Baby rocking beds to soothe your child to sleep

Baby rocking beds are a brilliant way to gently encourage your little one to doze off. The best cots and cribs for your baby will provide a safe place to sleep, but with so many on the market to choose from, picking one isn't always an easy task. Baby rocking beds are a popular choice amongst parents, and for centuries it's become universally acknowledged that rocking a baby in your arms is soothing and a great way of helping them to fall asleep.

We all know the stress of when your baby's finally asleep in your arms, and you now need to gently put them into their Moses basket without waking them up. That's why so many parents love a baby rocking bed, as well as doing the hard work of rocking for you. A baby rocking bed also saves you from then needing to put your child into their actual bed, as they'll already be there.

The best baby rocking beds at a glance:

Best overall rocking bed: SNOO Smart Sleeper Baby Cot - view offer on Happiest Baby

Best next to me rocking bed: Tutti Bambini CoZee - view offer on Boots

They will typically last your infant from birth to six months and tend to offer the rocking function through a stand or by a built-in function usually controlled by you, so it's worth considering what you'd prefer. However, this will be determined by your baby's weight.

While you might simply be happy with a straightforward cot or crib, a baby rocking bed is particularly good for those babies who love to be held and rocked, whether that's in your arms or a rocking chair. A lot of rocking beds also double up as a bedside crib for co-sleeping, with a removable panel so that you can attach the crib to your bed. This is ideal if you want to feel close to your baby. They're also useful for encouraging self-soothing skills, as your child won't require you to help them sleep all the time. Check out our favourites below...

The best baby rocking beds

Rocking beds – All you need to know

Choosing the right rocking bed for you and your child

Mattress — If your baby's crib comes with a mattress, fantastic, use that as this will be the correct size for your baby's bed. If it doesn't, you will need to go on the hunt for one, as it's important you get a mattress that properly fits your baby's bed for a safe sleeping environment. Luckily, we've found the best baby mattresses to make things easier for you, but if you don't want to spend extra time researching them, then opt for a crib that comes with one already.

Incline options — In our guide, we included some rocking cribs that have incline adjustments. This is useful to ease symptoms of reflux in babies, as being on a slight tilt to avoid the contents of your baby's stomach being moved upwards. It's not essential, but if it is something your baby suffers with (or you just don't want to take any chances), then it's worth considering.

Co-sleeping options — If you want a rocking bed, but are also keen to co-sleep with your baby, then there are plenty of bedside cribs that also have a rocking function too. Co-sleeping cribs are a great way to enjoy closeness with your baby whilst keeping a watchful eye over them.

Assembly and travel options — As a parent, you're busy enough, so the last thing you want is a crib for your baby that's a nightmare to put up, therefore, make sure you opt for one that's not too complicated to assemble. This also lends itself to how easy it would be to take away with you — after all, if it's a complete hassle to put up, then you're unlikely to take it away with you. Some rocking cribs also come with a handy travel bag too, which can also be an indication as to how easy it is to put up and pack away.

Emily Gilbert is the Features & Reviews Editor for Mother&Baby and has written for the website and previously the magazine for six years. Specialising in product reviews, Emily is the first to know about all the exciting new releases in the parenting industry.