Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a small sleeper that allows newborns to sleep in the same room as their parents without the risks of true co-sleeping (which the AAP cautions against due suffocation and SIDS). It also makes middle-of-the-night nursing sessions and care much more convenient.
This sleeper has an extremely firm mattress that can support babies' backs, reducing the chance of SIDS. It can slide over your adult bed to make it easier for you to get your baby for nighttime nursing or cuddles at sunrise.
Budget
A bedside cot, also known as a co-sleeper, is the bassinet-style baby cot that can be attached to your bed. This allows you to reach your baby comfortably and safely for a nighttime feed or cuddles. These are perfect for new parents and mums recovering from a c-section because they provide easy access to the baby without having to get up from the bed.
There are a variety of designs on the market, from basic models with just a drop-down side to more advanced ones that can be adjusted in a variety of ways with incline and height options. Many convert to a standalone crib for daytime naps or when your baby is around a few months old and is sleeping more at night.
Maxi-Cosi Lora is one of our top picks. It was nominated in the Best Cot category for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. MFM home tester Emily expressed her delight at how stylish and contemporary the design is and she was impressed by the feature that you can use it as a regular bassinet or clip it to a bed for safe side-by-side sleeping. She also admired the soft mattress that passed our firmness test and the fact that it features an automatic rocking feature that can be adjusted to a slight slope for reflux sufferers.
She didn't like that it had a non-mesh panel at the bottom, and considered it too bulky to move from room to room. When folded into its travel bag, she found it a bit heavy to carry up the stairs.
Size
A bedside cot is basically the bassinet style cot that can be fixed to the side of your bed. It lets you easily reach your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeding nappies, feeding and comforting. It's also great for moms recovering from a C-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby separated from you for the first six months, to reduce the risk of SIDS. A bedside crib is a safe method to accomplish this since it is low-sided and lets you easily access your newborn throughout the night.
It is essential that your baby sleeps on a firm, not a soft mattress. Infants don't have the motor control to turn over and a mattress that is soft can increase the chance of drowning. This mattress is made of skin-friendly and breathable materials. It is a comfortable fit for your baby but firm enough to ensure safety.
Mum home test Jasmin liked that this crib does not take up a lot of space in her bedroom. Also, she found it to be the perfect size for a newborn. She also stated that the mattress was of high-quality unlike other cribs that are thin and fragile. She also appreciates the fact that it has a storage space beneath to store blankets and clothing - something she says most bassinets do not have.
MFM mum home tester Mehack is a fan of the side wall with a removable design that lets you lower it down for easy access to your newborn. She also likes the fact that the legs can be tucked under the bed to look less bulky and take up less floor space. She's also impressed by the ease of being able to move around the house when you want to in the middle of the night, which is convenient for meals and check-ins.
The CoZee Air crib is a popular choice for parents. 4-in-1 bedside crib was awarded the Gold Award in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has a clever design with four pulleys which can be used to raise or lower your crib. There's also a large basket for blankets, toys and other items. It is also lightweight and easy to put together which makes it perfect for traveling with your baby.
Safety
It is crucial to think about the safety aspect when selecting a newborn bedside crib. The official safety sleep guidelines of both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies do not sleep in their parents' beds due to the risk of suffocation, overheating and a greater chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bedside bassinets allow parents to keep their infants close to them, facilitating nighttime feedings as well as monitoring without having to get out of bed.
This close proximity can support breastfeeding mothers, as it allows them to be attentive to the baby's needs while still sleeping. This can help to maintain the supply of milk and also encourage breastfeeding. Some cots with a bedside are equipped with adjustable height features that aid the mother and child to reach the bassinet for feedings or other activities throughout the night.
A lot of bassinets have mattresses that are firm, which is designed to reduce the risk of suffocation, and also meets industry standards. It is important to support the bones of a newborn because they are still squishy and aren't fully formed. The mattress should be covered with an appropriate sheet to decrease the risk that dust mites, or other allergens, can cause a child to be suffocated. It should be kept clean and free of allergens.
Some bedside cots can be tilted, which can be beneficial for babies with reflux or digestive issues, but it should be done with great caution and at a gentle angle. Avoid adding pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers in the bassinet. They could pose the risk of suffocation your baby.
It is also recommended to consider an infant bassinet with an attachment system that is secure. It can be connected to your bed without the need of tools. This is particularly beneficial for parents who struggle to lift their child into and out of the crib or are worried about their child rolling over during sleep. If your bassinet is equipped with an attachment that is secure it is a good idea for you to check it frequently. Check to ensure there are no gaps and that the system is securely attached.
Comfort
If you're expecting a child and you're worried about the safety of your infant is undoubtedly one of your top priorities. There's a new sleep solution that lets you keep your baby close at night without the risk of sharing the bed. The baby bedside cot is basically a bassinet-style cot that is attached to the bed's side and allows you to lift them out towards you to feed them at night and soothe. It is also a great option for mothers recovering from a C-section since it eliminates the need to stand up or to bend over.
A modern cot for infants should have a firm, flat mattress to help in promoting safe sleeping habits and decrease the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). bedside co sleeper should be simple, comprising a cot sheets and a blanket tightly tucked at the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers and pillows as these could fall on your baby and create a danger of suffocation. If your baby is used to being swaddled, you can make use of a swaddle, or a baby sleep bag for the initial few weeks, but it should be removed as soon as you can once they've developed the strength to take off their wraps.
Some bedside cribs have a drop-down or removable side to make it easy for your baby for feedings in the middle of the night and comforting. This feature is ideal for parents who want to maintain a close bond with their child, while adhering to NHS guidelines on sleep. If you plan to co-sleep with your child, it is important to be aware that this practice may increase the risk of SIDS. This is particularly true if a parent accidentally rolls on their infant while sleeping.
A breathable fabric will keep your baby comfortable and cool throughout the night. This is especially important if you plan to sleep with your newborn since the chance of being overheated increases when you sleep. The SnuzPod4 has a unique mesh side panel that is breathable that helps improve the airflow and keeps your baby snug in their bed.