy, at over 10kg, and requires a lot of maneuvering to get it into the right position. Emily from Clair de Lune notes that the sides of this sleeper don't flex as much, so you'll have to bend to take your baby.