The Best Bedside Cots
A bedside crib is a bassinet-style cot that is attached to your bed which allows your infants to sleep close. This is a great solution if you'd like your baby to be near for peaceful feedings during the early stages.
The HALO bassiNest Essentia is the winner of our best bedside cots test. It comes with a swiveling sleep surface and sidewalls which can be lowered easily. This makes it easy to reach over for comfort and ease them back to sleep.
Safety
A bedside crib is an ideal solution for new parents that want to keep their child close but without compromising their security. This kind of cot attaches to the side of your bed and has one end that can be lifted up or lowered down so that you can reach your little one. You can use a bedside crib to night feed your baby or to soothe them back to sleep. It's also a great choice for mothers who've had a C-section. Bedside cots come in various sizes and styles and some come with storage. When choosing a bedside cot be sure to verify the safety features.
The Boori Oasis Oval Cot is a stylish-looking cot that's easy to build and compact. Its oval shape is ideal for babies who roll around in their sleep. They won't be stuck in a corner like they would with the rectangular cot. The cot can also be easily fitted through doors with standard frames. This is a fantastic feature for parents who are short on space.
Another option is the La Redoute Willox Adjustable Cot Bed. The cot comes with a variety of features that make parenting simpler and it looks stunning. Its adjustable sides mean it will grow with your child and transform into an infant bed when they're ready. It's also lightweight, which means it's easy to move around the house.
A high-quality bedside crib should have a high mesh side to stop your baby from falling out. It should be securely attached to your bed without gaps or loose parts. If you're not sure about fitting a bedside cot yourself you can ask a professional to complete the task for you.
Co-sleeping is not advised until your baby is at least six months old age. The official advice from the Lullaby Trust and the NHS is that newborns shouldn't sleep in your bed due to the danger of suffocation and overheating. If you do need to co-sleep in a crib, a bedside crib is the safest option.
Size
A bedside cot, also known as a bassinet is a cot which attaches to the side of your mattress. It features a side that is able to be raised or lowered so that you can reach your baby without having to get out of bed. These are a favourite of famous moms like Stacey Solomon, Binky Felstead and Lucy Mecklenburgh. They are ideal for mothers who have a limited mobility following a C-section.
The Maxi-Cosi Lora is our top choice. It has an option to peek behind that allows you to see your child on the bottom of the mattress. It also adjusts to the mattress's height however some mothers have complained about the difficulty of moving it up and down. It's also among the most lightweight options on our list and it folds down to a suitcase-sized package, making it ideal for travelling with your little one.
Another option is the Slumber Carbon 3-in-1, which converts into a bassinet, travel cot and playpen - it even was awarded our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards gold award in the best Cot Crib, Moses Basket category. It comes with a useful storage shelf below and is super-light to lift in and out of the car. However, some mums were concerned that it was too long and wide for tight spaces, especially when used as a bedside sleeper.
Design
The best bedside cribs are sleek, stylish and modern. Some come with innovative designs, like a peek-a-boo flap on the side to let you monitor your baby without disrupting them. Other features, like adjustable height, can be helpful when your child has difficulty getting up or down from their 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 that won bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot Crib, Moses or Basket category, and the Next2me Magic shortlisted in the same category. Both come with adjustable heights, and can be converted into a travel cot for use when away from home. They're also light and easy to move from room room.
Some mothers prefer the Lua Bedside sleeper that includes a changing mat, storage space and a collapsible baby bassinet that can be converted into an e-couch that can be carried around. It also comes with an organizer bag. Jasmine says it's the perfect size for a newborn and is larger than Moses baskets, which may appear flimsy or fragile.
Another great 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 changer, a handy shelf for books and toys and a mesh adjustable side that gives you a good view of your baby. It's not the tiniest however it's easy to move and looks sleek in any bedroom.
Cost
If you're looking for a bedside sleeper crib or bassinet, price will be a major factor. Certain of the most popular models can be expensive. However there are a lot of cheaper alternatives. Some even come 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 raised to match the bed's height. Some models 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 have bags for travel that is perfect for new mothers who often go out or have guests staying with them.
Bedside cots are usually slightly larger than Moses baskets, but smaller than cribs. bedside cot 6 months plus can also be moved from room to if you need to, and some have the side that lowers to allow you to lift your baby toward you for feeding or soothing. Some models come with a built-in rocker to 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 or Moses Basket category. It's stylish and sleek, but slightly larger than other options. It's not ideal for small spaces. It's also quite heavy at more than 10kg, and requires some maneuvering to place it. Emily from Clair de Lune also notes that it's not as easy to get into and out of like other sleepers for bed, due to the sides don't flex much and you have to bend over to scoop your baby up.