The Best Bedside Cots
A bedside crib is a bassinet type crib that can be attached directly to your bed. bedside cot mattress allows your baby to rest comfortably close to you. This is an ideal option if you want your little one to be close by for fuss-free feeds in the early stages.
The HALO bassiNest Essentia is the winner of our best bedside cots test. It comes with an adjustable sleep surface and sidewalls that can be lowered easily. This makes it easy to reach over and comfort them.
Safety
A bedside cot is an ideal solution for parents who want to keep their child close but not sacrifice security. This type of crib is attached to the side of your mattress. It has a moveable end that you can reach out to your baby. You can use a crib for your bed to feed your baby at night or help them go to sleep. This is a great option especially for mothers who have had C-sections. Bedside cots come in a variety of sizes and styles and some even have storage. When choosing a cot for your bedside make sure you check the safety features.
The Boori Oasis Oval Cot is an elegant cot that is easy to put together and compact. The oval shape is perfect for babies who lay around during sleep, as it means that they won't be stuck in the corner as they might with a rectangular cot. The cot can also be easily fitted into doors with standard frames. This is an excellent feature for parents who are tight in 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 and an attractive design. Its adjustable sides let it grow with your child and later transform into a toddler's bed once the time comes. It is also lightweight so it's easy to move around.
A high-quality bedside crib should have a high mesh side to stop your baby from falling out. It should also be attached securely to your bed, with no gaps or sloppy areas. Contact a professional if are unsure about installing a crib on your bed.
Co-sleeping is not recommended until your baby is at least six months of age. Official advice from The Lullaby Trust and the NHS is that babies shouldn't sleep in your bed due to the risk of overheating and suffocation. If you have to sleep with your child, a crib at the bedside is the ideal option.
Size
A bedside cot is a bassinet-style cot that fixes to the side of your bed. It has one side that can be lifted or lowered to let you reach your baby easily without the need to leave the bed. These are the preferred choice of celeb mums such as Stacey Solomon, Binky Felstead and Lucy Mecklenburgh. They are ideal for mothers who have limited mobility after the C-section.
Our top pick, the Maxi-Cosi Lora, comes with an opening that lets you view your child from the bottom of the bed. It also adjusts to the height of your mattress - although some mums claimed it was difficult to move it up and down. It is also one of our lightest choices and can fold into a suitcase-sized bag. This makes it perfect for traveling with your baby.
Another option is the Slumber Carbon 3-in-1, which converts into a bassinet, travel cot and playpen. It even won our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards gold medal in the best Cot Crib, Moses Basket category. It has an adjustable shelf for storage and is easy to lift into and out of the car. Some mothers, however, were concerned that it was too big and wide to fit into tight spaces, especially when used as a sleeper by the bed.
Design
The best bedside cribs are sleek, stylish, and modern. Some cribs have innovative designs, like a peek-aboo flap on the sides to allow you to check on your baby without disturbing him. Other features like adjustable heights are helpful for those who have difficulties getting out of bed. These sleepers can also be used as a cot or bassinet and some even have incline positions for reflux babies. If you're seeking something more traditional There are plenty of options as well.
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 are adjustable in height and can be used as a travel cot if you're away from home. They're also light and easy to move from room to room.
Other moms love the Lua Bedside Sleeper that comes with a changing mat and storage space as it also has a collapsible bassinet that turns into a mini-portable cot and a storage bag. Jasmine says it's the perfect size for a newborn and is more substantial than Moses baskets, which may appear flimsy or fragile.
The iCandy Cocoon is another great option. It can be used as a Moses Basket or a cot for travel. It has a pop-up changing table and a shelf that is perfect for toys and books and a mesh adjustable side that offers a good view of your baby. It's not light, but it is easy to move around and looks fantastic in any bedroom.
Cost
If you're in the market for a bedside sleeper, crib or bassinet, the cost will be a factor. Some of the most popular models are expensive, but there are plenty of lower-cost alternatives that won't cost you a fortune. Many come in a variety of styles and colors to match the decor of your nursery.
The best cribs for bedside use are adjustable and can be adjusted to the height of your mattress. Some have an incline setting that is ideal for babies who suffer from reflux. Some models come with a bag for travel and can be folded when not in use. This is perfect for new mothers who are always traveling or having guests over.
Bedside cots are typically a bit bigger than Moses baskets, but they are smaller than cribs. They can be moved from room-to-room in case you have to, and some have a side that drops down so that you can pull your child towards you for night feeds or soothing. Some models also come with built-in rockers so you can soothe your little one to sleep.
Clair de Lune, a mid-priced model, was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Crib category. It's stylish and sleek however it's a bit larger than other models. It's not suitable for small spaces. It's also quite heavy at over 10kg, and requires some maneuvering to get it into the proper position. Emily from Clair de Lune also notes that it's not as easy to move in and out of as other bedside sleepers, because the sides aren't flexible enough and you need to bend to scoop your baby up.