Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cots for newborns cot (read here) is a tiny sleeper that allows newborns to share the same room as their parents without the dangers of co-sleeping (which the AAP cautions against due SIDS and suffocation). It helps you take care of your baby and give them a bottle during the night.
This sleeper comes with an extremely firm mattress that can support babies backs, which reduces the risk of SIDS. It can be rotated over your adult bed so that you can lift your baby to cuddle them at sunrise or during nighttime nursing.
Budget
A bedside co sleeper cot, sometimes referred to as a co-sleeper is an infant cot with a bassinet design that is attached or clipped to your bed. This allows you to easily and safely reach your baby during the night for feeding, comforting or cuddles. These are perfect for new parents and mums recovering after a c section as they allow the baby to be easily accessible without having to get up from the bed.
There are many different designs that are available, from the basic ones with just the drop-down side, to more sophisticated ones that offer multiple adjustment options, including an incline or a height. The majority of them can be converted into a standalone crib for daytime naps or when your baby is around a few months old and is sleeping more at night.
Maxi-Cosi Lora is among our favorites. It was shortlisted in the best bedside cot Cot category for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. MFM home tester Emily said she was impressed by how chic and modern the design as well as the feature that you can use it as a regular bassinet or clip it to a bed to ensure that you can sleep side-by-side. She also liked the plush mattress, which has passed our test for firmness and also the fact that it features a manual rocking function that can be set to a slight tilt for those suffering from reflux.
She didn't like the fact that it had a non-mesh panel on the bottom and considered it too bulky to move from room to room. It also felt a bit heavy to carry up and down the stairs when it was folded up into its bag for travel.
Size
A bedside cot is basically an upholstered bassinet that is fixed to your side of the bed. It allows you to easily reach your baby for mid-night feeding nappies, comforting and feeding. It's ideal for mothers who are recovering from the c-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise you to keep your baby in the same room as you, but keep them separate from you for the first six months, since this will help decrease the chance of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). The crib at the bedside with its low sides is a great method to do this. It allows you to access your baby easily throughout the night.
It is essential that your baby sleeps on a firm, not a soft mattress. Babies don't have motor control to rotate and a soft mattress could increase the chance of suffocation. The breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make this mattress comfortable for your baby, but sufficient to ensure safety.
Mum Jasmin was pleased that the crib didn't take up much space in her room and thought it was the ideal size for a newborn. The mattress she rated as excellent quality, in contrast to some that feel flimsy and thin. She also appreciates that it has a storage area underneath for clothes and bedding which many bassinets don't have.
MFM mum home tester Mehack is a huge fan of the side wall that is removable that allows you to drop it down to give easy access to your baby. She also loves the fact that the legs can be tucked under the bed to make it look less bulky and occupy less area on the floor. 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 meals and check-ins.
The CoZee Air crib is a favourite among parents. It won the Gold Award at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It features a smart design with four pulleys built-in to raise or lower the crib. It includes a large storage basket for your baby's blankets, toys and other necessities. It's also light and easy to put together which makes it perfect to travel with your baby.
Safety
When choosing a new baby's bedside crib cot, it is important to keep safety in your thoughts. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS advise that babies don't be placed in parents bed due to the possibility of suffocation or sudden infant death syndrome. Bassinets that are placed in bed let parents keep their newborn close by and allow for nighttime feedings and monitoring without having to leave their bed.
This close proximity also helps breastfeeding mothers by allowing them to attend to the needs of their infant without waking up in the middle of the night and help keep the supply of milk steady and help the breastfeeding experience. Some cots with a bedside crib to cot are equipped with adjustable height features that can aid the mother and child to reach the bassinet to feed or take care of other needs during the night.
Many bassinets come with a mattress that is designed to decrease the risk of suffocation, and meets industry standards. This is crucial because a newborn's bones are soft and not fully developed, and need to be supported to avoid damage. The mattress should be covered with a fitted sheet to reduce the risk that dust mites, or other allergens, will choke a child. It must be kept clean and free of irritants.
Some bedside cots can be tilted, which can be beneficial for babies with reflux or digestive issues, however it should be done with a lot of care and at a gentle angle. It's also important to stay clear of adding pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet as these can pose a suffocation risk for your baby. They should only be used when the cot is on flat surfaces.
It's also worth looking into an adjustable bassinet with an attached system that is secure and can be easily fixed to your bed without the necessity of tools. This feature can be particularly useful for parents who struggle to lift their baby into and out of the cot or who are worried about accidentally rolling over during sleep. If your bassinet has a secure attachment system, it's an excellent idea to periodically ensure that it's securely secured and that there are no gaps or loose parts which could cause danger.
Comfort
If you're expecting your first child and you're worried about 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 to you throughout the night without taking on any of the dangers that come with bed-sharing. The crib for newborns is a cot that resembles a bassinet that can be attached to the side of the bed. It lets you safely carry your baby towards you for feedings and comfort. It also makes an excellent choice for mothers recovering from a c-section, since it makes it less necessary to bend over too much or even to get out of bed.
A modern cot for infants should have a sturdy flat mattress to promote safe sleeping practices and decrease 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 be thrown over your baby, creating a suffocation risk. If your baby is familiar with being swaddled, you can make use of a swaddle, or a baby sleep bag for the first few weeks, although it should be removed as soon as you can once they've gained the strength to unwrap themselves.
Some cribs with a bedside have a removable or drop-down side for easy access to your baby's feeds and comforting. This is a great feature for parents who want to maintain a close bond with their child but still adhere to NHS sleep guidelines. If you're planning to sleep in the same bed as your child it's important to recognize that this practice has been linked to a higher risk of SIDS especially if a parent unintentionally rolls onto their child during sleep.
A fabric that is breathable will keep your baby comfy and cool throughout the night. This is particularly important if you intend to sleep with your newborn, since the risk of being overheated when sleeping increases. The SnuzPod4 has a unique breathable side panel that aids in improving airflow, keeping your baby warm.