What Is a Bedside Cot?
Bedside Cots are a bassinet-style cot that fixes to the bed's side. They come with a drop down or a removable side that makes it easier to pick up your baby for feeding or relaxing at the night.

Experts do not recommend bed-sharing because it increases the risk of SIDS. They are regulated by strict safety guidelines.
Convertible cribs
A crib that is placed near your bed allows you to keep your baby close to you at night without having to move him to your mattress. You can also observe them during the day, and it encourages parent-child interactions throughout the night. This helps you bond with your child. Convertible cribs come in many different styles, each having distinct advantages. You can choose between a sliding crib, a four-in-one sleeper that is placed beside your bed, or a stand alone crib. Some come with a tilt function which can aid in reducing colic and reflux, but they must be used with extreme care and always at an angle of just a little.
A lot of the cribs we have included on this page come with a side panel which can be adjusted to give you an improved view of your child. Some allow you to put the panel down at night, giving the benefits of co-sleeping but without the dangers that come with it. This can be particularly helpful if you struggle to find the ideal position for your baby to rest in at the end of the night.
It's important to remember that the most important aspect of safe sleeping advice is to lie your baby on their back to sleep as this helps reduce the risk of SIDS. If your baby's feet rest at the bottom, you should not lower the panel. This can put them at risk of falling over and causing serious injuries.
All bedside cribs should have a gap of no more than 20cm between the mattress and cot/crib to prevent your baby from falling off or getting trapped. Many come with a safety barrier that you can fix to your own bed. Some have shelves to store nappies and wipes, along with music, rockers and night lights.
Second-hand mattresses can increase the risk of SIDS. You should look for mattresses that are firm and breathable with a waterproof cover that can be cleaned. You can also purchase mattress protectors for your cot to protect your investment and to make cleaning your crib's bed easier.
Portable cribs
A portable crib allows you to keep your baby close to you without risking their safety. It lets parents soothe their infants from their bed without having to get up. They can also use it while traveling or at friends' homes. It can even be used as playpen for your child. It's easy to clean and folds flat, making it ideal to transport and store. It's a great choice for families with children who are multiple or who are frequently out of the home.
It is crucial to choose a crib that is in compliance with the most stringent safety standards. Find a crib that does not have gaps or loose bedding, which could trap a child and cause the possibility of suffocation. It's also important to make sure that the crib is securely secured to the parent's bed. Check the crib for any recalls before purchasing it.
Skip Hop portable cribs are an excellent choice for a bed that can be used as a travel. They feature a unique expandable platform that grows with your baby. The crib is designed to be set next to the parents' bed or as a separate crib. It is able to accommodate a variety of sizes and is constructed of premium materials that are durable and safe. It is machine washable and stain-treatable and comes with a travel bag.
Another great travel crib is the Pamo Babe Lightweight Portable Travel Cot. The compact and lightweight crib has six height settings that can be adjusted to match the cot's barrier and the parents' mattress. It's also available with a baby insert, which allows it to be suitable for use starting at birth.
Before choosing a travel crib ensure you find out how large the room will be when you arrive at your destination. Ask the hotel staff what the size of their rooms are to determine if they will be adequate for your family. You can also consult your family and friends for suggestions on the size of their house. It is also a good idea to think about the climate in your destination as it can affect how well your baby sleeps.
Side-car cribs
A bedside crib (also known as baby cot or bassinet) is a type of sleeper that attaches to the bed of the parents, allowing them to safely keep their baby close but still providing the infant a separate sleeping surface. This is a type of co-sleeping that has been proven to reduce the risk for SIDS. It is a great option for mothers who are recovering from a caesarean birth.
best bedside cot uk for bed come with additional features, for instance the possibility of tilting or rocking, which may be useful for infants who are fussy. Others have a detachable moses basket-style attachment which can be used for older children. These cribs are designed to meet various safety standards. It is important to keep in mind that not all cribs are created equal. Some cribs are more rigid than others. It's important to pick one that's suitable for your needs.
You should also think about how it will be easy to clean the crib. Some manufacturers make use of a water-resistant fabric, which makes it easy to wash cribs, whereas others are made of metal or wood, and are more difficult to clean. You should also look at the size of the crib and if it will fit your mattress and bed frame. Some cribs are made to be able to be placed over a bed rail meaning that you'll need to take the mattress off to access it.
Once you've chosen the right crib, now is the time to put it together. Screw the 2 x4 horizontal pieces to the box's back making sure they're completely flush. Then attach the front 2 X 4 to the sides of the box, and pre-drill any screws that go into the 1 X 12 boards. This will prevent the board from splitting.
Mothers who were assigned a crib with a side-car reported overwhelming enthusiasm and preference for them, in comparison to the cots that were standard in the postnatal unit (Tully & Ball, 2012). The cribs let mothers have visual and physical contact with the babies as well as facilitated emotional bonding and breastfeeding, helped with getting settled and reduced calls to staff.
Co-sleeping cribs
Many parents prefer to have their infant sleep with them so that they can monitor and care for their child without having to get up from bed. They are also great for mothers who are breastfeeding and help to build a bond that will last throughout childhood. But with this closeness comes several dangers, including the possibility of overlaying (when an adult's pillow or covers are placed on the face of the infant), suffocation, and accidental rolling from the crib onto the parent. The risk of these are minimized by using a co-sleeping cot, which is basically a bassinet-style cot that fixes to the bed's side.
In addition to preventing your child from falling off the mattress, these cribs can be raised to the height of your bed, providing an incline that could help with reflux. Some even come with a rocking function, which some mums find helps to calm their child.
A bedside crib is an excellent option for parents who want to keep their baby close but don't have room to have a separate Moses basket or a regular cot. MFM mom home test Mehack says she "loved" her crib, saying it was simple to assemble and works well with her bedroom decor. She also says it's useful if she has to get up for night feedings or a soothing bath, since it doesn't require her to get up.
However, a few new requirements have been put in place for cribs, designed to reduce the risk of SIDS. This includes a requirement that the drop-down barrier doesn't drop completely and instead, a lot of cribs have walls that are half-height, which provide more of a protective barrier.
best bedside cot for newborn that is breathable and can be cleaned quickly after messy nappy changes is an additional important aspect. It is also recommended to wash it in the washing machine to help you manage any accidents quickly and easily. Also, you'll need a selection of other safe bedding for babies such as sheets that are fitted and a comfortable sleeping bag. Don't forget to search for Black Friday 2024 deals on cribs that are next to me, so you can kit out your nursery with great bargains.