Moses Basket vs Bedside Crib — Which Is Right for Your Newborn?

The Big Question

When preparing for a new baby, one of the most common questions parents ask is: should I get a moses basket or a bedside crib? Both are popular choices for newborn sleep, and both have genuine advantages. The right answer depends on your lifestyle, your budget, and how you plan to feed your baby.

What Is a Moses Basket?

A moses basket is a small, portable basket — traditionally woven from natural materials — designed for newborns to sleep in during their first few months of life. They are lightweight, easy to carry from room to room, and have a cosy, enclosed feel that many newborns find deeply comforting.

At The Lullaby Nest, our moses baskets are handcrafted from 100% natural cotton using a crochet technique, giving them a beautiful artisan quality that doubles as a stunning nursery piece.

What Is a Bedside Crib?

A bedside crib (also called a co-sleeper or side-sleeping crib) is a small cot designed to attach to the side of your bed with one side open or lowered. This allows your baby to sleep safely in their own space while remaining within arm's reach for night feeds.

Moses Basket — Pros and Cons

Pros

• Portable — carry it from room to room throughout the day
• Cosy and womb-like — the snug shape is soothing for newborns
• Beautiful — a well-made moses basket is a stunning nursery centrepiece
• Affordable — generally less expensive than a bedside crib
• Compact — ideal for smaller bedrooms or flats

Cons

• Short lifespan — most babies outgrow them by 3–4 months
• Not height-adjustable — you need to bend down to reach your baby
• Requires a stand — you will need a separate moses basket stand for safe use

Bedside Crib — Pros and Cons

Pros

• Longer use — most bedside cribs can be used until 6 months or beyond
• Height-adjustable — aligns with your mattress for easy night feeds
• Safe co-sleeping alternative — keeps baby close without bed-sharing risks
• Can convert to standalone crib — versatile as baby grows

Cons

• Not portable — stays in the bedroom; not practical for daytime naps downstairs
• More expensive — quality bedside cribs carry a higher price tag
• Larger footprint — takes up more space in the bedroom

Which Should You Choose?

The honest answer is that many families choose both — a moses basket for daytime naps and the early weeks, and a bedside crib for overnight sleeping. This gives you the best of both worlds: portability during the day and easy access at night.

If you are on a tighter budget and can only choose one, consider how you plan to feed your baby. If you are breastfeeding and anticipate frequent night feeds, a bedside crib's accessibility is hard to beat. If you want flexibility and a beautiful, portable sleep space for the first few months, a moses basket is a wonderful choice.

Our Recommendation

At The Lullaby Nest, we believe the moses basket stage — though brief — is one of the most magical of early parenthood. There is something irreplaceable about carrying your sleeping newborn from room to room in a beautifully crafted basket, keeping them close as you go about your day.

Our handcrafted crochet moses baskets are made from 100% natural cotton and designed to be as safe as they are beautiful. Browse our collection to find the perfect first nest for your little one.