Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a compact sleeper that allows new babies to share a space as their parents without the risk of sleeping together (which the AAP advises against due to SIDS and suffocation). It also makes nursing sessions and care much more convenient.
This sleeper has a sturdy mattress to help babies' backs and reduce the risk of SIDS. It can be swiveled on your adult bed to lift your baby for sunrise cuddles or midnight nursing.
Budget
A bedside cot newborn crib, also called a bassinet or cosleeper is a bassinet type crib for babies that attaches to your bed. This allows you to easily and safely reach your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeding or cuddles. These are ideal for moms and babies recovering after a c section because they allow the baby to be easily accessible without needing to get out of the bed.
There are a variety of styles available starting with basic models that have only a drop-down side, to more sophisticated ones that can be adjusted in several ways, including incline and height options. Many convert to an independent crib for naps during the day or when your baby is a few months old and sleeping longer at night.
One of our favourites is the Maxi-Cosi Lura, which was nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards in the categories of Best Cot Crib, Best Cot, or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily expressed her delight at how stylish and modern the design, while she appreciated the possibility of using it as a regular bassinet or connect it to your existing bed to ensure that you can sleep side-by-side. She also admired the soft mattress that passed our firmness test and the fact that it comes with a manual rocking function that can be set to a slight tilt for reflux sufferers.
But she wasn't thrilled with the design of the non-mesh panel on the foot end and felt it was a bit heavy to move from room room regularly. It also felt a bit heavy to carry up and down the stairs when folded away into its bag for travel.
Size
A bedside cot newborn cot is basically the bassinet style cot that can be fixed to the side of your bed. You can easily reach your baby to feed, change nappies or comforting in the middle of the night. It's great for mothers who are recovering from an o-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby away from you during the first six months, to reduce the risk of SIDS. A crib that is placed near your bed is a safe method to achieve this as it has low sides and lets you easily reach your baby at night.
It is crucial that your baby sleeps on a firm, not a soft mattress. Infants don't have the motor control to turn over and a soft mattress could increase the chance of suffocation. The mattress is made of skin-friendly and air-tight materials. It is a comfortable fit for your baby but firm enough to be safe.
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 baby. The mattress she rated as also of good quality, as opposed to those that feel cheap and thin. She also loves the fact that it has a storage area beneath for bedding and clothes - something many other bassinets do not have.
Mehack is an MFM mom who tried the product at home, is thrilled that you can take off the side wall to make it easier to access your baby. She also loves that legs fold under the bed so that it doesn't look bulky or take up too much floor space. She's also amazed by how it was easy to move around the house in the event of check-ins and feedings during the night.
A recipient of the Gold award in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards and the CoZee Air is a popular choice among parents. It has a clever design with four pulleys that are built-in to raise or lower the crib. It includes a large storage basket for your baby's toys, blankets and other necessities. It's also simple to put together and light and portable, which is ideal for traveling with your baby.
Safety
When choosing a baby's bedside cot, it is important to keep the safety of your baby in your thoughts. Official safe sleep advice from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies do not sleep in their parents' beds due to the dangers of suffocation, heat exhaustion and a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bedside bassinets let parents keep their baby close and allow for night-time feedings as well as monitoring and comforting without needing to leave their bed.
This close proximity can aid breastfeeding mothers since it allows them to be attentive to the needs of their infant while also sleeping. This can help to maintain the supply of milk and encourage breastfeeding. Some bedside cot for twins cots come with adjustable height features that make it easier for both the mother and baby to get into the bassinet for feedings or other care at night.
Many bassinets have mattresses that are firm and designed to reduce the chance of suffocation and meets industry standards. It is essential to support the bones of a newborn, since they are still fragile and are not fully formed. The mattress should be covered in a fitted cover to minimize the risk of suffocation due to dust mites and other allergens, and kept clean and free from irritants.
Some bedside cots can be tilted. This can be beneficial for babies with reflux or digestive issues, however this should always be done with great caution and at a moderate angle. It is also important to avoid putting pillows, duvets or crib bumpers to the bassinet as these can pose an obstructing risk to your baby and should only be used when the cot is on a flat surface.
It's also worth looking into a bassinet with a secure attachment system that can be easily fixed to your bed without the need for tools. This feature can be particularly useful for parents who struggle to lift their baby into and out of the cot, or who are concerned about rolling over during sleep. If your bassinet is equipped with a secure attachment, it is a good idea to regularly check it. Check to ensure there aren't any gaps and that the system is securely connected.
Comfort
If you're a parent-to-be, the safety of your infant is undoubtedly one of your top concerns. Thankfully, there's an innovative sleep solution that lets you keep your baby close during the night without taking on any of the dangers that come with sharing beds. The newborn bedside cot is essentially a bassinet-style cot that is attached to the side of your bed that allows you to move them towards you for night feeding and soothing. It is also a great choice for mothers recovering from a C section as it will not require you to stand or sit up.
A modern cot for infants should have a sturdy, flat mattress to help in promoting safe sleeping habits and reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Bedding should be simple comprising a cot sheets and blanket tucked tightly on the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys or pillows because they could be thrown over your baby and cause suffocation hazard. If your baby has been used to being swaddled for a few weeks then you can use a swaddle, or a baby sleep bag. But, it should be removed after they are strong enough to remove them.
Some bedside cribs feature a removable or drop-down side that allows for the baby to be easily accessible to feed and comfort them in the middle of the night. This is a great feature for parents who want to keep a close relationship with their child while still following NHS sleep guidelines. If you're planning to sleep with your child, it is important to be aware that this practice can increase the chance of SIDS. This is especially when a parent accidentally rolls on their infant when they are asleep.
A fabric that is breathable will keep your baby comfortable and cool throughout the night. This is particularly important if you plan to sleep with your baby because the risk of overheating increases when you sleep. The SnuzPod4 comes with an exclusive breathable side panel that helps improve the flow of air, keeping your baby warm.