The Best Bedside Cots
A bedside crib is a bassinet style that can be attached to your bed which allows your babies to sleep right next to you. This is a great option if you'd like your baby to be near for peaceful feedings during the early stages.
The HALO bassiNest Essentia was the winner of our top bedside cots test. It features a swiveling sleep surface and sidewalls that can be lowered easily. This makes it easier to reach out for comfort and ease them to sleep.
Safety
A bedside cot is the ideal solution for new parents who wish to keep their infant close but not sacrifice safety. This kind of cot attaches to the side of your bed and has one end which can be lifted or lowered down so that you can reach your baby. It can be used as a night time feeding station or to help soothe your baby to sleep. This is a great choice particularly for mothers who have had C-sections. Bedside cots come in a variety of sizes and styles and some even have storage. If you're looking for a bedside cot be sure to check the safety features to make sure it is safe for your baby.
The Boori Oasis Oval Cot has a stylish design and is easy to put together. Its oval-shaped design is perfect for babies who like to roll in their sleep. They won't be stuck in a corner like they would with a rectangular cot. This cot is also easy to slide through standard door frames, which is a big advantage for parents who are stretched out by their space.
Another option is the La Redoute Willox Adjustable Cot Bed. This cot has a lot of features that make parenting simpler and it looks stunning. Its adjustable sides allow it to grow with your child and then convert 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 mesh sides that are high to prevent your child from falling out. It should be securely attached to your bed, with no gaps or parts that are loose. If you're not sure about fitting a bedside cot yourself you can ask a professional to install it for you.
Ideally, you should avoid sleeping with your baby until they're at minimum six months old. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS recommend that you do not let your infant sleep in your bed. This is due to the risk of suffocation and overheating. If you do need to co-sleep in a crib, a bedside crib is the most secure option.
Size
A bedside cot is a bassinet-style cot that fixes to the bed's side. It has a side which can be lifted or dropped down to let you reach your baby quickly, without having to leave the bed. Celebrity moms like Stacey Solomon Binky Felstead, and Lucy Mecklenburgh adore these. They are perfect for those who have limited mobility following a C-section.
The Maxi-Cosi Lora is our top choice. It has a peekaboo feature that allows you to view your baby on the bottom of the mattress. It also adjusts to the height of your mattress but some mothers have complained about the difficulty of moving it up and down. similar site 's also one of the lightest options on our list and folds down into a suitcase-sized package which makes it perfect to travel with your child.
Another option that is great 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 award in the best Cot Crib, Moses Basket category. It has shelves for storage and is easy to lift into and out of the car. However, some mums found it a bit big and bulky for small areas, particularly when used as a bedside sleeper.
Design
The best bedside cribs are stylish, sleek and modern. Some come with innovative designs, like a peek-a-boo flap on the side, to help you check in on baby without disrupting them. Other features, like adjustable height, are helpful when your child has difficulty getting up and down from bed. These sleepers can be used as a bassinet or cot with an incline position for babies who are reflux. There are also plenty of options for those who want 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 extremely light and easy to move from room room.
Other mothers like the Lua Bedside Sleeper, which has an adjustable changing mat and storage area, as well as the bassinet, which can be collapsed into a mini-portable crib and storage bag. Jasmine says it's the ideal size for a newborn and is more substantial than Moses baskets, which can seem flimsy and thin.
The iCandy Cocoon is another great alternative. It can be used as a Moses Basket or a cot for travel. It has a pop-up changer, a handy shelf for toys and books and a mesh adjustable side that gives you an excellent view of your baby. It's not very light however it's easy to move around and looks fantastic in any bedroom.
Cost
Cost is a major factor when you are searching for a crib bassinet or bedside sleeper. Many of the most well-known models are costly however there are plenty of cheaper alternatives that won't cost you a fortune. Some come in different colors and styles to match your nursery decor.
The best bedside cots have adjustable sides and can be raised to meet the height of your bed. Some have an incline setting that is ideal for babies who suffer from reflux. Some models come with a travel bag and can be folded when not in use. This is ideal for new mothers who are often on the go or have guests coming over.
Bedside cots are usually slightly bigger than Moses baskets but smaller than cribs. Some are able to be moved from one place to another, and some have a side that can be adjusted to allow you to lift your child towards you to feed them or comfort them. Some 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 stylish however, it's a bit larger than other options, so it may not be the ideal choice for small spaces. It is also quite heavy at over 10kg, and requires some maneuvering to put it in place it. Emily from Clair de Lune also notes that it's not as simple to get into and out of as some other bedside sleepers, because the sides don't move much and you'll have to bend to pick up your baby.