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18 best next-to-me cribs, cots and bassinets for newborns
Sleep like a baby, knowing your little one is sound asleep and snuggly next to you
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It's no secret that newborn babies are notorious sleep thieves. So, if you're preparing for the arrival of a little one, you can wave goodbye to uninterrupted shut-eye for the foreseeable. That said, there are a few life hacks that can help you all bank a better night's kip during the early days, including choosing the best next-to-me crib for your baby.
If you've started assembling the nursery, alongside the all-important maternity bra, changing bag and baby monitor, choosing the best type of bed for your little one is likely to be high on your agenda right now. There are plenty of great options to choose from including traditional cots, Moses baskets or even co-sleeping. But bedside cribs offer a safe and practical solution to keeping your newborn close in the early days.
To help you choose the ideal bed for your new bubba we've picked out our favourites, so keep scrolling for the best bedside cribs for babies.
The best next-to-me cribs for babies
Here are the best bedside cribs at a glance, keep scrolling for the full list:
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What is a next-to-me crib?
A next-to-me crib, also known as a bedside crib, is one of the most popular options for newborns, as it allows you to keep your baby close to you at night. This makes night feeds and impromptu nappy changes easier, while still enabling you to follow safe sleep guidelines. But there are a few subtle differences between the different types of baby beds that it is worth knowing about before you decide to make a purchase.
'There are bedside sleepers and bedside cribs or bassinets… and there’s a key difference,' explains Dr Harvey Karp, founder and CEO of Happiest Baby.
'A bedside sleeper, also called a co-sleeper or side sleeper, features only three full sides, butts right up to your mattress, and usually attaches to the bed, making your baby’s sleep space an extension of your bed,' he explains. 'A bedside crib or bassinet, however, is a separate, safe and fully enclosed sleep space that you can place next to your bed.'
Are next-to-me cribs safe to use?
In the first six months the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is at its highest. So, the safest place for your baby to sleep is on their back in their own bed, but in the same room as you. This can be a cot, crib or Moses basket, but crucially the sleep space needs to be completely clear of any potential hazards including loose bedding, cot bumpers and teddy bears.
'Doctors recommend placing babies in a bassinet or a cot next to your bed for at least six months,' says Dr Karp. 'For the safest sleep possible, babies should always be on their back with no bulky bedding, just a fitted sheet, and perhaps a thin swaddle blanket or zip-up swaddle.' (We can recommend the Sleepea for this exact purpose).
Newborn baby sleep safety tips
Feeling anxious about your precious new baby in the early hours? Dr Karp recommends the following sleep safety guidelines to keep your little one safe at night:
Place baby on their back
'It is so important to always place your baby to sleep on their back,' advises Dr Karp. 'It’s the number one action you can take to lower your baby’s risk of cot death. And always means always. Research shows that babies who usually sleep on their back but are occasionally placed on their tummies for a nap or a nighttime sleep have a dramatically greater risk for SIDS.'
A firm mattress is best
While you might prefer a soft mattress, babies need a firm surface to sleep safely. 'By firm, I mean the mattress doesn’t sink in when you place your baby down,' explains Dr Karp. 'That also means no pillows, no sofas, and no bean bag chairs. While babies often fall asleep in a car seat, pram, inclined bouncer, or baby swing, it’s important to swiftly relocate them to a flat sleep surface if they happen to nod off or once you get home, if you’re out running errands.'
A flat mattress is also crucial
Never place your baby on anything more than a very small incline to sleep. 'An incline of over 10 degrees can make a baby’s heavy head droop toward their chest,' explains Dr Karp. 'And since their neck muscles are often too weak to lift their heads back up, it can result in suffocation,' he adds.
Stick to an empty cot
For optimum safety, your baby’s crib or bassinet needs to be empty. 'Stuffed animals, wedges, positioners, pillows, top sheets, loose blankets, and crib bumpers all increase your tot's risk of entrapment, suffocation, or strangulation and do not belong in your baby's sleep space,' says Dr Karp. 'Remember: A safe sleep space is an empty sleep space.'
