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A bedside crib sits flush against your bed so your baby sleeps on their own safe surface within arm's reach.
Sleeping close to your newborn feels instinctive. Hearing their breathing, reaching out to soothe them, feeding without fully waking. It's one of the earliest rhythms of parenthood. But alongside that closeness, questions arise. Is it safe? What's the right setup? A bedside crib offers a reassuring answer: your baby sleeps on their own firm surface, right beside you, within arm's reach through the night. Here's what to know about co-sleeping, how to do it safely, and how to choose the right bedside crib for your family.
Co-sleeping simply means sharing a sleep space with your baby. In practice, it takes two main forms:
Bed-sharing: parent and baby sleep on the same mattress.
Room-sharing: baby sleeps on a separate surface in the same room as the parent.
The NHS and the Lullaby Trust recommend room-sharing for at least the first six months. This means your baby sleeps in their own cot, crib, or bedside crib in the same room where you sleep. Bed-sharing is widely practised and many families do it, but it carries specific considerations that are worth understanding. The rest of this guide focuses on room-sharing, and on the bedside crib as a way to stay close while keeping your baby on a safe, separate sleep surface.
There are real, practical reasons why so many parents choose to keep their baby close at night.
Night feeds become simpler. When your baby is right beside you, breastfeeding doesn't mean fully waking up, walking to another room, or switching on bright lights. That closeness can help sustain milk supply and makes the early weeks of feeding feel more manageable.
You may both sleep more. Parents who room-share often find they settle their baby faster. There's less disruption, less getting in and out of bed. You respond to early cues, a small sound, a gentle stir, before your baby is fully awake and crying.
Closeness supports bonding. Being near your baby through the night, hearing them, touching them, helps build a sense of security. Responsive care in those early months lays the groundwork for a connected, trusting relationship.
Room-sharing is linked to safer sleep. The Lullaby Trust notes that room-sharing for the first six months is associated with a lower risk of sudden infant death. Your presence and awareness through the night are genuinely protective.
Safe sleep guidance in the UK centres on a few clear principles. The NHS recommends that your baby sleeps in the same room as you for every sleep, day and night, for at least the first six months. Their sleep surface should be firm, flat, and clear of loose bedding, pillows, or soft toys.
If you do bed-share, certain situations increase risk significantly. The Lullaby Trust advises that you should never share a bed with your baby if you or your partner smoke, have consumed alcohol or medication that make you sleepy. Premature or low-birthweight babies are also at higher risk during bed-sharing.
For breastfeeding parents, the Safe Sleep Seven framework outlines conditions under which bed-sharing is considered lower risk. It's worth reading if bed-sharing is part of your routine.
The underlying message is straightforward: stay close, but give your baby their own safe surface. A bedside crib does exactly that.
For full guidance, visit the Lullaby Trust.
A bedside crib, sometimes called a next-to-me crib, bedside cot, or co-sleeper crib, is a small crib designed to sit flush against your bed. One side drops down or opens, so your baby sleeps on their own firm mattress but remains within arm's reach. You can see them, touch them, and lift them for a feed without standing up.
Because your baby has their own separate sleep surface, there's no risk of rolling onto them or sharing bedding. It brings together the closeness of co-sleeping with the reassurance of room-sharing on a dedicated surface. This is why bedside cribs are so widely recommended as a supportive way to sleep near your baby in those first months.
Each option has its place. Here's how they compare:
Feature
Bedside Crib
Moses Basket
Standard Cot
Attaches to adult bed
Yes
No
Drop or open side
No (some have drop sides)
Typical age range
Birth to approx. 6 months
Birth to approx. 3–4 months
Birth to 2–3 years
Portability
Some fold for travel
Lightweight and portable
Stays in one place
Bedside access for feeds
Yes, without getting up
Requires lifting baby out
Requires standing up
Longevity
Shorter (up to 6 months)
Shortest (up to 3–4 months)
Longest (up to 2–3 years)
A Moses basket is cosy and easy to carry from room to room, but most babies outgrow one within a few months, and it doesn't attach to your bed.
A standard cot lasts much longer and works well for room-sharing, though you'll need to get up to lift your baby in and out for feeds.
