The Best Bedside Cots
A bedside crib is a bassinet type crib that is attached directly to your bed. This allows your baby to rest peacefully close to you. This is a great option if you want your infant to be close by for fuss-free feeds in the beginning stages.
The HALO BassiNest Essentia was crowned our top bedside cot test, featuring a swiveling sleeping surface and sidewalls that drop down without difficulty. This makes it easier to reach over to relax and get back to sleep.
Safety
A bedside crib is an ideal solution for new parents that wish to keep their infant near them without compromising safety. This kind of cot is attached to the side of your mattress. It has a moveable end that you can reach out to your baby. It can also 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 choosing 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 build and compact. Its oval shape is ideal for babies who tend to lay around during sleep, because it ensures that they don't get trapped in a corner like they might with a rectangular cot. The cot is also easy to fit into standard door frames, which is a big plus for space-stretched new parents.
La Redoute Willox adjustable Cot Bed is another good alternative. This cot is an excellent all-purpose cot, with lots of features to simplify parenting and have an attractive design. Its adjustable sides let it grow with your child, and then convert into an infant's bed when the time arrives. It is also lightweight so it is easy to move around.
A crib with a high mesh side is a nice feature to have on a bedside crib. This will keep your baby from falling. It should be securely anchored to your bed with no gaps or parts that are loose. If you're unsure about fitting a bedside cot yourself you can ask a professional to complete the task for you.
Ideally, you should avoid co-sleeping with your child until they're at minimum six months old. The official advice from the Lullaby Trust and the NHS is that babies should not sleep in your bed due to the risk of suffocation and overheating. If you must co-sleep with your child, a crib at the bedside is the best alternative.
Size
A bedside cot is a bassinet-style cot which is attached to the bed's side. It features a side that is able to be raised or lowered to allow you to reach your baby without needing to get out of bed. Celebrity moms like Stacey Solomon Binky Felstead, and Lucy Mecklenburgh love these. They are ideal for those who are unable to move after a C-section.
Our top pick, the Maxi-Cosi Lora, comes with an opening that lets you see your child from below the bed. It can also be adjusted to the mattress's height - although some mums complained that it was difficult to move up and down. It's also among our lightest choices and can fold into a suitcase-sized bag. This makes it ideal for traveling with your baby.
The Slumber 3-in-1 is a good option. It can be used as a portable bassinet or cot as well as a playpen. The product was awarded the gold award at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards within the category of Best Cot or Moses Basket, or Crib. It comes with a useful storage shelf underneath and is super-light to lift in and out of the car. Some mothers have found it a bit long and wide for tight spaces, especially when used as a bedside sleeper.
Design
The best cribs for your bed will be modern, sleek and stylish. Some have innovative designs such as a peek-a-boo flap on the side to allow you to monitor your baby without disrupting them. Other features, like adjustable height, are helpful for those who have difficulty getting up or down from bed. Some sleepers are also suitable as an cot, bassinet or for babies with 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 Award Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category, and the Next2me Magic shortlisted in the same category. Both are adjustable in height and can be used as a travel cot while away from home. They're also super lightweight and easy to move from room to room.
Some moms prefer the Lua Bedside sleeper that comes with a changing mat, storage space and a baby bassinet that can be folded which can be turned into portable mini cot. over here comes with an organizer bag. Jasmine says that it is the perfect size for infants and is bigger than Moses baskets, which may feel flimsy or thin.
The iCandy Cocoon is another great alternative. It can be used as a Moses Basket as a cot, cot, or travel cot. It features 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 the tiniest one, but it's simple to move and looks sleek in any bedroom.
Cost
If you're in the market for a bedside sleeper crib or bassinet, price will be a major factor. Certain of the most popular models can be costly. However there are plenty of less expensive alternatives. Some even come in a variety of colors and designs to suit your nursery's decor.
The best bedside cribs can be adjusted and elevated to the level of your mattress. Some also have an incline position that is ideal for babies who have reflux. They can also be folded when not in use, and some models even have an included travel bag that is perfect for new mothers who often go out or have guests staying over.
Bedside cots are generally a little bigger than Moses baskets, but smaller than cribs. Some are able to be moved from one room to another, while others come with a side that can be adjusted so that you can lift your child to feed them or soothe him. Some also have built-in rockers so you can soothe your baby 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 however it's a little wider than some other options, so it's not the best choice for small spaces. It's also quite heavy, at more than 10kg, and needs some maneuvering to get it into the proper position. Emily from Clair de Lune notes that the sides of this mattress don't bend as much, which means you'll have to bend down to grab your baby.