The Best Bedside Cots
A bedside crib is a bassinet-style crib that attaches directly to your bed. This allows your baby to sleep safely close to you. This is a great option for parents who want their child to be near for peaceful feedings during the early stages.
The HALO bassiNest Essentia was the winner of our top bedside cots test. It comes with an adjustable sleep surface that can be swiveled and sidewalls that can be lowered easily. This makes it easy to reach over and comfort them.
Safety
A bedside crib is a great option for parents who wish to keep their infant close to them, but not compromise security. This type of cot fixes to the side of your bed and has a curved end which can be lifted or lowered down so that you can reach your baby. Cots For Tots can be used as a night time feeding station or to soothe your baby to sleep. This is a great option particularly for mothers who have had C-sections. Bedside cots are available in various sizes and styles and some come with storage. If you're shopping for a bedside cot, be sure to check the safety features to make sure it's safe for your child.
The Boori Oasis Oval Cot has an attractive design and is easy to assemble. Its oval shape is ideal for infants who lay around during sleep, since it ensures that they don't get stuck in the corner as they might with the rectangular cot. The cot can also be easily inserted into doors that have standard frames. This is a great option for parents who are short on 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 as well as a gorgeous look. Its movable sides mean it can grow with your child and convert into an infant bed when they're ready. It's also light, so it is easy to move around.
A high mesh crib side is a good feature to have on a bedside crib. This will keep your child from falling. It should be fitted securely to your bed with no gaps or areas that are loose. Ask a professional if you are not confident in fitting a bedside crib yourself.
Ideally, you should avoid co-sleeping with your infant until they're at minimum six months old. 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 danger of overheating and suffocation. If you are forced to share a bed with your child, a crib at the bedside is the ideal alternative.
Size
A bedside cot, also known as bassinet is a cot which attaches to the sides of your mattress. It is a side that can be adjusted to let you reach your baby without having to get out of bed. Famous moms like Stacey Solomon Binky Felstead, and Lucy Mecklenburgh are awestruck by these. They are great for those who have limited mobility after a C-section.
Our top pick, the Maxi Cosi Lora, has a peekaboo flap that lets you view your baby from the bottom of the bed. It can also be adjusted to the mattress's height however some moms have claimed it was difficult to move it up and down. It's also among the lightest options on our list and folds down to a suitcase-sized package, making it ideal to travel with your child.
Another option that is great 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 Award 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. However, some mums were concerned that it was too long and wide for tight areas, particularly when used as a bedside sleeper.
Design
The best cribs for your bed will be sleek, stylish and modern. Some are designed with innovative features such as a peek-a-boo flap on the side, to allow you to monitor your baby without disrupting them. Other features such as adjustable height are beneficial if your partner is having difficulty getting up. Some sleepers are also suitable as an cot, bassinet or for reflux babies. There are also plenty of options for those who want something more traditional.
Some of our favorites are the CoZee Air from Tutti Bambini, which won bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category and the Next2me Magic shortlisted in the same category. Both are adjustable in height and can be used as a travel cot when away from home. They're also super lightweight and easy to move from room to room.
Other mums like the Lua Bedside Sleeper that comes with a changing mat and storage area, as in addition to an adjustable bassinet that folds into a mini portable cot and a storage bag. Jasmine says it's the perfect size for newborns and is bigger than Moses baskets which may feel flimsy or thin.
The iCandy Cocoon is another great option. It can be used as a Moses Basket as a cot, cot, or travel cot. It has a pop-up changing table as well as a shelf to store books and toys, and an adjustable mesh side that allows you to observe your baby. It's not the lightest however it's easy to move and looks sleek 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 a lot of cheaper alternatives. There are a variety of colors and styles to match your nursery decor.
The best cribs for beds are adjustable and can be raised up to the height of your mattress. Some have an incline setting which is ideal for babies who suffer from reflux. They can also be folded away 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 usually a little bigger than Moses baskets, but smaller than cribs. Some can be moved from one place to another, while others have a side which can be adjusted to allow you to pull your baby towards you to feed them or calm him. Some models also come with built-in rockers so you can soothe your baby to sleep.
Clair de Lune, a mid-priced model, was nominated for the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Crib category. It's stylish and sleek, but slightly larger than other models. It's probably not suitable for small spaces. It's 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 move in and out of as some other sleepers for bed, due to the sides don't flex much and you need to bend over to scoop your baby up.