What Is a Bedside Cot?

Bedside cots are a bassinet-style cot that fixes to the bed's side. They have an adjustable or drop-down side that makes it easier to grab and feed your baby during the night.

They are a great alternative to bed-sharing, which is not recommended by experts and increases the risk of SIDS. They are regulated by strict safety standards.

Convertible cribs

A crib that is placed at the bedside is a practical way to keep your baby close at night without having to transfer them to a mattress of your own. You can also monitor them during the day, and it encourages parent-child interactions throughout the night. This can help you build a bond with your child. Convertible cribs are available in a variety of different styles, each having their own advantages. You can choose between a sliding crib, a 4-in-1 sleeper that is placed beside your bed, or a stand alone crib. bedside cots for newborns come with a tilt feature that can help with reflux or colic, but it should be used with care and at a slight angle.

A majority of the cribs we have listed on this page feature a side panel which can be lowered to provide you with an improved view of your child. Some also let you keep this panel down at night, allowing the comfort of co-sleeping without the risks that come with it. This is particularly beneficial when you are having difficulties finding the right position for your child to sleep.

It's important to keep in mind that the best method to reduce your baby's risk of SIDS is to place them on their backs. If your baby's feet rest at the end of the bed, you should not lower the panel. This can put the baby at risk of rolling over and causing serious injury.

All cribs for bed should have a space of no more than 20cm between the mattress and the cot/crib to prevent your baby from falling off or getting trapped, and many come with a safety barrier that you can attach to your bed. Some also include shelves for storing nappies as well as toys, wipes and diapers along with music, rockers and night lights.

You'll also need an appropriate mattress for your bedside crib and second-hand mattresses aren't recommended because they increase the risk of SIDS. Choose a firm, breathable foam mattress with a waterproof cover that can be cleaned. You can also buy a cot-mattress protector that will safeguard your investment. It will also make cleaning the bedside crib much easier.

Portable cribs

A portable crib is a great method to keep your baby close to you at night without risking their safety. It lets parents soothe their infants without having to get out of the bed. Parents can also use it when traveling or at a friend's house. It can also be used as an infant playpen. It's easy to clean and folds flat, making it perfect for travel and storage. It's a great option for families with several children or who are often away from home.

It is important to choose a crib which meets the highest standards of safety. You should look for cribs that are free of gaps or bedding that could make the baby uncomfortable and lead to suffocation. It's also important to make sure that the crib is secured to the parent's bed. If you're purchasing a second-hand crib, you should examine it for recalls of parts.

Skip Hop portable cribs are ideal for a bed that can be used as a travel. They have an exclusive expandable platform that grows with your baby. The cot can be set up next to the parent's bed or as a freestanding crib. It can fit a variety of sizes and is made of top-quality materials that are robust and safe. It is also machine washable and stain-treatable and comes with a carry-on bag.

Pamo Babe Lightweight Portable Travel Cot is another good travel crib. The crib is lightweight and compact, and it has six adjustable height settings to better match the border of the cot to the mattress of the parents. It also comes with a newborn insert making it suitable for use starting at the time of birth.

Before you pick a travel crib ensure you find out how big the room will be when you arrive at your destination. Ask hotel staff how big their rooms are to determine if they'll be able to accommodate your family. Alternately, you can seek out family members and friends for suggestions on the size of their homes. It is also important to consider the climate in your destination as it can affect how your child sleeps.

Side-car cribs

A bedside crib, also known as bassinet or baby cot, is a type sleeper that attaches directly to parents bed. This allows parents to keep their newborn close while still providing the infant with a separate sleeping area. This is a method of co-sleeping, which has been proven to lower the risk of SIDS. It is a fantastic option for mothers recovering from a caesarean birth.

Some cribs for bed come with additional features, such as the capability to tilt or rock that could be beneficial for babies who are fussy. Some cribs come with a removable moses basket attachment that can be used by older babies. These cribs have been designed to meet various safety standards. However, it's important to note that not all cribs for bed are created equal. Some are more stringent than others, so it's essential to choose a crib that meets your specific needs.

You should also consider how easy it is to clean the crib. Some manufacturers make use of a fabric that is water-resistant, making it easy to wipe down, while other cribs are made of metal or wood and are more difficult to keep clean. You should also look at the size of the crib and if it can accommodate your mattress and bed frame. Some cribs can be fitted over the bed rail. This means that you'll need to take the mattress off in order to access it.

Once you've selected the crib that is right for your child, it is time to put it all together. First, screw the horizontal 2 x 4 pieces to the back of the box, making sure they're level with each other. Screw the 2 X 4 pieces to the sides of your box. Pre-drill the screws that will be inserted into the 1X12 boards. This will stop the board from breaking.

The mothers who received a side-car cot reported a preference and overwhelming enthusiasm for them compared to the mothers who were given standard cots in the postnatal unit. (Tully & Ball 2012). The cribs let mothers have visual and physical contact with their babies as well as facilitated emotional bonding and breastfeeding, which helped in settling and reduced calls to the staff.

Co-sleeping cribs


Many parents prefer the idea of having their baby sleeping close to them and allowing them to observe and care for their infant without getting out of their bed. They are also great for breastfeeding mothers and create a bond that can last throughout childhood. This closeness could also present some risks, such as overlaying (when a pillow or cover that is provided by an adult is placed on the face of the infant) as well as suffocation, and even rolling out of the crib onto parents. Co-sleeping cribs, which is basically a bassinet-style cot that attaches to the side of your mattress, can reduce these risks.

These cribs aren't just designed to prevent your child from rolling out of their bed, but they can also be elevated to the height you sleep at, creating an angle that may aid in relieving reflux. Some cribs even have an option to rock that some moms say helps to calm their baby.

A bedside crib is a great option for parents who wish to keep their child close but don't have the space for a separate Moses basket or regular cot. MFM mum home tester Mehack says she "loved" hers, stating that it was easy to assemble and works well with her bedroom decor. She adds that it's especially useful if she needs to wake up for night feeds or soothing, as it doesn't require her to get up.

There are new crib requirements for infants that are designed to lower the chance of SIDS. This includes a requirement that the barrier doesn't drop completely Instead, many have walls that are half-height, which offer a more secure barrier.

A mattress that is breathable and can be cleaned quickly after messy nappy-changes is another important aspect. Make sure it's machine washable as well to ensure that any spills can be dealt with quickly and easily. Also, you'll need a selection of other safe bedding for babies that includes a fitted sheet and a breathable sleeping bag. Look out for Black Friday deals 2024 on cribs that are next-to-me to help kit out your nursery.