The Best Bedside Cots
A bedside crib is a bassinet-style crib that can be attached directly to your bed. This allows your baby to rest peacefully close to you. This is a great choice when you want your little one to be near to feed them without fuss in the beginning stages.
The HALO BassiNest Essentia won our top bedside cot in our test, featuring an adjustable sleeping surface that can be swiveled and sidewalls that drop down effortlessly. This makes it easier to reach for comfort and ease them back to sleep.
Safety
A bedside crib is a great solution for new parents who want to keep their child close to them, but not compromise security. This type of cot fixes to the side of your bed and has a single end that can be lifted up or lowered so you can reach your little one. You can use a crib for your bed to feed your baby at night or soothe them back to sleep. It's also a great choice for mums who have had a C-section. Bedside cots come in a variety of sizes and styles, and some include storage. When shopping for a cot for your bedside make sure you check the safety features.
The Boori Oasis Oval Cot has a stylish design and is simple to put together. Its oval-shaped design is perfect for babies who like to roll in their sleep. They won't end up in a corner like they would with the rectangular cot. This cot can also be easily fitted into standard door frames. This is an excellent feature for parents who are short on space.
Another great option is the La Redoute Willox Adjustable Cot Bed. It comes with a number of features that make parenting easier, and it looks great. Its adjustable sides allow it to expand with your child and later transform into a toddler's bed once the time arrives. It's also light, so it is easy to move around.
A crib with a high mesh side is a great feature to have on a bedside crib. This will prevent your baby from falling. It should be securely attached to your bed with no gaps or parts that are loose. If you're unsure about fitting a bedside cot yourself you can ask a professional to do it for you.
The ideal scenario is to avoid co-sleeping with your infant until they're at minimum six months old. The official recommendation from the Lullaby Trust and the NHS is that babies should not sleep in your bed due to the risk of suffocation or overheating. If you do need to co-sleep, a crib that is placed near your bed is the best option.
Size
A bedside cot, also referred to as bassinet is a cot which is attached to the side of your mattress. It has a side that can be adjusted to let you reach your baby without having to leave the bed. Celeb mums like Stacey Solomon Binky Felstead, and Lucy Mecklenburgh love these. They are perfect for those who have 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 - although some mums complained that it was difficult to move up and down. It's also among our lightest options that can fold into a suitcase-sized bag. This makes it perfect to travel with your baby.
Another option is the Slumber Carbon 3-in-1, which transforms into an a portable cot, bassinet and playpen. It even was awarded our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards gold medal in the best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category. It comes with a useful storage shelf underneath and is light enough to carry into and out of the car. However, some mothers were concerned that it was too big and bulky for small areas, particularly when used as a bedside sleeper.
Design
The best bedside cribs will be sleek, stylish and modern. Some are designed with innovative features including a peek-aboo flap on the side, to let you monitor your baby without disturbing them. Other features, such as adjustable height, are helpful when your child has difficulty getting up or down from their 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 seeking something more traditional There are plenty of options to choose from as well.
A few of our favourites are the CoZee Air from Tutti Bambini, which won bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot Crib, Moses Basket category as well as the Next2me Magic shortlisted in the same category. Both can be adjusted in height and can be used as a travel cot when away from home. They're also light and easy to move from room room.
Some mothers prefer the Lua Bedside sleeper, which includes a changing mat, storage space and a collapsible bassinet for babies that can be converted into portable mini cot. It also comes with a storage bag. Jasmine says it's the ideal size for babies and is more substantial than Moses baskets, which can feel thin or flimsy.
baby bedside crib is another option is the iCandy Cocoon, which can be used as a Moses basket, cot or travel cot. It comes with a pop-up changer as well as a shelf to store books and toys and a mesh adjustable side that offers a good view of your baby. It's not light but it's easy to move around and looks fantastic in any bedroom.
Cost
If you're shopping for a bedside sleeping device, crib or bassinet, the cost is a consideration. Many of the most well-known models are quite expensive however there are plenty of lower-cost alternatives that won't break the bank. There are a variety of styles and colors to match your nursery decor.
The best cribs for bedside use are adjustable and can be elevated to the level of your mattress. Some models have an incline setting that is perfect for babies suffering from reflux. They can also be folded when not in use and some models have a travel bag included which is perfect for new mothers who frequently go out or have guests staying in.
Bedside cots are generally slightly larger than Moses baskets, but they are smaller than cribs. They can be moved from room to when needed and some come with a side that drops down so that you can pull your child towards you for night feeds or calming. Some also 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&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Crib category. It's stylish and sleek however it's a bit larger than other options. It's probably not suitable for smaller spaces. It's also a bit heavy, weighing over 10kg and requires some maneuvering to put it in place it. Emily from Clair de Lune notes that the sides of this sleeper don't flex as much, so you'll need to bend to grab your baby.