Check the room temperature
Unless it's subzero, your baby can withstand cooler climes than you realise. 'Over-bundling your little one and cranking the heat can increase their risk of SIDS,' advises Dr Karp.
According to the NHS, 16-20C is ideal. And, in hot weather, 'always dress them in breathable, cotton PJs, sleeping bags, or swaddles,' adds Dr Karp.
From SnuzPod to Tutti Bambini we bring you the best bedside cribs to keep your newborn baby safe and snuggly.
Maxi-Cosi Iora Co-Sleeper
Popular Dutch brand Maxi-Cosi is a leader in the field and this next-to-me sleeper will not disappoint. It's super easy to assemble, light enough to move about the house and the cover can be zipped off and popped into the wash should accidents occur.
But while it comes with all the great functionality you'd expect from a quality bassinet, including breathable sides, a storage basket and a cosy mattress, it's the style cred that really sets this one apart.
The neutral graphite colourway and subtle wooden touches designed to match the brand's high chair and bouncer really make it pop.
Key specifications
| Type | Bedside sleeper |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 93 x 55 x 74 cm |
| Best for | Night feeds and stylish aesthetics |
Tutti Bambini CoZee Bedside Crib Oak and Charcoal
This best-selling bedside sleeper from UK brand Tutti Bambini comes with all the bells and whistles, including easy access for night feeds, mesh sides for increased airflow and a gentle rocking motion when your hands start to tire.
But it's the wheels that really give this crib the edge, making it super easy to switch rooms during daytime naps. And the icing on the cake? The under crib storage spot! Perfect for stowing nappies, teddies, wipes and Jaffa cakes (whatever gets you through the night).
Key specifications
| Type | Bedside sleeper |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 92 x 56 x 69 cm |
| Best for | Moveable naps and multitasking mamas |
If both space and cashflow are tight right now but you still want to ensure your little one gets a good night's kip, this dinky little bassinet from Graco is the solution to your baby sleep safety concerns.
Thanks to one-step fold functionality you can pop the bassinet anywhere you fancy including right next to your bed or a shady spot in the garden on a summer's day. And when not in use, it collapses down flat, making it practical for travel and storage.
And for mini breaks when you're travelling extra light, simply remove the legs and you have a portable bassinet. Win-win!
Key specifications
| Type | Bedside crib |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | Graco |
| Best for | Travel and easy storage |
Carvapet Bedside Baby Crib 3 in 1 Folding Baby Bassinet
We love the chic colourway of this crib that’s ideal for mamas expecting an autumn bubba. The three-in-one design makes this product a bassinet, crib and bedside sleeper.
The silent swivel wheels make it easy to move, while the large underneath storage basket gives additional storage space to a small nursery or bedroom.
Key specifications
| Type | Bassinet |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 90 x 50 x 90 cm. |
| Best for | Easy moving and using a variety of ways. |
If you're still waiting for your new baby to make an entrance and you're not yet sure which type of sleeping arrangement will be best, this versatile next-to-me crib from Snüz is a great shout.
It features everything you might expect from a quality crib including a firm but cosy mattress and machine washable mesh liner. The adjustable height means it can be pressed right up against your bed for easy night time feeding, while your little one still maintains their own safe space for snoozing.
But what really sets this crib apart is the tilt function, which will come into its own when cold and flu season kicks in, plus the rocking option is ideal for fussy tots.
Key specifications
| Type | Bedside sleeper |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 100 x 49 x 95 cm |
| Best for | Colicky babies and multitasking mamas |
Clair De Lune Wicker Bedside Crib
If you prefer the natural aesthetic of a Moses basket but you're keen to keep your newborn baby extra close, this award-winning open-sided bassinet from Clair De Lune is a great compromise.
It works along the same lines as a classic basket with breathable weave and a simple wooden stand, but one side pops down so you can keep your newborn nice and close at night time.
And to ensure it's perfectly level with your bed, it comes with 10 height settings and can be easily adjusted.
| Type | Bedside sleeper and Moses basket |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 82 x 53 x 96 cm |
| Best for | Night feeds and portability |
Tutti Bambini Tutti Bambini CoZee Air Bedside Crib
Tutti Bambini’s best-selling Cozee crib just got an upgrade: enter the Cozee Air. As well as all the smart features of the original Cozee crib, the Air comes with interchangeable rocking bars to help soothe babies when they are struggling to sleep.
