Mamas & Papas Lua Bedside Crib review

Tested by

First-time parents Katie and Mike tested out the Lua with their 3-month-old daughter.

First impressions

I was excited to test the Mamas & Papas Lua bedside crib because, although I didn’t think it would make our baby a better sleeper, I was keen to see how the features would help us as new parents.

When we opened the box and saw how cosy the crib looked, with its soft grey fabrics and Scandi-esque wooden legs, I knew it would be a stylish addition to our home, and the breathable mesh panels meant I could easily keep an eye on my baby.

How easy is it to build the Mamas & Papas Lua bedside crib?

It’s so easy! Even though it came in a relatively bulky box, and we’d set aside an hour to put it together, it only took us five minutes to construct. It slotted together in a matter of moments – many other cribs seem more complicated, so this was a breeze in comparison.

It’s perfect if you want to use the crib as a travel cot because you can take it down and set it up anywhere really quickly.

How does it compare to other bedside cribs?

At £229 it’s pricey compared to other bedside cribs, but you get what you pay for. With Mamas & Papas, a renowned baby brand with decades of experience and many awards, you know that you’re getting top quality for your baby when you invest in one of their products.

Aesthetically speaking, the Lua bedside crib is also a lot more ‘attractive’ than many other cribs on the market, which can tend to be a bit bulky and sterile looking. The Lua, however, has a genuinely stylish look and enhances a parent’s bedroom rather than infantilising it. In fact, it's very similar in style to the ever-popular Snüzpod.

Another excellent comparison point is the ease of construction and deconstruction; it can be put up and taken down in a few minutes. In addition, the fabric covers are removable and machine washable, which isn’t the case for all crib fabrics, and it’s safe without the need to strap it to the bed.

What age is the Mamas & Papas Lua bedside crib suitable for?

Like many bedside cribs, Mamas & Papas advises that the Lua bedside crib is suitable for 0-6 months and is not recommended for babies who can sit, kneel or pull themselves up.

See MadeForMums' pick of the best co-sleeping cots and bedside cribs

How firm is the Mamas & Papas Lua bedside crib mattress?

It’s very firm! It springs straight back into place when pressure is applied, yet still seemed comfy.

How easy is it to fix the Lua crib to the bed?

Mamas & Papas designed the Lua as a standalone crib, so it doesn’t need to be fixed or strapped to the bed, unlike another market leader, the Chicco Next2Me Magic 2 bedside crib, £249, making it easy to use and quick move around. Similar to other cribs, the Lua has multiple height levels – six, in fact – so you can change the height to suit you.

How easy is it to access your baby in the Mamas & Papas Lua bedside crib?

Accessing the baby was so easy. It was effortless to pick her up, whether that was bending over the side of the cot whilst standing up or using the button to lower the side for cuddles in the middle of the night.

How easy is it to lower the side of the Lua crib?

It’s just a matter of pressing the big button (you can’t miss it – it’s the only one!), which pushes down the side of the cot. There’s an option to keep the side lowered or let it slowly spring back into place (the auto-return function). It couldn’t be more straightforward once you know how to use it.

It might take a bit of practice to get the knack of the button, though, so perhaps have a few trial runs before using it at nighttime.

How easy is it to see your baby in the Mamas & Papas Lua bedside crib?

Thanks to the crib’s breathable mesh panels, it’s easy to see your baby when you’re lying next to them.

How portable is the Lua crib, and how easy is it to store?

The crib is so portable as it’s quick and easy to construct and take down. It can also be used as a travel cot, eliminating the need to pay for a separate travel cot, which could feel alien to a baby when away from home.

It comes with a large grey bag that you can put the cot pieces into for easy transportation should you and your baby be heading away for the night. This is also handy if you wish to store it away in a cupboard or the loft until you need it again. In addition, due to the lightweight nature of the crib’s design, the storage bag can be worn over the shoulder, making it even easier to travel with.

Although the dismantled crib is easy to store or travel with once it’s in its bag, it is a bit clunky to move across the floor if it isn’t dismantled. For example, if you’re moving it from one side of the bed to the other, you’re reliant on being able to smoothly drag it in straight lines as it doesn’t have wheels.

How useful is the Lua’s removable bassinet?

