The Best Bedside Cots
A bedside crib is a bassinet-style cot that attaches to your own bed and allows your infants to sleep close. This is a great solution 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 of our best bedside cots test. It features a swiveling sleep surface and sidewalls that can be lowered easily. This makes it easier to reach over for comfort and lull them back to sleep.
Safety
A bedside cot is the ideal solution for new parents who wish to keep their infant close to them without sacrificing security. This kind of cot attaches to the bed's side and has a curved end that can be lifted up or lowered down so that you can reach your child. You can use a crib for your bed to night feed your baby or help them go back to sleep. It's also a great choice for mothers who have had C-sections. Bedside cots are available in various sizes and styles and some come with storage. When shopping for a cot for your bedside, be sure to check the safety features.
The Boori Oasis Oval Cot has an attractive design and is simple to put together. The oval shape is perfect for infants who play around in their sleep, as it means they won't get stuck in the corner like they would with the rectangular crib. It is also able to fit into door frames that are standard which is a huge benefit for parents with limited space.
Another good choice 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 an attractive design. Its adjustable sides allow it to expand with your child and later transform into a toddler's bed when the time arrives. It's also light, so it's easy to move around the home.
A quality crib for your bed should have a high mesh side to stop your baby from falling out. It should be securely attached to your bed without gaps or loose parts. If you're not sure about fitting a bedside cot by yourself or hiring a professional, let a professional install it for you.
It is recommended to avoid sleeping with your infant until they're at minimum six months old. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS recommend that you should not allow your baby to sleep in your bed. This is due to the danger of suffocation and overheating. If you have to sleep with your child, a crib placed at the bedside is the ideal alternative.
Size
A bedside cot, also known as the bassinet is a cot which is attached to the side of your mattress. It has one side that can be lifted up or lowered so that you can reach your baby quickly, without having to leave the bed. Celeb mums like Stacey Solomon Binky Felstead, and Lucy Mecklenburgh adore these. They are perfect for those with limited mobility after a C-section.
Our top pick, the Maxi Cosi Lora, comes with a peekaboo flap that lets you see your baby from the bottom of the bed. large bedside cot adjusts to the mattress's height however some moms have said it was tricky to move up and down. It's also one of the lightest options on our list and folds down into a suitcase-sized package which makes it perfect for traveling with your baby.
The Slumber 3-in-1 is another great option. It can be used as a travel bassinet or cot and also serves as a playpen. The product was awarded the gold award at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards within the category of the best Cot, Moses Basket, or Crib. It comes with a storage shelf and is easy to move into and out of the car. Some mothers have thought it was a bit too big and bulky for small areas, particularly when used as a bedside mattress.
Design
The best cribs for your bed will be sleek, stylish and modern. Some cribs have innovative designs, like a peek-aboo flap on the sides to allow you to check on your baby without disturbing him. Other features, like adjustable heights, are useful when your child has difficulty getting up or down from bed. These sleepers can be used as a bassinet or cot and some even have incline positions for reflux babies. 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 which was awarded bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Award Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category as well as the Next2me Magic shortlisted in the same category. Both come with adjustable heights, and can be turned into a travel cot that can be used for use away from home. They're also 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 portable mini cot. It also comes with an organizer bag. Jasmine says it's the perfect size for a newborn and is larger than Moses baskets, which may appear flimsy or fragile.
The iCandy Cocoon is another great alternative. It can be used as a Moses Basket, cot or travel cot. It has a pop-up changing table, a shelf for toys and books, and an adjustable mesh side that allows you to observe your baby. It's not lightweight, but it is easy to move around and looks great in any bedroom.
Cost
Cost is an important aspect when you're shopping for a crib, bassinet or bedside sleeper. Some of the most popular models are quite expensive but there are many cheaper alternatives that won't cost a fortune. Some even come in a range of different styles and colors to match the decor of your nursery.
The best bedside cribs can be adjusted and raised up to the height of your mattress. Some models also have an incline position that is perfect for babies with reflux. Some models come with a bag for travel and can be folded up when not in use. This is ideal for mothers who are often on the go or have guests coming over.
Bedside cots are generally a little bigger than Moses baskets but smaller than cribs. Some can be moved from one room to another, and others have a side that can be raised to allow you to pull your baby towards you to feed them or soothe them. Some models also come with an integrated rocker so that you can 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 or Moses Basket category. The design is sleek and elegant, but it's slightly larger than other options, so it's not the best fit for tight spaces. It's also fairly heavy, at over 10kg, and needs some maneuvering to get it into the right position. Emily from Clair de Lune notes that the sides of this sleeper don't stretch as much, which means you'll have to bend down to pick up your baby.