The Best Bedside Cot For Newborns
A bedside crib is a bassinet-style crib that attaches to the side of your mattress. This allows you to reach your baby during the night for a fuss-free feeding. They're suitable from birth to about six months.
The Lullaby Trust and the NHS both recommend that infants have separate cots to their parents in their beds. This will lower the risk of SIDS. The best cribs for bedside use make it possible.
1. Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Co-Sleeper
Arm's Reach was founded by a mother and father team in the days before co-sleeping was a common practice. They developed a concept that would allow parents to rest safely with their newborns. It was the first bedside cot that allowed babies to sleep close without falling off or getting trapped in the mattress. Clear-Vue has been in use for 25 years and there have never been any reported injuries or fatalities.
It comes with leg extensions built-in to allow for different mattress sizes and comes with sheets and a fitted cover. The bassinet is intended for babies up to five months old or until they start pushing up on their knees and hands depending on when that happens. The Co-Sleeper is able to be used as a stand-alone bassinet or it can attach to the parent's bed with the included attachment strap and plate. It's easy to switch between the two modes with a simple pulling of a string but be aware that it doesn't meet the federal requirements for an attached bed which means your child should never be left unattended in this type of arrangement.
bedside travel crib was also awed by the Co-Sleeper's accessibility. She noted that it is easy to get your baby in and out of the bassinet from the cozy bed for feedings during the night or for other requirements. He also praised safety of the Co-Sleeper as it meets all requirements for a baby's crib and bassinet. It's been in the market for years and "about 1.5 million units have been sold" without any reported infant deaths or injuries.
The Clear-Vue bedside crib was the most accessible of all the cots we tried. Its swiveling bed and height adjustment made it easier to reach into your child's room and provide comfort. The Clear-Vue does not have lower sidewalls, which require you to stand or crouch down to grab your baby.
The Clear-Vue is the only one of our top picks that doesn't connect to a bed for a parent, but it was close to being better than some we tested that were designed to be attached to a bed for parents. It's sturdy and solid with plenty of storage.
2. HALO Bassinest
The HALO Bassinest Swivel Sleeper is the sole bedside cot that is able to rotate 360 degrees to ensure that baby is close and makes it simpler for parents to get into and out of bed. It also has a lower wall that lets moms take care of their infants without needing to leave the bed. This is a fantastic feature for nursing mothers who need assistance with feeding their babies in clusters in the early months after birth.
The Bassinest comes with mesh walls on the sides to allow for airflow and an swivel feature for parents who want to keep an eye on the baby throughout the night. Having the baby nearby and easily visible can make all the difference in the tired delirium of new parenthood, especially during those late-night nursing sessions.
This model scored top scores in the Convenience assessment, which rates features that make it easy to clean and use. This is a must for anyone who has to deal with spit-ups and diaper blowouts that are all too common in the first few months of life. The Bassinest is light and is easy to wipe down with water and the mattress pad is washable as well. It has a side pouch to store diapers and nipple lotion, which you'll need during those sleepless early days of motherhood.
There are a variety of variations of the Bassinest that are available, including a cheaper standard Essentia version that doesn't come with any extra features, and a more extravagant LUXE PLUS series that comes with white noise and vibration to help babies fall asleep and remain asleep. Both models include a mattress pad, fitted sheet, and a massive storage caddy that's more spacious than the storage pouches found on other Bassinest options.
The LUXE Plus series comes with an lowering-wall lock, a stable and sturdy base that can be adjusted to most beds that are between 22" and 34" and a floor lamp that lets you see your baby throughout the day, and a movable storage bag that can be used to store additional bedding or other items. The weight and size of this item make it unsuitable for travel, however, its swivel function is perfect for keeping your baby close at home.
3. Joie Roomie Glide
This co-sleeper by English brand Joie was created to create parent-baby bonds a dream. It is more than just a crib. With a single-hand glide and sliding side panels, it helps you to sleep in a safe place with your baby without having to share your own bed. You can feed, soothe or snuggle your baby from the comfortable bed. Enjoy every minute of the new-born phase.
The Joie Roomie Glide Cot is simple to clean and use. It's perfect for parents who want to co-sleep safely with their baby. Its cocoon-like rounded shape with softly padded sides and double mesh windows let you observe your baby's sleep from your couch or bed. The sliding side panel lifts and lowers with just one hand, making it easier to respond to those late night wake-up calls. Plus, the gliding motion gently eases your child into a restful sleep to ensure you get a restful night's sleep as well.
The crib is fitted with an adjustable, washable mattress. It's also lightweight and sturdy. It comes with four locking wheels to help keep it in its place. It's also covered with a rubber-coated material to protect scratches to the floor.
The Roomie Glide's adjustable height is among its greatest features. You can alter the legs so that they are perfectly aligned with the mattress of your baby. This is especially useful for breastfeeding mothers, as you can feed your baby without having to leave your bed. The height also helps minimise the chance of your baby falling out of the crib.
A built-in rocking function is a further feature that's ideal for newborns. Two buttons on the side of the crib activate a gentle rocking movement that is soothing and comforting for infants. You can choose a leisurely or lively pace and the gliding feature can be turned off after your baby is asleep.
The only downside to the Roomie Glide is that it's only suitable for newborns and you'll have to upgrade to a larger cot when your baby is six months old (usually around the time they move into their own space). Roanna found it to be a great crib and would recommend it.
4. Bjorn Cradle
The Bjorn Cradle makes a great choice for parents who are looking for a stylish, simple bedside cot. Its simple design is beautiful in any room and is easy to set up and use. Its low height is also a great feature for parents who have to keep an eye on their child during sleep. This bassinet scored above the average in our Eco-Health Category since it is free of chemicals that cause flames and has a an extremely low amount of toxic materials. It is also certified by Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Class I for baby products.
The BabyBjorn Cradle is a cozy compact cradle that soothes babies with gentle rocking motions. Parents can manually rock their baby, or the cradle will turn their movements into gentle rocking. The cradle's transparent mesh sides encourage air circulation and allows parents to keep an eye on their baby while they sleep.
In addition to its compact size its lightweight weight makes it easy to move from room room. It is also easy to clean and can be machine-washed using the mattress pad and designated sheet. It is vital to note that the cradle should not be used in conjunction with any other cushion or mattress, pillow, bedding, or comforter since this could create an obstructive risk to infants.
Like all sleeping spaces it is important to follow safe sleep habits to minimize the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). This includes putting your baby on their back for every nap and when sleeping in the cradle. It is also recommended that you end the use of the cradle as soon as your baby starts pushing up on their knees and hands or reaches 8 kg/18lbs or 8 kg/18 lbs, whichever is first.
As with the other bassinets and cradles, the BabyBjorn cradle is made with safe materials for children that are tested to meet the most recent safety standards. The manufacturer tests their products to be sure that they don't contain harmful chemicals or toxins that could harm your child. The cradle's fabric is polyester and cotton and is free of allergens that could affect the sensitive skin of your baby. The fabric also aids in air circulation and is hypoallergenic.