The Best Bedside Cot For Newborns
A bedside cot is a bassinet-style crib that is attached to the bed's side, making it easy to reach baby to feed them without fuss. These are suitable for infants from birth to six months old.
Official safe sleeping guidance from both the NHS and The Lullaby Trust recommends newborns sleep in a separate cot to parents' beds in order to reduce the risk of SIDS. The best cribs for bedside use allow for this.
1. Arm's Reach Cosleeper with Clear-Vue
Co-sleeping was a new idea, a mother-and-father team founded Arm's Reach and came up with a design that allowed parents to safely sleep alongside their newborns. It was the first bedside cot that allowed babies to sleep together without falling over or suffocating the mattress. Clear-Vue has been in use for more than 25 years, and there haven't been any reported deaths or injuries.
It comes with leg extensions built-in to allow for different mattress heights. It also comes with a sheet and fitted cover. The bassinet is suitable for newborns until five months old, or until they begin getting up on their knees. The Co-Sleeper can be purchased as a bassinet that can be used as a stand-alone unit or affixed to the parent's mattress with the strap and plate included. The Co-Sleeper is simple to switch between these two modes by pulling strings. However it is not able to meet federal standards as an attached bed. Therefore, your baby should not be left alone.
McKenna was also impressed by the Co-Sleeper's ease of use. She said 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 needs. He also praised the safety of the Co-Sleeper as it meets all requirements for baby bassinets and cribs. It's been in the market for a long time and "about 1.5 million units have been sold" without any reported infant injuries or deaths.
In our tests, the Clear-Vue was the most easy to get into of the cots for bedside use we tested. Its swiveling sleeping area and adjustable height made it easier to get in and comfort your baby. Other models had lower-sided walls that required you to reach over or bend down to get your child however not the Clear-Vue.
The Clear-Vue was the only one in our top five that didn't connect to the bed of the parent. However, it was a close runner-up and far superior to a few of those we tested, which were designed to be connected to parent beds. It is sturdy and solid and has plenty of storage space.
2. HALO Bassinest
The HALO Bassinest Swivel Sleeper is the only bedside cot that can rotate 360 degrees to keep baby close and makes it easier for parents to get in and out of bed. It also has a lowering wall which allows moms to take care of their infants without having to get out of the bed. This is a great feature for nursing mothers who need assistance with feeding their newborns in the early weeks and month after delivery.
The Bassinest comes with mesh walls on the sides that allow for plenty of airflow, and the swing feature is ideal for parents who want to monitor their child throughout the night. The ability to watch the baby and keep them in close proximity can make a huge difference during the grumpy delirium that comes with being a new parent.
The Bassinest scored well in the Convenience Assessment, which rates features that make it easy to use and clean. This is a necessity for those who have to face spit-ups and diaper blowouts in the beginning of life. The Bassinest is light and can be cleaned down with water, and the mattress pad can be washed too. It has a side pouch to store diapers and nipple lotion, which you will need during those sleepless early days of motherhood.
There are a few different models of the Bassinest. One is the standard Essentia, which has no extra features. Another is the LUXE Plus series, which has white noise and vibrations that help babies fall asleep and stay asleep. Both models include the mattress pad, a fitted sheet, and a large storage caddy that is larger than the storage pouches on other Bassinest models.
The LUXE PLUS series also has the option of lowering the wall lock as well as a sturdy and stable base that can be adjusted to fit most beds ranging from 22" to 34", a floor lamp that helps you see your newborn during the day and a storage caddy that can store any additional bedding or items. It's not ideal for travel due to the weight and size, however the swivel function is great to keep your baby close when you're at home.
3. Joie Roomie Glide
Designed to make parent-baby bonding an ideal experience this co-sleeper from English brand Joie is more than a bedside crib. It lets you sleep next to your child without sharing your bed. You can take care of, feed or cuddle your baby in the peace of your bed. Enjoy every moment of the newborn phase.
Joie Roomie Glide is a simple to use and easy to clean cot that is a great option for new parents seeking a secure way to sleep with their infant. Its cocoon-like rounded shape with softly padded sides, as well as double mesh windows let you observe your baby's sleep from your own bed or sofa. The sliding side panel can be lifted and lowers with just one hand, making it easy to answer those late night wake-up calls. Additionally, the gentle motion gently soothes your child to sleep so you can enjoy a restful night's sleep as well.
The crib has a washable, fitted mattress that's removable for easy cleaning and an aluminum lightweight and sturdy frame that allows for easy movement. It has four lockable wheels to help keep it in place and is covered with a rubber-coated fabric to avoid floor scratches.
One of the most appealing features that is unique to the Roomie Glide is its adjustable height. You can adjust the legs to fit the height of your own bed or sofa, so it is in perfect alignment with your infant's mattress. This is particularly useful when you're breastfeeding because you can feed your baby without leaving your bed. The height also helps minimise the risk 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 crib's side allow a gentle rocking motion that is soothing and relaxing for infants. You can choose between either a slow or lively tempo and the gliding feature can be turned off when your baby is asleep.
The only issue with the Roomie Glide is that it's only suitable for newborns, so you'll need to upgrade to a full-size cot when your baby is six months old (usually around when they move into their own room). Roanna found it to be a great cotbed and would recommend it.
4. Bjorn Cradle
The Bjorn Cradle is a fantastic option for parents who are looking for an elegant, simple bedside cot. Its simple design looks great in any room and is simple to set up and use. Its low height is a great feature for parents who want to keep an eye on their child while sleeping. This bassinet was rated above the average in our Eco-Health category since it is free of chemicals that can cause flames and also has a the lowest amount of toxic materials. It is also certified by Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Class I for baby items.
The BabyBjorn is a compact, cozy cradle which soothes babies by gently rocking them. The cradle can gently rock the baby or parents can manually rock it. The transparent mesh sides of the cradle promote air circulation, allowing parents to observe their child while they sleep.
In addition to its small size The cradle's lightweight weight makes it easy to move from room room. It is easy to clean and is washable using the mattress pad. However, it is vital to note that the cradle shouldn't be used with any extra padding or mattress, pillow, bedding, or comforter, as this can pose the risk of suffocation for infants.
To decrease the risk of SIDS, it's essential to establish secure sleeping habits in all sleeping areas. This includes placing your baby on their backs for every nap and while sleeping in the cradle. It is also recommended to end the use of the cradle when your baby begins to push up on their hands and knees or reaches 8 kg/18lbs, whichever comes first.
The BabyBjorn crib, as well as all of our other cribs and bassinets, is made from safe materials for children. These materials are tested to ensure that they are up to date with safety standards. In fact, the manufacturer tests all their products to ensure that they don't contain any harmful chemicals or toxins that could harm your baby. The cradle is made of cotton and polyester, and is free from allergens that can cause irritation to your baby's sensitive skin. cotsfortots is hypoallergenic and helps to improve air circulation.