Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a tiny sleeper that allows babies to share the same space as their parents without the risks of true co-sleeping (which the AAP recommends against due to suffocation and SIDS). It also makes nursing sessions and baby care more convenient.
This mattress has an extremely firm mattress that can support babies backs, which reduces the chance of SIDS. It can be rotated over your adult bed to allow you to raise your baby to cuddle them at sunrise or during midnight nursing.
Budget
A bedside crib, also called a co-sleeper or bassinet is a bassinet type baby cot that clips to your existing bed. This lets you comfortably and safely reach your baby during the night for feeding or cuddles. They are a great choice for new parents or mums recovering from a c-section because they offer an easy access to baby and don't require you to get up from your bed.
There are many different designs available, from basic models with only a drop-down side, to more advanced ones that can be adjusted in multiple ways, including 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 sleeps longer at night.
One of our favorites is the Maxi-Cosi Lora which was nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily said she was impressed by how chic and modern the design is as well as the fact that you can use it as a regular bassinet, or connect it onto your bed to sleep side-by-side in a safe and secure manner. She also liked its plush mattress that passed our firmness tests, and that it has an option to manually tilt it for those suffering from reflux.
She wasn't a fan of the fact that it had a non mesh panel at the bottom, and considered it too bulky to move from room to room. She also found it a little heavy to carry up and down the stairs, especially when folded into a bag for travel.
Size
A bedside cot is essentially the bassinet style cot that can be fixed to the side of your bed. It allows you to reach your baby for mid-night feeding nappies, comforting and feeding. It's ideal for mothers who are recovering from an o-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby away from you in the first six month, to decrease the chance of SIDS. The crib that is placed beside your bed with its low sides is a great option to achieve this. It allows you to be able to easily access your baby throughout the night.
It is important that your baby sleeps on a firm and not an extremely soft mattress. A mattress that is soft increases the risk of suffocation among newborns, since they lack the motor control needed to turn. The mattress is made of skin-friendly and air-tight materials. It is comfortable for your baby but firm enough to be safe.
Mum home tester Jasmin liked that this crib does not take up a lot of space in her bedroom. Also, she found the size perfect for a baby. She also said that the mattress was of high-quality and not like other mattresses that feel thin and flimsy. She also likes the fact that it has storage space beneath for bedding and clothes - something many other bassinets do not have.
MFM mum home test Mehack is a huge fan of the side wall that is removable that lets you lower it to make it easier access to your infant. She also loves the fact that legs can be placed under the bed to make it appear less bulky and take up less area on the floor. She's also impressed with how easy it is to move around the house whenever you want to, for convenience during middle-of-the-night meals and check-ins.
The CoZee Air crib is a popular choice for parents. It won the Gold Award at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has a clever design with four pulleys that are built-in to raise or lower the crib. It has a large storage basket for blankets, toys and other essentials. It's also easy to put together and light that is great for travelling with your baby.
Safety
When choosing a new baby's bedside cot it's important to keep the safety of your baby in mind. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS advise that babies not sleep in the parents bed due to the risk of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome. Bassinets for bedside use allow parents to keep their infants close, which allows for nighttime feedings, comforting, and monitoring without needing to get up.
This close proximity can support breastfeeding mothers, as it lets them attend to the needs of their baby while still sleeping. This can help to maintain milk supply and encourage breastfeeding. Some bedside cots come with adjustable height features that can aid the mother and child to reach the bassinet for feedings or other care during the night.
Many bassinets come with a firm mattress, which is designed to decrease suffocation risk and meets the standards of the industry. It is crucial to provide support for the bones of a newborn as they are still soft and are not fully formed. The mattress should be covered with a fitted sheet in order to minimize the chance that dust mites or other allergens, could choke a child. It should also be kept clean and free of allergens.
Some bedside cots can be tilted. This can be useful for babies with reflux or digestive issues, however it should be done with extreme caution and at a gentle angle. It is also important to avoid putting pillows, duvets or crib bumpers to the bassinet as these can pose the risk of suffocation for your baby. They should only be used when the cot is on a flat surface.
It's also worth looking into an adjustable bassinet with an attachment system that is secure and can be easily fixed to your bed without the necessity of tools. This can be especially beneficial for parents who struggle to lift their child into and out of the cot, or who are worried about accidentally falling asleep. If your bassinet does have a secure attachment system, it's an excellent idea to periodically make sure it's secure and that there are no gaps or loose parts that could cause danger.
Comfort
If you're expecting a child, the comfort of your infant is undoubtedly one of your top concerns. There's a brand new sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close to you in the evening, without the risk of sharing the bed. bedside cot 6 months plus is a bassinet style cot that is attached to the side of the bed. It lets you safely carry your baby towards you for feedings and comfort. It also makes the perfect choice for mothers recovering from a c-section, because it eliminates the need to bend over too much or even take a step out of the bed.
A modern cot for infants should have a firm flat mattress to ensure a safe sleep and decrease the chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The bedding should be kept as simple as possible and consist of only the cot sheet and a blanket that is tightly tucked into the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys, and pillows that could fall on your baby, posing an obstructive 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 should be removed as soon as possible once they've gained the strength to take off their wraps.
Some bedside cribs feature a removable or drop-down side that gives you easy access to your baby for comforting and feeding in the middle of the night. This is a great feature for parents who wish to keep a close relationship with their child but still adhere to NHS sleep guidelines. If you are planning to sleep with your child, it's important to know that this practice can increase the risk of SIDS. This is especially true if a parent accidentally is able to roll their infant over when they are asleep.
A breathable fabric will keep your baby comfy and cool throughout the night. This is especially crucial if you intend to sleep with your newborn, as the risk of being overheated increases during sleep. The SnuzPod4 comes with an exclusive breathable side panel that helps improve the airflow and keeps your baby warm.