The Best Bedside Cots
A bedside crib is a bassinet-style crib that is attached directly to your bed. This allows baby to sleep safely close to you. This is a great option for parents who want their child to be near for peaceful feedings during the early stages.
The HALO BassiNest Essentia won our top bedside cot in our test, featuring a swiveling bed and sidewalls that slide down effortlessly. This allows you to easily reach over and comfort them.
Safety
A bedside crib is a fantastic solution for new parents that want to keep their child close to them, but not compromise security. This kind of cot is attached to the side of your mattress and is movable so that you can reach out to your baby. You can use a crib for your bed to feed your baby at night or soothe them back to sleep. This is a great option, especially for mothers who have had C-sections. Bedside cots are available in a variety of sizes and designs, and some include storage. When you are looking for an upholstered cot for your bedside make sure you check the safety features.
The Boori Oasis Oval Cot has elegant design and is easy to put together. Its oval shape is ideal for babies who roll around in their sleep. They won't be confined in a corner like they would with the rectangular cot. It is also able to slide through standard door frames which is a major benefit for parents with limited space.
La Redoute Willox adjustable Cot Bed is a good option. It comes with a number of features that make parenting simpler, and it looks great. Its movable sides mean it will grow with your child and transform into a toddler bed when they're ready. It's also light, so it's easy to move around.
A good quality bedside crib should have high mesh sides to prevent your child from falling out. It should also be attached securely to your bed, with no gaps or sloppy areas. Consult a professional if aren't confident in fitting a bedside crib yourself.
Ideally, you should avoid co-sleeping with your infant until they're at least six months old. The official advice from the Lullaby Trust and the NHS is that infants should not sleep in your bed because of the risk of suffocation or overheating. However, if you have to co-sleep in a crib, a crib that is placed near your bed is the best option.
Size
A bedside cot is an upholstered bassinet cot that is fixed to the bed's side. It features a side that is able to 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 are awestruck by these. They are great for those who have limited mobility after a C-section.
The Maxi-Cosi Lora is our top pick. bedside cot mattress cots4tots has a peekaboo feature that allows you to see your baby at the bottom of the mattress. It also adjusts to the mattress's height however some mothers have complained about the difficulty of moving it up and down. It's also among our lightest options that folds into a suitcase-sized package. This makes it perfect to travel with your baby.
Another option that is great is the Slumber Carbon 3-in-1, which converts into a bassinet, travel cot and playpen. It also won our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards gold medal in the best Cot Crib, Moses Basket category. It has a handy storage shelf beneath and is extremely light to lift into and out of the car. Some mothers, however, considered it to be too long and wide to fit in small spaces, particularly when it is used as a sleeper on the bed.
Design
The best bedside cribs are sleek, stylish and modern. Some cribs feature innovative designs like a peek-aboo flap on the sides that let you check on your baby without disturbing him. Other features, like adjustable height, are helpful when your child has difficulty getting up and down from their bed. These sleepers can be used as a cot or bassinet with incline positions for reflux babies. There are also plenty of options for those who want something more traditional.
The CoZee Air by Tutti Bambini won bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. Next2me Magic was also shortlisted. Both have adjustable heights and can be transformed into a travel cot to use outside of the home. They are also light and easy for you to move around.
Some moms prefer the Lua Bedside sleeper that includes a changing mat, storage area and a collapsible bassinet for babies which can be turned into a portable mini cot. It also comes with a storage bag. Jasmine says it's the ideal size for babies and is more substantial than Moses baskets which are often flimsy or thin.
Another great option is an alternative 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 and 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 is a consideration. Certain of the most popular models can be quite expensive. However there are a lot of cheaper alternatives. Some come in different colors and styles to match the decor of your nursery.
The best bedside cots have adjustable sides and can be adjusted to match the bed's height. Some models come with an incline option that is perfect for babies who suffer from reflux. Some models come with a travel bag and can be folded when not in use. This is perfect for mothers who are constantly on the go or have guests over.
Bedside cots are usually a bit bigger than Moses baskets, but are smaller than cribs. They can be moved from one place to another, and some come with a side that can be adjusted to allow you to pull your child towards you to feed them or comfort him. Some also have an integrated rocker so that you can soothe your baby to sleep.
Clair de Lune, a mid-priced model, was nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Crib category. It's stylish and sleek, but slightly wider than other options. It's not suitable for smaller spaces. It's also a bit heavy, weighing over 10kg, and requires some maneuvering to place it. Emily from Clair de Lune also notes that it's not as simple to move in and out of like other bedside sleepers, because the sides don't move much and you'll have to bend over to pick up your baby.