The Best Bedside Cots
A bedside crib is a bassinet-style cot that is attached to your bed which allows your baby to sleep close by. This is a great solution if you'd like your baby 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, featuring an adjustable sleeping surface that can be swiveled and sidewalls that drop down effortlessly. This allows you to reach over and soothe them.
Safety
A bedside crib is a great option for parents who wish to keep their infant near them without compromising security. The cot is attached to the bed's side and has one end that can be lifted up or dropped down so you can reach your little one. It can also be used as a night-time feeding station or to help soothe your baby to sleep. It's also a great option for mothers who have had C-sections. Bedside cots come in a variety of styles and sizes, and some even include storage. When you are looking for a cot for your bedside, be sure to check the safety features.
The Boori Oasis Oval Cot has elegant design and is easy to put together. Its oval design is perfect for babies who lay around during sleep, since it ensures that they don't get trapped in a corner like they would with an oblong cot. The cot can also be easily inserted into doors that have standard frames. This is a fantastic option for parents who are short in space.
La Redoute Willox adjustable Cot Bed is another great option. This cot is an excellent all-rounder with lots of features to make parenting easier and beautiful design. Its adjustable sides mean that it can adapt to your child and transform into an infant bed when they're ready. It's also lightweight, which means it's easy to move around the house.
A crib with a high mesh side is a nice feature to have at the bedside of a crib. This will stop your baby from falling. It should also be fitted securely to your bed with no gaps or sloppy areas. Consult cots4tots if are not confident in installing a crib for your bed yourself.
Co-sleeping is not advised until your baby is at least six months of age. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS, advise that you do not let your infant sleep in your bed. This is because of the danger of suffocation and overheating. If you do need to sleep with your partner, a bedside crib is the safest option.
Size
A bedside cot, also referred to as bassinet is a cot which attaches to the sides of your mattress. It is a side that can be lowered or raised to let you reach your baby without needing to leave the bed. Celebrity moms like Stacey Solomon Binky Felstead, and Lucy Mecklenburgh love these. They are perfect for those who have limited mobility following a C-section.
Our top pick, the Maxi Cosi Lora, has 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 up and down. It's also one of the lightest options on our list and it folds down to the size of a suitcase which makes it ideal 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 was awarded our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards gold award 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. However, some mums were concerned that it was too large and wide for small spaces, particularly when used as a bedside sleeper.
Design
The best cribs for bed are stylish, sleek and contemporary. Some come with innovative designs, like a peek-a-boo flap on the side, to let you check in on baby without disrupting them. Other features like adjustable height are beneficial for those who have difficulty getting up. Some sleepers can also be used as an cot, bassinet or for babies with reflux. 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. It was the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. Next2me Magic was also shortlisted. Both come with adjustable heights, and can be turned into a travel cot for use away from home. They are also light and easy to move around.
Other moms love the Lua Bedside Sleeper, which has a changing mat and storage area as well as 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 more substantial than Moses baskets which can feel thin or flimsy.
The iCandy Cocoon is another great option. It can be used as a Moses Basket or a cot for travel. It comes with a pop-up changer as well as a shelf to store toys and books, and a mesh, adjustable side that allows you to have the best view of your baby. It's not the lightest, but it's easy to move and looks elegant in any bedroom.
Cost
Cost is a major factor when you are looking for a crib, bassinet, or bedside sleeper. Many of the most well-known models are quite expensive but there are many cheaper alternatives that won't cost you a fortune. Some come in different 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 models come with an incline option that is perfect for babies who suffer from reflux. They can also be folded when not in use and some models come with bags for travel that is perfect for new mothers who often go out or have guests staying in.
Bedside cots are usually slightly larger than Moses baskets, but smaller than cribs. They can be moved from room-to-room in case you have to and some come with the side that lowers to allow you to lift your baby out towards you for night feeds or soothing. Some have a built in rocker to help soothe your baby to sleep.
The Clair de Lune is a mid-priced option that was shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot Crib, Moses Basket category. The design is sleek and stylish, but it's slightly wider than some other options, which means it's not the ideal choice for small spaces. It's also quite heavy at more than 10kg, and needs a lot of maneuvering to get it in the right position. Emily from Clair de Lune notes that the sides of this sleeper don't flex enough, meaning you have to bend down to take your baby.