The Best Bedside Cots for Safe Co-Sleeping in 2023

This article is the ultimate guide to Baby Cots in the UK…

A Cot is the centre of a baby’s nursery. While it’s a special place for your little one, a cot is one of the biggest purchases that new parents make once they receive the big news.

Cots come in many shapes, designs, colours and sizes. As such, shopping for one is a daunting task. Lucky for you we researched and here are the best bedside cots for safe co-sleeping.

Best Baby Cots UK… 

1. Shnuggle Air Bedside Crib – £167

Want your baby to enjoy a sound sleep every night? The Shnuggle Air Bedside Crib comes with handy features that will give your little one a cosy place to sleep. First, it has a hypo-allergenic fibre mattress that is 50% more breathable than other mattresses. As such, it helps to reduce overheating as your baby sleeps.

Second, the crib has dual view mesh sides. Designed for breathability, the mesh maximizes airflow and prevents the risk of baby overheating. Also, it allows you to keep a watchful eye on your baby.

Beneath the crib, you’ll find a storage hammock. This handy storage space is ideal for storing changing essentials. You can store a supply of diapers, wet wipes, cotton balls, changing pad, a tube of rash cream and more.

To ease reflux and colic, it has a gentle incline option. The crib also has a zip downside that allows you to feed or comfort your baby with ease, especially during the night.

Pros

• Stylish
• Attaches securely to standard bed frames
• Has a storage hammock
• Easy to assemble
• Dual breathable mesh sides

Cons

• Relatively heavy at 13.4 kg

2. SnuzPod 4 Bedside Crib – £279

Next is the SnuzPod 4 Bedside Crib, one of the UK’s best selling bedside cribs. Built with the innovative ComfortAir system, it has unique airflow vents and a washable mesh liner. All these features regulate your baby’s temperature and prevent overheating. This ensures your baby has a good night’s sleep.

The crib boasts of a breathable mattress and lightweight bassinet with a 3D mesh cover. The breathable mattress eliminates the risk of baby overheating, and the bassinet is ideal for use around the home.

Safety tested to the latest crib standard, SnuzPod 4 Bedside Crib is a sturdy and dependable unit. Designed to fit securely on standard frames, it’s crafted with care to ensure a safe experience for the parent and baby. To attach the crib, pass the strap around the stand of the SnuzPod and through the base or frame of the bed.

The crib is easy to assemble and takes around 50 minutes. All the tools and parts are available in the package. Every SnuzPod 4 Bedside Crib comes with a premium quality mattress and a breathable cover. To ensure the mattress stays clean, use a waterproof mattress protector.

Pros

• Breathable mattress included
• Safe to use
• Has a rocking stand
• Available in different colours
• Easy to clean

Cons

• Takes time to assemble

3. Tutti Bambini CoZee Air Bedside Crib – £219

The first few days after childbirth are when a mother and baby form the greatest bond. Thanks to Tutti Bambini, you now have a safe co-sleeping method that allows you to keep a watchful eye on your baby.

It’s called the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air Bedside Crib. Designed with 6 height positions, you can adjust the crib’s height to relieve different symptoms. For example, you can relieve symptoms of congestion and reflux by changing height positions.

As a practical crib, it comes with a storage shelf that provides space for you to store your baby supplies. You can store wet wipes, diapers, muslin squares, baby toys and much more for when you need them.

The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air Bedside Crib has lockable rocking bars. They help to soothe your baby to sleep. You can also get the lockable caster wheels which allow you to roll the crib easily.

Pros

• Comes in a carry case
• Machine washable
• No tools needed to assemble
• Safe to use
• Has a handy storage shelf

Cons

• Slightly expensive than other models

4. Chicco Next2Me Magic

Designed with an innovative roll-up side panel, the Chicco Next2Me Magic provides easy access to your baby for you to cuddle or breastfeed him. The side panel has a new mechanism that’s easy to use. Just push the button, and the panel will roll down automatically. To close the side panel, just pull it up.

The crib has double mesh windows and a 3D mesh mattress. Both provide total ventilation for your child. They do so by ensuring an excellent airflow inside the baby’s crib. This prevents the risk of baby overheating, which may result in heat rash.

Designed to fit any kind of bed, the crib is height adjustable and allows you to perfectly align it with your bed. This makes it easy for you to cuddle and reassure your baby.

