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 solution if you'd like your baby to be near for peaceful feedings in the beginning stages of their development.
The HALO bassiNest Essentia was the winner in our top bedside cots test. 4-in-1 bedside crib has an adjustable sleep surface and sidewalls that can be easily lowered. This makes it easier to reach for comfort and lull them back to sleep.
Safety
A bedside crib is a great solution for new parents who want to keep their child close but without compromising their security. This kind of cot is attached to the side of your mattress. It also has a movable end so you can reach out to your baby. You can use the crib as a night feeding station or to help soothe your baby to sleep. This is a great option particularly for mothers who have had C-sections. Bedside cots are available in many different designs and sizes, and some come with storage. When choosing a bedside cot make sure you check the safety features.
The Boori Oasis Oval Cot has elegant design and is simple to put together. The oval shape is perfect for babies who tend to lay around during sleep, since it means they won't get stuck in the corner like they would with the rectangular cot. This cot can also be easily fitted through doors with standard frames. This is a great feature for parents who are tight 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 stunning. Its adjustable sides allow it to expand with your child and then transform into a toddler's bed once the time comes. It is also lightweight so it is easy to move around.
A good quality bedside crib should have high mesh sides to stop your child from falling out. It should be securely attached to your bed without gaps or loose parts. If you're unsure about fitting a bedside cot by yourself, ask a professional to do it for you.
The ideal scenario is to avoid sleeping with your baby until they're at minimum six months old. Official advice from The Lullaby Trust and the NHS is that infants should not be sleeping in your bed because of the risk of suffocation and overheating. However, if you need to co-sleep, a bedside crib is the safest option.
Size
A bedside cot is a bassinet-style cot which is attached to the side of your bed. bedside cosleeper features a side that is able to be adjusted to allow you to reach your baby without having to get out of bed. They are a favorite of celeb mums such as Stacey Solomon, Binky Felstead and Lucy Mecklenburgh and are ideal for mothers who be unable to move after the C-section.
Our top pick, the Maxi-Cosi Lora, has an opening that lets you peek at your baby from the bottom of the bed. bedside crib or cot adjusts to the mattress's height - though some mothers complained that it was difficult to move up and down. It's also among our lightest choices and folds into a suitcase-sized package. This makes it ideal 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 also 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 beneath and is light enough to carry into and out of the car. Some mothers have found it a bit large and wide for small spaces, particularly when used as a bedside sleeper.
Design
The best cribs for beds are stylish, sleek and modern. Some cribs feature innovative designs like an open-air flap on the sides that allow you to observe your baby without disturbing him. Other features, like adjustable height, are helpful for those who have difficulty getting up and down from bed. Some sleepers can also be used as a bassinet, cot, or for babies who have reflux. If you're looking for something a bit more traditional There are plenty of options as well.
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 was shortlisted in that same category. Both have adjustable heights and can be transformed into a travel cot for use outside of the home. They are also light and easy to move around.
Other moms love the Lua Bedside Sleeper, which has an adjustable changing mat and storage area, as it also has a collapsible bassinet that turns into a mini cot as well as a storage bag. Jasmine says it's the perfect size for newborns and is larger than Moses baskets that can feel thin or flimsy.
The iCandy Cocoon is another great alternative. It can be used as a Moses Basket, cot or travel cot. It has a pop-up changer as well as a shelf to store toys and books and a mesh adjustable side that gives you a good view of your baby. It's not the tiniest, but it's easy to move and looks elegant in any bedroom.
Cost
If you're looking for a bedside sleeper crib or bassinet, price is a consideration. Many of the most sought-after models are costly but there are plenty of lower-cost alternatives that won't cost a fortune. They are available in a variety of styles and colors to fit your nursery decor.
The best bedside cots have adjustable sides that can be raised to match the bed's height. Some have an inclined position that is ideal for babies who have reflux. They can also be folded away when not in use and some models even have an included travel bag that is perfect for mothers who frequently go out or have guests staying with them.
Bedside cots are generally slightly bigger than Moses baskets, but smaller than cribs. They can be moved from one place to another, while others have a side which can be adjusted to allow you to pull your child towards you to feed them or soothe them. Some have a built in rocker that can help 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 elegant, but it's slightly larger than other options, meaning it's not the best fit for tight spaces. It's also quite heavy at more than 10kg and requires some maneuvering to place it. Emily from Clair de Lune notes that the sides of this mattress don't bend as much, so you'll need to bend to grab your baby.
