The Best Bedside Cots
A bedside crib is a bassinet-style cot that can be attached to your bed, making it safe for infants to sleep close. This is a great solution if you'd like your baby to be near for peaceful feedings during the first few months of his life.
The HALO bassiNest Essentia was the winner in our best bedside cots test. It comes with an adjustable sleep surface that can be swiveled and sidewalls that can be easily lowered. This makes it easy to reach out for comfort and ease them back to sleep.
Safety
A bedside cot is an ideal solution for new parents who want to keep their baby close to them without sacrificing safety. This type of crib is attached to the side of your mattress. It also is movable so 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 a C-section. Bedside cots are available in a variety of sizes and designs and some come with storage. When shopping for an upholstered cot for your bedside 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 infants who lay around during sleep, because it ensures that they don't get stuck in the corner as they might with a rectangular crib. The cot is easily fitted through doors with standard frames. This is an excellent option for parents who are tight in space.
Another good choice is the La Redoute Willox Adjustable Cot Bed. This cot is an excellent all-rounder with plenty of features that make parenting easier as well as an attractive design. Its movable sides mean it can grow with your child, and then transform into an infant bed when they're ready. It is also lightweight so it is easy to move around.
A good quality bedside crib should have mesh sides that are high to stop your baby from falling out. It should be fitted securely to your bed, with no gaps or loose areas. Consult 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 of age. The official advice from the Lullaby Trust and the NHS is that newborns should not be sleeping in your bed because of the risk of overheating and suffocation. However, if you have to sleep with your partner the bedside cots uk crib is the most secure option.
Size
A large bedside cot cot is a bassinet-style cot that fixes to the side of your bed. It has one side that can be lifted or dropped down to let you reach your baby bedside sleeper easily, without needing to get out of bed. These are the preferred choice of celeb mums such as Stacey Solomon, Binky Felstead and Lucy Mecklenburgh. They're ideal for mothers who have limited mobility after having a C-section.
The Maxi-Cosi Lora is our number one pick. It comes with the ability to peek at you to see your child at the bottom of the mattress. It also adjusts to your mattress height, although some mothers have complained about the difficulty of moving it up and down. It's also one of the lightest options on our list and folds down into the size of a suitcase which makes it ideal for traveling with your baby.
Another great option is the Slumber Carbon 3-in-1, which transforms into a bassinet, travel cot and playpen. It even won our 2021 Mother&Baby Award gold award in the best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category. It comes with an adjustable shelf for storage and is easy to move into and out of the car. Some mothers have were concerned that it was too big and bulky for small bedside cot spaces, especially when used as a bedside sleeper.
Design
The best cribs for your bed will be modern, sleek and stylish. Some cribs have innovative designs like an open-air flap on the sides to let you check on your baby without disturbing him. Other features, like adjustable height, are helpful if your partner has trouble getting up or down from bed. Some sleepers can also be used as an cot, bassinet or for babies who have reflux. There are plenty of options if you're looking for something more traditional.
The CoZee Air by Tutti Bambini won bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards, in the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. Next2me Magic was also shortlisted. Both can be adjusted in height and can be used as a travel cot while away from home. They're also extremely light and easy to move from room to room.
Other mums like the Lua Bedside Sleeper that comes with a changing mat as well as a storage area, as in addition to the bassinet, which can be collapsed into a mini-portable crib and storage bag. Jasmine says it's the ideal size for babies and is bigger than Moses baskets which may feel flimsy or thin.
Another great option is the iCandy Cocoon, which can be used as an Moses basket, cot or travel cot. It has a pop-up changing table and a shelf that is perfect for toys and books, and a mesh, adjustable side that gives you the best view of your baby. It's not light, but it is easy to move around and looks fantastic in any bedroom.
Cost
Cost will be an important aspect when you're shopping for a crib, bassinet, or bedside sleeper. Many of the most well-known models are expensive but there are plenty of lower-cost alternatives that won't cost a fortune. They are available in a variety of styles and colors to match your nursery decor.
The best bedside cots have adjustable sides that can be adjusted to match the bed's height. Some have an inclined position that is perfect for babies suffering from reflux. Some models come with a travel bag and fold up when not in use. This is perfect for mothers who are constantly traveling or having guests over.
Bedside cots are usually slightly larger than Moses baskets but smaller than cribs. Some are able to be moved from one room to another, and others have a side that can be adjusted so that you can lift your child towards you to feed them or calm him. 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. It's stylish and sleek however it is a little larger than other models. It's probably not suitable for small spaces. It's also quite heavy at more than 10kg, and needs a lot of maneuvering to get it in the right position. Emily from Clair de Lune also notes that it's not as simple to move in and out of as other beds for sleepers, as the sides don't flex much and you have to bend to pick up your baby.