The Best Bedside Cots
A bedside crib is a bassinet type crib that is attached directly to your bed. This allows your baby to sleep safely close to you. This is a great option when you want your baby to be close by for feedings that aren't a hassle during the first few months of.
The HALO BassiNest Essentia took home our top bedside cot in our test, offering an adjustable sleeping surface that can be swiveled and sidewalls that drop down without difficulty. This makes it easy to reach out and feel comfortable.
Safety
A bedside crib is a great option for parents who want to keep their baby close but without compromising their safety. This kind of crib 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 crib for your bed to feed your baby at night or help them go 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 even have storage. When choosing a bedside cot be sure to verify the safety features.
The Boori Oasis Oval Cot has an attractive design and is easy to put together. Its oval-shaped design is perfect for babies who roll around in their sleep. They won't be stuck in a corner as they would with an oblong cot. This cot is also easy to slide through door frames that are standard which is a huge plus for space-stretched new parents.
Another good choice is the La Redoute Willox Adjustable Cot Bed. This cot is a great all-rounder, with lots of features to simplify parenting and have beautiful design. Its adjustable sides mean it can adapt to your child and transform into a toddler bed when they're ready. It's also lightweight, so it's easy to move around the home.
A quality crib for your bed should have a high mesh side to prevent your child from falling out. It should also be fitted securely to your bed, with no gaps or areas that are loose. Contact a professional if are unsure about installing a crib for your bed yourself.
Co-sleeping is not recommended until your baby is at least six months of age. The official recommendation 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 must co-sleep with your child, a crib placed at the bedside is the best alternative.
Size
A bedside cot, also known as bassinet, is a cot that attaches to the side of your mattress. cheap bedside cot comes with a side that can be lifted up or lowered down to let you reach your baby easily, without having to leave the bed. Celeb mums like Stacey Solomon Binky Felstead, and Lucy Mecklenburgh love these. They are perfect for those who have limited mobility following a C-section.
Our top pick, the Maxi-Cosi Lora, has a peekaboo flap that lets you see your child from the bottom of the bed. It also adjusts to the height of your mattress - although some mums claimed it was difficult to move it up and down. It's also one of our lightest options and folds into a suitcase-sized package. This makes it perfect for traveling with your baby.
The Slumber 3-in-1 is another great alternative. It can be used as a portable bassinet or cot and also serves as a playpen. This product won the gold award at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards within the category of the best Cot or Moses Basket or Crib. It has a handy storage shelf beneath and is light enough to carry into and out of the car. Some mothers have thought it was a bit too long and wide for tight spaces, especially when it is used as a bedside sleeping device.
Design
The best cribs for your bed will be modern, sleek and stylish. Some cribs have unique designs, such as a peek-aboo flap on the sides to allow you to observe your baby without disturbing him. Other features such as adjustable height are beneficial when your spouse is having difficulties getting up. These sleepers can also be used as a bassinet or cot and some even have an incline position for babies who are reflux. If you're looking for something a bit more traditional, there are plenty of options to choose from as well.
A few of our favourites are the CoZee Air from Tutti Bambini, which won bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards ' Best Cot Crib, Moses or Basket category and the Next2me Magic shortlisted in the same category. Both are adjustable in height and can be used as a travel cot when away from home. They're also extremely light and easy to move from room room.
Other moms love the Lua Bedside Sleeper that comes with a changing mat as well as a storage area as it also has the bassinet, which can be collapsed into a mini-portable cot and a storage bag. Jasmine says it's the perfect size for newborns and is larger than Moses baskets that can feel thin or flimsy.
Another great option is the iCandy Cocoon, which can be used as a Moses basket, cot, or travel cot. It has an adjustable changing table that pops up and a shelf for toys and books, as well as an adjustable mesh side that allows you to observe your baby. It's not light however it's easy to move around and looks stylish in any bedroom.
Cost
Cost is an important factor when you are shopping for a crib, bassinet or bedside sleeper. Many of the most well-known models are costly however there are plenty of lower-cost alternatives that won't cost you a fortune. Some even come in a range of different styles and colors to match your nursery decor.
The most effective bedside cots come with adjustable sides that can be raised to match the bed's height. Some have an inclined position that is perfect for babies suffering from reflux. They can also be folded when not in use, and some models even have an included travel bag that is perfect for mothers who often go out or have guests staying in.
Bedside cots are generally slightly larger than Moses baskets, but smaller than cribs. They can be moved from room-to-room when needed, and some have a side that drops down so you can lift your child toward you for feeding or to soothe. Some come with a built-in rocker to help soothe your baby 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's a bit larger than other options. It's probably not ideal for small spaces. It's also quite heavy at more than 10kg, and requires some maneuvering to get it in the proper position. Emily from Clair de Lune also notes that it's not as easy to move in and out of as other bedside sleepers, because the sides don't move much and you need to bend to scoop your baby up.