Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a compact sleeper that allows new babies to share a room as their parents without the dangers of co-sleeping (which the AAP advises against due to suffocation and SIDS). It makes it easier to care for your baby and nurse them in the middle of the night.
This sleeper features a firm mattress that is designed to support the backs of babies and minimize the risk of SIDS. It can be swiveled over the bed of your adult to allow you to get your child out for midnight nursing or cuddles at sunrise.
Budget
A bedside cot, sometimes referred to as a co-sleeper, the bassinet-style baby cot that is attached or clipped to your existing bed. This allows you to easily and safely reach your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeding or cuddles. They are a great option for new parents or mums recovering from a c-section as they allow easy access to baby and don't require you to get up from your bed.
There are many different designs that are available, from the simple ones with a drop down side to more sophisticated models that have numerous adjustment options, like incline or height. The majority of them can be converted to an independent crib once your baby gets older and is sleeping longer at night.
One of our favourites is the Maxi-Cosi Lora that was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the categories of Best Cot Crib, Best Cot, or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily noted how stylish and modern the design was. She also appreciated the fact that it can be used as a bassinet, or attached to your existing bed, for safe side-byside sleeping. She also admired the soft mattress, which has passed our test for firmness 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.
However, she wasn't a fan of the feature of a non-mesh panel on the foot end and felt it was a bit heavy to move from room to room often. When folded into a travel bag she found it a bit heavy to carry up the stairs.
Size
A bedside cot is basically an upholstered bassinet that is fixed to the side of your bed. You can easily reach your baby's mouth to feed them, change nappies or just to soothe them during the night. It's also great for moms recovering from the 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 risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). A bedside crib is a safe method to achieve this because it has low sides and allows you to be able to easily access your baby at night.
It's important that your newborn sleeps on a firm mattress as it is more secure than a mattress that is soft. A mattress that is soft can increase the risk of suffocation in newborns, as they lack the motor control needed to turn. The breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make this mattress comfortable for your baby but also sufficiently firm to be safe for your baby.
Mum Jasmin was delighted that the crib didn't occupy too much space in her bedroom and thought it was the perfect size for a newborn. She also said that the mattress was of high-quality unlike other cribs that seem thin and flimsy. She also loves the fact that it has a storage area underneath for bedding and clothes - something many other bassinets don't have.
MFM mom home tester Mehack is a big fan of the side wall that is removable that lets you drop it down to give easy access to your infant. She also likes that legs fold under the bed so that it does not look bulky or take up too much floor space. She is also impressed by how easy it was to move around her home in the event of checks and feedings in the middle of the night.
A winner of the Gold award at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards The CoZee Air is a popular choice among parents. It features a unique design with four pulleys that can be used to raise or lower your crib. There's also an enormous basket that can be used to store blankets, toys, and other necessities. It is also lightweight and easy to put together which makes it perfect for travel with your baby.
Safety
It is crucial to think about safety when choosing the crib for your newborn. Official safe sleep advice from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies not sleep in parent's beds due to the risk of suffocation, overheating and a greater chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bassinets for bedside use allow parents to keep their newborns close, which allows for nighttime feedings as well as comforting and monitoring without having to leave their bed.
This close proximity also supports breastfeeding mothers as they can attend to their baby's needs without having to wake up completely and help keep milk supply steady and enhance the breastfeeding experience. Some cots with a bedside are equipped with adjustable height options that can help the mother and child to reach the bassinet for feedings or other care at night.
A majority of bassinets come with a firm mattress that is designed to minimize the chance of suffocation and is in line with industry standards. It is crucial to support the bones of a newborn since they are still fragile and not fully formed. The mattress should be covered with a fitted sheet to minimize the risk of suffocation caused by dust mites or other allergens. It should also be kept clean and free of irritants.
Some cribs for bedside use can be tilted. This is beneficial for babies suffering from reflux or digestive problems. However, this should only be done gently and with care. Avoid adding pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers inside the bassinet. These can pose the risk of suffocation to your baby.
It's also worth looking into a bassinet with a secure attachment system that can be easily fixed to your bed without the necessity of tools. This feature is especially beneficial for parents who have difficulty carry their child into and out of the crib or are worried about their baby accidentally rolling over while sleeping. If your bassinet does have an attachment system that is secure, it's an excellent idea to periodically check that it's securely attached and that there aren't any gaps or loose parts that could pose a hazard.
Comfort
If you're expecting your first child, the safety of your child is definitely one of your main concerns. There's a new sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close to you at night, without the danger of sharing the bed. The baby bedside cot is basically a bassinet-style cot which is fixed to the side of your bed that allows you to move them towards you for feeding at night and calming. It's also a great choice for mums recovering from a csection, because it eliminates the need to bend over too much or even to get out of bed.
A modern cot for infants should have a firm flat mattress to ensure a safe sleep and lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The bedding should be kept as simple as possible, with only the sheets for the cot and a blanket that is tightly tucked into the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers and pillows that could fall on your baby, posing a suffocation risk. If your baby is used to being swaddled, you can use a swaddle or baby sleep bag for the first few weeks, although it is best to remove it as soon as you can once they've gained the strength to take off their wraps.
Some cribs with a bedside have an open or removable side to make it easy for your baby's feeds and comforting. This feature is ideal for parents who want to keep a close relationship with their child, while still following NHS sleep guidelines. If cotsfortots planning to sleep with your child, it's important to be aware that this practice may increase the risk of SIDS. This is particularly true if a parent accidentally falls on their child during sleep.
A fabric that is breathable is an essential safety feature, as it's designed to keep your baby cool and comfortable throughout the night. This is especially important if you plan to sleep with your newborn, because the risk of overheating when sleeping increases. The SnuzPod4 has a unique breathable side panel, which helps increase airflow, keeping your baby cool.