The Best Bedside Cots
A bedside crib is a bassinet type crib that is attached directly to your bed. This allows baby to sleep safely close to you. This is a great choice to allow your baby to be close for fuss-free feedings during the first few months of his life.
The HALO bassiNest Essentia was the winner in our top rated bedside cots for testing. It comes with an adjustable sleep surface that can be swiveled and sidewalls that can be easily lowered. This makes it easier to reach for comfort and ease them to sleep.
Safety
A bedside crib is an ideal solution for new parents that wish to keep their infant close to them, but not compromise safety. The cot is attached to the side of your bed and has a single end that can be lifted or dropped down so you can reach your baby. It can be used as a night-time feeding station or to help soothe your baby back to sleep. It's also a great option for mothers who have had a C-section. Bedside cots are available in various sizes and styles and some even have storage. When you are looking for a cot for your bedside make sure you check the safety features.
The Boori Oasis Oval Cot is an attractive cot that's simple to put together and compact. The oval shape is perfect for babies who tend to lay around during sleep, because it ensures that they don't get stuck in the corner as they would with a rectangular crib. The cot can also be easily fitted into standard door frames. This is a great feature for parents who are tight on space.
Another good choice is the La Redoute Willox Adjustable Cot Bed. This cot is a great all-purpose cot, with plenty of features to simplify parenting and have beautiful design. Its movable sides mean it can adapt to 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 home.
A high mesh crib side is a good feature to have at the bedside of a crib. This will keep your baby from falling. It should be securely fitted to your bed, with no gaps or loose parts. Contact a professional if aren't confident in installing a crib for your bed yourself.
It is recommended to avoid co-sleeping with your infant until they're at least six months old. Official advice from The Lullaby Trust and the NHS is that babies should not be sleeping in your bed due to the danger of suffocation and overheating. If you have to sleep with your child, a crib by the bedside is the ideal option.
Size
A bedside cot, also known as bassinet, is a cot that attaches to the side of your mattress. It has one side which can be lifted or lowered down to allow you to reach your baby easily without needing to get out of bed. Famous moms like Stacey Solomon Binky Felstead, and Lucy Mecklenburgh adore these. They are great for those who have limited mobility following a C-section.
The Maxi-Cosi is our top choice. It comes with the ability to peek at you to see your child on the bottom of the mattress. It also adjusts to the mattress's height but some mothers have complained about the difficulty of moving it up and down. It is also one of our lightest options that can be folded into a suitcase size. This makes it ideal to travel with your baby.
The Slumber 3-in-1 is a great option. It can be used as a travel cot or bassinet and also serves as a playpen. The product was awarded the gold award at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards within the category of Best Cot, Moses Basket, or Crib. It comes with a useful storage shelf below and is light enough to carry in and out of the car. However, some mums were concerned that it was too large and wide for small areas, particularly when used as a bedside mattress.
Design
The best cribs for beds are sleek, stylish and modern. Some come with innovative designs including a peek-aboo flap on the side, to allow you to observe your baby without disrupting them. Other features, like adjustable height, are helpful if your partner has trouble getting up or down from their bed. Some sleepers can also be used as a bassinet, cot or for babies who have reflux. There are a lot of options if you're looking for something more traditional.
The CoZee Air by Tutti Bambini won bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It was the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. Next2me Magic was also shortlisted. Both can be adjusted in height and can be used as a travel cot when away from home. They're also super lightweight and easy to move from room room.
Some mums prefer the Lua Bedside sleeper that includes a changing mat, storage area and a collapsible bassinet for babies which can be turned into portable mini cot. It also comes with an organizer bag. Jasmine says it's the perfect size for a newborn and is more substantial than Moses baskets, which can appear flimsy or fragile.
The iCandy Cocoon is another great alternative. It can be used as a Moses Basket as a cot, cot, or travel cot. It comes with an adjustable changing table that pops up, a shelf for toys and books, and an adjustable mesh side that lets you see your baby. It's not light but it's easy to move around and looks fantastic in any bedroom.
Cost
If you're looking for a bedside sleeping device, crib or bassinet, the cost will be a major factor. Some of the most popular models are expensive but there are many cheaper alternatives that won't cost a fortune. Many come in a variety of styles and colors to complement your nursery decor.
The best cribs for beds can be adjusted and raised up to the height of your mattress. Some have an inclined position that is ideal for babies who have reflux. They can also fold away when not in use and some models come with a travel bag included which is ideal for new mums who frequently go out or have guests staying over.
Bedside cots tend to be slightly bigger than Moses baskets, but smaller than cribs. Some can be moved from one place to another, and some come with a side that can be lowered to allow you to pull your baby towards you to feed them or comfort him. Some come with 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. It's sleek and stylish however it's a bit larger than other options. It's probably not ideal for small spaces. It is also quite heavy at over 10kg and requires some maneuvering to place it. Emily from Clair de Lune notes that the sides of this sleeper don't flex enough, meaning you'll have to bend to take your baby.