The Best Bedside Cots
A bedside cot is a bassinet-style crib that attaches to your own bed and allows your infants to sleep close. This is a great option if you want your infant to be close for fuss-free feeds in the early stages.
The HALO BassiNest Essentia won 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 easily reach out and feel comfortable.
Safety
A bedside cot is a great solution for new parents who wish to keep their infant close without sacrificing safety. bedside cot used of crib is attached to the side of your mattress. It also has a movable end so you can reach out to your baby. You can use a crib for your bed to night feed your baby or help them go back to sleep. This is a great choice particularly for mothers who have had C-sections. Bedside cots are available in a variety of sizes and designs and some even have storage. When shopping for a bedside cot, be sure to check the safety features.
The Boori Oasis Oval Cot has a stylish design and is simple to put together. Its oval shape is ideal for babies who like to roll in their sleep. They won't end up in a corner as they would with a rectangular cot. The cot can also be easily fitted through standard door frames. This is a great option for parents who are limited in space.
Another option is the La Redoute Willox Adjustable Cot Bed. This cot is a great all-purpose cot, with plenty of features to make parenting easier as well as 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, so it's easy to move around the home.
A crib with a high mesh side is a good feature to put on a bedside crib. This will prevent your child from falling. It should be fitted securely to your bed, with no gaps or loose areas. If you're unsure about installing a bedside cot on your own you can ask a professional to complete the task for you.
Ideally, you should avoid co-sleeping with your baby until they're at least six months old. Official advice from The Lullaby Trust and the NHS is that babies should not sleep in your bed due to the danger of suffocation and overheating. However, if you have to sleep with your partner in a crib, a crib that is placed near your bed is the best option.
Size
A bedside cot, also referred to as bassinet is a cot which attaches to the sides of your mattress. It has one side which can be lifted or lowered down to allow you to reach your baby easily without having to leave the bed. They are a favorite of celeb moms such as Stacey Solomon, Binky Felstead and Lucy Mecklenburgh. They are ideal for mothers who have limited mobility after a C-section.
The Maxi-Cosi Lora is our number one choice. It has an option to peek behind that allows you to see your baby at the bottom of the mattress. It can also be adjusted 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 our lightest choices and folds into a suitcase-sized package. This makes it perfect to travel with your baby.
Another option that is great 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 medal 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 the car. Some mums, however, were concerned that it was too long and wide to fit in small spaces, particularly when it was used as a bed in bed.
Design
The best cribs for bed are stylish, sleek and contemporary. Some are designed with innovative features, like a peek-a-boo flap on the side to let you monitor your baby without disturbing them. Other features like adjustable height are useful for those who have difficulties getting out of bed. These sleepers can be used as a bassinet or cot, and some have tilt positions for babies with reflux. If you're seeking something more traditional there are a lot of options to choose from as well.
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 are adjustable in height and can be used as a travel cot if you're away from home. They are also light and easy for you to move around.
Some mothers prefer the Lua Bedside sleeper, which includes a changing mat, storage space and a baby bassinet that can be folded that can be converted into portable mini cot. It also comes with a storage bag. Jasmine says it's the ideal size for a newborn and is larger than Moses baskets, which may feel flimsy or thin.
Another option is the iCandy Cocoon, which can be used as an Moses basket, cot or travel cot. It comes with a pop-up changer, a handy shelf for books and toys, and a mesh, adjustable side that offers the best view of your baby. It's not light however it's easy to move around and looks great in any bedroom.
Cost
Cost is an important aspect when you're shopping for a crib, bassinet or bedside sleeper. Some of the most sought-after models can be expensive. However there are plenty of less expensive alternatives. Some come in different styles and colors to complement your nursery decor.
The best bedside cots have adjustable sides that can be raised to match the height of your bed. Some models come with an incline option that is perfect for babies with reflux. They can also be folded when not in use and some models have a travel bag included which is perfect for new mothers who often go out or have guests staying in.
Bedside cots tend to be a little bigger than Moses baskets but smaller than cribs. Some can be moved from one room to another, while others come with a side that can be raised to allow you to lift your child to feed them or comfort him. Some come with a built-in rocker to soothe your baby to sleep.
Clair de Lune, a mid-priced model, was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Crib category. It's stylish and sleek however it's a bit wider than other options. It's not ideal for small spaces. It's also quite heavy at over 10kg and requires some maneuvering to position it. Emily from Clair de Lune notes that the sides of this sleeper don't flex as much, so you'll have to bend to pick up your baby.