The Best Bedside Cot For Newborns
A bedside crib is a bassinet type crib that attaches to the mattress's side. This allows you to reach your baby at night for a fuss-free feeding. They're suitable from birth to about six months.
Official safe sleeping guidelines from both the NHS and The Lullaby Trust recommends newborns sleep in a separate crib from parents' beds to lower the risk of SIDS. The best cots for bedside use make this possible.
1. Arm's Reach Cosleeper with Clear-Vue
In the early days of co-sleeping, a novel concept, a father-and-son team formed Arm's Reach and came up with a design that allowed parents to safely sleep alongside their newborns. It was the first cot with a bedside, allowing babies to sleep close without falling over or suffocating the mattress. The Clear-Vue is still in widespread use in the present, with over 25 years of history and no reported deaths or injuries.
It comes with leg extensions built-in to adjust for different mattress heights. It also comes with an upholstered cover and sheet. The bassinet is meant for newborns up to five months old or until they begin pushing up on their hands and knees depending on when that happens. The Co-Sleeper can be used as a stand-alone bassinet or it can attach to the bed of the parent using the strap that comes with it and plate. The Co-Sleeper is easy to switch between both modes by pulling a string. However it doesn't meet federal standards as an attached bed. Therefore, your baby should not be left unattended.
McKenna was impressed by the Co-Sleeper's accessibility, stating that it's easy to get infants into and out of the bassinet for mid-night feedings or other requirements from your bed. He also praised its security, stating that the Co-Sleeper meets all standards for cribs and bassinets and has been on the market for decades with "probably 1.5 million units sold" and no reported incidents of infants being injured or killed.
In our tests during our tests, the Clear-Vue was the easiest to access of the cots for bedside use we examined. Its swiveling bed and height adjustment made it easier to reach into and soothe your baby. The Clear-Vue does not have lower sidewalls, which require you to stand or crouch down to retrieve your baby.
The Clear-Vue was the only one in our top five that wasn't attached to the parent's bed. It was a close runner-up and far superior to a few of the other models we tested, which were designed to be connected to parent beds. It is strong, solid feel and has plenty of storage space.
2. HALO Bassinest
The HALO Bassinest Swivel Sleeper is a unique bedside cot that is able to rotate 360 degrees to ensure that baby is close and makes it simpler for parents to get out and in to the bed. It also features a lowering wall that lets moms take care of their babies without having to get out of the bed. This is a great feature for nursing mothers who need assistance with feeding their newborns during the first few weeks and month after delivery.
The Bassinest has mesh walls on the sides which allow for plenty of airflow. Additionally, the Swivel feature is perfect for parents who wish to watch their child throughout the night. The ability to watch the baby and keep them close to them can be a major benefit during the exhaustion that comes with being a new parent.
The model scored highly in the Convenience Assessment, which rated features that make it simple to use and clean. This is essential for those who have to face spit-ups and diaper blowouts in the beginning of life. The Bassinest is light and is easy to wipe down with water and the mattress pad can be washed as well. It comes with a side bag for items like diapers and nipple lotion, which you will need during the sleepless beginnings 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 includes white noise and vibrations that help babies fall asleep and stay asleep. Both models include a fitted sheet, mattress pad, and a storage bag that's larger than the other Bassinest alternatives.
The LUXE Plus series includes the ability to lower-wall lock, a stable and sturdy base that can be adjusted for the majority of beds between 22" and 34", an adjustable floor lamp that lets you see your baby throughout the day, and a movable storage bag that can be used to store extra bedding or supplies. The size and weight of this product makes it unsuitable for traveling, however its swivel feature is ideal to keep your baby safe at home.
3. Joie Roomie Glide
This co-sleeper from English brand Joie was designed to create bonding between parents and babies a dream. It is more than just a crib. It allows you to snuggle with your child without sharing your bed. You can feed, soothe or snuggle your baby from the comfortable bed. Enjoy every minute of the baby's first year.
The Joie Roomie Glide Cot is simple to use and clean. It's perfect for parents who wish to co-sleep safely with their infant. Its rounded cocoon-shaped design with softly side panels that are padded and a double mesh window allows you to observe your baby's sleeping from your couch or bed. The sliding side panel can be lifted and lowers with a single hand, making it much easier to answer those late-night wake-up calls. Plus, the gliding motion gently eases your child to sleep to ensure you get a good night's sleep too.
The crib is equipped with an adjustable, washable mattress. It's also lightweight and sturdy. It has four locking wheels to hold it in place and is covered with rubbery fabric to protect the floor.
One of the best 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 newborn's mattress. This is particularly useful for breastfeeding mothers since you can feed your baby without having to leave your bed. The height can also reduce the risk of your baby falling out of the crib.
Another useful feature is the built-in rocking mechanism that's ideal for newborns. Two buttons located on the sides of the crib will trigger an easy rocking motion that is relaxing and soothing for your baby. You can choose to go at a slow or vigorous pace, and the glide feature can be turned off after your baby is 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 once your baby turns six months old (usually around the time they move into their own bedroom). 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 a simple, stylish bedside cot. It has a minimal design that is attractive in any space and is easy to set up and use. Its low height is also beneficial for parents who have to keep an eye on their child while sleeping. This bassinet was rated above the average in our Eco-Health category because it does not contain any flame retardant chemicals and has the lowest amount of harmful materials. It is also certified by Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Class I for baby products.
The BabyBjorn cradle is a compact, comfortable cradle that soothes babies by gently rocking them. The cradle can rock the baby gently or parents can rock the baby manually it. The transparent mesh sides of the cradle help to promote air circulation, allowing parents to watch their baby while they sleep.
The cradle is easy to move around the house because of its light weight. It is also easy to clean and is machine-washable using the mattress pad and the designated sheet. However, it is important to remember that the cradle should never be used in conjunction with any additional cushion, mattress, pillow, bedding, or comforter, since this could create the risk of suffocation for infants.
To decrease baby bedside cot of SIDS, it is important to have secure sleeping habits in all sleeping areas. This includes putting your baby on their back for each nap, and also when they sleep in the cradle. It is also recommended to stop using the cradle when your baby starts pushing up on their knees or hands, or reaches 8kg/18 lb.
The BabyBjorn crib, as well as all of our other cribs and bassinets is made from child-friendly materials. The materials are tested to ensure that they are in compliance with the most current 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 is constructed of cotton and polyester and is free from allergens that can irritate your baby's sensitive skin. The fabric is hypoallergenic, and aids in air circulation.