The Best Bedside Cots
A bedside crib is a bassinet style that attaches to your own bed, making it safe for babies to sleep right next to you. This is a great choice when you want your little one to be close to feed them without fuss in the beginning stages.
The HALO bassiNest Essentia was the winner in our top rated bedside cots for testing. It comes with a swiveling sleep surface and sidewalls that can be easily lowered. This makes it easier to reach over for comfort and lull them 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 safety. This kind of cot attaches to the side of your bed and has a curved end that can be lifted up or dropped down so you can reach your child. You can use the crib as a night feeding station or to help soothe your baby back to sleep. This is a great option particularly for mothers who have had C-sections. Bedside cots are available in a variety of sizes and designs and some come with storage. If you're shopping for a bedside cot ensure you look over the safety features to make sure it is safe for your child.
The Boori Oasis Oval Cot has elegant design and is easy to put together. Its oval shape is ideal for babies who roll in their sleep. They won't end up in a corner like they would with a rectangular cot. This cot is also easy to fit through door frames that are standard, which is a big plus for space-stretched new parents.
Another good choice is the La Redoute Willox Adjustable Cot Bed. This cot is an excellent all-rounder, with plenty of features to make parenting easier and a gorgeous look. Its movable sides mean it can adapt to your child and convert into a toddler bed when they're ready. It's also light, so it's easy to move around the house.
A crib with a high mesh side is a great feature to have at the bedside of a crib. This will prevent your child from falling. It should also be fitted securely to your bed with no gaps or areas that are loose. Ask a professional if you aren't confident in fitting a bedside crib yourself.
Co-sleeping is not advised until your baby is at least six months of age. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS, advise that you don't allow your baby to sleep in your bed. This is because of the possibility of suffocation and overheating. If you have to sleep with your child, a crib at the bedside is the ideal alternative.
Size
A bedside cot, sometimes referred to as a bassinet is a cot that attaches to the sides of your mattress. It has one side that can be lifted or dropped down to allow you to reach your baby quickly, without the need to get out of bed. Celeb mums like Stacey Solomon Binky Felstead, and Lucy Mecklenburgh are awestruck by these. They are ideal for those with limited mobility following a C-section.
The Maxi-Cosi Lora is our top pick. It has the ability to peek at you to view your baby on the bottom of the mattress. It also adjusts to the height of your mattress however some mothers have complained about the difficulty of moving it up and down. It's also among our lightest choices and can fold into a suitcase-sized bag. This makes it ideal for traveling with your baby.
The Slumber 3-in-1 is a great option. It can be used as a travel bassinet or cot as well as playpen. The product was awarded the gold award at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards within the category of Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib. It comes with a storage shelf and is easy to lift into and out of a car. However, some mothers found it a bit large and wide for small areas, particularly when it is used as a bedside sleeping device.
Design
The best cribs for bed are sleek, stylish and modern. bedside cot reviews come with innovative designs including a peek-aboo flap on the side, to help you monitor your baby without disturbing them. Other features, like adjustable height, can be helpful when your child has difficulty getting up and down from bed. Some sleepers are also suitable as an cot, bassinet or for babies with reflux. If you're looking for something more traditional there are a lot of options as well.
The CoZee Air by Tutti Bambini received bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It was the best Cot or Moses Basket category. Next2me Magic was also shortlisted. Both have adjustable height, and can be converted into a travel cot for use away from home. They are also lightweight and easy for you to move around.
Other mums like the Lua Bedside Sleeper that has a changing mat as well as a storage area, as it also has a collapsible bassinet that turns into a mini portable cot as well as a storage bag. Jasmine says it's the ideal size for a baby and is bigger than Moses baskets, which can feel flimsy or 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 as well as a shelf to store books and toys, and a mesh, adjustable side that offers an excellent view of your baby. It's not lightweight but it's easy to move around and looks fantastic in any bedroom.
Cost
Cost is an important aspect when you're shopping for a crib, bassinet, or bedside sleeper. Many of the most sought-after models are expensive, but there are plenty of lower-cost alternatives that won't cost a fortune. Some even come in a variety of styles and colors to match your nursery decor.
The best cribs for bedside use can be adjusted and adjusted to the height of your mattress. Some have an incline setting that is perfect for babies who suffer from reflux. They can also fold away when not in use, and some models even have a travel bag included which is perfect for new mothers who are often out and about or have guests staying over.
Bedside cots are typically slightly larger than Moses baskets, but they are smaller than cribs. They can be moved from room to room when needed and some come with a side that drops down to allow you to lift your baby out towards you for feedings at night or to soothe. Some have a built in rocker that can help soothe your baby to sleep.
The Clair de Lune is a mid-priced model that was nominated in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category. It's stylish and sleek, but slightly larger than other models. It's not suitable for smaller spaces. It is also a bit heavy, weighing 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 in and out of as some other sleepers for bed, due to the sides aren't flexible enough and you need to bend to scoop your baby up.