The Best Bedside Cots
A bedside crib is a bassinet-style cot that can be attached to your bed which allows your babies to sleep right next to you. This is an ideal option if you want your little one to be close to feed them without fuss during the first few months of.
The HALO bassiNest Essentia is the winner of our top bedside cots test. It comes with an adjustable sleep surface and sidewalls that can be lowered easily. This makes it easier to reach for comfort and lull them back to sleep.
Safety
A bedside crib is a great solution for new parents who wish to keep their infant near them without compromising security. This kind of cot attaches to the side of your bed and has one end that can be lifted up or lowered so you can reach your baby. You can use a crib for your bed to feed your baby at night or to soothe them back to sleep. It's also a great choice for mothers who have had a C-section. Bedside cots are available in many different designs and sizes, and some come with storage. If you're shopping for a bedside cot ensure you look over the safety features to make sure it is safe for your baby.
The Boori Oasis Oval Cot is a stylish-looking cot that's easy to build and compact. Its oval-shaped design is perfect for babies who roll around in their sleep. They won't end up in a corner like they would with an oblong cot. The cot is easily fitted into doors that have standard frames. This is a great option for parents who are tight on space.
La Redoute Willox adjustable Cot Bed is another good option. This cot is an ideal all-rounder, with plenty of features that make parenting easier and a gorgeous look. Its adjustable sides mean that it can grow with your child, and then 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 good feature to have at the bedside of a crib. This will prevent your child from falling. It should also be attached securely to your bed, with no gaps or sloppy areas. Ask a professional if you aren't confident in installing a crib on your bed.
The ideal scenario is to avoid co-sleeping with your infant until they're at minimum 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 overheating and suffocation. If you have to sleep with your child, a crib at the bedside is the best alternative.
Size
A bedside cot is a bassinet-style cot which is attached to the bed's side. It is a side that can be lowered or raised so that you can reach your baby without having to get out of bed. Celeb mums like Stacey Solomon Binky Felstead, and Lucy Mecklenburgh are awestruck by these. They are great for those with limited mobility following a C-section.
The Maxi-Cosi Lora is our number one pick. It has a peekaboo feature that allows you to see your baby on the bottom of the mattress. It can also be adjusted to your mattress height however some mothers have complained about the difficulty of moving it up and down. It's also one of the lightest options we've seen and folds down to a suitcase-sized package which makes it ideal for traveling with your little one.
Another option that is great is the Slumber Carbon 3-in-1, which can be used as 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 a storage shelf and is easy to lift into and out of a car. However, some mums 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 bedside cribs will be sleek, stylish and modern. Some are designed with innovative features such as a peek-a-boo flap on the side, to help you observe your baby without disturbing them. Other features, like adjustable heights, are useful when your child has difficulty getting up or down from bed. Some sleepers are also suitable as a bassinet, cot or for babies with reflux. There are plenty of options if you're looking for something more traditional.
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, Moses Basket category as well as the Next2me Magic, which was shortlisted in the same category. Both have adjustable height, and can be transformed into a travel cot for use outside of the home. They're also light and easy to move from room to room.
Other mothers like the Lua Bedside Sleeper that has a changing mat and storage space as well as the bassinet, which can be collapsed into a mini portable cot and a storage bag. Jasmine says it's the perfect size for a newborn and is larger than Moses baskets, which can appear flimsy or fragile.
Another option that is great is the iCandy Cocoon, which can be used as a Moses basket, cot, or travel cot. It has a pop-up changer as well as a shelf to store books and toys and a mesh adjustable side that gives you the best view of your baby. It's not light, but it is easy to move around and looks fantastic in any bedroom.
Cost
Cost is an important aspect when looking for a crib, bassinet or bedside sleeper. Many of the most sought-after models are costly, but there are many cheaper alternatives that won't break the bank. Some come in different styles and colors to match the decor of your nursery.
The best cribs for bedside use are adjustable and can be elevated to the level of your mattress. Some models have an incline setting which is ideal for babies suffering from reflux. They can also be folded away when not in use, and some models have an included travel bag that is perfect for new mothers who are often out and about or have guests staying in.
Bedside cots tend to be slightly larger than Moses baskets but smaller than cribs. They can be moved from one place to another, and some have a side that can be adjusted to allow you to lift your child to feed them or soothe them. Some models also come with an integrated rocker so that you can soothe your little one to sleep.
The Clair de Lune is a mid-priced model that was nominated in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot Crib, Moses Basket category. describes it is stylish and sleek, but it's slightly larger than other options, which means it may not be the ideal choice for small spaces. It's also a bit heavy, weighing over 10kg and requires some maneuvering to position it. Emily from Clair de Lune notes that the sides of this mattress don't bend as much, so you have to bend to take your baby.