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Best cribs and bedside co-sleepers for newborns
Choosing your child's very first bed can be a tricky purchase, especially if you don't know what to look for. After months of research and testing, we round up the best co-sleepers and cribs for newborns.
By Poppy O'Neill | Last updated Mar 26, 2024
Moses basket? Traditional cot? Co-sleeper? Cradle? Cot bed? Crib? With so many options to choose from, you'll be forgiven for feeling a bit bamboozled. Moses baskets and cradles are usually used during a baby's first few months, while co-sleepers, cribs and cots can last a bit longer. As well as finding the best baby monitor to suit your needs, choosing the best newborn bed for your lifestyle and home is an essential you'll want to get sorted before your due date. Scoping out the best travel cot, or shopping for gadgets like a white noise machine, can come later.
In this article, we’ll round-up the best bedside cribs on the market right now. Be sure to check out our guide to the best cot beds and cots too.
But which bed is right for you and your baby? We’ve rigorously tried and tested various cribs to put them through their paces and determine the very best, along with scouring our forums for recommendations that Mumsnet users can’t get enough of.
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What are the safety guidelines for bedside cribs?
In 2020 British Standards were updated for bedside cribs, which now need to meet the new crib standard BS EN 1130:2019, which means all cribs need to have a 12cm barrier or wall while in bedside mode.
Most modern cribs already have this feature, which prevents babies from rolling out of the crib and into their parents' bed. In the majority of models this barrier is easy to fold down when your baby wakes for a feed in the night.
As the largest network of parents in the UK, we at Mumsnet know only too well the importance of providing a safe, comfortable space for a baby. We spoke to baby sleep experts at The Lullaby Trust and spent hours reading authentic reviews in the Mumsnet Talk forums, researching the beds that offered the best value for most parents.
How we tested
Partnering with parent tester, Anna, a busy mum of three with a newborn and four-year-old twins, we’ve put together our guide to the 8 best cribs available right now.
Here are the best cribs and co-sleepers for newborns.
Four tilt options and a rocking mechanism
More spacious than other bedside cribs
Mesh covers let air flow freely throughout the crib
Crib and mattress covers are removable for cleaning
Can’t be rocked when it's in co-sleeper mode
Fairly heavy – some parents may find it too bulky to use as a travel cot
Price: £169 | Size: H66.5 x W73 x D99.5cm | What's included: Mattress, straps, travel bag | Height settings: 11
Tested by MNHQ: Read our full Chicco Next 2 Me Magic review
Safe, spacious and functional, the Chicco Next2Me Magic is a super popular choice among Mumsnetters – and for good reason. It’s roomy with plenty of space for baby to grow and wriggle – much bigger than a Moses basket. Plus, it’s really easy to comfort your baby in the night when in side-sleeping mode as you don’t have to get out of bed. The Next 2 Me can be used as a stand-alone crib, side-sleeper and includes a travel bag so you can use it as a travel cot when away from home.
Perfect for breastfeeding mothers, this bedside crib will give peace of mind to parents – especially first-timers – who want to keep their baby close during the night. Although it looks very similar to cheaper co-sleepers like the Next2Me Original, it's the details - like a whopping 11 height settings and one-handed drop side - that make it the best. With thousands of Mumsnetters and happy customers agreeing, we've crowned the Chicco Next 2 Me Magic the best co-sleeper crib for 2024.
Read next: The best Moses basket mattresses, tried and tested
Tilt for reflux
Great price
Easy to assemble
Less sturdy than more expensive cribs
Price: £80 | Dimensions: L98 x W53 x D68cm | What’s included: Mattress | Height settings: 4
If you love the idea of a co-sleeper crib but don’t want to spend over £100, the Babylo Snuggle is a great option. It has all the UK and EU safety standards you’d expect from a newborn bed, just without the well-known brand name.
Similar in appearance to the Chicco Next 2 Me, the Snuggle can be used at your bedside or as a standalone crib with a simple zip-up side. If your little one suffers with reflux, you can add an incline to help ensure a better night’s sleep. The crib comes with a comfy 5 cm thick mattress and is lined with soft cotton.