Besides adjusting the bed’s height, you can tilt the crib up to 4 levels. This helps with the baby’s digestion. It also improves his breathing in case of nose congestion. The crib comes with 4 swivelling wheels with brakes. As such, you can move it around the house with ease.

Pros

• Safe
• Comfortable
• Convenient to use
• Stylish
• Has premium fabrics

Cons

• The mattress cover is hand wash only

5. Halo BassiNest Essentia – £189.97

Trusted and beloved by parents in the UK, Halo BassiNest Essentia is one of the cribs that swivels 360 degrees. To get out of bed with ease, just rotate the bassinet.

Designed for comfort and sleep safety, the bassinet has a lowering bedside wall. Ideal for mums after childbirth, it’s easy to tend your baby while he is in the bassinet. You can cuddle, soothe and breastfeed him.

The sides have breathable, mesh walls. Designed to allow airflow in and out of the crib, they help to prevent the risk of baby overheating. The crib comes with a waterproof mattress cover that protects against stains and odours by eliminating access to moisture. Also, it keeps allergens and dust mites away.

Pros

• Has a water-resistant mattress cover
• No toxic flame retardants
• Breathable mesh walls for improved airflow
• Swivels 360 degrees
• Easy to assemble

Cons

• Slightly heavy at 14.8 kg

6. Silver Cross Voyager

If you’re looking for a crib that will keep your baby closer to you, then the Silver Cross Voyager is for you. Suitable for use from birth, it comes with features designed to keep the baby closer to you.

Built for use as a side by side co-sleeper or stand-alone crib, it has 7 different height positions. You can adjust the crib to different positions not only to promote a good night’s sleep. But to aid reflux and congestion.

It has a drop-down mesh side panel that allows you to be closer to the baby. Perfect for night-time feeding, you can unzip the panel giving you access to your baby whenever you want.

The crib has four swivel wheels that make it easy for you to roll the crib from room to room. To keep bedtime essentials close to you, the crib comes with under-crib storage. You can store diapers, wet wipes, your baby’s favourite toys and much more.

Pros

• Comes with a travel bag
• Has a handy storage shelf
• Mesh side panels ensure optimal airflow
• Easy to use
• Stylish

Cons

• Cannot be rocked

7. Kinderkraft Neste-Up – £129

Easy to attach, the Kinderkraft Neste-Up co-sleeper cot comes with long straps. They (long straps) allow you to securely attach the cot to various types of beds. Once you do so, it’s easy to keep a watchful eye on your baby.

Made of durable steel, the cot’s frame is sturdy and can support your baby through the infancy period. Without a strong frame, creaking, sliding and squeaking can disturb your baby’s sleep. Also, today’s mattresses have several layers. So, a crib with a study frame will support the mattress and your baby’s weight.

The cot has a breathable mesh on one of the sides. This ensures optimal airflow for your little one. By doing so, it eliminates the risk of your baby overheating. The mesh also provides a clear view of your baby at all times.

It comes with adjustable legs and height. As a matter of fact, the crib features a five-step height adjustment. This allows you to tailor the angle incline of the mattress to two different levels. So, if your little one has a cold, you can make his breathing at night easier by adjusting the top end of the mattress.

Pros

• Easy to adjust
• Easy to attach
• Strong cot frame
• Easy to clean
• Made of breathable cotton

Cons

• None

8. Maxi-Cosi Iora Bedside Sleeper – £189.99

Easy to fold and carry, you can take the Maxi-Cosi Iora Bedside Sleeper with you on your travels. All you need to do is follow the instructions manual to fold the sleeper and store it in the carry bag. Now, you can pack it just like your regular luggage, and off you go.

It comes with a comfortable mattress that your baby could ever dream of. Made with no toxic materials, the mattress is comfortable and ensures your baby sleeps sound and safely.

To enhance your baby’s sleep, adjust the height positions. The sleeper has five different height positions that enable you to incline the mattress at the head. This prevents reflux and congestion while sleeping.

With its easy slide function, you can fit the sleeper beside your bed perfectly. This allows you to sleep next to your baby and keep a watchful eye, day and night.

