The Best Bedside Cots
A bedside crib is a bassinet style that is attached to your bed, making it safe for babies to sleep right next to you. This is a great option when you want your baby to be close for fuss-free feeds in the early stages.
The HALO BassiNest Essentia took home our best bedside cot test, offering a swiveling bed and sidewalls that drop down without difficulty. This makes it easy 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 security. The cot 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 bedside crib to feed your baby at night or to soothe them to sleep. It's also a great choice for mothers who've had C-sections. Bedside cots come in many different designs and sizes, and some come with storage. When shopping for a bedside cot make sure you check 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 around in their sleep, since it means they won't get trapped in a corner like they would with an oblong cot. The cot is also easy to slide through door frames that are standard which is a major plus for space-stretched new parents.
Another option is the La Redoute Willox Adjustable Cot Bed. This cot is an ideal all-purpose cot, with plenty of features to make parenting easier and beautiful design. Its adjustable sides mean it will grow with your child and transform into a toddler bed when they're ready. It's also light, so it is easy to move around.
A good quality bedside crib should have a high mesh side to stop your child from falling out. It should also be fitted securely to your bed, with no gaps or areas that are loose. Ask a professional if you are not confident in installing a crib for your bed yourself.
Ideally, you should avoid co-sleeping with your baby 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 risk of suffocation or overheating. However, if you need to co-sleep in a crib, a bedside crib is the most secure option.
Size
A bedside cot, also referred to as bassinet is a cot which attaches to the sides of your mattress. It comes with a side that can be lifted or dropped down to let you reach your baby easily without the need to leave the bed. They are a favorite of famous moms like Stacey Solomon, Binky Felstead and Lucy Mecklenburgh and are ideal for parents who have limited mobility after having a C-section.
Our top pick, the Maxi Cosi Lora, comes with a peekaboo flap that lets you view your baby from below the bed. It also adjusts to the mattress's height however some moms have said it was tricky to move it up and down. It is also one of our lightest options that can fold into a suitcase-sized bag. This makes it ideal for traveling with your baby.
The Slumber 3-in-1 is a great alternative. It can be used as a portable cot or bassinet and also serves as a playpen. The product was awarded the gold award at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the category of the Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib. It has a handy storage shelf underneath and is extremely light to lift in and out of the car. Some mothers found it too long and wide to be able to fit in tight spaces, especially when used as a sleeper in bed.
Design
The best cribs for bed will be sleek, stylish and modern. Some are designed with innovative features including a peek-aboo flap on the side, to help you monitor your baby without disturbing them. Other features, such as adjustable height, can be helpful if your partner has trouble getting up or down from their bed. These sleepers can also be used as a bassinet or cot, and some have tilt positions for babies with reflux. If you're seeking something more traditional there are a lot of options to choose from as well.
Some of our favorites are the CoZee Air from Tutti Bambini that won bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot Crib, Moses or 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 to move around.
Other mothers like the Lua Bedside Sleeper, which has a changing mat as well as a storage area, as in addition to an adjustable bassinet that folds into a mini-portable cot as well as a storage bag. Jasmine says it's the ideal size for a newborn and is bigger than Moses baskets, which may seem flimsy and thin.
Another option is the iCandy Cocoon, which can be used as an Moses basket, cot, or travel cot. It features an adjustable changing table that pops up and a shelf for toys and books, and an adjustable mesh side that lets you 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 looking for a bedside sleeping device, crib or bassinet, price is a consideration. Many of the most sought-after models are expensive but there are plenty of cheaper alternatives that won't cost you a fortune. They are available in a variety of styles and colors to fit your nursery's decor.
The most comfortable bedside cots have adjustable sides that can be raised to match the height of your bed. Some models also have an incline position that is ideal for babies who have reflux. They can also fold away when not in use and some models come with bags for travel that is ideal for new mums who often go out or have guests staying in.
Bedside cots are usually a bit bigger than Moses baskets, but are smaller than cribs. They can also be moved from room to when needed, and some have an end that can be lowered so you can lift your child towards you for feedings at night or soothing. bedside crib with changing table have an integrated rocker so that 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 is a little larger than other options. This may not be ideal for small spaces. It's also quite heavy at more than 10kg and requires some maneuvering to position it. Emily from Clair de Lune notes that the sides of this sleeper don't flex as much, which means you'll have to bend to pick up your baby.