The Best Bedside Cots
A bedside cot is a bassinet-style crib that attaches to your own bed and allows your babies to sleep right next to you. This is a great option for parents who want their baby to be close for fuss-free feeds during the first few months of.
The HALO bassiNest Essentia is the winner of our best bedside cots test. It comes with an adjustable sleep surface and sidewalls that can be easily lowered. This makes it easy to reach out to relax and get back to sleep.
Safety
A bedside crib is a fantastic solution for new parents that want to keep their baby close but without compromising their security. This kind of cot attaches to the bed's side and has one end that can be lifted or lowered down so that you can reach your baby. You can also use a bedside crib to night feed your baby or to soothe them to sleep. It's also a great option for mums who have had C-sections. Bedside cots come in a variety of sizes and designs and some come with storage. When choosing a cot for your bedside make sure you check the safety features.
The Boori Oasis Oval Cot is an attractive cot that's simple to build and compact. The oval shape is perfect for infants who play around in their sleep, since it ensures that they don't get trapped in a corner like they would with the rectangular cot. This cot is also easy to slide through doors with standard frames which is a huge plus for space-stretched new parents.
La Redoute Willox adjustable Cot Bed is another good option. The cot comes with a variety of features that make parenting easier and also looks beautiful. Its adjustable sides mean that it can grow with your child, and then transform into a toddler bed when they're ready. It's also light, so it's easy to move around the house.
A crib with a high mesh side is a good feature to have on a bedside crib. This will prevent your baby from falling. It should be fitted securely to your bed, with no gaps or loose areas. If you're not confident about fitting a bedside cot by yourself or hiring a professional, let a professional do it for you.
It is recommended to avoid sleeping with your baby until they're at minimum six months old. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS, advise that you don't let your newborn sleep in your bed. This is because of the risk of overheating and suffocation. However, if you need to sleep with your partner, a bedside crib is the safest option.
Size
A bedside cot, sometimes referred to as bassinet is a cot which attaches to the sides of your mattress. It comes with a side that can be lifted or lowered down to allow you to reach your baby quickly, without needing to leave the bed. They are a favorite of famous moms like Stacey Solomon, Binky Felstead and Lucy Mecklenburgh. They're perfect for those who may have a limited mobility following the C-section.
Our top pick, the Maxi Cosi Lora, comes with an opening that lets you view your child from the bottom of the bed and it adjusts to the height of your mattress - although some mums complained that it was difficult to move up and down. It's also one of our lightest options that folds into a suitcase-sized package. This makes it perfect for traveling with your baby.
Another option is the Slumber Carbon 3-in-1, which converts into a bassinet, travel cot and playpen. It even 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 the car. Some mums, however, found it too big and wide to fit into tight spaces, particularly when it was used as a bed by the bed.
Design
The best cribs for bed are sleek, stylish and modern. amazon bedside cot have innovative designs, like an open-air flap on the sides to allow you to observe your baby without disturbing him. Other features, like adjustable height, are helpful if your partner has trouble getting up and down from their bed. Some sleepers can also be used as a bassinet, cot or for babies who have reflux. If you're seeking something more traditional there are a lot of options to choose from as well.
Some of our favorites are the CoZee Air from Tutti Bambini which was awarded bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Award Best Cot Crib, Moses Basket category and the Next2me Magic, which was shortlisted in the same category. Both have adjustable heights and can be converted into a travel cot to use away from home. They're also super lightweight and easy to move from room to room.
Some moms prefer the Lua Bedside sleeper that comes with a changing mat, storage space and a collapsible bassinet for babies that can be transformed into an e-couch that can be carried around. It also comes with an organizer bag. Jasmine says it's the ideal size for a newborn and is more substantial than Moses baskets, which may appear flimsy or fragile.
Another option is the iCandy Cocoon, which can be used as a Moses basket, cot, or travel cot. It comes with a pop-up changer, a handy shelf for books and toys and a mesh adjustable side that allows you to have a good view of your baby. It's not lightweight but it's easy to move around and looks fantastic in any bedroom.
Cost
Cost is an important aspect when shopping for a crib, bassinet, or bedside sleeper. Some of the most sought-after models can be expensive. However there are a lot of cheaper alternatives. There are a variety of colors and styles to match your nursery decor.
The most comfortable bedside cots have adjustable sides that can be raised to meet the height of your bed. Some also have an incline position that is perfect for babies who have reflux. They can also be folded away when not in use and some models even have an included travel bag that is perfect for mothers who are often out and about or have guests staying over.
Bedside cots tend to be slightly larger than Moses baskets but 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 pull your baby towards you to feed them or comfort them. Some models also come with a built-in rocker so you can 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. It's stylish and sleek, but slightly larger than other options. This may not be ideal for small spaces. It is also quite heavy at more than 10kg and requires some maneuvering to put it in place 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 grab your baby.