The Best Bedside Cots
A bedside crib is a bassinet style that can be attached to your bed and allows your babies to sleep right next to you. This is a great option to allow your baby to be close for fuss-free feedings during the early stages.
The HALO bassiNest Essentia was the winner in our best bedside cots test. It features a swiveling sleep surface and sidewalls that can be easily lowered. This makes it easy to reach out for comfort and ease them to sleep.
Safety
A bedside cot is the ideal solution for parents who want to keep their baby close to them without sacrificing safety. This type of cot fixes to the side of your bed and has a single end which can be lifted or lowered down so that you can reach your baby. You can also 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 can be found in a variety of styles and sizes, and some include storage. When choosing large bedside crib for your bedside make sure you check the safety features.
The Boori Oasis Oval Cot is a stylish-looking cot that's easy to build and compact. Its oval design is perfect for babies who play around in their sleep, since it means that they won't be stuck in the corner like they might with a rectangular crib. The cot is easily inserted into doors that have standard frames. This is a fantastic option for parents who are limited on space.
La Redoute Willox adjustable Cot Bed is a good alternative. This cot is an excellent all-purpose cot, with plenty of features that make parenting easier as well as beautiful design. Its adjustable sides let it grow with your child and then transform into a toddler's bed once the time comes. It is also lightweight so it is easy to move around.
A crib with a high mesh side is a nice feature to have on a bedside crib. This will keep your baby from falling. It should be securely fitted to your bed, with no gaps or parts that are loose. If you're not confident about installing a bedside cot on your own you can ask a professional to do it for you.
The ideal scenario is to avoid co-sleeping with your child until they're at least six months old. Official advice from The Lullaby Trust and the NHS is that infants 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 by the bedside is the ideal alternative.
Size
A bedside cot, sometimes referred to as bassinet is a cot that attaches to the side of your mattress. It has a side that can be raised or lowered so that you can reach your baby without needing to leave the bed. These are the preferred choice of famous moms like Stacey Solomon, Binky Felstead and Lucy Mecklenburgh. They're ideal for parents who have limited mobility after having a C-section.
Our top pick, the Maxi-Cosi Lora, comes with an opening that lets you see your child from the bottom of the bed. It can also be adjusted to the mattress's height - although some mums complained that it was difficult to move up and down. It's also among our lightest options and folds into a suitcase-sized package. This makes it perfect to travel with your baby.
The Slumber 3-in-1 is another great option. It can be used as a travel cot or bassinet and also serves as playpen. This product won the gold award at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards, in the category of the best Cot, Moses Basket, or Crib. It comes with a useful storage shelf beneath and is super-light to lift into and out of the car. Some mums, however, considered it to be too large and wide to be able to fit in small spaces, particularly when it is used as a sleeper by the bed.
Design
The best cribs for your bed will be sleek, stylish and modern. Some come with innovative designs including a peek-aboo flap on the side to allow you to observe your baby without disrupting them. Other features, like adjustable height, are helpful if your partner has trouble getting up and down from their bed. Some sleepers are also suitable as a bassinet, cot, or for babies who have reflux. There are also plenty of options if you want something more traditional.
The CoZee Air by Tutti Bambini was awarded bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It was the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. Next2me Magic was also shortlisted. Both are adjustable 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 room.
Some mums prefer the Lua Bedside sleeper, which includes a changing mat, storage space and a collapsible bassinet for babies that can be converted into portable mini cot. It also comes with an organizer bag. Jasmine says it's the perfect size for infants and is more substantial than Moses baskets which can feel thin or flimsy.
Another great option is another option is the iCandy Cocoon, which can be used as an Moses basket, cot or travel cot. It comes with a pop-up changing table, a shelf for books and toys, and an adjustable mesh side that lets you view your baby. It's not the tiniest, but it's easy to move and looks elegant in any bedroom.
Cost
If you're shopping for a bedside sleeper, crib or bassinet, price will be a factor. Certain of the most popular models can be costly. However there are a lot of cheaper alternatives. They are available in a variety of styles and colors to fit your nursery's decor.
The most effective bedside cots come with adjustable sides that can be adjusted to match the bed's height. Some models have an incline setting that is ideal for babies who suffer from reflux. They can also be folded away when not in use, and some models have bags for travel that is perfect for new mothers who frequently go out or have guests staying with them.
Bedside cots are usually a bit bigger than Moses baskets, but they are smaller than cribs. Some can be moved from one room to another, while others have a side that can be lowered to allow you to lift your child towards you to feed them or comfort them. Some have an integrated rocker so that 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. It's not suitable for small spaces. It is also quite heavy at more than 10kg, and requires some maneuvering to position it. Emily from Clair de Lune notes that the sides of this mattress don't bend enough, meaning you'll have to bend down to pick up your baby.