The Best Bedside Cots
A bedside crib is a bassinet style that is attached to your bed and allows your babies to sleep right next to you. This is an ideal option if you want your little one to be close to feed them without fuss in the early stages.
The HALO BassiNest Essentia took home our best bedside cot test, offering a swiveling bed and sidewalls that slide down without difficulty. This makes it easier to reach over for comfort and lull them to sleep.
Safety
A bedside crib is a great option for parents who wish to keep their infant near them without compromising safety. This type of cot fixes to the bed's side and has one end that can be lifted up or lowered down so that you can reach your baby. You can use a crib for your bed to night feed your baby or to soothe them to sleep. This is a fantastic option, especially for mothers who have had C-sections. Bedside cots are available in a variety of sizes and styles and some even have storage. When choosing 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. Its oval-shaped design is perfect for babies who like to roll in their sleep. They won't be confined in a corner as they would with the rectangular cot. It is also able to fit through door frames that are standard which is a major benefit for parents with limited space.
Another option is the La Redoute Willox Adjustable Cot Bed. This cot is an ideal all-rounder, with lots of features to make parenting easier as well as beautiful design. Its movable sides mean it can adapt to your child, and then transform into a toddler bed when they're ready. It's also lightweight, which means it's easy to move around.
A high-quality bedside crib should have mesh sides that are high to stop your baby from falling out. It should also be attached securely to your bed with no gaps or areas that are loose. Ask a professional if you aren't confident in installing a crib for your bed yourself.
Co-sleeping is not advised until your baby is at least six months old age. The official recommendation from the Lullaby Trust and the NHS is that newborns should not sleep in your bed because of the risk of suffocation and overheating. If you must co-sleep with your child, a crib by the bedside is the best option.
Size
A bedside cot, also referred to as the bassinet, is a cot that is attached to the side of your mattress. It comes with a side that can be lifted up or dropped down to allow you to reach your baby easily, without needing to leave the bed. These are the preferred choice of celeb mums such as Stacey Solomon, Binky Felstead and Lucy Mecklenburgh. They are ideal for parents who be unable to move after having a C-section.
Our top pick, the Maxi-Cosi Lora, has an opening that lets you see your child from the bottom of the bed and it adjusts to the mattress's height - although some mums claimed it was difficult to move it up and down. It's also one of our lightest options that folds into a suitcase-sized package. This makes it ideal for travel with your baby.
Another great option is the Slumber Carbon 3-in-1, which can be used as an a portable cot, bassinet and playpen. It even won our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards gold award in the best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category. It has a storage shelf and is easy to move into and out of a car. Some mothers, however, found it too long and wide to fit in small spaces, particularly when used as a sleeper by the bed.
Design
The best cribs for bed are sleek, stylish and modern. Some cribs have innovative designs like an open-air flap on the sides to allow you to check on your baby without disturbing him. Other features, like adjustable height, can be helpful if your partner has trouble getting up or down from bed. Some sleepers can also be used as a bassinet, cot, or for babies with reflux. There are also plenty of options for those who want something more traditional.
Some of our favorites are the CoZee Air from Tutti Bambini, which won 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 converted into a travel cot to use away from home. They're also extremely light and easy to move from room to room.
Other moms love the Lua Bedside Sleeper that comes with a changing mat and storage area as well as an adjustable bassinet that folds into a mini-portable cot and a storage bag. Jasmine says it's the perfect size for infants and is larger 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 has a pop-up changing table, a shelf for books and toys, and an adjustable mesh side that allows you to view your baby. It's not the lightest one, but it's simple to move and looks elegant in any bedroom.
Cost
If you're shopping for a bedside sleeper, crib or bassinet, price will be a major factor. Many of the most sought-after models are costly, but there are many cheaper alternatives that won't cost a fortune. Some even come in a range of different styles and colors to fit your nursery decor.
The most effective bedside cots come with adjustable sides and can be raised to match the bed's height. Some have an inclined position that is perfect for babies who have reflux. Some models come with a travel bag and can be folded when not in use. This is great for mothers who are often on the go or have guests coming over.
Bedside cots are usually slightly larger than Moses baskets, but smaller than cribs. They can be moved from room to room if you need to, and some have a side that drops down to allow you to lift your child towards you for night feeds or to soothe. Some come with a built-in rocker that can help soothe your baby to sleep.
The Clair de Lune is a mid-priced model that was shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot Crib, Moses Basket category. The design is sleek and elegant however, it's a bit larger than some of the other options, so it might not be the ideal choice for small spaces. bedside crib co sleeper is also a bit heavy, weighing over 10kg, and requires some maneuvering to position it. bedside crib travel from Clair de Lune also notes that it's not as easy to get into and out of as other beds for sleepers, as the sides don't flex much and you need to bend over to scoop your baby up.