The Best Bedside Cots
A bedside cot is a bassinet-style crib that is attached to your bed which allows your infants to sleep close. This is a great choice if you want your little one to be close by to feed them without fuss in the early stages.
The HALO BassiNest Essentia took home our best bedside cot test, with a swiveling sleeping surface and sidewalls that dip down easily. This makes it easy to reach over for comfort and lull them to sleep.
Safety
A bedside crib is a great solution for new parents that want to keep their child close to them, but not compromise security. This type of crib is attached to the side of your mattress. It is movable so that you can reach out to your baby. You can use the crib as a night time feeding station or to help soothe your baby to sleep. It's also a great option for mothers who've had C-sections. Bedside cots are available in a variety of designs and sizes, and some have storage. If newborn bedside cot shopping for a bedside cot, ensure you look over the safety features to be sure it's safe for your child.
The Boori Oasis Oval Cot is an elegant cot that is easy to put together and compact. Its oval shape is perfect for babies who roll around in their sleep. They won't end up in a corner like they would with the rectangular cot. It is also able to fit into doors with standard frames which is a huge plus for space-stretched new parents.
La Redoute Willox adjustable Cot Bed is another great alternative. It comes with a number of features that make parenting simpler and it looks stunning. Its adjustable sides mean that it will grow with your child and convert into an infant bed when they're ready. It's also light, so it's easy to move around the house.
A high-quality bedside crib should have high mesh sides to prevent your baby from falling out. It should be fitted securely to your bed, with no gaps or loose areas. If you're not sure about fitting a bedside cot yourself, ask a professional to do it for you.
Sleeping in a co-sleeper is not recommended until your baby is at least six months of age. The official recommendation from the Lullaby Trust and the NHS is that babies should not sleep in your bed because of the risk of overheating and suffocation. However, if you have to sleep with your partner the bedside crib is the most secure option.
Size
A bedside cot, also known as bassinet is a cot that is attached to the side of your mattress. It has a side that can be lifted or lowered down to allow you to reach your baby easily without needing to get out of bed. They are a favorite of famous moms like Stacey Solomon, Binky Felstead and Lucy Mecklenburgh and are ideal for mothers who have limited mobility after the C-section.
Our top choice, the Maxi-Cosi Lora, comes with an opening that lets you peek at your baby from below the bed. It can also be adjusted to the mattress's height however some moms have claimed it was difficult to move it up and down. It is also one of our lightest options that can fold into a suitcase-sized bag. This makes it perfect for traveling with your baby.
Another option that is great is the Slumber Carbon 3-in-1, which can be used as a travel cot, bassinet and playpen. It also won our 2021 Mother&Baby Award gold medal in the best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category. It has an adjustable shelf for storage and is easy to lift into and out of a car. Some mothers have thought it was a bit too large and wide for small spaces, especially when it is used as a bedside sleeping device.
Design
The best cribs for bed will be modern, sleek and stylish. Some are designed with innovative features such as a peek-a-boo flap on the side to allow you to observe your baby without disturbing them. Other features, such as adjustable height, can be helpful for those who have difficulty getting up and down from bed. These sleepers can be used as a cot or bassinet, and some have tilt positions for babies with reflux. If you're looking for something more traditional, there are plenty of options to choose from as well.
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 have adjustable height, and can be converted into a travel cot to use away from home. They're also super lightweight and easy to move from room room.
Some mothers prefer the Lua Bedside sleeper that includes a changing mat, storage area and a collapsible baby bassinet which can be turned into portable mini cot. It also comes with an organizer bag. Jasmine says that it is 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, a shelf for books and toys, and an adjustable mesh side that allows you to see your baby. It's not light but it's easy to move around and looks great in any bedroom.
Cost
If you're shopping for a bedside sleeping device, crib or bassinet, price is a consideration. Some of the most popular models are costly but there are plenty of lower-cost alternatives that won't cost a fortune. Many are available in a range of different styles and colors to fit your nursery decor.
The best cribs for beds can be adjusted and adjusted 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 away when not in use, and some models come with an included travel bag that is perfect for mothers who frequently go out or have guests staying with them.
Bedside cots tend to be slightly larger than Moses baskets but smaller than cribs. Some are able to be moved from one room to another, while others come with a side that can be lowered to allow you to lift your child towards you to feed them or soothe them. Some models also come with an integrated rocker so that you can 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 or Moses Basket category. The design is sleek and elegant however, it's a bit wider than some other options, meaning it may not be the best choice for small spaces. It's also quite heavy at over 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 get in and out of as other bedside sleepers, because the sides don't flex much and you'll have to bend over to pick up your baby.