Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a small sleeper that allows newborns to share a room as their parents, without the risk of sleeping together (which the AAP advises against due to suffocation and SIDS). It also makes middle-of-the-night nursing sessions and baby care simpler.
This mattress is a firm mattress that is designed to support babies' backs and minimize the risk of SIDS. It can be rotated over your adult bed to allow you to raise your baby to snuggle them at sunrise or for late night nursing.
Budget
A bedside crib or cot cot, sometimes referred to as a co-sleeper, is a bassinet-style baby cot that is attached or clipped to your existing bed. This lets you reach your baby comfortably and safely for a late-night feed, comforting, or cuddles. They are a great option for mothers or new parents recovering from a csection as they offer an easy access to baby and don't require you to get up.
There are lots of different designs on the market, from basic models with just a drop-down side to more sophisticated models that can be adjusted in multiple ways including height and incline options. The majority of them can be converted to a standalone crib when your baby is older and is sleeping longer at night.
Maxi-Cosi Lora is one of our favorites. It was nominated in the Best Cot category for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. MFM home tester Emily noted how stylish and modern the design was. She also liked the fact that it can be used as a bassinet, or attached to your existing bed for a safe side-by-side sleep. She also appreciated the soft mattress that has passed our test for firmness and also the fact that it comes with a manual rocking feature that can be adjusted to a slight slope for reflux sufferers.
But she wasn't thrilled with the design of the non-mesh panel at its bottom and felt it was a bit bulky to move from room room frequently. It also felt a little heavy to carry up and down the stairs when folded into a bag for travel cot bedside crib.
Size
A bedside cot resembles an infant bassinet that is connected to the bed's side. It lets you easily reach your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeding nappies, comforting and feeding. It's also great for mothers recovering from C-sections.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise that you keep your baby in the same room as you but separate from you for the first six months, as this can help reduce the chance of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). A bedside crib is a safe way to accomplish this since it is low-sided and lets you easily access your newborn throughout the night.
It is crucial that your baby is sleeping on a firm and not an extremely soft mattress. Babies don't have motor control to rotate and a soft mattress could increase the risk of being suffocated. 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 pleased that the crib didn't take up much space in her room and found it to be the ideal size for a baby. The mattress she rated as also good quality, unlike those that feel cheap and thin. She also appreciates that it has a storage space underneath for bedding and clothes which other bassinets don't.
MFM mom home test Mehack is a fan of the removable side wall that allows you to drop it down to give easy access to your baby. She also loves that legs slide into the bed so it doesn't look bulky or take up a lot of floor space. She's also impressed by the ease of being able to move around the house as you need to in the middle of the night, which is convenient for feedings and check-ins.
A winner of an Gold award in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards and the CoZee Air is a popular choice amongst 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 assemble and is ideal for traveling with your baby.
Safety
It's important to consider the safety aspect when selecting a newborn bedside crib. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS, recommend that babies do not sleep in the parents' beds because of the risk of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome. Bedside bassinets allow parents to keep their newborns close, facilitating night time feedings, comforting, and monitoring without having to leave their bed.
This close proximity also supports breastfeeding mothers by allowing them to take care of their infant's needs without having to wake up completely and help keep milk supply steady and enhance the breastfeeding experience. Some bedside cots come with adjustable height features that aid mother and child to access the bassinet for feedings or other activities during the night.
Many bassinets come with mattresses that are firm. This is designed to decrease the risk of suffocation, and also meets the standards of the industry. It is essential to support the bones of a newborn since they are still fragile and not fully formed. The mattress should be covered with an appropriate sheet to minimize the chance that dust mites, or other allergens, will suffocate a child. It must be kept free of allergens and clean.
Some cribs for bedside use can be tilted. This is useful for babies with digestive or reflux issues. However, it should be done slowly and with care. Avoid adding pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet. These can pose the risk of suffocation your baby.
You should also consider a bassinet that has an attachment system that is secure. It can be connected to your existing bed easily without the need for tools. This feature is especially beneficial for parents who have difficulty lift their child into and out of the crib or are worried about their child rolling over while sleeping. If your bassinet does have secured attachments it's a good idea to regularly make sure it's secure and that there aren't any gaps or loose components that could cause danger.
Comfort
If you're expecting a child and you're worried about the safety of your baby is surely one of your main concerns. There's a new sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close at night, without the danger of sharing a bed. The newborn bedside cot is basically a bassinet-style cot that fixes to the side of your bed, allowing you to safely lift them out towards you for feeding at night and calming. It is also a great choice for mothers who are recovering from a C section as it removes the need to stand up or bend over.
Modern bedside baby sleeper cots for newborns should include a firm, flat mattress to encourage safe sleep habits and lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The bedding should be simple with just the sheet for the cot and blanket tucked tightly at the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers and pillows as these could be thrown over your baby and pose a risk of suffocation. If your baby is used to being swaddled during a few weeks and you want to use the swaddle or baby sleep bag. However, it is recommended that this be removed after they are strong enough to take them off.
Some cribs for bedside use an adjustable or drop-down side that provides an easy access to your baby for comforting and feeding during the middle of the night. This is a good feature for parents who want to keep the bond between them and their child, but still adhere to NHS safe sleep guidelines. However, if you're considering sleeping in the same bed as your baby it's important to recognize that this practice has been linked to a higher risk of SIDS particularly in the event that a parent is able to roll onto their infant during sleep.
A fabric that is breathable is an important 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 features a unique breathable mesh side panel, which helps to improve the airflow and keeps your baby warm in their mattress.