Drop side is helpful for night feeds, especially if you're breastfeeding or recovering from a caesarean section
Can be used as a stand-alone crib
Mesh windows allow air to flow freely
Lightweight
Doesn't have wheels so it can be difficult to move up and down the stairs when unfolded
Doesn't rock
Price: £147 | Size: L92, W56, H84cm | What's included: Mattress, travel bag | Height settings: 6
Tested by MNHQ: Read our in-depth Tutti Bambini CoZee review
The Tutti Bambini CoZee is an easy-to-use bedside crib that's ideal for any new parent. Spacious and less bulky than other co-sleepers, such as the Chicco Next2Me Magic, it’s height-adjustable to fit any bed, has an anti-reflux incline setting and can be attached to the bed safely using straps.
With a breastfeeding-friendly drop side, a 30-second open and fold mechanism and machine-washable covers, it offers everything a baby needs to sleep comfortably and safely during the day or night. It's great for parents who want to try co-sleeping, but need extra reassurance. It’s also small, light and easy-to-assemble enough to be used as a travel cot whenever you're away from home.
Maxi-Cosi Iora Air Co-sleeper
Mesh sides are made from 100% recycled plastic
Slide function fits perfect height to your bed
Tilts for reflux
Comes with a travel bag
Thinner mattress than other models
Basket is not as large as it could be
Price: £184 | Dimensions: H74.7 x W64 x D97cm | What’s included: Mattress, travel bag | Height settings: five
Tried and tested by Mumsnet: Read our in-depth Maxi-Cosi Iora Air Review
Featuring a new, more breathable design as an upgrade to the classic Iora, the Maxi-Cosi Iora Air is a fab choice of co-sleeper, whatever kind of bed you have - including divans. The crib comes with straps which sit under your mattress to keep it secure and connected. The slide function makes it easy to get a perfect fit, and the drop-side can be zipped up when you want to use it as a standalone crib.
The crib features hidden wheels for ease of portability, five different height settings which can be used both to lower and raise the crib or just on one side to ease reflux or congestion.
Related: The best mattresses for kids, tried and tested by Mumsnetters
Lift off basket
Fits perfectly to bed height
Looks great
Rocking the crib is awkward from bed
Price: £160 | Dimensions: H95 x W49 x D100cm | What’s included: Mattress, bed straps | Height settings: n/a
Tested by MNHQ: Read our full Snuzpod review
With its cool Scandi style and great temperature-regulating details, the Snuzpod 4 is the latest model of the bedside crib Mumsnetters really love. Like a Moses basket, the part of the crib that you baby sleeps in can be easily lifted out.
The lightweight basket can be lifted out of the sturdy wooden base, so your baby can nap during the day wherever in the house you happen to be. If and when your baby sleeps in their own room, the crib easily detaches from your bed and makes a brilliant standalone crib. The curved wooden base does rock, but only back and forth, which can be awkward to operate if you’re lying in bed.
Read next: The best mattress protectors for bedwetting, allergies and more
One-touch rocking
Tilt for reflux
One-hand operated retractable side
Wheels are fixed so it's awkward to move around
Price: £160 | Dimensions: W69 x H81 x D99cm | What’s included: Mattress, bed straps, travel bag | Height settings: 11
Designed with movement in mind, the Joie Roomie Glide features a smooth, one-hand glide function that makes rocking your baby to sleep a doddle. Many babies fall asleep more easily with rocking - whether it’s in the car, pram or sling, and this crib rocks gently from side to side at a pace you set.
All the adjustable features - height, incline and rocking - can be operated one-handed, which is a real life-saver when you often have your hands full with your baby, other children or the laundry basket and want to settle them down as quickly and smoothly as possible.
Stokke Sleepi Mini Oval Crib
Converts into a cot and bed with extension kit
Suitable for up to age 5
Solid wood
Mattress and bedding sold separately
Not a co-sleeper
Price: £335 (or £563 for the crib + extention kit) | Dimensions: H87 x W67 x D82cm | What’s included: Just the crib | Height settings: 4
Tested by MNHQ: Read our in-depth Stokke Sleepi review
Suitable from newborn to age 5, the Stokke Sleepi has a unique, quirky look that’s a big hit with Mumsnetters. The oval design of the newborn crib is shaped to resemble a mother’s womb, and unlike other cribs it grows longer with your child using extensions.
At over £300, it’s on the pricier end of the market, and Mumsnetters say this one’s a great option for both buying and selling secondhand. The unusual shape and lengthening mean standard mattresses won’t fit this cot bed, so you’ll need to get a Stokke mattress or one of the cheaper versions available on Amazon.
