Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot - see it here - is a small sleeper that allows new babies to share a room as their parents, without the risk of sleeping together (which the AAP advises against due to suffocation and SIDS). It helps you care for your infant and feed them in the middle of the night.
This sleeper features a firm mattress that can help babies' backs and reduce the risk of SIDS. It can be rotated over your adult bed to carry your baby to the top to snuggle them at sunrise or for midnight nursing.
Budget
A bedside crib with wheels cot, also referred to as a co-sleeper, an infant cot with a bassinet design that is attached or clipped to your bed. This lets you reach your baby comfortably and safely for a nighttime feed, comforting, or cuddles. They are a great choice for mothers or new parents recovering from a c-section as they provide an easy access to baby and do not require you to get up from your bed.
There are many different designs available that range from basic models with just a drop-down option to more advanced ones that can be adjusted in several ways, including incline and height options. Many convert to a standalone crib for napping during the daytime or when your baby is about months old and sleeps longer at night.
One of our top picks is the Maxi-Cosi Lora, which was shortlisted for 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the categories of Best Cot Crib, Best Cot, or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily said she was impressed by how chic and modern the design was. She also liked the fact that it could be used as a bassinet, or attached to your existing bed, to ensure safe side-by-side sleeping. She also appreciated its luxurious mattress that passed our firmness tests, and that it has a manual inclining function for those suffering from reflux.
However, she wasn't a fan of the fact that it had a non-mesh panel on the lower end, and thought it was a bit heavy to move from room to room frequently. When folded into its travel bag she found it to be somewhat heavy to carry up the stairs.
Size
A bedside cot co sleeper cot is essentially an upholstered bassinet that is fixed to your side of the bed. It allows you to reach your baby during the night for feeding nappies, feeding and comforting. It's perfect for mothers who are recovering from an o-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise that you place your baby in the same room with 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 crib that is placed near your bed is a safe way to accomplish this since it is low-sided and allows you to easily access your newborn throughout the night.
It is crucial that your infant sleeps on a firm bed as it is safer than a soft one. Babies don't have motor control to rotate and a mattress that is soft can increase the risk of suffocation. The soft, breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make this mattress comfortable for your baby but sufficiently firm to be safe for your baby.
Mum Jasmin was delighted that the crib didn't take up much space in her room and thought it was the ideal size for a newborn. She also said that the mattress was of good quality and not like other mattresses that seem thin and flimsy. She also likes that it has a storage space beneath to store blankets and clothing which she believes many other bassinets lack.
MFM mum home test Mehack is a fan of the removable side wall that lets you drop it to make it easier access to your infant. She also loves that legs slide under the bed so that it does not look bulky or take up too much floor space. She's also impressed with how easy it is to move around the house as you want to, for convenience during middle-of-the-night feedings and check-ins.
The CoZee Air crib is a favorite among parents. It won a Gold Award at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards. It features a unique design that has 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's also easy to assemble and light in weight and portable, which is ideal for travelling with your baby.
Safety
When choosing a new baby's bedside cot it's important to keep the safety aspect in mind. The official safety sleep guidelines of both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies not be sleeping in the bed of their parents due to the risk of suffocation, overheating and a higher risk of suffering from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). bedside crib vs cot bassinets allow parents to keep their newborns close to them, facilitating nighttime feedings, comforting, and monitoring without having to leave their bed.
This close proximity also helps breastfeeding mothers as they can attend to the needs of their infant without having to wake up completely and help keep milk supply steady and enhance the breastfeeding experience. Some cots with a wooden bedside cot are equipped with adjustable height features, which can help to ensure that the bassinet is at a comfortable height for both mother and baby to allow easy access to mid-night feedings or for care.
A majority of bassinets come with a firm mattress that is designed to reduce the risk of suffocation, and meets industry standards. This is important because a newborn's bones are brittle and not fully developed, and need to be supported to prevent damage. The mattress should be covered in a fitted cover to decrease the chance of suffocation from dust mites and other allergens. It should also be kept clean and free of irritants.
Some bedside cots have the ability to be tilted, which is useful for babies with reflux or digestive issues, but this should be done with a lot of care and at a moderate angle. It's also important to avoid adding pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet as they could pose the risk of suffocation for your baby and should only be used when the cot is on a flat surface.
It's also worth considering an adjustable bassinet with an attached system that is secure and can be easily attached to your bed without the need for tools. This feature is especially beneficial for parents who struggle to carry their child into and out of the crib or are worried about their child accidentally rolling over during sleep. If your bassinet has a secure attachment, it is a good idea to regularly check it. Make sure there are no gaps and that the system is securely attached.
Comfort
If you're expecting a child, the safety of your baby is surely one of your top concerns. There's a great sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close to you throughout the night - without any of the risks associated with bed-sharing. The crib for newborns is a cot that resembles a bassinet that is attached to the side of the bed. It lets you safely carry your baby to you for feedings at night and calming. It's also the perfect choice for mothers recovering from a csection, because it eliminates the need to bend over too much or even take a step out of bed.
Modern bedside cots for babies should have a flat, firm mattress to promote safe sleeping habits and reduce the risk Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The bedding should be kept simple, with only the cot sheet and a blanket tucked tightly at the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers or pillows as these could be thrown over your baby and create a risk 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 this should be removed as soon as possible once they've developed the strength to pull themselves out of the wrap.
Some bedside cribs have a drop-down or removable side that allows easy access to your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeds and comforting. This is a great feature for parents looking to keep an intimate relationship with their child while still following NHS safe sleep advice. However, if you're planning to sleep in the same bed with your baby it's important to know that this practice has been linked to a higher risk of SIDS especially if a parent unintentionally is able to roll onto their infant during sleep.
A breathable fabric is another important safety feature, as it's designed to keep your baby cool and comfortable throughout the night. This is particularly crucial if you intend to sleep with your newborn, as the risk of being overheated increases during sleep. The SnuzPod4 features a unique, breathable side panel that helps improve airflow, keeping your baby comfortable.