The Best Bedside Cot For Newborns
A bedside cot is a bassinet-style crib that can be attached to the side of your bed, making it easy to reach your baby to feed them without fuss. They are suitable from birth until around six months.
The Lullaby Trust and the NHS both recommend that infants sleep in separate cots from their parents bed. This will reduce the chance of SIDS. The best bedside cots can help.
1. Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Co-Sleeper
Arm's Reach was founded by a father and mother team when co-sleeping wasn't an everyday practice. They developed a concept that would allow parents to rest safely with their newborns. It was the first bedside cot that allows infants to sleep close without suffocating or falling into the mattress or onto the parent's side of the bed. The Clear-Vue is still in widespread use today, with over 25 years of history and no reported deaths or injuries.
It has built-in leg extensions to adjust to different mattress heights and includes an upholstered cover and sheet. The bassinet is suitable for newborns until five months old or until they start climbing up on their knees. The Co-Sleeper is available as a bassinet which can be used on its own or affixed to the parent's mattress using the strap and plate included. It's easy to transfer between the two modes by the pull of a string however, you must be aware that it doesn't meet the federal standards for an attached bed, meaning your baby should never be left unattended in this arrangement of sleeping.
McKenna was impressed with the Co-Sleeper's ease of use, noting that it's easy to get a baby into and out of the bassinet for middle-of-the-night feedings or other care needs away from your bed. He also praised its safety and said that the Co-Sleeper is compliant with all standards for cribs and bassinets and is available for decades, with "probably 1.5 million units sold" and no reports of infants dying or being injured.
In our tests during our tests, the Clear-Vue was the easiest to get into of the cots for bedside use we examined. Its swiveling sleep area and height adjustment made it easier to reach in and comfort your baby. Other models had lower sidewalls, which required you to reach over and over or bend down to retrieve your child but not the Clear-Vue.
The Clear-Vue is the only one of our top picks that doesn't attach to a parent's bed, however, it was a close second and far better than other beds we tried that were intended to be affixed to a bed that parents sleep in. It is sturdy and solid with plenty of storage space.
2. HALO Bassinest
The HALO Swivel Bassinest Sleeper is the only bedside cot that rotates 360 degrees, bringing baby closer and making it easier for parents to access and exit. It also features a lowering wall that lets moms take care of their infants without having to get out of the bed. This is an excellent feature for nursing mothers who require assistance with their cluster-feeding newborns in the early weeks and month after delivery.
The Bassinest comes with mesh side walls to allow airflow as well as a swivel function for parents who wish to watch the baby throughout the night. Having the baby nearby and easy to see can make all the difference in the tired anxiety of being a new parent, especially during those late-night nursing sessions.
This model scored high in the Convenience Assessment, which rates features that make it simple to use and clean. This is a necessity for those who have to contend with spit ups and diaper blowouts during the beginning of life. The Bassinest is lightweight and can be cleaned down with water, and the mattress pad can be washed as well. It has a side pouch to store diapers and nipple lotion which you'll require in those sleepless first days of motherhood.
There are several different models of the Bassinest. One is the standard Essentia model, which is without additional features. Another is the LUXE Plus series, which has white noise and vibrations to help babies fall asleep and stay asleep. Both models include a fitted sheet, mattress pad and a large storage bag that's larger than other Bassinest options.
The LUXE PLUS series also has the option of lowering the wall lock, a sturdy and stable base that can be adjusted to fit most beds between 22" to 34", a floor light that allows you to see your newborn during the day and a movable storage caddy that can hold additional bedding or other items. The size and weight of this product makes 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 the bond between parents and children a reality. It is more than just a crib. It lets you sleep next to your child without sharing the bed. You can feed, soothe or hug your baby right in the comfort of your own slumber and enjoy every waking moment of the newborn stage.
Joie Roomie Glide is a simple to use and easy to clean cot that's a great option for parents who are seeking a safe method to co-sleep with their newborn. Its cocoon-like shape with rounded edges, soft padded sides and double mesh windows let you monitor your sleeping baby from your own bed or sofa. The sliding side panel can be lifted and lowers with one hand, making it easier to respond to those late night wake-up calls. The motion of gliding will gently soothe your child into an unwinding sleep so that you can enjoy an uninterrupted night of rest.
The crib is equipped with an adjustable, washable mattress. It's also light and durable. It has four lockable wheels to keep it secure in place, and is backed with rubber-covered fabric to prevent scratches to the floor.
The adjustable height of the Roomie Glide is one of its best features. You can adjust the legs to ensure that they are perfectly aligned with your baby's mattress. This is particularly useful if you're breastfeeding as it lets you feed your baby close without having to leave your bed. The height can also reduce the chance of your baby falling out of the crib.
Another great feature is the built-in rocking mechanism that's ideal for newborns. Two buttons on the side of the crib enable a gentle rocking sound that is soothing and comforting for babies. You can select an easy or a energetic tempo, and the gliding feature can be turned off once your baby is fast asleep.
The only drawback to the Roomie Glide is that it's only suitable for newborns and you'll have to upgrade to a larger cot once your baby is six months old (usually around the time they move into their own space). Roanna found it to be an excellent crib and would recommend it.
4. Bjorn Cradle
The Bjorn Cradle is an excellent choice for parents looking for an elegant, simple bedside cot. Its simple design is beautiful in any room, and it is easy to use and set up. Its low height is a great feature for parents who need to monitor their child when they sleep. This bassinet earned an above-average score in our Eco-Health category due to the fact that it doesn't contain any fire retardant chemicals, has a low amount of toxic substances, and is endorsed by Oeko-Tex Standard 100, Class I for baby products.
The BabyBjorn Cradle offers a warm, compact cradle that soothes babies by gentle rocking motions. Parents can manually rock their baby, or the cradle can turn their movements into gentle rocking. The transparent mesh sides of the cradle help to promote air circulation, which allows parents to keep an eye on their child while they sleep.
In addition to its small size The cradle's light weight makes it easy to move from room to room. It is easy to clean and can be washed using the mattress pad. However, cot for bedside is important to note that the cradle shouldn't be used with any extra cushion mattress, pillow bedding, or comforter, since this could create an obstructive risk to infants.
To decrease the risk of SIDS, it's essential to establish safe sleeping habits in all sleeping areas. It is important to place your baby on their backs at every nap, and in the cradle. It is also recommended to end the use of the cradle as soon as your baby starts pushing up on their hands and knees or reaches 8 kg/18lbs, whichever comes first.
Like the rest of our bassinets and cribs, the BabyBjorn crib is made of baby-friendly materials that have been tested to meet the most recent safety standards. In fact, the company tests all their products to ensure that they do not contain harmful chemicals or toxins that could harm your baby. The fabric used in the cradle is made of cotton and polyester, and it's free of allergens which can cause irritation to the skin of your baby. The fabric is hypoallergenic and promotes air circulation.