Best Bedside Cots: 11 Thing That You're Failing To Do
bedside travel cot Cots
A bedside crib is a bassinet style that is attached to your bed which allows your babies to sleep right next to you. This is a great choice to allow your baby to be close for fuss-free feedings during the first few months of his life.
The HALO bassiNest Essentia is the winner of our best bedside cots test. It has an adjustable sleep surface and sidewalls which can be lowered easily. This allows you to easily reach over and soothe them.
Safety
A bedside cot is a great solution for new parents who want to keep their child close but not sacrifice security. This type of crib is attached to one side of your mattress and 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 back to sleep. It's also a great option for mothers who have had C-sections. Bedside cots come in a variety of sizes and designs and some even have storage. When shopping for an upholstered cot for your bedside, be sure to check the safety features.
The Boori Oasis Oval Cot is an attractive cot that's simple to put together and compact. The oval shape is perfect for babies who play around in their sleep, as it ensures that they don't get stuck in the corner as they might with a rectangular crib. It is also able to fit into doors with standard frames which is a major plus for space-stretched new parents.
Another good choice is the La Redoute Willox Adjustable Cot Bed. This cot has a lot of features that make parenting easier and it looks stunning. Its adjustable sides allow it to grow with your child, and then transform into a toddler's bed once the time arrives. It's also light, so it's easy to move around the home.
A high mesh crib side is a nice feature to put on a bedside crib. This will keep your child from falling. It should be fitted securely to your bed with no gaps or areas that are loose. Ask a professional if you are not confident in installing a crib on your bed.
Co-sleeping is not advised until your baby is at least six months old age. The official recommendation from the Lullaby Trust and the NHS is that babies should not be sleeping in your bed due to the risk of overheating and suffocation. If you have to sleep with your child, a crib placed at the bedside is the ideal alternative.
Size
A bedside cot, sometimes referred to as the bassinet, is a cot that attaches to the side of your mattress. It has one side which can be lifted or lowered so that you can reach your baby quickly, without the need to leave the bed. They are a favorite of famous moms like Stacey Solomon, Binky Felstead and Lucy Mecklenburgh. They are ideal for mothers who have a limited mobility following the C-section.
The Maxi-Cosi Lora is our number one choice. It has a peekaboo feature that allows you to see your baby on the bottom of the mattress. It also adjusts to the height of your mattress, 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 into an ideal size for a suitcase which makes it perfect for travelling with your child.
Another option is the Slumber Carbon 3-in-1, which can be used as an a portable cot, bassinet and playpen - it even won our 2021 Mother&Baby Award gold medal in the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category. It has a handy storage shelf beneath and is extremely light to lift in and out of the car. Some mothers were concerned that it was too large and wide to fit in small spaces, particularly when it is used as a sleeper in bed.
Design
The best cribs for bed will be modern, sleek and stylish. Some have innovative designs including a peek-aboo flap on the side to allow you to monitor your baby without disrupting them. Other features, like adjustable heights, are useful if your partner has trouble getting up or down from their bed. These sleepers can be used as a bassinet or cot with an incline position for babies who are reflux. If you're seeking something more traditional There are plenty of options as well.
Some of our top picks are the CoZee Air from Tutti Bambini that won bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Award Best Cot Crib, Moses Basket category, and the Next2me Magic, which was shortlisted in the same category. Both are adjustable in height and can be used as a travel cot when away from home. They're also super lightweight and easy to move from room to room.
Some mums prefer the Lua Bedside sleeper, which includes a changing mat, storage space and a collapsible bassinet for babies that can be converted into portable mini cot. It also comes with a storage bag. Jasmine says it's the perfect size for a newborn and is bigger than Moses baskets, which can feel flimsy or thin.
Another great option is the iCandy Cocoon, which can be used as an Moses basket, cot or travel cot. It comes with a pop-up changer as well as a shelf to store books and toys, and a mesh, adjustable side that gives you an excellent view of your baby. It's not light however 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 will be a factor. Some of the most popular models are expensive, but there are plenty of lower-cost alternatives that won't cost you a fortune. Many are available in a range of different styles and colors to match your nursery decor.
The best cribs for bedside use are adjustable and can be elevated to the level of your mattress. Some models also have an incline position that is ideal for babies with reflux. They can also be folded away when not in use, and some models have bags for travel that is perfect for mothers who are often out and about or have guests staying over.
Bedside cots are typically slightly larger than Moses baskets, but are smaller than cribs. They can be moved from room to room in case you have to and some even have an end that can be lowered so you can lift your baby toward you for feeding or soothing. Some also have an integrated rocker so that you can soothe your little one 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 however it is a little larger than other models. This may not be ideal for small spaces. It's also a bit heavy, weighing over 10kg and requires some maneuvering to put it in place it. Emily from Clair de Lune notes that the sides of this mattress don't bend as much, so you'll need to bend down to take your baby.