Mamas & Papas Lua Bedside Crib review: a spacious, versatile bedside crib with plenty of handy features

Our verdict

If you’re looking for a well-designed bedside crib that does a little more than simply offer a safe space for your baby to sleep, the Mamas & Papas Lua Bedside Crib is a good option. Alongside the spacious bedside crib itself, it includes a changing mat, under-crib storage shelf and travel bag, helping it to function as a sleep space, changing station and travel cot in one.

New mum, Jen tested the crib with her newborn daughter and found it easy to use from day one. The bedside design made nighttime feeds and checks simpler, while the drop-down side panel helped her lift her daughter in and out without having to lean awkwardly over the edge of the crib.

Jen was particularly impressed by how practical the additional features proved in everyday use. She says, “This crib has been great to use from the start. My daughter has slept in it for six weeks (minus the first week in hospital) and sleeps for long stretches without waking up. The crib is easy to get her in and out of, especially with the side collapsing down. The fact that it comes with a changing mat is really useful, and the storage underneath is great for keeping bedding, blankets, nightwear and swaddles. So far, we’ve had no concerns or drawbacks with the crib and we’d recommend it to other parents.”

Jen found herself using the changing mat regularly and liked that it could be used either on top of the crib frame or separately when needed.

Although the Lua Bedside Crib doesn’t have wheels, Jen found it straightforward enough to move when necessary. “When we had to move it, the carry bag was very useful,” she explains. Its collapsible design makes it a practical option for families who want to take the crib away from home, too.

One potential drawback is the price. At £229, the Lua is a relatively expensive bedside crib, although its combination of sleeping space, changing station, storage and travel functionality gives it more versatility than a basic bedside crib.

It’s also worth noting that the Lua is designed to sit alongside the bed rather than clip directly onto it. It can be used as a standalone crib around the home, which adds to its versatility, but if you’re looking for a more traditional next-to-me-style co-sleeper that attaches securely to the side of your bed, the Chicco Next2Me Magic Evo Crib could be a better option.

Throughout testing, Jen found the Lua Bedside Crib sturdy and reassuringly secure.

How we tested the Mamas & Papas Lua Bedside Crib

Jen tested the Lua Bedside Crib with her newborn daughter over five weeks, using it every night and occasionally for daytime naps. She began testing when her daughter was two weeks old and continued until she was six weeks old, using the crib as her main sleep space at home.

During testing, Jen assessed how easy the crib was to assemble and use, how sturdy and comfortable it felt, and how well it fitted alongside her bed. She also used its drop-down side panel for lifting her daughter in and out, the built-in changing mat and under-crib storage for everyday essentials, and the carry bag when moving the crib between locations.

Jen plans to continue using the Lua until her daughter is around six months old, before moving her into her own room and a larger cot bed. This longer-term use will give her further opportunity to assess how well the crib works as her daughter grows.

Throughout the testing period, Jen scored the Lua across eight key categories: performance, quality and durability, ease of use, value for money, safety and stability, assembly, comfort, and adjustability and portability.

This crib achieved a total score of 88 out of 100, earning a five-star rating. It performed particularly strongly for performance (14/15) and ease of use (14/15), with Jen also awarding 9/10 for safety and stability, assembly, and adjustability and portability.

The Lua Bedside Crib comes with a mattress, changing mat and travel bag, while the optional bundle adds a waterproof mattress protector and two fitted cotton sheets.

What’s in the box?

The Lua Bedside Crib comes with everything needed to get started, including the crib, stand, fibre-core mattress, changing mat, carry bag and setup instructions.

Included in the box:

• Lua bedside crib

• Crib stand

• Fibre-core mattress

• Changing mat

• Carry bag

• Setup instructions

It’s worth knowing that the standalone Lua already includes the mattress, changing mat and carry bag, so you don’t need to buy these separately. However, Mamas & Papas also sells a three-piece bundle, which adds a waterproof mattress protector and two fitted cotton sheets designed to fit the Lua’s 84 x 48cm mattress. The bundle is a useful option if you want to have spare bedding ready from the start, particularly as the Lua uses a more specific mattress size than a standard Moses basket or cot.

How easy is it to set up and use for the first time?

Very! In fact, Jen found the Lua Bedside Crib straightforward to assemble and get started with. She says, “The cot was easy to put up, the instructions were easy to follow and it was easy to use.”

The straightforward setup meant there was no lengthy adjustment period before Jen could start using the crib. The clear instructions and simple design also made it easy to incorporate into her nightly routine from the beginning.

Does the Mamas & Papas Lua Bedside Crib feel sturdy?

Jen found the Lua Bedside Crib super sturdy when using it day and night. The crib has breathable mesh panels around the sides, which provide ventilation while also making it easy to see her daughter when lying next to the crib at night.

