Bedside Sleeping Guide
What is a Bedside Cot?
Bedside cots or bedside cribs are cots designed to sit alongside the parents bed. They offer a safe alternative to bed-sharing by providing you with a way of sleeping close to your baby without having to share the same bed.
A bedside cot is a cot that usually attaches securely to the side of the parents bed and sits level with the mattress. Designed to operate with three sides, bedside cots feature an open side that allows you to reach out and touch your baby from the comfort of your own bed. This bedside sleeping arrangement also allows you to comfort and settle you baby easily should they cry out during the night and you can also feed your baby without moving from your own bed.
The Benefits of Bedside Sleeping:
- Bedside sleeping offers a safer alternative to co-sleeping as baby has their own sleep space next to you
- Sleeping alongside your baby in the same room can help you and your baby get more rest
- Sleeping close by helps to develop bonding between mum, dad and baby
- Bedside sleeping supports breastfeeding during the night and the close proximity of the cot means it can be done without leaving your bed
- For mums with restricted movement, for example following a caesarean, the positioning of the bedside cot means that you can comfort your baby easily
- Most bedside cots are designed for the first six months which is considerably longer than a moses basket
- Safety First
It is clear that babies who are put down to sleep on their back and share the same room as their parents for the first six months or so, have a lower risk of cot death. When you use a bedside cot, the safe sleeping guidelines set out by the Department of Health still apply. These can be found in full on the NCT information pages.
The ideal room temperature is between 16C and 20C and bed-sharing carries a higher risk if one or both parents:
- Is a smoker
- Has consumed alcohol
- Has taken any drugs which may affect perception or sleep
- Is excessively tired
Bedside Cots available at NCT Shop
We pride ourselves on having one of the widest ranges of Bedside Cots purchase and rental options available online. The main types of Bedside Cots available from NCT Shop are as follows:
Bedside Cot Features:
NCT Bednest Bedside Crib
Attaches securely to the side of the bed: Straps secure the cot securely to both frame and divan beds
Age Range: 0-6 months
Price: Buy from £299 Rent from £109
Height adjustable: Height adjustable to fit most beds. Mattress level height 25cm - 65cm
Can be tilted: Yes
Mattress Included: Yes
Transportable: Flat-packs easily for use as a travel cot.
Easily moved around the home.
Comes with a carry bag (excluding rentals).
Additional Features: Can be used as a standalone, bedside or travel cot.
Easy to assemble and disassemble, Bednest flat-packs in seconds.
See-through fabric sides can be positioned fully down or halfway down to maintain easy eye contact with your baby.
Snuzpod Bedside Crib
Attaches securely to the side of the bed: Straps secure the cot securely to both frame and divan beds
Age Range: 0-6 months
Price: From £169
Height adjustable: Height adjustable wooden stand with up to 70 height adjustments. May be used with mattress levels 30cm - 66cm
Can be tilted: No
Mattress Included: No
Transportable: Removable bassinet can be lifted of the stand and moved around the home.
Additional Features: Features a rockable stand to help baby fall asleep.
Features a zip-down mesh wall and a handy shelf below the bassinet for storage.
Babybay Bedside Cot
Attaches securely to the side of the bed: Attaches securely to the side of the bed using adjustable clamps
Age Range: 0-6 months
Price: From £272
Height adjustable: Fully height adjustable
Can be tilted: No
Mattress Included: No
Transportable: Additional castors available to purchase and these help make it easy to move around the home.
Additional Features: Grows with your baby. Side-rail converts Babybay into a standalone cot and conversion kits, available to purchase separately, allow you to convert Babybay into a bench seat, desk or high chair.
Arms Reach Univeral Co-Sleeper Bedside Cot
Attaches securely to the side of the bed: Attachment strap and plate secures the cot to the bed
Age Range: 0-6 months
Price: From £279
Height adjustable: Height adjustable. Suitable for adult beds from 18", 20", 22" and 24".
Leg extensions available to purchase separately for beds taller than this.
Can be tilted: No
Mattress Included: Yes
Transportable: Regular size converts into a travel cot.
Mini size comes with two castor wheels for easy movement and also comes with a travel bag.
Additional Features: Regular size cot can be converted into a free standing bassinet, playpen, changing table or travel cot.
Troll Bedside Crib
Attaches securely to the side of the bed: Does not attach to the side of the bed
Age Range: 0-6 months
Price: £160
Height adjustable: 12 height adjustments making it compatible with most adult beds
Can be tilted: No
Mattress Included: No
Transportable: Comes with four lockable castors to make it easy to move around the home.
Additional Features: No
Babybay Maxi Bedside Cot
Attaches securely to the side of the bed: Attaches securely to the side of the bed using adjustable clamps
Age Range: 0-6 months
Price: From £295
Height adjustable: Fully height adjustable
Can be tilted: No
Mattress Included: No
Transportable: Additional castors available to purchase and these help make it easy to move around the home.
Additional Features: Suitable for use with Twins.
Can be used with futons and wire frame beds.
When no longer in use convert into a bench, doll changing table, travel cot and playpen* (with the use of available accessories).