The Best Bedside Cot For Newborns
A bedside crib is a bassinet style crib that attaches to the side of your mattress. This makes it simple to reach your baby at night for a relaxed feeding. They're suitable from birth to around six months.
Official safe sleeping guidelines from both the NHS and The Lullaby Trust recommends newborns sleep in a separate cot from parents' beds to lower the chance of SIDS. The best cribs for bedside use make it possible.
1. Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Co-Sleeper
In the early days of co-sleeping, a novel idea, a father and son team founded Arm's Reach and came up with a design that would allow parents to comfortably sleep with their infants. It was the first bedside cot that allowed babies to sleep close without falling off or getting trapped in the mattress. The Clear-Vue is still in widespread use today, with an average of 25 years and no reported deaths or injuries.
It comes with a fitted sheet and a bassinet. The bassinet is meant for babies up to five months old or until they start pushing up on their knees and hands or bending their knees, whichever comes first. The Co-Sleeper is available as a bassinet that can be used by itself or affixed to the parent's mattress using the included strap and plate. It's easy to transfer between the two modes with just a pull of a string, however, you must be aware that it doesn't meet federal standards for a bed that is attached so your child should never be left alone in this type of arrangement.
McKenna was awed by the Co-Sleeper's ease of use, noting that it's easy to get a baby into and out of the bassinet for meals in the middle of the night or other needs from your bed. He also praised the security of the Co-Sleeper and said that it is in compliance with all requirements for a baby's crib and bassinet. It's been on the market for a long time and "about 1.5 million units have been sold" with no reported infant deaths or injuries.
The Clear-Vue bedside cot was the most accessible of all the cots we tested. Its swiveling bed and adjustable height allowed you to easily reach into and soothe your baby. The Clear-Vue does not have lower sidewalls, which require you to stand or crouch down to grab your baby.
The Clear-Vue was the only model in our top five that didn't connect to the parent's bed. However, it was a close runner-up and was far superior to some of the other models we tested that were designed to be affixed to parent beds. It's sturdy and solid with plenty of storage space.
2. HALO Bassinest
The HALO Bassinest Swivel Sleeper is a unique bedside cot that rotates 360 degrees to bring baby close and make it easier for parents to get out and in to the bed. It also features a lower wall that lets moms take care of their babies without having to get out of bed. This is a huge benefit for nursing mothers who need help tending to their infants in cluster feeding in the early months and weeks after the birth.
The Bassinest features mesh walls on the sides that allow for plenty of airflow. Additionally, the swivel feature is great for parents who want to monitor their baby throughout the night. The baby's presence and easily accessible can make all the difference in the tired anxiety of being a new parent especially during late-night nursing sessions.
This model earned top marks in the Convenience assessment, which rates features that make it easy to clean and use. It is essential for anyone who has to deal with spit-ups and diaper blowouts that are all too common in the first months of life. The Bassinest is lightweight and can be easily wiped down with water, and the mattress pad is washable too. The bassinest also has an additional pouch on the side that is handy to store items such as diapers and nipple cream which are always needed in the early hours of motherhood.
There are many variations of the Bassinest, including the less expensive standard Essentia version that doesn't come with any extra features, and a more luxurious LUXE PLUS series that comes with white noise and vibration to help babies fall and sleep. Both models include a fitted sheet, mattress pad and a large storage bag that's larger than other Bassinest models.
The LUXE PLUS series also includes an adjustable wall lock that lowers that is sturdy and stable, a base that can be adjusted to fit most beds from 22" to 34", a floor lamp that helps you observe your baby during the day, and a removable storage caddy that can be used to store additional bedding or other items. It isn't suitable for travel due to the weight and size, however the swivel function is ideal to keep your baby close when you're at home.
3. bedside crib and cot -sleeper from English brand Joie was designed to create parent-baby bonds a dream. It's more than just a crib. With a single-hand glide as well as a sliding side panels that lets you sleep safely next to your baby without sharing your own bed. You can feed, soothe or cuddle your baby from the peace of your bed. Enjoy every minute of the newborn phase.
Joie Roomie Glide is a simple to use and simple to clean cot that's a great option for new parents seeking a safe method to co-sleep with their newborn. Its cocoon-like shape with rounded edges, soft padded sides and double mesh windows allow you to observe your baby's sleep from your bed or sofa. The side panel that slides can be raised and lowered with just one hand. This makes it easier to respond to late-night wakeup calls. The gliding motion gently soothes your little one into a peaceful slumber so you can get an excellent night's rest too.
The crib is equipped with the mattress that is washable and removable. It's also lightweight and durable. It comes with four locking wheels to help keep it in its place. It's also covered with rubber-covered fabric to prevent scratches on the floor.
The Roomie Glide's adjustable height is among its greatest features. You can adjust the legs to ensure that they are perfectly aligned with the mattress of your baby. This is particularly useful for breastfeeding mothers as it allows you to feed your baby close to you without leaving your bed. The height reduces the risk of your child falling out of the crib.
Another great feature is the built-in rocking function which is ideal for babies. Two buttons on the side of the crib allow a gentle rocking motion that is soothing and comforting for babies. You can select either a slow or active tempo. The glide function can be locked after your baby has fallen asleep.
The only downside to the Roomie Glide is that it's only suitable for infants, so you'll need to upgrade to a bigger cot when your baby is six months old (usually around the time they move into their own space). Roanna found it to be an excellent cotbed and would highly recommend it.
4. Bjorn Cradle
The Bjorn Cradle is a great option for parents looking for a stylish, simple bedside cot. It's a minimalist design that looks nice in any space, and it's easy to set up and use. Its low height is a great feature for parents who need to monitor their child during sleep. This bassinet has a high score in our Eco-Health category because it doesn't contain any fire retardant chemicals, has a low amount of toxic materials and is certified by Oeko-Tex Standard 100, Class I for baby products.
The BabyBjorn Cradle is a cozy compact cradle that soothes babies by gentle rocking movements. Parents can rock their baby or the cradle can turn their own movements into gentle rocking. The cradle's transparent mesh sides allow for air circulation, allowing parents to monitor their infant while they sleep.
The cradle is easy move around the house due to its light weight. It is easy to clean, and is washable in the machine with the mattress pad. It is essential to remember that the cradle shouldn't be used in conjunction with any other padding or comforter.
As with all sleep environments it's essential to practice safe slumber habits to reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). It is important to place your baby on its back during every nap and in the cradle. It is also recommended to discontinue use of the cradle when your baby begins to push up on their hands and knees or reaches 8 kg/18 lb or 8 kg/18 lbs, whichever is first.
The BabyBjorn cradle, like all of our cribs and bassinets is made of child-friendly materials. These products are tested to ensure they are up to date with safety standards. In fact, the manufacturer tests all their products to ensure that they don't contain harmful chemicals or toxins that could harm your baby. The fabric of the cradle is made of polyester and cotton and is free of allergens that could cause irritation to the skin of your baby. The fabric is hypoallergenic, and aids in air circulation.