Read next: The best changing bags - stylish bags and backpacks Mumsnetters love
Easy to move around the house
Lightweight
Great price
Side is fiddly to lower
Price: £96 | Dimensions: H68 x D90 x W80cm | What’s included: Mattress, sheet, travel bag | Height settings: 5
Made to be moved around, the Neste from Kinderkraft is really lightweight so you can carry it from room to room, or tilt the base to wheel it around. This comes in handy for daytime naps, so it’s great if you just want to buy one thing for your baby to sleep in at home, rather than a crib for your bedroom and a moses basket for elsewhere.
The retractable side is a bit fiddly to take down, but this shouldn’t be an issue for comforting your baby at night as it would already be in the open position. The crib fits snugly next to your bed, with straps to keep it in place. There’s a recline setting for reflux, a carry bag to take it on trips and the mattress and sheet are included when you buy.
Rotates to make getting out of bed easier
Tucks under your bed when not in use
Includes soothing sounds, vibrations and a nightlight
Requires 3 AA batteries
Pricey
Price: £199 | Dimensions: 114 x 61 x 94cm | What’s included: Mattress, sheet | Height settings: Not stated
With more bells and whistles than you can shake a stick at, the Halo BassiNest has really impressed Mumsnetters who've used it. It swivels 360 degrees, meaning you can smoothly shft it out of the way - an attractive feature for those pushed for space or if you've had a c-section.
The BassiNest comes complete with what's amusingly dubbed a 'soothing centre' - five buttons controlling the crib's vibration, sounds and light features. What's more, it folds right down to slide under your bed, which is amazing if you need the space during the day.
Read next: The best wearable breast pumps Mumsnetters swear by
What are the benefits of a bedside crib?
Babies need to be close to their parents, especially when they’re very tiny, and it’s very normal for them to want to be close to you while they sleep. While some families opt to bedshare, many new mums want a bit of their own space at night, as well as the peace of mind a safe bedside crib brings.
With a bedside crib, you’re able to keep your baby within arms reach, breastfeed at night without getting out of bed, all with the reassurance that your baby is sleeping in a safe place designed for their needs.
Bedside cribs are especially good for mothers recovering from a C-section, as it’s so much easier and less strenuous to lift your baby out of a bedside crib than a cot or moses basket.
How to choose the right newborn bed
We’ve compiled some tips to help you choose the product that’s right for you – and ensure your baby sleeps safely.
1. Safety first
The Lullaby Trust advise that you check your chosen bed complies with British Safety Standards. If bought second-hand, the bed and mattress must be in good condition.
Check that the bed is sturdy and well made with no gaps or loose parts, and that it will keep your baby secure with enough room to grow.
When it comes to a baby's safety while sleeping, you'll also need to check the mattress:
Is it firm? Your baby’s head should not sink into it by more than a few millimetres
Is it entirely flat with no raised or cushioned areas?
Does it have a waterproof cover so it is kept clean and dry?
Correct positioning
Babies must always be put to sleep on their back (never on their front or side) with their feet positioned at the end of the bed.
Any bedding and clothing covering them should also not rest above shoulder height or cover their face or head.
Pods, nests, pillows, duvets, thick or bulky bedding, cot bumpers, hammocks or sleep positioners aren't recommended, and the bed should also be free of loose bedding and soft toys.
2. A newborn bed is the right buy for you if…
You’re looking for a separate bed for your baby
You have room for one in your bedroom or downstairs for daytime naps
3. A newborn bed is not for you if…
You would prefer to share your bed with your baby and co-sleep
You have a limited budget and would rather spend money on a cot bed that will last longer than, say, a crib or Moses basket – cot beds can eventually be converted into a toddler bed (yes, seriously)
4. How much do you want to spend?
Prices range from £80 to well over £400 so consider your budget.
If your baby isn’t sleeping well (and neither are you), it might be tempting to splash out on products that promise a better or longer night’s sleep, but the reality is that babies wake up even in the most expensive of beds.
What's the best crib to buy for a newborn?
The Chicco Next 2 Me Magic is the best crib to buy for a newborn. It's super easy to use, breastfeeding friendly and allows you to be right next to your baby while you both sleep. To read more about what our testers thought of this co-sleeping bed, head to our Chicco Next 2 Me Magic review.
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