Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a tiny sleeper that allows newborns to share a room as their parents, without the risk of sleeping together (which the AAP cautions against due SIDS and suffocation). It makes it easier to care for your infant and feed them throughout the night.
This mattress has a firm mattress that supports babies' backs, reducing the chance of SIDS. It can be swiveled over your adult bed to allow you to raise your baby for sunrise cuddles or midnight nursing.
Budget
A bedside cot, sometimes referred to as a co-sleeper is the bassinet-style baby cot that clips or attaches to your existing bed. This allows you to comfortably and safely reach your baby for mid-night feeding or cuddles. These are ideal for new parents and mums recovering from a csection as they allow easy access to the baby without having to get up from bed.
There are lots of different designs available that range from basic models with just a drop-down option to more sophisticated ones that can be adjusted in several ways with incline and height options. Many convert to a separate crib for napping during the daytime or when your baby is a few months old and is sleeping more at night.
Maxi-Cosi Lora is one of our favorites. It was shortlisted in the Best Cot category for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. MFM home tester Emily expressed her delight at how stylish and modern the design is, while she appreciated the possibility of using it as a regular bassinet or clip it to a bed for safe side-by-side sleeping. She also liked the plush mattress, which passed our firmness test and also the fact that it comes with a manual rocking function that can be set to a slight tilt for those suffering from reflux.
She didn't like that it had a mesh panel at the bottom, and thought it was too bulky to move from room to room. When folded into a travel bag, she found it to be somewhat heavy to carry up the stairs.
Size
A bedside cot is basically a bassinet-style cot that fixes to the side of the bed. It allows you to easily reach your baby for mid-night feeding nappies, comforting and feeding. It's great for mothers recovering from a c-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise that you place your baby in the same space as you, but keep them separate from you for the first six months as this can help reduce the chance of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). The bedside crib, with its low sides, is a great method to accomplish this. It allows you to be able to easily access your baby during the night.
It is crucial that your baby is sleeping on a firm, not an extremely soft mattress. A mattress that is soft can increase the risk of suffocation for infants as they do not have the motor control required to turn. This mattress is made from skin-friendly and breathe-able materials. It is a comfortable fit for your baby, but firm enough to ensure safety.
Mum Jasmin was pleased that the crib didn't occupy too the entire space in her room and found it to be the ideal size for a newborn. She also stated that the mattress was of good quality and not like other mattresses that feel thin and flimsy. She also loves the fact that it has a storage area underneath for clothes and bedding which many bassinets do not have.
MFM mum home tester Mehack is a big fan of the side wall that is removable that lets you lower it down for easy access to your baby. She also likes that the legs tuck under the bed so that it doesn't appear heavy or take up too much floor space. She's also amazed by how easy it is to move around the house whenever you need to in the middle of the night, which is convenient for feedings and check-ins.
The CoZee Air crib is a favourite among parents. It won the Gold Award at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has a clever design that has four pulleys that can be used to raise or lower your crib. There is also an ample basket for blankets, toys and other items. It's also simple to put together and lightweight that is great to travel with your baby.
Safety
It is crucial to think about safety when choosing a newborn bedside crib. Official safe sleep advice from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies should not sleep in their parents' beds due to the dangers of overheating, suffocation and a higher chance of suffering from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bassinets for bedside use allow parents to keep their infants close to them, facilitating nighttime feedings, comforting, and monitoring without having to leave their bed.
This close proximity can also aid breastfeeding mothers since it allows them to be attentive to the baby's needs while still sleeping. This can help maintain the supply of milk and encourage breastfeeding. Some cots for bedside have adjustable height features that can help to ensure that the bassinet is at an appropriate height for mother and baby for easy access to mid-night feedings or for care.
Many bassinets come with mattresses that are firm and designed to decrease the risk of suffocation, and meets industry standards. This is essential because newborn's bones are brittle and not fully developed and require support to prevent damage. The mattress should be covered with a fitted sheet in order to reduce the risk that dust mites, as well as other allergens, could suffocate a child. It should also be kept clean and free of irritants.
Some bedside cribs can be tilted. This is helpful for babies who have digestive or reflux issues. However, it should only be done gently and with caution. It is also important to stay clear of adding pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet since these can pose an obstructing risk to your baby. They should only be used when the cot is placed on a flat surface.
You should also consider an infant bassinet with a secure attachment system. This can be connected to your bed without the need of tools. This can be especially helpful for parents who may struggle to lift their baby into and out of the cot, or who are worried about accidentally rolling over during sleep. If your bassinet is equipped with secured attachments it is a great idea to regularly check it. Make sure there are no gaps, and that the system is securely attached.
Comfort
If you're a parent-to-be, the safety of your infant is undoubtedly one of your top priorities. There's bedside co sleeper cot that allows you to keep your baby close to you at night without the risk of sharing the bed. The newborn bedside cot is essentially a bassinet-style cot that is attached to the bed's side, allowing you to safely move them towards you for feeding at night and calming. It's an excellent option for mothers recovering from a C-section as it removes the need to get up or to bend over.
Modern bedside cots for babies should have a flat, firm mattress to encourage safe sleeping habits and lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The bedding should be kept as simple as possible, with only the sheets for the cot and a blanket tucked in tightly at the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys or pillows because they could fall on your baby and create a danger of suffocation. If your baby is used to being swaddled for several weeks, you can use either the swaddle or baby sleep bag. However, this should be removed after they are strong enough to take them off.
Some cribs with a bedside have an open or removable side that allows easy access to your baby's feeds and comforting. This feature is perfect for parents who want to maintain a close relationship with their child, while adhering to NHS guidelines for sleep. If you plan to co-sleep with your child, it's important to know that this practice can increase the risk of SIDS. This is especially the case if a parent is able to roll their infant over when they are asleep.
A fabric that is breathable will keep your baby comfy and cool throughout the night. This is especially important if you plan to sleep with your newborn, as the risk of overheating is higher during sleep. The SnuzPod4 comes with a unique breathable side panel that helps improve the airflow and keeps your baby warm.