A Small Bedside Cot That Attaches to Your Adult Bed
If you want to keep your baby as close as you can at night, without having to get out of the bed, a crib that is placed beside your bed is the ideal solution. The breathable fabric lets you easily see your baby, and they're incredibly easy to lower for those sleepy 3am feeds.
Some double as moses' baskets.
What is a bedside crib?
A bedside crib (also known as a co-sleeper or bassinet) is a baby crib that can be attached to your adult bed, allowing your baby to sleep safely next to you. It's a method of co-sleeping that is safe and does not increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) like bedsharing, and can help you build a bond with your baby's new arrival.
The cots come with a side which can be lowered to allow you to reach your baby easily in the nighttime to comfort them and feed them. This is particularly helpful for mothers who are recovering from a c section. Many of them are foldable or portable which means you can use them to travel or as an interim solution for infants who aren't ready to move into a full-sized crib.
Look for a crib with an air-conditioned mattress, as well as an appropriate cover to keep your baby safe from stains. You should also purchase baby-safe accessories such as a blanket and a cuddly toys.
If you are seeking a long-term solution, some cribs come with conversion kits that let you transform them into a toddler bed or cot when the time is right. This is a great way to extend their life span and making the transition smoother. Some models have a removable portion at the top that can be transformed into a bassinet. Others can be used in conjunction with an adult bed that is standard or a high-rise one. This is a good choice for families who plan on traveling frequently or transferring between bedrooms during the night. It is also important to consider how big your bedroom is to ensure that you can squeeze the crib comfortably. Many cribs have an incline which can be used to create an incline for babies with reflux.
The Joie Roomie Glide
Famous for their high-end baby products, English brand Joie has entered the world of bedside cribs with the Roomie Glide. The idea behind the product is to allow parents to bond with their babies whilst sleeping side by side without sharing a bed. This co-sleeper comes with features that make bonding between parents and babies safe, easy and fun.
One of the key features is a smooth, rocking motion that can be activated with the press of a button. It can help soothe baby to sleep by a gentle rhythm that doesn't disrupt their natural sleeping routine. This is ideal for toddlers and older infants who are struggling to settle and can aid in digestive issues like reflux and colic.
The crib can also be attached to the side of the bed with clips and straps. This makes the crib very stable and secure and allows you to sleep peacefully, without having to worry that your baby will roll off into the middle. The round shape of the cocoon is complemented by softly padded side panels and double mesh windows on both ends. This allows airflow while ensuring your baby's safety.
The mattress is soft and firm and includes a washable cover. The crib is simple to set up and disassemble thanks to a lightweight aluminium frame that makes it extremely portable. The four lockable rubber-covered wheels ensure that the crib does not leave marks on your flooring and is easy to move. The crib is easy to clean with the fabric that wipes clean and is able to be easily tucked away in a bag for overnight stays.
The Tutti Bambini CoZeeAir
Created to be a safe next-to-me crib from birth to six months, this superior model features rocking bars and castors for easy mobility. Its airflow mattress is luxurious and provides an incredibly comfortable sleeping surface, while ventilation panels keep your baby cool. There are 6 different height settings, including an incline option that can help with reflux and congestion.
The Tutti Bambini COZee Air crib has a fabric that can be removed and a wipe-clean lining. Cots 4 Tots makes it easier to clean than some bedside cribs that can be a mess to clean. It also has an upper bar that can be easily adjusted to allow for feeding at night without having to mess with zips.
Anna discovered the CoZee to provide a safe, comfortable place to sleep for her infant. She loved that it didn't sway like other models, meaning it wasn't waking her at night while she was trying to soothe her baby during feeds. She also loved that the side lowered down so she didn't need to reach out over her partner to carry the baby out to feed her at night.
The CoZee is available in oak and charcoal and is a beautiful addition to the bedroom. It looks more like an expensive piece of furniture than many of the other cribs we've tested, and can appear quite utilitarian. It is also relatively light at just 11kg. It also comes with a carrying case so you can bring it on holiday or even when you move house. The only additional items you'll need to buy are a waterproof cover and a co-sleeping safety strap. There are helpful step-by-step instructions and pictures to guide you through the process when first opening the box which makes it a one-person job if needed.
The Maxi-Cosi Lora
The Iora is a bedside bassinet that helps parents feel connected to their infant as they sleep. It can be adjusted up and down, and moved through three different slide positions, to fit under the bed of the parent or in the corner, to ensure that the infant is always in reach. The mesh siding allows air to circulate through, allowing you to see your baby quickly. And you can stow additional pajamas and other items in the large storage basket beneath.
As opposed to other bedside crib options, the Iora folds flat and comes with a carry-on bag so that it can be carried anywhere. It was easy to move around from room to room and our mum testers felt it was the perfect size for a bedside crib. They also liked the large storage basket perfect for storing nappies or other bedding items.
This is an excellent choice for parents looking to co-sleep but do not want to share their own beds or whose partners may be suffering from mobility issues, such as back problems or arthritis. Our mums who tested it loved that they could easily access their baby while in the Iora and that it included an optional reflux incline that helped alleviate gas.
Our mums appreciate the fact that the mattress is in line with NICE guidelines, which are to place the infant in a crib or Moses basket on its own (with no toys, blankets, pillows, etc). They also say that the mattress is comfortable and firm for the baby and easy to find sheets for. It's not as light as the other smaller cribs on our list, so if prefer something lighter and easier to move around, consider a different alternative.