The Best Bedside Cots
A bedside crib is a bassinet-style cot that is attached to your bed, making it safe for infants to sleep close. This is a great option for parents who want their child to be close enough for a relaxed feedings during the early stages.
The HALO BassiNest Essentia was crowned our top bedside cot in our test, with an adjustable sleeping surface that can be swiveled and sidewalls that dip down without difficulty. This allows you to easily reach over and comfort them.
Safety
A bedside cot is a great solution for new parents who want to keep their baby close but not sacrifice security. This type of cot is attached to the side of your mattress. It also is movable so that you can reach out to your baby. It can be used as a night-time feeding station or to help soothe your baby back to sleep. It's also a great choice for mothers who have had a C-section. Bedside cots can be found in a variety of designs and sizes, and some even come with storage. If you're looking for a bedside cot ensure you look over the safety features to make sure it is safe for your child.
The Boori Oasis Oval Cot has a stylish design and is easy to put together. Its oval-shaped design is perfect for babies who roll in their sleep. They won't end up in a corner like they would with an oblong cot. The cot can also be easily fitted through doors that have standard frames. This is an excellent option for parents who are tight in space.
bedside travel crib is another good alternative. This cot has a lot of features that make parenting easier and also looks beautiful. Its adjustable sides mean it can adapt to your child and transform into an infant bed when they're ready. It's also lightweight, so it's easy to move around the home.
A crib with a high mesh side is a great feature to have on a bedside crib. This will keep your child from falling. It should be securely attached to your bed, with no gaps or loose parts. Consult a professional if aren't confident in fitting a bedside crib yourself.
The ideal scenario is to avoid sleeping with your child until they're at least six months old. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS, advise that you do not allow your baby to sleep in your bed. This is due to the risk of suffocation and overheating. If you have to sleep with your child, a crib at the bedside is the best alternative.
Size
A bedside cot is an upholstered bassinet cot that is fixed to the bed's side. It is a side that can be adjusted so that you can reach your baby without needing to get out of bed. Famous moms like Stacey Solomon Binky Felstead, and Lucy Mecklenburgh adore these. They are perfect for those with limited mobility after a C-section.
The Maxi-Cosi Lora is our number one pick. It has an option to peek behind that allows you to see your baby on the bottom of the mattress. It can also be adjusted to the mattress's height, although some mothers have complained about the difficulty of moving it up and down. It is also one of our lightest options that can fold into a suitcase-sized bag. This makes it ideal to travel with your baby.
The Slumber 3-in-1 is another great alternative. It can be used as a portable bassinet or cot as well as playpen. This product was awarded the gold award at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards, in the category of the Best Cot, Moses Basket, or Crib. It has an adjustable shelf for storage and is easy to move into and out of the car. Some mothers were concerned that it was too big and wide to be able to fit in tight spaces, especially when it is used as a sleeper on the bed.
Design
The best cribs for bed are sleek, stylish, and modern. Some cribs come with 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 are useful if your partner is having difficulty getting up. Some sleepers can also be used as a bassinet, cot, or for reflux babies. If you're looking for something a bit more traditional there are a lot of options to choose from as well.
Some of our top picks are the CoZee Air from Tutti Bambini which was awarded bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category, and the Next2me Magic shortlisted in the same category. Both are adjustable in height and can be used as a travel cot if you're away from home. They are also lightweight and easy for you to move around.
Other moms love the Lua Bedside Sleeper that comes with a changing mat as well as a storage space as in addition to a collapsible bassinet that turns into a mini cot and a storage bag. Jasmine says that it is the perfect size for infants and is larger than Moses baskets that can feel thin or flimsy.
Another great option is the iCandy Cocoon, which can be used as an Moses basket, cot, or travel cot. It has an adjustable changing table that pops up, a shelf for books and toys, and an adjustable mesh side that lets you view your baby. It's not light but it's easy to move around and looks fantastic in any bedroom.
Cost
If you're in the market for a bedside sleeper, bassinet or crib, cost will be a major factor. Many of the most sought-after models are costly however there are plenty of lower-cost alternatives that won't break the bank. Some even come with a variety of styles and colors to fit your nursery's decor.
The best bedside cribs can be adjusted and raised up to the height of your mattress. Some models come with an incline option that is ideal for babies who suffer from reflux. They can also be folded when not in use and some models have bags for travel that is perfect for mothers who often go out or have guests staying in.
Bedside cots tend to be slightly bigger than Moses baskets but smaller than cribs. They can be moved from one room to another, and others have a side that can be lowered to allow you to lift your child to feed them or comfort them. Some come with a built-in rocker to soothe your baby to sleep.
Clair de Lune, a mid-priced baby model, was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Crib category. The design is sleek and stylish, but it's slightly larger than some of the other options, so it may not be the ideal choice for small spaces. It is also a bit heavy, weighing over 10kg and requires some maneuvering to place it. Emily from Clair de Lune notes that the sides of this mattress don't bend as much, which means you'll need to bend down to take your baby.