We love how easy the Cozee Air is to assemble (our mum tester managed to pop it up in less than a minute!), but our favourite feature of this superior model is the addition of lockable castors, meaning it can be wheeled easily from room to room.
| Type | Bedside sleeper |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 92 x 56 x 69 to 84 cm |
| Best for | Babies that struggle to sleep without movement |
Need a cot to travel with this summer? This bedside travel cot comes in at. under £70 and is perfect for carting around with you while you're gallivanting around on your holidays.
If you only want the best for your precious new arrival, this premium crib from Happiest Baby is currently leading the charge. It has been cleverly designed to mimic the womb, so it will swaddle, rock and shush your restless newborn for you, even while you're asleep!
What's more the ‘5-second swaddle’ feature is designed to help your little one maintain the safest sleep position possible throughout the night. Thanks to app-controlled settings, it also provides daily sleep reports to help you build a routine, so you can all rest easy tonight.
Key specifications
| Type | Bedside crib |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 96 x 55 41 cm |
| Best for | Beyoncé is said to be a fan and what's good enough for the queen of pop is good enough for us! |
Thanks to a 30-second open and fold feature, this bedside sleeping crib is ideal for speedy access.
It has a height adjuster and an incline option to make sure your mini me enjoys a comfortable slumber, and we love that it comes with a luxury corn fibre mattress and soft removable cotton lining.
Key specifications
| Type | Bedside crib. |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 83 x 3 x 52 cm. |
| Best for | Busy parents needing an easy to adjust option. |
Beloved Italian baby brand Chicco was one of the first in line to develop next-to-me cribs for babies, so the brand's celebrated Next2Me Crib has earned its spot on our list.
It comes with easy-access mesh sides so your baby will always be right beside you, while adjustable legs means you can get the height just right.
We like the simplicity of the design, but our favourite aspect of this side sleeper is easily the addition of wheels (with brakes too!) so you can keep your little one napping close to you wherever you happen to be at home, plus the handy travel bag is a nice touch.
Key specifications
| Type | Bedside sleeper |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 99 x 73 x 66 cm |
| Best for | Night feeds and daytime naps |
Clair De Lune GOTS Organic Folding Crib
The ideal crib for travel, this Clair De Lune organic option is easy to use and comes with a mattress that folds flat, making it ideal for holidays or weekends away.
The mattress cover and dressings are machine washable, and the mesh panels are ideal for ensuring your little one gets decent air circulation around their crib.
Key specifications
| Type | Folding crib. |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 87 x 54 x 68 cm. |
| Best for | Parents who travel a lot. |
Mamas & Papas Lua Crib with Fawn Sheet Bundle
This neutral crib allows you to safely co-sleep with your bundle of joy without needing to strap the crib to the bed.
For those midnight feeds, you can use the handy drop-down side and auto-return function to get your bubba in and out of the crib with ease, while breathable mesh panels give you a peep at your little one while they’re sleeping.
Key specifications
| Type | Bedside crib. |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 69-84 x 98 x 50-60.5cm. |
| Best for | Aesthetically pleasing nursery furniture, ease of use owing to no strap required. |
The Little Green Sheep Organic Knitted Moses Basket
This classic Moses basket is not technically a bedside crib, but if you don't have cash to spare and you're after a simple (and portable) option, it's a great shout.
You can pop your little one right next to you at night and then carry the super-light basket around the house for daytime naps on the move. The basket weave is breathable, the little mattress is just the right consistency and we love the minimal aesthetic that shouts seventies childhood Scandi-cool.
