A bedside crib is a bassinet-style crib that attaches directly to your bed. This allows your baby to rest peacefully close to you. This is a great option for parents who want their little one to be near for fuss-free feeds in the early stages.
The HALO bassiNest Essentia was the winner of our best bedside cots test. It has a swiveling sleep surface and sidewalls that can be easily lowered. This makes it easier to reach over to relax and get to sleep.
Safety
A bedside crib with changing table cot is the ideal solution for parents who want to keep their baby close but not sacrifice security. This type of crib is attached to one side of your mattress. It has a movable end so you can reach out to your baby. It can be used as a night feeding station or to help soothe your baby to sleep. This is a great choice particularly for mothers who have had C-sections. Bedside cots can be found in a variety of styles and sizes, and some come with storage. When shopping for a cot for your bedside cot 6 months plus be sure to verify the safety features.
The Boori Oasis Oval Cot has a stylish design and is easy to put together. Its oval design is perfect for infants who roll around in their sleep, because it ensures that they don't get stuck in the corner like they might with a rectangular cot. This cot is also easy to fit through doors with standard frames which is a major advantage for parents who are stretched out by their space.
La Redoute Willox adjustable Cot Bed is a good alternative. This cot is a great all-rounder, with plenty of features that make parenting easier as well as an attractive design. Its adjustable sides mean it can grow with your child and transform into a toddler bed when they're ready. It is also lightweight so it is easy to move around.
A quality crib for your bed should have mesh sides that are high to stop your baby from falling out. It should also be fitted securely to your bed, with no gaps or sloppy areas. Consult a professional if aren't confident in installing a crib for your bed yourself.
Ideally, you should avoid co-sleeping with your child 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 due to the risk of suffocation or overheating. If you must co-sleep with your child, a crib by the bedside is the best option.
Size
A bedside cot, also known as a 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 quickly, without having to get out of bed. Celebrity moms like Stacey Solomon Binky Felstead, and Lucy Mecklenburgh love these. They are great for those who are unable to move after a 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. It can also be adjusted to the height of your mattress - although some mums claimed it was difficult to move up and down. It's also among our lightest choices and can fold into a suitcase-sized bag. This makes it perfect for travel with your baby.
Another great option is the Slumber Carbon 3-in-1, which transforms into an a portable cot, bassinet and playpen. It even was awarded our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards gold award in the best Cot Crib, Moses Basket category. It comes with shelves for storage and is easy to move into and out of a car. However, some mums were concerned that it was too big and bulky for small spaces, particularly when used as a bedside sleeper.
Design
The best cribs for your bed are sleek, stylish and modern. Some cribs feature innovative designs like a peek-aboo flap on the sides that allow you to observe your baby without disturbing him. Other features, like adjustable heights, are useful for those who have difficulty getting up or down from their bed. These sleepers can be used as a bassinet or cot, and some have tilt positions for babies with reflux. There are plenty of options if you're looking for 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 can be adjusted in height and can be used as a travel cot while away from home. They are also light and easy for you to move around.
Other moms love the Lua Bedside Sleeper that comes with a changing mat as well as a storage area, as in addition to the bassinet, which can be collapsed into a mini-portable cot as well as a storage bag. Jasmine says it's the perfect size for a newborn and is more substantial than Moses baskets, which can feel flimsy or thin.
The iCandy Cocoon is another great alternative. It can be used as a Moses Basket, cot bedside or travel cot. It comes with a pop-up changing table, a shelf for toys and books, as well as an adjustable mesh side that allows you to observe your baby. It's not lightweight but it's easy to move around and looks great in any bedroom.
Cost
Cost is a major factor when you are shopping for a crib, bassinet, or bedside sleeper. Certain of the most popular models can be costly. However there are a lot of cheaper alternatives. There are a variety of styles and colors to complement the decor of your nursery.
The best bedside cots have adjustable sides that can be adjusted to match the height of your bed. Some models come with an incline option that is ideal for babies suffering from reflux. Some models come with a bag for travel and can be folded when not in use. This is ideal for mothers who are always on the go or have guests to entertain.
Bedside cots are generally slightly larger than Moses baskets, but they are smaller than cribs. They can be moved from room to room when needed, and some have a side that drops down so that you can pull your child towards you for night feeds or soothing. Some have built-in rockers so you can soothe your little one to sleep.
Clair de Lune, a mid-priced baby model, was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Crib category. The design is sleek and stylish however it's a little larger than some of the other options, meaning it's not the best choice for small spaces. It's also quite heavy, at over 10kg, and needs lots of maneuvering to get it in position. Emily from Clair de Lune notes that the sides of this sleeper don't flex enough, meaning you'll need to bend to take your baby.