The best bedside cribs and next to me cribs for co-sleeping with your baby

The best bedside crib or cot will allow you to be close to your precious newborn baby whilst ensuring your little one's safety. Bedside cribs (or next-to-me cribs as they're sometimes called) are designed to be right next to your bed, so they are within touching distance. This allows your baby to see, smell and hear you, which often makes them feel more settled.

So, what exactly is a bedside crib? Essentially, it's a bassinet-style cot that affixes to your bed. One side can be removed or dropped down and out of the way so that you can easily lift your baby out towards you for night feeding or, if you need to, soothe them back to sleep. They're especially great for mums recovering from a c-section. Thankfully, there are loads of different styles that you can choose from.

Our pick of the best bedside cribs

Editor's choice: SnuzPod 4 Bedside Crib

Best bedside crib with storage: Maxi-Cosi Iora Bedside Crib

Best bedside crib for travel: Silver Cross Voyager Co-Sleeper

Many bedside cribs can be raised to meet the height of your bed and even put in an incline position which is great for babies with reflux. You can also get some travel cot options which are ideal for families who travel a lot. As with most baby products, there are so many to choose from, so it can be hard to decide which is the best bedside crib for co-sleeping. We've done the research and found a few of the best for you to choose from, many of which are Mother&Baby Award winners, tested by our real mum and dad testers.

Take a look at our guide to choosing the best bedside and next to me cribs for you and your baby.

Best next to me cribs for co-sleeping 2023

Bedside cribs – All you need to know

Choosing the right travel cot for you and your child

Is it suitable for your bed?

A bedside crib must be compatible with your bed, as the baby's mattress must be level with your own. If your bed is lower or higher than most, opt for a crib that's height-adjustable. Triple-check compatibility as some cribs are designed to clip onto bedstead frames and, therefore, won't work with a divan.

Check if the bedside crib mattress is a standard size.

If it isn't, you might be limited to buying bedding from the crib manufacturer. This could prove to be more expensive than an alternative regular bedding set, so factor this into your budget. Check, too, whether the mattress is included or has to be bought separately at extra expense.

How easy is it to assemble?

Some next to me cribs are easy to assemble without the use of power tools. While others will test your DIY skills and possibly your patience!

Do you want to co-sleep?

Bedside cribs usually have a side panel that can be lowered so you can see and touch your baby. Some let you keep the panel down at night. This gives the closeness and convenience of co-sleeping without the risks of bed-sharing. Others are designed so that the side panel pops back up after you lift your baby out, and these are a good option if you have concerns about the risks of co-sleeping.

Can you use it as a standalone crib?

Many next to me cribs are designed to convert to standalone cribs. This can be useful if you want to use the crib elsewhere in the house for daytime naps or keep it in your room. But move it away from your bed once your baby starts sleeping for longer at night. Will you convert the crib back and forth from a co-sleeper to a standalone crib regularly? If so, choose one that is robust and doesn't need to be attached to your bed. If you're happy to keep the crib attached to your bed for the duration of its use, don't spend extra money on the standalone functionality.

How much space have you got?

Bedside cribs come in many different sizes. Consider the size of your bedroom and how much space you need to get in and out of bed without disturbing your baby. If you're tight on space, choose a compact crib. Don't forget to factor in that your baby might outgrow a smaller crib before they're six months old.

Features to look for in a bedside crib

Side panel

Check if you can sleep with the side of the crib lowered, as this means you can see and reach your baby more easily. If your baby is likely to nap in the crib when you're not in bed beside them, make sure the side panel is easy to re-attach.

Storage

Pockets or shelves for storing nappy-changing essentials are very handy on a bedside crib, especially if your room isn't huge.

Fabric

The crib fabric should be easy to clean in case your baby is unwell or has a nappy leak. It should be easy to remove and re-attach and machine-washable.

Mattress

Next to me cribs come with the mattress supplied, but check that it's suitably substantial to provide a comfortable sleep for your baby.

Incline

Some cribs have an incline feature, so you can elevate the mattress to soothe symptoms of reflux. Check that it's easy to adjust without waking your baby.