A bedside crib sits in the middle: close enough for hands-on comfort, safe enough for separate sleeping, and well-suited to the first six months when proximity matters most.
Not all bedside cribs are the same. A few features are worth paying attention to when choosing one.
Your bedside crib needs to sit level with your mattress so there's no gap or step between the two surfaces. Look for a model with several height settings to match your bed.
The mattress should be firm, flat, and breathable. Always use the mattress that comes with the crib, or one certified as compatible. This is a safety essential, not a detail to improvise on.
Some cribs have a side that folds down. Others zip open or detach entirely. Think about what feels most natural for how you feed and settle your baby. The side should also close securely when you want the crib to function as a standalone.
Standard bedside cribs suit babies up to around six months. Some larger models offer more room and may last a little longer. Consider how much space you have beside your bed and how long you'd like to use the crib before transitioning.
If you travel often or want to move the crib between rooms, a model that folds is practical. Some bedside cribs double as travel cribs, which can be genuinely useful in those early months.
Natural wood and gentle tones tend to feel right in a bedroom. Smooth, rounded edges and a considered finish are details that matter when something sits so close to where you sleep, and so close to your baby.
Browse Petite Amélie bedside cribs
A bedside crib only works as intended when it's set up correctly. Here are the essentials:
Match the height. Adjust the crib so its mattress sits level with your own. There should be no step up or down between the two surfaces.
Eliminate gaps. Secure the crib firmly to your bed frame using the straps or fixtures provided. No gap should exist between the crib and your mattress where a baby could become trapped.
Use the right mattress. Only use the mattress supplied with the crib, or one certified as compatible. It should fit snugly, with no spaces around the edges.
Keep the surface clear. No loose blankets, pillows, or toys inside the crib. A fitted sheet over the mattress is all that's needed.
Place baby on their back. For every sleep, day and night, your baby should be placed on their back. This is the safest position.
Watch the room temperature. The NHS recommends a room temperature between 16 and 20°C for sleeping babies. A lightweight sleeping bag can help regulate warmth without loose bedding.
Most bedside cribs are designed from birth up to around six months, or until your baby begins to push up on their hands and knees. Once they can roll independently or start pulling themselves up, it's time to move on.
Signs your baby is ready:
They're rolling over regularly during sleep.
They push up against the sides of the crib.
Their sleep seems more restless or disturbed in the smaller space.
The natural next step is usually a full-sized cot in the same room. The NHS recommends room-sharing for at least six months, so if your baby transitions before that point, keeping the cot in your bedroom is a thoughtful approach. After six months, some families move the cot to their child's own room, when the time feels right.
When the time comes for a bigger bed, a Montessori-style floor bed can encourage independence and free movement. A gentle next chapter in your child's sleep journey.
Room-sharing, with your baby sleeping on their own surface such as a bedside crib, is the safest form of co-sleeping. It's recommended by the NHS for the first six months.
From birth until around six months, or until your baby can roll or push up on their hands and knees. Always check the manufacturer's weight and age guidelines.
Yes. This is one of the main reasons parents choose a bedside crib. The open side lets you bring your baby close for feeds without getting out of bed, then settle them back onto their own surface afterwards.
They're the same thing. "Next-to-me crib" is a term popularised by certain brands, but the product type is the same: a crib that sits beside your bed with an openable side.
Most bedside cribs have adjustable height settings to match a range of bed frames. Before choosing, check the minimum and maximum height of the crib against your own bed height to make sure they align.
Wanting to sleep close to your baby is one of the most natural instincts there is. A bedside crib gives you that closeness, the ease of night feeds, the quiet comfort of hearing your baby nearby, while keeping them on their own safe, firm surface. A small piece of furniture that makes a real difference in those first months.
Every family finds their own rhythm. What matters is that your setup follows the guidance from the NHS and the Lullaby Trust, and that it feels right for you and your baby.
Each Petite Amélie bedside crib is crafted from solid wood and meets the European safety standard EN 716, so you can settle into those early nights with genuine confidence.
Discover Petite Amélie bedside cribs
The Petite Amélie team is made up of parents, creatives, and specialists who share a passion for creating beautiful, practical spaces for families. From product design to customer experience, we work closely together to bring thoughtful ideas to life and support everyday family moments.
