The Best Bedside Cots
A bedside crib is a bassinet-style crib that is attached directly to your bed. This allows baby to rest peacefully close to you. This is a great solution if you'd like your baby to be near for peaceful feedings during the early stages.
The HALO BassiNest Essentia won our best bedside cot test, with a swiveling bed and sidewalls that slide down easily. This makes it easy to reach over to relax and get to sleep.
Safety
A bedside cot is a great solution for parents who want to keep their child close without sacrificing safety. This kind of cot is attached to the side of your mattress and is movable so that you can reach out to your baby. You can also use a bedside crib to night feed your baby or to soothe them back to sleep. It's also a great choice for mothers who have had a C-section. Bedside cots are available in various sizes and styles, and some include storage. When you are looking for a cot for your bedside be sure to verify the safety features.
The Boori Oasis Oval Cot has a stylish design and is simple to put together. The oval shape is perfect for babies who roll around in their sleep, since it ensures that they don't get stuck in the corner like they would with the rectangular cot. The cot is also easy to fit through doors with standard frames which is a huge advantage for parents who are stretched out by their space.
Another great option is the La Redoute Willox Adjustable Cot Bed. This cot is a great all-rounder, with plenty of features to make parenting easier as well as beautiful design. Its adjustable sides let it grow with your child and later transform into an infant's bed when the time comes. It is also lightweight so it is easy to move around.
A high-quality bedside crib should have high mesh sides to stop your child from falling out. It should be securely anchored to your bed with no gaps or loose parts. Contact a professional if are not confident in installing a crib on your bed.
Co-sleeping is not recommended until your baby is at least six months old age. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS, advise that you do not allow your baby to sleep in your bed. This is because of the possibility of suffocation and overheating. However, if you have to co-sleep in a crib, a crib that is placed near your bed is the best option.
Size
A bedside cot, also known as the bassinet is a cot which attaches to the side of your mattress. It has a side that can be adjusted to allow you to reach your baby without needing to get out of bed. They are a favorite of famous moms like Stacey Solomon, Binky Felstead and Lucy Mecklenburgh. They are ideal for parents who have a limited mobility following having a C-section.
Our top pick, the Maxi Cosi Lora, comes with a peekaboo flap that lets you peek at your baby from the bottom of the bed and it adjusts to the height of your mattress - although some mums complained that it was difficult to move up and down. It's also one of our lightest options and can be folded into a suitcase size. This makes it ideal for travel with your baby.
The Slumber 3-in-1 is a great alternative. It can be used as a portable cot or bassinet, and it also doubles 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 beneath and is extremely light to lift in and out of the car. However, some mums thought it was a bit too long and wide for tight areas, particularly when used as a bedside sleeper.
Design
The best bedside cribs are stylish, sleek and modern. Some have innovative designs such as a peek-a-boo flap on the side to let you observe your baby without disrupting them. Other features, such as adjustable heights, are useful if your partner has trouble getting up or down from their bed. These sleepers can be used as a bassinet or cot and some even have incline positions for reflux babies. There are plenty of options for those who want something more traditional.
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 if you're away from home. They're also extremely light and easy to move from room to room.
Some moms prefer the Lua Bedside sleeper that includes a changing mat, storage space and a collapsible baby bassinet which can be turned into a portable mini cot. It also comes with an organizer bag. bedside co sleeper says it's the perfect size for a newborn and is more substantial than Moses baskets, which can seem flimsy and thin.
The iCandy Cocoon is another great alternative. It can be used as a Moses Basket or a cot for travel. It has a pop-up changing table, a handy shelf for books and toys and a mesh adjustable side that gives you a good view of your baby. It's not the tiniest, but it's easy to move and looks elegant in any bedroom.
Cost
If you're shopping for a bedside sleeper, crib or bassinet, the cost is a consideration. Many of the most well-known models are quite expensive, but there are plenty of cheaper alternatives that won't cost a fortune. There are a variety of colors and styles to match your nursery decor.
The best cribs for bedside use are adjustable and can be adjusted to the height of your mattress. Some have an inclined position that is ideal for babies suffering from reflux. They can also be folded away when not in use and some models come with a travel bag included which is perfect for mothers who frequently go out or have guests staying over.
Bedside cots are generally slightly larger than Moses baskets but smaller than cribs. They can also be moved from room to room if you need to and some even have an end that can be lowered to allow you to lift your child towards you for night feeds or calming. Some have a built in rocker to help soothe your baby to sleep.
Clair de Lune, a mid-priced model, was nominated for the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Crib category. The design is sleek and stylish however it's a little larger than some of the other options, which means it might not be the best choice for small spaces. It's also quite heavy at more than 10kg, and requires lots of maneuvering to get it in position. Emily from Clair de Lune also notes that it's not as simple to move in and out of as some other bedside sleepers, because the sides aren't flexible enough and you'll have to bend over to scoop your baby up.