The Best Bedside Cots
A bedside cot is a bassinet-style crib that is attached to your bed which allows your baby to sleep close by. This is an ideal option when you want your baby to be close by for feedings that aren't a hassle in the early stages.
The HALO bassiNest Essentia was the winner in our top rated bedside cots for testing. It features an adjustable sleep surface and sidewalls that can be easily lowered. This makes it easy to reach over for comfort and ease them to sleep.
Safety
A bedside cot is an ideal solution for parents who want to keep their child close but not sacrifice safety. The cot is attached to the bed's side and has a curved end which can be lifted or dropped down so you can reach your baby. You can use a bedside crib to feed your baby at night or help them go back to sleep. It's also a great choice for mothers who've had a C-section. 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 a stylish-looking cot that's easy to build and compact. Its oval-shaped design is perfect for babies who roll in their sleep. They won't be stuck in a corner as they would with a rectangular cot. This cot can also be easily fitted into doors that have standard frames. This is a fantastic feature for parents who are limited on space.
Another great option is the La Redoute Willox Adjustable Cot Bed. This cot is a great all-rounder, with lots of features to make parenting easier and an attractive design. Its adjustable sides allow it to grow with your child and then convert into a toddler's bed once the time comes. It's also light, so it's easy to move around.
A high mesh crib side is a great feature to have at the bedside of a crib. This will stop your baby from falling. It should be securely fitted to your bed, with no gaps or parts that are loose. Consult a professional if are not confident in installing a crib for your bed yourself.
Ideally, you should avoid sleeping with your child until they're at minimum six months old. The official advice from the Lullaby Trust and the NHS is that newborns should not be sleeping in your bed due to the danger of suffocation and overheating. If you do need to co-sleep, a bedside crib is the most secure option.
Size
A bedside cot is a bassinet-style cot that fixes to the bed's side. It has a side that can be raised or lowered to allow you to reach your baby without having to leave the bed. These are a favourite of celeb mums such as Stacey Solomon, Binky Felstead and Lucy Mecklenburgh and are ideal for parents who have a limited mobility following the C-section.
Our top pick, the Maxi Cosi Lora, comes with a peekaboo flap that lets you view your child from below the bed. It also adjusts to the mattress's height - although some mums claimed it was difficult to move up and down. It's also among the lightest options we've seen and it folds down to a suitcase-sized package, making it ideal for travelling with your baby.
Another great option is the Slumber Carbon 3-in-1, which can be used as a bassinet, travel cot and playpen. It also was awarded our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards gold award in the Best Cot Crib, Moses Basket category. It comes with a useful storage shelf below and is light enough to carry in and out of the car. However, some mums thought it was a bit too big and bulky for small areas, particularly when it is used as a bedside sleeping device.
Design
The best cribs for bed are stylish, sleek and modern. bedside crib travel cot Cots For Tots come with innovative designs like an open-air flap on the sides to allow you to check on your baby without disturbing him. Other features, like adjustable height are beneficial if your partner is having difficulties getting out of bed. Some sleepers are also suitable as a bassinet, cot, or for babies with reflux. If you're looking for something a bit more traditional, there are plenty of options as well.
A few of our favourites are the CoZee Air from Tutti Bambini that won bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Award Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category as well as the Next2me Magic was shortlisted in that same category. Both can be adjusted in height and can be used as a travel cot when away from home. They are also lightweight and easy to move around.
Other moms love the Lua Bedside Sleeper, which has a changing mat and storage area as it also has a collapsible bassinet that turns 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 may seem flimsy and 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 changing table and a shelf for books and toys, and an adjustable mesh side that allows you to view your baby. It's not lightweight but it's easy to move around and looks great in any bedroom.
Cost
Cost is an important factor when you are searching for a crib bassinet or bedside sleeper. Some of the most popular models are quite expensive but there are plenty of cheaper alternatives that won't cost a fortune. Some come in different styles and colors to match the decor of your nursery.
The best bedside cots have adjustable sides that can be raised to match the bed's height. Some models have an incline setting which is ideal for babies who suffer from reflux. They can also be folded when not in use, and some models come with a travel bag included which is ideal for new mums who are often out and about or have guests staying with them.
Bedside cots are typically a bit bigger than Moses baskets, but smaller than cribs. They can be moved from room-to-room in case you have to and some come with the side that lowers so that you can pull your baby out towards you for feedings at night or calming. Some have a built in rocker to help soothe your baby to sleep.
The Clair de Lune is a mid-priced model that was nominated in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category. The design is stylish and sleek, but it's slightly larger than some of the other options, meaning it may not be the best choice for small spaces. It's also quite heavy, at more than 10kg, and will require lots of maneuvering to get it into the right position. Emily from Clair de Lune notes that the sides of this sleeper don't stretch as much, so you'll need to bend to pick up your baby.