The Best Bedside Cots
A bedside crib is a bassinet style that attaches to your own bed and allows your baby to sleep close by. This is a great choice for parents who want their baby to be close by to feed them without fuss in the early stages.
The HALO BassiNest Essentia took home our best bedside cot test, featuring a swiveling sleeping surface and sidewalls that slide down without difficulty. This allows you to reach out and feel comfortable.
Safety
A bedside crib is a great solution for new parents that wish to keep their infant close to them, but not compromise safety. The crib is attached to the side of your mattress and has a movable end so you can reach out to your baby. You can use the crib as a night feeding station or to help soothe your baby back to sleep. It's also a great option for mums who have had a C-section. Bedside cots can be found in a variety of designs and sizes, and some even have storage. When shopping for an upholstered cot for your bedside be sure to verify the safety features.
The Boori Oasis Oval Cot has a stylish design and is simple to put together. Its oval design is perfect for babies who lay around during sleep, since it ensures that they don't get stuck in the corner like they would with an oblong cot. This cot is also easy to slide through door frames that are standard which is a huge benefit for parents with limited space.
Another good choice is the La Redoute Willox Adjustable Cot Bed. This cot is a great all-rounder with plenty of features that make parenting easier and an attractive design. Its adjustable sides allow it to expand with your child and later transform into a toddler's bed when the time arrives. It's also light, so it's easy to move around the home.
A good quality bedside crib should have a high mesh side to stop your child from falling out. It should also be fitted securely to your bed, with no gaps or sloppy areas. Consult a professional if aren't confident in installing a crib on your bed.
Co-sleeping is not recommended until your baby is at least six months of age. The official advice from the Lullaby Trust and the NHS is that newborns shouldn't sleep in your bed due to the danger of overheating and suffocation. However, if you need to co-sleep, a bedside crib is the most secure option.
Size
bedside crib with changing table is a bassinet-style cot that fixes to the bed's side. It has a side that can be raised or lowered so that you can reach your baby without needing to leave the bed. Celeb mums like Stacey Solomon Binky Felstead, and Lucy Mecklenburgh love these. They are great for those with limited mobility after a C-section.
The Maxi-Cosi Lora is our number one choice. It has an option to peek behind that allows you to see your baby on the bottom of the mattress. It also adjusts to the height of your mattress, although some mothers have complained about the difficulty of moving it up and down. It's also among our lightest options that can fold into a suitcase-sized bag. This makes it perfect for travel with your baby.
The Slumber 3-in-1 is another great alternative. It can be used as a travel cot or bassinet as well as playpen. This product was awarded the gold award at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards, in the category of the best Cot, Moses Basket, or Crib. It has a storage shelf and is easy to move into and out of a car. Some mothers were concerned that it was too large and wide to fit in small spaces, particularly when it was used as a bed on the bed.
Design
The best cribs for beds are sleek, stylish and modern. Some are designed with innovative features including a peek-aboo flap on the side, to let you observe your baby without disturbing them. Other features, such as adjustable heights, are useful when your child has difficulty getting up and down from bed. These sleepers can also be used as a cot or bassinet and some even have an incline position for babies who are reflux. If you're looking for something a bit more traditional There are plenty of options to choose from as well.
The CoZee Air by Tutti Bambini won 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 when away from home. They are also light and easy to move around.
Other mums like the Lua Bedside Sleeper that comes with an adjustable changing mat and storage area, as in addition to a collapsible bassinet that turns into a mini crib and storage bag. Jasmine says it's the ideal size for babies and is larger than Moses baskets, which can feel thin or flimsy.
The iCandy Cocoon is another great alternative. It can be used as a Moses Basket, cot or travel cot. It has a pop-up changer and a shelf that is perfect for toys and books, and a mesh, adjustable side that offers an excellent view of your baby. It's not lightweight however it's easy to move around and looks great in any bedroom.
Cost
Cost is a major aspect when you're searching for a crib bassinet, or bedside sleeper. Some of the more popular models can be quite expensive. However there are a lot of cheaper alternatives. They are available in a range of different styles and colors to match your nursery decor.
The best cribs for bedside use are adjustable and can be adjusted to the height of your mattress. Some have an inclined position that is perfect for babies who have reflux. They can also be folded away when not in use and some models come with a travel bag included which is ideal for new mums who frequently go out or have guests staying in.
Bedside cots are usually a little bigger than Moses baskets but smaller than cribs. They can be moved from one place to another, and some have a side which can be raised so that you can lift your baby towards you to feed them or soothe him. Some have a built-in rocker so you can soothe your baby to sleep.
Clair de Lune, a mid-priced model, was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Crib category. It's sleek and stylish however it is a little wider than other options. This may not be suitable for smaller spaces. It is also a bit heavy, weighing over 10kg, and requires some maneuvering to position it. Emily from Clair de Lune also notes that it's not as simple to get into and out of as other sleepers for bed, due to the sides don't flex much and you need to bend over to pick up your baby.