Our Consumer Editor Heidi Scrimgeour came up with a shortlist of the best bedside cribs based on her product knowledge and industry research. She looked at the latest offering from the market-leading brands - and as a parenting journalist for 15 years and mother of three, what she doesn't know about baby products isn't worth knowing. She also selected products from a broad range of price points so there's a baby walker toy on this list to suit every budget. The drop-down side is easy to use, and the combination of sturdy plastic hooks and zippers means that it feels substantial and secure both when raised and lowered – it’s not a mechanism you’ll want to mess with in the middle of the night, though, as it takes a minute or two to adjust. Eleanor loved the aesthetics of the Shnuggle Air, the breathability and hypo-allergenic qualities of the mattress and the fact that the crib has a storage section for keeping baby essentials close by. She thinks the crib offers great value for money. 'The mattress is a hypo-allergenic airflow mattress with 50% more breathability than other brands,' she added. 'This really appealed to me as most mums worry about their baby rolling over in the night. It’s reasonably priced, looks great, will grow with your baby, and my baby sleeps through the night at 10 weeks in it - so it’s clearly comfortable!' There are several steps to undoing the drop-down side. You need to undo poppers and clips on either side before unzipping each end, then you need to lift the top bar from the frame. Once released, the drop-down side clips to the bottom of the bassinet.

Is it only convenient for your bed? You may prefer a crib that’s more portable, or one that stands alone. Whether you’re taking the crib around the house or around the world, make sure you choose one that works with your lifestyle.Safety - The best bedside cribs are recommended as a safe alternative to co-sleeping. Babies should sleep in a clear space, without pillows, sheets or blankets. A bedside crib offers the perfect place, which is close to parents but without the dangers of actually sleeping in the same bed. The side panel unzips and attaches to the underside of the bassinet. The crib has a tilting mode for congestion and reflux issues, and also works as a standalone crib. It has two wheels with brakes, making it easy to wheel around the house as needed. It offers six height positions, a tilt option for babies suffering from reflux, congestion or colic, and a useful storage shelf to keep baby items close by. Best of all, it takes just a minute to assemble, and it’s easy to disassemble too, coming with its own carry case for parents looking to take it on weekends away. Paul Maurice, product director at Snüz, says safety should always be in mind when purchasing a bedside crib. 'When looking into the best bedside cribs for your new arrival, safety is at the top of the list,' he explains. 'It is important to evaluate both the design and materials used, to ensure it allows air to circulate into, around and through the crib. Look for vents or mesh openings at the mattress level, holes in the base of the crib and the use of 3D breathable materials within the crib and mattress. With newborns spending on average 16 to 18 hours a day sleeping, it is imperative to make sure the environment they are in is as safe and comfortable as possible.' Key specs – Ages: Newborn-6 months/9 kg; Dimensions: L101 x W61 x H67-84.5 cm ; Bed Frame Fit: Divan beds, framed beds; Height Adjustments: 7 height positions; Incline Setting: Yes

No matter whether you’re searching for a standalone cot or one you can attach to your bed, the best bedside cribs keep your baby safe and secure. We also have made to measure fitted sheets for this mattress made only with quality 100% cotton jersey.Key specs – Ages: Newborn-6 months/9 kg; Dimensions: L93 x W55.5 x H74.5 cm ; Bed Frame Fit: Divan beds, framed beds; Height Adjustments: 5 height positions; Incline Setting: No All in all, it’s a reassuringly spacious, solid-feeling crib in both co-sleeping and standalone cot modes, and although it doesn’t fold down super small, it does fold flat into a travel bag for easy transportation. Many bedside cribs are not portable, so the fact the Iora Co-sleeper is is a huge plus for parents who often visit family or take trips abroad. Lynsey felt that the ease of assembly and disassembly was a selling point, and also liked how easy it was to adjust its height. The crib has all-around mesh for improved airflow, keeping your baby at a comfortable temperature. It also functions as a travel crib, and includes a travel bag for easy carrying. The crib’s mattress includes removable and washable lining for easy clean up. A stylish bedside crib that sits on the more affordable side of the scale, the Tutti Bambini CoZee is a great option for parents who want an attractive co-sleeper without breaking the bank. Available in three colours, with smart oak legs, the CoZee will fit right into any nursery or bedroom.

Ideally, it’s best to buy a bedside crib a few weeks or even months before your due date, so you can get it all set up and get used to its features before the baby comes. The last thing you want to be doing with a crying newborn is fiddling around with Allen keys or fitted sheets, so get prepared as early as possible. How long can you use a bedside crib for? Key specs – Ages: Newborn-6 months/9 kg; Dimensions: L92 x W56 x H84 cm ; Bed Frame Fit: Divan beds, framed beds; Height Adjustments: 6 height positions; Incline Setting: Yes After 6 months you or your baby might be ready to take the next step in sleeping; moving to their own room. This is a big step for both of you, so only take it when you feel your are ready for it! Getting used to sleeping in a separate baby bed in their own room might take some time for your little one.Alexis was impressed by the sleek, gender-neutral look of the crib, as well as its price compared to the rest of the bedside crib market. 'I think it offers excellent value for money, especially as most of its competitors are more expensive,' she added. Lynsey also thought the crib offered great value for money. She said: 'It’s competitively priced and competes very well with other products on the market: the crib is aesthetically pleasing and does everything a mum would require from a crib. It isn't overly expensive for the features it offers.'

Clips under the bassinet hold the drop-down side in place one folded down, and webbing straps secure the cot to the side of the bed so that there are no gaps for baby to fall through. Is it easy to put together, or to fold up and down? Some bedside cribs fold up and down in the blink of an eye, while others will require tools and a bit of time. Make sure to buy a portable, folding model if you’re going to be doing a lot of travelling, or intend to move the cot around the home regularly. READ NEXT: The best travel cots The best bedside cribs you can buy in 2022 1. SnüzPod 4 Bedside Crib: The best overall bedside crib The drop-down side is a half-height zip wall that meets the mesh sides of the crib. The mesh wall provides a barrier to prevent the infant from rolling into the bed while co-sleeping. Both sides also have a mesh panel for easier viewing. Next, we called on our pool of reliable parent testers and assigned each of them a bedside crib to review with their baby. They tested the product rigorously for at least ten days.The Iora combines sophisticated looks with sensible design. It has five different height adjustments, long straps to secure the crib in place which work with most styles of bed, and the slide function ensures the crib fits snugly alongside your mattress. The ComfortAir system makes the crib more breathable and helps to regulate the baby’s temperature. This includes the 3D mattress, which is breathable while still providing optimal support. The mattress comes with a machine washable liner as well.