Our mum tester has a particularly big baby and found she needed to place her feet on the floor to safely pick him up for night feeds (as opposed to roll over towards the side sleeper) and found that this simple basket was ideal.
| Best for | Mamas on a budget |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 41 x 59 x 84 cm |
| Type | Moses basket and bedside crib |
Can't decide if you need a bedside sleeper or a portable crib? This versatile bassinet from Mamas and Papas does both! Simply slot your mini-me next to you at night using the adjustable height for easy access at feeding time, or detach the bassinet for daytime naps or weekends at the grandparents. Our mum tester rated the white mesh sides which allow you to keep an eye on your precious tot at all times while maintaining a comfortable temperature. And if you're a design fan, the neutral tones blend in seamlessly with most interior decors.
Key specifications
| Type | Bedside sleeper and crib |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 69-84 x 98 x 50-60.5 cm |
| Best for | Weekends away and naps on the move |
This simple grey and white bedside crib from Northern Irish baby brand Shnuggle looks a bit like a spaceship, but in real life it's actually quite dainty and just the right size for your brand new baby to enjoy a safe night's slumber.
We love the fully mesh sides for maximum airflow during the warmer months. But best of all it converts into a cot when the time is right, giving your growing tot extra space and saving the pennies in the long run.
Key specifications
| Type | Beside crib and cot |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 83 x 57 x 94 cm |
| Best for | Night feeds and longevity |
Veteran British brand Silver Cross has been producing quality baby kit since 1877 and count royalty among its fanbase, so the brand knows a thing or two about baby sleep.
At first glance this luxury bedside sleeper looks like it might take up a lot of space, but it actually doubles up as a travel cot so it's super easy to assemble and carry about when the need arises.
Thanks to mesh sides and adjustable height it's ideal for keeping your precious cargo nice and close during the night, but weighing in at just 11kg it's also dinky enough to throw in the car boot for weekends away.
We also rate the incline functionality which comes in handy if your baby catches a cold or suffers from reflux.
Key specifications
| Type | Bedside sleeper and travel cot |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 101 x 61 x 67-84.5 cm |
| Best for | Night feeds and portability |
If you're reluctant to shell out for a fancy bassinet that your mini-me will outgrow in under six months, we have the solution!
This gorgeous piece of kit from Norwegian baby brand Stokke is the ideal safe space for newborns to bed down at night. But best of all, when they start to get bigger this all-natural wood finish bed frame grows with them and can be extended well into the toddler years.
What's more, once your little one starts exploring you can remove one side for safety. Our only complaint: why doesn't in come in adult sizes too?
Key specifications
| Type | Crib and toddler bed |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 141 x 74 x 87 cm |
| Best for | Longevity for growing tots |
Rhalou is a senior digital editor specialising in health and wellness with over fifteen years’ online and print publishing experience.
Rhalou has worked for various health platforms including Women’s Health, Men’s Health, Runner’s World, Netdoctor, Women’s Running, Men’s Running, The Running Bug and Women’s Fitness.
Covering everything from sexual health to fitness, parenting, marathon running and self-care, Rhalou loves creating fun and accessible lifestyle content and feels strongly about demystifying complex medical jargon and empowering people to better understand their health.
Previously, Rhalou was a freelance social media specialist for several major sporting events and race listings including The London Marathon, Breca Swimrun, Findarace, The Westminster Mile and Prudential Ride 100. She has also been a reporter on a local newspaper in remote Scotland, penning breaking news stories about killer otters, cats stuck up trees and the Scottish hill racing scene.
Over the years, Rhalou has been lucky enough to run 15 marathons and even a few ultra-marathons. She is still a passionate runner, but these days she can mostly be found at her local parkrun or chasing after her young son.
Jessica is a freelance shopping writer specialising in fashion, beauty, and interiors. Jessica was previously a shopping writer at BuzzFeed and has also had work published on Huffington Post, More!, and Reveal. Her most recent role was as a senior e-commerce writer for Women's Health UK covering everything baby and parenting. Jessica is also a fashion content creator under the name Lifebyjess_x.Jessica has an eye for trending products and scouring the internet for great deals, covering everything from practical home buys to the latest fashion finds. She loves checking out TikTok and Instagram for the latest must-haves, as well as cutting through the noise to share the best new launches and sale finds.When not working, Jessica is passionate about finding the best places for a Sunday roast and cuddling her rather spoilt miniature dachshund, Waffle!
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