The Best Bedside Cots
A bedside crib is a bassinet-style cot that is attached to your bed and allows your infants to sleep close. This is a great solution to allow your baby to be close for fuss-free feedings in the beginning stages of their development.
The HALO bassiNest Essentia was the winner of our best bedside cot s test. It has a swiveling sleep surface and sidewalls that can be easily lowered. This makes it easier to reach out for comfort and ease them back to sleep.
Safety
A bedside cot is a great solution for parents who want to keep their baby close to them without sacrificing security. The crib is attached to one side of your mattress. It has a moveable end that you can reach out to your baby. It can be used as a night time feeding station or to help soothe your baby to sleep. It's also a great choice for mums who have had C-sections. Bedside cots come in a variety of sizes and designs and some come with storage. If you're shopping for a bedside cot, make sure you check out the safety features to make sure it is safe for your baby.
The Boori Oasis Oval Cot is an elegant cot that is easy to build and compact. Its oval shape is ideal for babies who lay around during sleep, because it means they won't get stuck in the corner as they might with an oblong cot. It is also able to fit 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 has a lot of features that make parenting easier and it looks stunning. Its adjustable sides allow it to grow with your child and later transform into an infant's bed when the time comes. It is also lightweight so it's easy to move around.
A crib with a high mesh side is a great feature to have at the bedside of a crib. This will prevent your baby from falling. It should be securely anchored to your bed without gaps or loose parts. If you're unsure about fitting a bedside cot by yourself you can ask a professional to install it for you.
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 don't let your infant sleep in your bed. This is due to the risk of suffocation and overheating. If you have to sleep with your child, a crib by the bedside is the best option.
Size
A bedside cot is a bassinet-style cot that fixes to the side of your bed. It features a side that is able to be lowered or raised to let you reach your baby without having to leave the bed. These are a favourite of celeb mums such as Stacey Solomon, Binky Felstead and Lucy Mecklenburgh and are ideal for mothers who have limited mobility after a C-section.
Our top choice, the Maxi-Cosi Lora, comes with an opening that lets you view your child from below the bed and it adjusts to the mattress's height - though some mothers said it was tricky to move it up and down. It's also among the lightest options we've seen and folds down into an ideal size for a suitcase, making it ideal for travelling with your child.
The Slumber 3-in-1 is a great alternative. It can be used as a portable cot or bassinet, and it also doubles as playpen. This product won the gold award at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the category of Best Cot, Moses Basket, or Crib. It has a handy storage shelf below and is super-light to lift into and out of the car. Some mothers have thought it was a bit too big and bulky for small spaces, especially when used as a bedside mattress.
Design
The best cribs for beds are sleek, stylish and modern. Some have innovative designs, like a peek-a-boo flap on the side to allow you to monitor your baby without disrupting them. Other features, like adjustable heights are helpful when your spouse is having trouble getting up. These sleepers can be used as a cot or bassinet with incline positions for reflux babies. There are also plenty of options if you're looking for something more traditional.
The CoZee Air by Tutti Bambini received bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. Next2me Magic was also shortlisted. Both come with adjustable heights, and can be converted into a travel cot to use when away from home. They are also light and easy for you to move around.
Other mums like the Lua Bedside Sleeper that has a changing mat as well as a storage area as well as a collapsible bassinet that turns into a mini-portable cot as well as a storage bag. Jasmine says it's the ideal size for babies and is larger than Moses baskets, which may feel flimsy or thin.
The iCandy Cocoon is another great option. It can be used as a Moses Basket, cot or travel cot. It has a pop-up changing table as well as a shelf to store books and toys, and a mesh, adjustable side that gives you an excellent view of your baby. It's not light, but it is easy to move around and looks great in any bedroom.
Cost
Cost will be an important aspect when looking for a crib, bassinet or bedside sleeper. Many of the most sought-after models are quite expensive however there are plenty of cheaper alternatives that won't cost you a fortune. Some come in different styles and colors to complement your nursery decor.
The most effective bedside cots come with adjustable sides and can be raised to meet the height of your bed. Some have an inclined position that is great for babies with reflux. Some models come with a travel bag and fold up when not in use. This is perfect for mothers who are always traveling or having guests over.
Bedside cots are typically slightly larger than Moses baskets, but are smaller than cribs. Some are able to be moved from one room to another, and others have a side that can be raised to allow you to lift your baby towards you to feed them or comfort him. Some models also come with a built-in rocker so you can 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 models. This may not be suitable for small spaces. It's also quite heavy at over 10kg and requires some maneuvering to position it. Emily from Clair de Lune also notes that it's not as easy to get in and out of as some other beds for sleepers, as the sides don't move much and you'll have to bend over to scoop your baby up.