The Best Bedside Cots
A bedside crib is a bassinet-style cot that is attached to your bed which allows your baby to sleep close by. This is a great solution to allow your baby to be close for fuss-free feedings during the early stages.
The HALO BassiNest Essentia was crowned our best bedside cot test, with a swiveling sleeping surface and sidewalls that dip down effortlessly. This makes it easy to reach for comfort and lull them back to sleep.
Safety
A bedside crib is an ideal solution for new parents who want to keep their child near them without compromising security. This kind of cot attaches to the side of your bed and has one end which can be lifted or dropped down so you can reach your little one. You can use a bedside crib to feed your baby at night or soothe them to sleep. This is a fantastic option especially for mothers who have had C-sections. Bedside cots come in various sizes and designs and some come with storage. If you're looking for a bedside cot, ensure you look over the safety features to be sure it is safe for your child.
The Boori Oasis Oval Cot is an elegant cot that is easy to put together and compact. Its oval shape is ideal for babies who roll around in their sleep. They won't be confined in a 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 limited in space.
Another good choice is the La Redoute Willox Adjustable Cot Bed. It comes with a number of features that make parenting easier, and it looks great. Its adjustable sides let it grow with your child, and then transform into a toddler's bed when the time arrives. It's also lightweight, which means it is easy to move around.
A quality crib for your bed should have a high mesh side to stop your baby from falling out. It should be securely fitted to your bed, with no gaps or loose parts. If you're unsure about installing a bedside cot on your own or hiring a professional, let a professional install it for you.
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 let your newborn sleep in your bed. This is due to the risk of suffocation and overheating. However, if you have to co-sleep in a crib, a bedside crib is the most secure option.
Size
A bedside cot, sometimes referred to as the bassinet, is a cot that attaches to the side of your mattress. It has one side that can be lifted or lowered down so that you can reach your baby quickly, without having to leave the bed. These are a favourite of famous moms like Stacey Solomon, Binky Felstead and Lucy Mecklenburgh. They're ideal for parents who have a limited mobility following a C-section.
Our top choice, the Maxi-Cosi Lora, comes with a peekaboo flap that lets you peek at your child from below the bed. It also adjusts to the mattress's height - although some mums claimed it was difficult to move up and down. It's also among the lightest options we've seen and folds down to an ideal size for a suitcase which makes it perfect to travel with your baby.
The Slumber 3-in-1 is a great alternative. It can be used as a portable bassinet or cot, and it also doubles as playpen. This product won the gold award at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the category of Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib. It comes with a useful storage shelf below and is extremely light to lift in and out of the car. Some mothers considered it to be too big and wide to be able to fit in tight spaces, especially when it is used as a sleeper by the bed.
Design
The best cribs for bed will be sleek, stylish and modern. Some cribs come with innovative designs like a peek-a-boo flap on the sides that allow you to check on your baby without disturbing him. Other features, like adjustable height, are helpful for those who have difficulty getting up and down from their bed. These sleepers can also be used as a cot or bassinet, and some have incline positions for reflux babies. If you're seeking something more traditional, there are plenty of options as well.
A few of our favourites are the CoZee Air from Tutti Bambini, which won bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Award Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category and the Next2me Magic was shortlisted in that same category. Both can be adjusted in height and can be used as a travel cot if you're away from home. They are also lightweight and easy for you to move around.
Other moms love the Lua Bedside Sleeper, which 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 that it is the ideal size for babies and is larger than Moses baskets, which may feel flimsy or thin.
bedside co sleeper cot is another great option. It can be used as a Moses Basket, cot or travel cot. It has an adjustable changing table that pops up, a shelf for toys and books, as well as an adjustable mesh side that allows you to view your baby. It's not very light, but it is easy to move around and looks fantastic in any bedroom.
Cost
If you're shopping for a bedside sleeping device, crib or bassinet, price will be a factor. Some of the most popular models are quite expensive, but there are plenty of cheaper alternatives that won't cost a fortune. Some even come with a variety of styles and colors to fit your nursery decor.
The most comfortable bedside cots have adjustable sides that can be adjusted to match the bed's height. Some models come with an incline option which is ideal for babies who suffer from reflux. Some models come with a travel bag and fold up when not in use. This is great for new mothers who are always on the go or have guests over.
Bedside cots are usually a bit bigger than Moses baskets, but smaller than cribs. Some can be moved from one room to another, while others have a side that can be lowered to allow you to lift your baby towards you to feed them or comfort them. Some models come with a built-in rocker to soothe your baby to sleep.
The Clair de Lune is a mid-priced model that was shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category. The design is stylish and sleek however it's a little wider than some other options, which means it might not be the best choice for small 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 like other sleepers for bed, due to the sides aren't flexible enough and you need to bend over to scoop your baby up.