The Best Bedside Cots
A bedside crib is a bassinet-style cot that attaches to your own bed, making it safe for babies to sleep right next to you. This is a great choice for parents who want their baby to be close by for feedings that aren't a hassle in the beginning stages.
The HALO bassiNest Essentia is the winner of our top rated bedside cots for testing. It has an adjustable sleep surface and sidewalls that can be easily lowered. This makes it easier to reach to relax and get to sleep.
Safety
A bedside crib is a fantastic solution for new parents that wish to keep their infant near them without compromising safety. This type of cot fixes to the bed's side and has a single end that can be lifted up or dropped down so you can reach your little one. It can also be used as a night time feeding station or to soothe your baby back to sleep. This is a great choice particularly for mothers who have had C-sections. Bedside cots can be found in many different designs and sizes, and some come with storage. When shopping for a cot for your bedside be sure to verify the safety features.
The Boori Oasis Oval Cot has elegant design and is easy to assemble. Its oval shape is ideal for babies who roll in their sleep. They won't end up in a corner as they would with an oblong cot. This cot can also be easily inserted into doors with standard frames. This is an excellent feature for parents who are short in space.
La Redoute Willox adjustable Cot Bed is a good alternative. This cot has a lot of features that make parenting easier, and it looks great. Its adjustable sides mean it will grow with your child and transform into a toddler bed when they're ready. It's also lightweight, which means 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 attached securely to your bed with no gaps or areas that are loose. Contact a professional if aren't confident in fitting a bedside crib yourself.
The ideal scenario is to avoid co-sleeping with your child until they're at least six months old. The official advice from the Lullaby Trust and the NHS is that babies should not be sleeping in your bed because of the risk of suffocation and overheating. However, if you need to co-sleep in a crib, a bedside crib is the safest option.
Size
A bedside cot, also referred to as bassinet is a cot which attaches to the side of your mattress. It has a side that can be lifted or dropped down to allow you to reach your baby quickly, without needing to get out of bed. They are a favorite of famous moms like Stacey Solomon, Binky Felstead and Lucy Mecklenburgh. They're ideal for mothers who have a limited mobility following having a C-section.
Our top pick, the Maxi Cosi Lora, has an opening that lets you view your child from below the bed. It can also be adjusted to the mattress's height - although some mums said it was tricky to move it up and down. It's also among the lightest options on our list and it folds down to an ideal size for a suitcase which makes it perfect to travel with your little one.
The Slumber 3-in-1 is another great alternative. It can be used as a travel bassinet or cot as well as playpen. This product won the gold award at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the category of the Best Cot, Moses Basket, or Crib. It comes with a useful storage shelf below and is light enough to carry into and out of the car. However, some mothers thought it was a bit too big and bulky for small areas, particularly when used as a bedside sleeper.
Design
The best bedside cribs are sleek, stylish and modern. Some are designed with innovative features including a peek-aboo flap on the side to allow you to check in on baby without disrupting them. Other features, like adjustable heights, are useful if your partner has trouble getting up and down from their bed. These sleepers can be used as a bassinet or cot with incline positions for reflux babies. If you're seeking something more traditional, there are plenty of options to choose from 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 come with adjustable heights, and can be turned into a travel cot to use when away from home. They're also extremely light and easy to move from room to room.
Some mothers prefer the Lua Bedside sleeper, which includes a changing mat, storage area and a baby bassinet that can be folded that can be converted into portable mini cot. It also comes with a storage bag. Jasmine says it's the ideal size for a newborn and is larger than Moses baskets, which may appear flimsy or fragile.
Another great option is the iCandy Cocoon, which can be used as an Moses basket, cot, or travel cot. It has an adjustable changing table that pops up, a shelf for toys and books, and an adjustable mesh side that lets you observe your baby. It's not the lightest, but it's easy to move around and looks stylish in any bedroom.
Cost
If you're in the market for a bedside sleeper crib or bassinet, the cost is a consideration. Some of the most sought-after models can be expensive. However there are plenty of less expensive alternatives. Some come in different styles and colors to complement the decor of your nursery.
The best cribs for beds are adjustable and can be raised up to the height of your mattress. Some have an inclined position that is perfect for babies who have reflux. They can also be folded away when not in use and some models have an included travel bag that is perfect for new mothers who frequently go out or have guests staying in.
bedside cosleeper are generally a little bigger than Moses baskets but smaller than cribs. They can be moved from room-to-room if you need to, and some have the side that lowers so you can lift your baby out towards you for night feeds or calming. Some also have an integrated rocker so that you can soothe your little one to sleep.
The Clair de Lune is a mid-priced model that was nominated in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot Crib, Moses Basket category. The design is sleek and stylish, but it's slightly wider than some other options, so it might not be the best fit for tight spaces. It's also quite heavy, at over 10kg, and will require some maneuvering to get it into position. Emily from Clair de Lune notes that the sides of this sleeper don't flex as much, which means you'll need to bend down to grab your baby.