Although I didn’t need this feature, I can appreciate how it could be helpful to parents of smaller babies who’d be interested in using it as a low-down Moses basket alternative. I did try removing it, and it was relatively lightweight to transport.

Not all bedside cribs have this feature, so it saves on cost if you don’t have to buy a separate Moses basket.

Does the Mamas & Papas Lua bedside crib tilt and rock?

Yes. The crib features an adjustable incline option designed to help keep reflux at bay. But it's not just handy for reflux – when our baby had a bad cold, we were advised by the doctor that tilting her crib would help ‘drain’ the phlegm from her chest.

In addition, the crib can be easily rocked by hand, with a smooth swaying motion that runs from the top to the bottom, which our child seemed to love. It was also handy for soothing the baby during the night when she woke up, as I could rock her back to sleep without even getting up.

How comfy is this bedside crib for your baby?

The Lua crib seems to be really comfortable, as when we tested it, our baby was managing anywhere between four and eight hours of uninterrupted sleep each night! She only woke for a quick feed before dropping back off again for another few hours.

How robust does the Mamas & Papas Lua bedside crib feel?

The crib felt sturdy as soon as we constructed it, despite the simplicity of putting it together. Our baby likes to wriggle, but we had no doubts or concerns about it being robust as it felt strong.

How easy is it to keep clean?

Very. Everything strips off the Lua crib easily, so you don’t have to worry about any accidents as the fabrics are removable and washable and – crucially – easy to put back on once washed.

Does the Mamas & Papas Lua bedside crib have any in-built storage?

The Lua bedside crib offers lots of storage which is handy in the middle of the night when you need to find things quickly! It features built-in, shelf-style bedside storage, including two storage compartments (one of which is best saved for the changing mat), but you can also use the top of the shelf for additional storage.

With a changing mat enclosed within one of its lower compartments, it also offers space for you to store other nighttime essentials, including nappies, wipes, muslins etc. Whatever you use it for, the ability to neatly stow away items will help to keep your bedroom or nursery that bit neater.

Are there any design elements you find particularly useful?

There are many useful elements – the Lua bedside crib has really been designed with practicality in mind. For example, the storage is so handy, as it was helpful to have somewhere to store the baby’s bottle after a night feed and reassuring that the often hard to find muslin was close at hand too.

I also liked the rocking function as it made comforting the baby easier in the dark.

The changing mat is excellent. Although I didn’t test it because I don’t change the baby in our bedroom, for families who do, this would be a fantastic addition to their nighttime routine. It would also be beneficial when travelling.

What’s in the box?

• Bassinet
• Mattress
• Changing mat
• Storage bag
• Cot structure: legs and storage compartments

What are the additional accessories you can buy?

• Mamas & Papas Mattress Protector
• Mamas & Papas sheets

The crib, mattress protector and sheets are available to buy as a bundle, offering a saving of £24 (as illustrated here).

Now you’ve tested the Mamas & Papas Lua bedside crib, what would you have wanted to know before purchase?

I’d have found it helpful to know how simple it was to put together. I would have assumed that something that looked as good as this crib would take hours to put together when, in reality, it was straightforward and quick.

Also, knowing that the Lua bedside crib is not the easiest to move when in its complete form is helpful. For example, if you’re recovering from surgery, you might struggle to move it on your own as there are no wheels to move the whole thing once constructed.

Is the Mamas & Papas Lua bedside crib worth the money?

It really is, as it ticks so many boxes that other cribs don’t. Elements of the crib, such as the in-built storage, are a great bonus, whilst the transportability means you can save money by not having to buy a separate travel cot or Moses basket.

How does the Mamas & Papas Lua compare to similar bedside cribs?

Where can I buy the Mamas & Papas Lua bedside crib?

It's available from Mamas & Papas, Boots and Very.

MadeForMums verdict:

The Mamas & Papas Lua bedside crib is fantastic. A little pricier than some cribs for newborns, but it’s arguably worth every penny, and it saves buying a separate travel cot and Moses basket. From the easy to wash and replace fabrics, the effective rocking and reclining to the storage and transportability, it’s perfect for first-time parents, parents who regularly travel overnight and for those who might have future babies! It’s also handy for parents looking for a sleep solution that can be used around their home. If you’ve not quite decided between a sleeping nest or a Moses basket, the crib’s easy-to-move bassinet is a great alternative.