The Best Bedside Cots
A bedside crib is a bassinet type crib that attaches directly to your bed. This lets your baby rest peacefully close to you. This is a great option when you want your infant to be close by to feed them without fuss in the beginning stages.
The HALO BassiNest Essentia won our top bedside cot in our test, featuring a swiveling bed and sidewalls that slide down easily. This allows you to reach out and feel comfortable.
Safety
A bedside crib is a great option for parents who wish to keep their infant close but without compromising their security. The crib is attached to one side of your mattress and has a moveable end that you can reach out to your baby. bedside travel cot can also be used as a night-time feeding station or to help soothe your baby back to sleep. It's also a great option for mothers who have had C-sections. Bedside cots come in a variety of designs and sizes, and some even include storage. When choosing an upholstered cot for your bedside, be sure to check the safety features.
The Boori Oasis Oval Cot has a stylish design and is easy to put together. Its oval design is perfect for babies who roll around in their sleep, since it means they won't get stuck in the corner like they might with a rectangular crib. The cot is also easy to fit into door frames that are standard, which is a big benefit for parents with limited space.
La Redoute Willox adjustable Cot Bed is another good alternative. This cot is a great all-rounder with plenty of features to simplify parenting and have an attractive design. Its adjustable sides mean that it can grow with your child, and then transform into a toddler bed when they're ready. It's also lightweight, so it's easy to move around the home.
A high-quality bedside crib should have high mesh sides to prevent your baby from falling out. It should be securely anchored to your bed, with no gaps or parts that are loose. Consult a professional if are unsure about installing a crib on your bed.
Co-sleeping is not advised until your baby is at least six months of age. Official advice from The Lullaby Trust and the NHS is that newborns should not sleep in your bed due to the danger of overheating and suffocation. However, if you need to co-sleep the bedside crib is the safest option.
Size
A bedside cot, also referred to as bassinet, is a cot that attaches to the sides of your mattress. It has a side which can be lifted or lowered to allow you to reach your baby easily, without needing to leave the bed. Famous moms like Stacey Solomon Binky Felstead, and Lucy Mecklenburgh are awestruck by these. They are ideal for those with limited mobility following a C-section.
The Maxi-Cosi Lora is our top choice. It has an option to peek behind that allows you to see your child at the bottom of the mattress. It also adjusts to your mattress height but some mothers have complained about the difficulty of moving it up and down. It's also one of our lightest options and can be folded into a suitcase size. This makes it ideal for travel with your baby.
Another great option is the Slumber Carbon 3-in-1, which can be used as a bassinet, travel cot and playpen. It also won our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards 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. Some mothers, however, found it too long and wide to fit into small spaces, particularly when used as a sleeper in bed.
Design
The best cribs for your bed are modern, sleek and stylish. Some have innovative designs such as a peek-a-boo flap on the side, to let you check in on baby without disturbing them. Other features like adjustable heights are helpful if your partner is having trouble getting out of bed. These sleepers can also be used as a cot or bassinet, and some have tilt positions for babies with reflux. There are plenty of options for those who want something more traditional.
The CoZee Air by Tutti Bambini was awarded bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the best Cot or Moses Basket category. Next2me Magic was also shortlisted. Both are adjustable in height and can be used as a travel cot while away from home. They're also super lightweight and easy to move from room to room.
Some mothers prefer the Lua Bedside sleeper that comes with a changing mat, storage space and a collapsible baby bassinet that can be transformed into portable mini cot. It also comes with a storage bag. Jasmine says that it is the perfect size for infants and is larger than Moses baskets, which can feel thin or flimsy.
The iCandy Cocoon is another great option. It can be used as a Moses Basket, cot or travel cot. It comes with a pop-up changer and a shelf that is perfect for books and toys and a mesh adjustable side that allows you to have an excellent view of your baby. It's not light, but it is easy to move around and looks great in any bedroom.
Cost
If you're shopping for a bedside sleeper, crib or bassinet, the cost will be a factor. Some of the most sought-after models can be expensive. However there are plenty of less expensive alternatives. There are a variety of styles and colors to complement your nursery decor.
The best cribs for bedside use are adjustable and can be raised up to the height of your mattress. Some models come with an incline option which is ideal for babies with reflux. Some models come with a bag for travel and can be folded when not in use. This is great for mothers who are constantly traveling or having guests over.
Bedside cots are generally a little bigger than Moses baskets, but smaller than cribs. They can also be moved from room to room in case you have to, and some have the side that lowers so you can lift your child towards you for night feeds or calming. Some come with a built-in rocker to help soothe your baby to sleep.
The Clair de Lune is a mid-priced model that was shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category. It's stylish and sleek however it is a little wider than other options. It's not suitable for smaller spaces. It's also quite heavy at more than 10kg and requires some maneuvering to place it. Emily from Clair de Lune also notes that it's not as easy to get in and out of like other beds for sleepers, as the sides aren't flexible enough and you need to bend to pick up your baby.