Bedding

Your baby's bedding must fit the crib and mattress securely, with no loose sheets. Check whether standard crib sheets will fit. If you need to buy specialist bedding, it might be an additional expense.

Bassinet

Some cribs have a detachable bassinet, which you can use in another room for naps. Check it's light enough to carry easily from room to room.

Design

Safety and comfort are the most important features of a crib, but pick one you can happily live with in your bedroom for the next six months! Think about where you'll put it when your baby outgrows it. Choose one that folds compactly if you plan to keep it for another baby.

Extra features

Some of the cribs we tested have features designed to help settle your baby, such as rocking. You might think you don't need this, but many babies find it soothing. A rocking crib may spare you from pacing the floor with a wakeful baby!

Do I need a next-to-me crib for my baby?

If you already have a stylish cot for your baby, you might be wondering whether you need a co-sleeper. It's fine to put your baby to sleep in a cot from the very first day as long as you always position their feet at the foot of the cot. However, a smaller sleeping place is cosier, and your baby is more likely to settle well in this more secure environment right next to you. A bedside crib takes up far less floor space in your bedroom than a larger cot.

The main advantage of a bedside crib over a Moses basket or standard crib is the lack of a barrier between you and your baby provided by the convenient removable side.

A co-sleeper crib also makes nighttime feeds and soothing your baby back to sleep much less of a faff as you get to stay in bed. If you have restricted movement, perhaps after a C-section, a co-sleeper will prove invaluable.

Is a bedside crib for co-sleeping safe for my baby?

If you'd like to be able to see and reach your baby during the night and for your baby to be able to see you, then a bedside crib is a good choice. If you like the idea of safe co-sleeping but are concerned about the risks of doing so, the best option by far is a co-sleeper crib.

Official safe sleeping guidance from both The Lullaby Trust and the NHS advises that your newborn sleeps in the same room as you for the first six months but not in your bed due to the risk of suffocation and overheating. The chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is also lowered when your little one sleeps in a separate cot in the same room.

In addition to this, since November 2020, all next to me cribs have to meet the BS EN 1130:2019 safety requirement. The biggest safety requirement is that the drop down barrier doesn't drop completely. This means that baby won't be able to roll from their mattress onto yours.

What are the benefits of using a next to me crib?

A bedside crib offers you the benefits of safe co-sleeping with the added safety of them having their own space. Bedside cots are usually suitable from birth up until when your baby is around six months old or when they can start to pull themselves up to sitting.

When is baby too big for a bedside crib?

Most babies will tend to outgrow their bassinet by the 6-month mark. It's all based on your little one's physical development, which can massively vary from baby to baby. It's a good idea to check the weight limit of your baby's bedside crib to make sure you're not putting your baby in a crib they're now too heavy for.

How to clean a bedside crib

Whether it's a nappy that's leaked, some spilt milk or some baby vomit, cleaning your bedside crib regularly is an essential chore you must do to keep baby safe from germs.

It's advised to wash sheets twice a week. Any obvious marks or spills on the crib should be cleaned when you spot them to avoid staining. You'll also want to make sure any cleaning and washing products you use are baby friendly.

We'd recommend giving your bedside crib a deep clean every month. This involves removing the mattress and any components that can be removed. Using a vacuum cleaner to remove any crumbs or dust.

Next, wash all the sheets with a gentle and mild detergent and wipe down the surfaces with a baby-safe anti-bacterial spray. Before reassembling the cot, allow everything to dry fully.

How to dismantle next to me crib

Every bedside crib dismantles differently, so you'll want to check the manufacturer's instructions before dismantling yours. There are also a lot of very helpful YouTube videos online that helpfully demonstrate exactly how to dismantle most leading bedside cribs. Here is a good demonstration of how to dismantle the Chicco Next To Me Magic crib.

Are bedside cribs the same as next to me cribs?

There are a number of different names for bedside cribs. Some parents call them their next to me crib, and others refer to them as co-sleeping cribs or even co-sleeping cots. Whatever you call them, these kinds of cribs are characterised by their three sides (or sometimes a side that can be lowered), the attachment to the bed that can be adjusted to the right height.

[Emily Gilbert]{href='https://www.motherandbaby.com/author/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.