Pros

• Easy to fold
• Portable
• Has a comfortable mattress
• Large storage basket
• Sturdy bed frame

Cons

• The mattress cover creases easily

9. Joie Roomie Glide – £169

Feed, soothe and cuddle your baby from the comfort of your bed thanks to Joie Roomie Glide. Built to enable mothers to enjoy every waking moment of their little ones, it has a sliding panel that you can lift with just one hand. This allows you to answer the midnight wake up calls easier.

With just one hand, you can gently soothe your sleepy baby into dreamland. In fact, you can do this without leaving your own bed. This is because the crib rocks side to side. After the late-night rock sessions, lock the glide in place.

The co-sleeper has caster wheels that enable you to roll the unit from room to room. Not only that. They allow manoeuvrability as you move from room to room. The wheels are lockable and prevent the co-sleeper from moving while rocking it to soothe your baby.

Pros

• Comfortably cushioned
• Smooth single hand glide
• Fits most beds
• Has four lockable wheels
• Easy to clean woven fabrics

Cons

• Slightly heavy at 11.94 kg

What To Look For When Buying Bedside Baby Cots

Sleeping side by side without a bedside cot makes parent-baby bonding a dream. But with a cot, you can easily cuddle, feed, soothe and keep a watchful eye on your baby. To ensure a good night’s sleep for your baby and peace of mind, you need the best cot for your baby.

Here is what to look for when buying a bedside cot.

Mattress

When shopping for the best cot for your baby, the first thing to consider is the mattress. The best mattress should be dense and firm. In fact, it should be two inches, but 3 or 4 inches is better. As such, it will not sag under the baby’s weight.

The mattress should be breathable. This helps to prevent overheating, which could increase the risk of baby overheating. It should have a waterproof cover as it keeps odours and stains away.

Sturdy Frame

Look for a cot with a sturdy frame. Why you may ask. A sturdy frame made of steel or wood can support more than 10kg. Second, a sturdy frame provides stability for the mattress.

If the mattress is not supported well, it might give away when your baby is sleeping. However, a sturdy frame bears the weight of the mattress and that of your baby. This is because the frame gives the bed real strength and capability of supporting considerable weight.

Steel cot frames are easy to clean and maintain. This makes them particularly valuable in a baby’s nursery or your bedroom where high standards of hygiene are always required.

Mesh Side Panel

In response to the dangers of traditional cot, several companies chose to create breathable mesh sides. They intended to create a safe environment for the little one and eliminate the dangers of suffocation.

Today, the breathable mesh side panel has another benefit. It offers a clear view of your sleeping baby. This allows you to keep a watchful eye on your baby. Not only that. The breathable mesh also ensures optimal airflow in and out of the cot. This prevents overheating that can cause heat rash.

Modern cots allow you to lower the side panel. Some have buttons that automatically lower the side panel while others, you’ve to push them down. By doing so, you have easy access to your baby, especially at night. You can feed, soothe, and cuddle your baby without leaving your bed.

Ease of Assembly

Before purchasing a cot, read the instruction manual. Most manufacturers upload instructions manuals for each baby crib they make. To find a specific instruction manual online, visit the manufacturer’s online store and search the site using the product name.

If the assembly instructions are easy to follow and you don’t need tools to assemble the crib, then go for it. However, if the instructions are complex, you may want to look at another co-sleeper or cot.

Another thing to consider is whether you’ll need to disassemble the crib when moving it. This is important, especially if you plan on travelling with your baby. If you’ll be moving the cot from room to room, look for cribs with caster wheels.

Safety

Safety is another top factor to consider before buying a cot for your baby. In the UK, all cots should conform to BSEN716:2005. This means the cot should be deep enough to ensure the baby’s safety. The bars should be at the correct distance apart and should not have steps or cut-outs.

When it comes to the cot’s mattress, it should be hypoallergenic, waterproof and feel firm. It should also fit snugly in the cot and leave no gaps at the sides. If the cot has a drop-down, make sure the zips and clips are not noisy. Also, ensure locks on droppable sides are secure.

Final Words

Choosing a cot for your baby is exciting. However, with so many options and safety features to consider, the exercise can be overwhelming. To purchase the best cot for your baby, look for a cot with a firm mattress, sturdy frame, mesh side panel, and caster wheels. Make sure the mattress is hypo-allergenic and has a waterproof cover.

Further Reading…

• Best Family Hotels in London for Every Budget
• Best Beaches Near London Which are Perfect for Families