The Best Bedside Cots
A bedside crib is a bassinet type crib that is attached directly to your bed. This lets your baby sleep safely close to you. This is a great choice for parents who want their baby to be close by for fuss-free feeds in the early stages.
The HALO bassiNest Essentia is the winner of our best bedside cots test. It features a swiveling sleep surface and sidewalls that can be lowered easily. This makes it easy to reach out to relax and get to sleep.
Safety
A bedside cot is the ideal solution for new parents who wish to keep their infant close without sacrificing safety. This type of cot is attached to the side of your mattress. It also has a movable end so you can reach out to your baby. It can be used as a night-time feeding station or to help soothe your baby back to sleep. It's also a great choice for mums who have had C-sections. Bedside cots come in a variety of sizes and designs, and some include storage. If you're looking for a bedside cot make sure you check out the safety features to be sure it's safe for your child.
The Boori Oasis Oval Cot is an elegant cot that is easy to build and compact. Its oval shape is ideal for babies who lay around during sleep, because it means that they won't be stuck in the corner as they would with the rectangular cot. This cot can also be easily fitted into doors that have standard frames. This is an excellent feature for parents who are tight in space.
La Redoute Willox adjustable Cot Bed is another great alternative. This cot is an excellent all-rounder, with lots of features to make parenting easier and beautiful design. Its adjustable sides mean it can grow with your child and transform into a toddler bed when they're ready. It's also lightweight, which means it's easy to move around the home.
A good quality bedside crib should have mesh sides that are high to prevent your baby from falling out. It should be securely anchored to your bed without gaps or loose parts. If you're not sure about fitting a bedside cot yourself or hiring a professional, let a professional do it for you.
Co-sleeping is not advised until your baby is at least six months old age. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS, advise that you do not let your newborn sleep in your bed. This is because of the possibility of overheating and suffocation. However, if you have to sleep with your partner the 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 comes with a side which can be lifted or lowered to let you reach your baby quickly, without having to get out of bed. These are the preferred choice of celeb mums such as Stacey Solomon, Binky Felstead and Lucy Mecklenburgh. They are perfect for those who may have a limited mobility following having a C-section.
Our top pick, the Maxi-Cosi Lora, comes with a peekaboo flap that lets you see your baby from the bottom of the bed. It also adjusts to the height of your mattress - although some mums said it was tricky to move up and down. It's also one of our lightest choices and folds into a suitcase-sized package. This makes it ideal for traveling with your baby.
Another option that is great is the Slumber Carbon 3-in-1, which can be used as a bassinet, travel cot and playpen. bedside cot for twins won our 2021 Mother&Baby Award gold award in the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category. It comes with an adjustable shelf for storage and is easy to lift into and out of a car. Some mothers have were concerned that it was too big and bulky 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 allow you to observe your baby without disrupting them. Other features, like adjustable height, can be helpful for those who have difficulty getting up and down from their bed. Some sleepers are also suitable as a bassinet, cot, or for babies who have reflux. There are plenty 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're also light and easy to move from room room.
Some mums prefer the Lua Bedside sleeper that includes a changing mat, storage space and a collapsible baby bassinet which can be turned into an e-couch that can be carried around. It also comes with a storage bag. Jasmine says it's the perfect size for a newborn and is larger than Moses baskets, which can seem flimsy and thin.
Another option 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 changing table, a shelf for toys and books, and an adjustable mesh side that lets you see your baby. It's not light but it's easy to move around and looks great in any bedroom.
Cost
If you're looking 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 range of different styles and colors to fit the decor of your nursery.
The most comfortable bedside cots have adjustable sides and can be adjusted to match the height of your bed. Some models have an incline setting that is perfect for babies with reflux. They can also be folded away when not in use, and some models come with a travel bag included which is perfect for mothers who are often out and about or have guests staying in.
Bedside cots are usually slightly larger than Moses baskets, but are smaller than cribs. They can be moved from room-to-room if you need to, and some have a side that drops down to allow you to lift your baby out towards you for night feeds or calming. Some models also come with a built-in rocker so you can soothe your baby to sleep.
The Clair de Lune is a mid-priced option that was shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot Crib, Moses Basket category. The design is sleek and stylish, but it's slightly larger than other options, meaning it might not be the best choice for small spaces. It's also quite heavy, at more than 10kg, and needs a lot of maneuvering to get it in position. Emily from Clair de Lune notes that the sides of this mattress don't bend enough, meaning you'll have to bend to pick up your baby.