This crib is also designed to meet relevant British and European safety standards, and its mattress is made with a breathable fibre-core construction. Parents should always follow the manufacturer's instructions and stop using the crib once their child can sit, kneel or pull themselves up.

What are the standout features of the Mamas & Papas Lua Bedside Crib?

The drop-down side panel is one of the features Jen found most useful in everyday life. It lowers considerably, making it much easier to reach in and lift her daughter out of the crib, particularly during those frequent night-time wake-ups. There’s a lock mechanism to keep the side securely in place when it’s raised, while pressing the release lets you lower it when you need better access.

Another handy touch is that the crib’s fabrics are removable and machine washable. With a newborn, spills, spit-up and the occasional nappy leak are all part of the deal, so being able to pop the fabrics in the wash is a definite bonus.

The Lua Bedside Crib can sit neatly alongside your bed or be used elsewhere in the room for daytime naps

Does it work as a bedside crib?

Yes. Jen was happy with how the Lua Bedside Crib worked in her bedroom, particularly as it could be positioned close to her bed without feeling too bulky. She says, “It’s spacious enough for my newborn daughter and fits easily in our bedroom next to our double bed.”

Jen also found it fitted neatly into the space between the side of her bed and the wall. Having her daughter close by made it easy to keep an eye on her during the night while still giving her a good amount of sleeping space.

It's worth noting that, unlike dedicated co-sleepers such as the Maxi-Cosi Iora Air, which can be secured directly to the adult bed using safety straps, the Lua Bedside Crib is designed to sit alongside your bed rather than attach to it. Jen found this worked well in her bedroom and appreciated the flexibility of being able to position the crib where it best suited her space.

How adjustable is it?

Jen didn’t need to make any adjustments to the Lua Bedside Crib during testing, as the height and angle worked well for her setup straight out of the box. She found it comfortable positioned alongside her bed without needing to change the settings.

That said, there’s plenty of flexibility if you do need it. The crib has six height positions, ranging from 37cm to 53cm, so it can be adjusted to suit different adult bed heights. There’s also a recline option, which allows the mattress base to be positioned at an angle and can be useful for babies who suffer from reflux or congestion. If using the inclined position, parents should follow the manufacturer's instructions and make sure their baby's head is positioned at the higher end.

The height can be adjusted using the indicators on the legs, although the crib should always be empty when making changes. Both sides should be set to the same height to keep the mattress level, unless using the designated inclined position.

Jen found the storage space underneath the Lua Bedside Crib useful for keeping bedding, blankets and other baby essentials close at hand

How portable is the Mamas & Papas Lua Bedside Crib?

Jen took the Lua Bedside Crib to a family member’s house during testing and found it straightforward to transport in the included travel bag. She says it was “really light and easy to move and carry”, which made taking it away from home less of a hassle.

It’s also possible to remove the crib from its stand when you want to use it elsewhere in the house. Simply press the buttons on either side of the Lua Bedside Crib to release it from the stand, then lift the crib off. This means the bassinet can be moved to another room for daytime naps without having to move the whole stand.

The collapsible design and carry bag make it a practical choice for families who want to move the crib between rooms or take it away from home.

Is the Mamas & Papas Lua Bedside Crib good value for money?

At £229, the Lua Bedside Crib isn’t the cheapest option on the market, but Jen felt its quality made it worth the money. She found it sturdy and well-made during testing and was particularly positive about the amount of space it offers as her daughter grows.

“We have also used a pram cot, but the Lua Bedside Crib is bigger, so it seems to be better in the long run when moving to a cot and also as our daughter grows,” she says. For Jen, the larger sleeping space and good-quality construction helped make the crib feel like a worthwhile investment rather than something she would only use for a short period.

She also found it practical for everyday use, with the built-in changing mat, under-crib storage and removable bassinet adding to its usefulness. “This is a great crib which we would use again and recommend to friends. We haven't found any cons to using it,” she says.

While there are more affordable bedside cribs available, Jen’s experience suggests the Lua Bedside Crib offers good value if you’re looking for a well-made crib with plenty of useful features and enough space to see your baby through the early months.

About the author

Tammy Jacks has over 20 years of experience in the publishing industry, holding key roles such as Managing Editor and Health & Beauty Editor for Woman & Home magazine in South Africa, and Assistant Editor for Living and Loving - a parenting title focused on children’s health and development.

She has contributed to a wide range of lifestyle publications (including magazines, journals and newspapers) and has edited books for fitness influencers and health professionals. As a researcher and writer, Tammy specialises in children’s development, wellbeing and safety. Over the years, she has reviewed countless toys and developmental aids, as well as essential baby products for everyday family life, from baby monitors and sleep aids to feeding equipment and nursery must-haves, alongside baby travel gear such as baby carriers, child bike seats and lightweight strollers.