The 10 Scariest Things About Best Bedside Cots

The Best Bedside Cots

A bedside crib or cot crib is a bassinet-style crib that can be attached directly to your bed. This allows baby to rest peacefully close to you. This is a great option to allow your baby to be close enough for a relaxed feedings in the beginning stages of their development.

The HALO bassiNest Essentia was the winner of our best bedside cots test. It has a swiveling sleep surface and sidewalls that can be lowered easily. This allows you to reach over and comfort them.

Safety

A bedside cot is an ideal solution for parents who want to keep their child close without sacrificing safety. The cot is attached to the bed's side and has a single end that can be lifted up or lowered down so that you can reach your child. You can use a bedside crib to night feed your baby or to soothe them back to sleep. This is a great option particularly for mothers who have had C-sections. Bedside cots come in a variety of sizes and designs and some even have storage. If you're looking for a bedside cot, make sure you check out the safety features to be sure it's safe for your child.

The Boori Oasis Oval Cot is an attractive cot that's simple to build and compact. Its oval shape is ideal for babies who roll in their sleep. They won't be stuck in a corner like they would with an oblong cot. This cot is also easy to fit through standard door frames which is a huge plus for space-stretched new parents.

Another good choice is the La Redoute Willox Adjustable Cot Bed. This cot is an ideal all-purpose cot, with lots of features to simplify parenting and have a gorgeous look. Its adjustable sides mean it can adapt to your child and transform into a toddler bed when they're ready. It's also lightweight, which means it is easy to move around.

A good quality bedside crib 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. If you're unsure about fitting a bedside cot by yourself, ask a professional to do it for you.

Ideally, you should avoid sleeping with your child until they're at minimum six months old. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS, advise that you don't let your infant sleep in your bed. This is due to the risk of overheating and suffocation. If you do need to sleep with your partner in a crib, a bedside crib is the safest option.

Size

A bedside cot, also known as a bassinet is a cot which is attached to the side of your mattress. It has a side that can be lowered or raised to let you 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 with limited mobility following a C-section.

The Maxi-Cosi Lora is our top choice. It comes with the ability to peek at you to see your child on the bottom of the mattress. It can also be adjusted to the mattress's height, although 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 the size of a suitcase which makes it perfect for travelling with your little one.

Another great option is the Slumber Carbon 3-in-1, which converts into an a portable cot, bassinet and playpen. It also won our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards gold award in the best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category. It comes with a useful storage shelf beneath and is super-light to lift into and out of the car. However, some mothers found it a bit long and wide for tight spaces, especially when it is used as a bedside sleeping device.

Design

The best bedside cribs are sleek, stylish and contemporary. Some have innovative designs including a peek-aboo flap on the side to help you monitor your baby without disturbing them. Other features like adjustable height are beneficial for those who have difficulties getting out of bed. Some sleepers are also suitable as a bassinet, cot, or for reflux babies. There are plenty of options if you want something more traditional.

A few of our favourites are the CoZee Air from Tutti Bambini, which won bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best cot bedside Crib, Moses or Basket category as well as the Next2me Magic was shortlisted in that same category. Both come with adjustable heights, and can be transformed into a travel cot for use outside of the home. They are also lightweight and easy for you to move around.

Some mothers prefer the Lua Bedside sleeper that includes a changing mat, storage area and a collapsible baby bassinet that can be transformed into an e-couch that can be carried around. It also comes with a storage bag. Jasmine says it's the perfect size for a newborn and is more substantial than Moses baskets, which may feel flimsy or thin.

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 changing table and a shelf for toys and books, and an adjustable mesh side that allows you to observe your baby. It's not the lightest one, but it's simple to move and looks sleek in any bedroom.

Cost

Cost is an important factor when you are looking for a crib, bassinet or bedside cot wooden sleeper. Certain of the most popular models can be expensive. However there are a lot of cheaper alternatives. Some even come with a variety of colors and designs to suit your nursery decor.

The best bedside cots have adjustable sides that can be adjusted to match the height of your bed. Some have an incline setting which is ideal for babies suffering from reflux. They can also fold away when not in use and some models come with a travel bag included which is ideal for new mums who often go out or have guests staying with them.

Bedside cots are typically a bit bigger than Moses baskets, but they are smaller than cribs. They can be moved from one place to another, and some come with a side that can be lowered so that you can lift your child towards you to feed them or comfort them. Some also have a built-in rocker so you can soothe your little one to sleep.

The Clair de Lune is a mid-priced option that was shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&baby bedside crib Awards Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category. The design is sleek and stylish, but it's slightly wider than some other options, meaning it may not be the best choice for small spaces. It's also quite heavy, at more than 10kg, and needs some maneuvering to get it into the right position. Emily from Clair de Lune notes that the sides of this sleeper don't flex as much, so you'll need to bend to take your baby.