Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a compact sleeper that allows newborns to sleep in the same room as their parents without the risk of sleeping together (which the AAP recommends against due to suffocation and SIDS). It also makes middle-of-the-night nursing sessions and baby care easier.
This sleeper comes with an extremely firm mattress that can support babies backs, which reduces the chance of SIDS. It can be swiveled over your adult bed so that you can carry your baby to the top to snuggle them at sunrise or for nighttime nursing.
Budget
A bedside cot, also known as a co-sleeper, is a bassinet-style baby cot that clips or attaches to your existing bed. This allows you to safely and easily reach your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeding or cuddles. They are a great choice for mothers or new parents recovering from a csection as they provide the baby with easy access and don't require you to get up from your bed.
There are a variety of designs that are available, from the basic ones with just an upside-down side to more sophisticated ones that have multiple adjustment options, including the ability to tilt or raise. The majority of them can be converted into a standalone crib for daytime naps or when your baby bedside crib is around a few months old and sleeps longer at night.
One of our favourites is the Maxi-Cosi Lora, which was shortlisted for 2021 Mother&Baby awards in the categories of Best Cot Crib, Best Cot or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily noted how stylish and modern the design was. She also liked the fact that it could be used as a bassinet or attached to your existing bed for safe side-byside sleeping. She also appreciated the soft mattress that has passed our test for firmness and also the fact that it comes with an automatic rocking feature that can be adjusted to a slight slope for those suffering from reflux.
She wasn't a fan of the fact that it had a non mesh panel at the bottom, and she thought it was too heavy to move from room to room. She also found it to be a bit heavy to carry up and down the stairs when folded away into its travel bag.
Size
A bedside cot is similar to the bassinet, which is attached to the side of your bed. It's easy to reach your baby's side to feed them, change nappies or comforting during the night. It's also great for mums recovering from C-sections.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby separate from you for the first 6 months to lower the risk of SIDS. A bedside crib is a secure way to accomplish this since it is low-sided and lets you easily access your newborn during the night.
It is important that your baby is sleeping on a firm and not a soft mattress. Infants don't have the motor control to turn over and a mattress that is soft can increase the risk of drowning. This mattress is made from skin-friendly and breathe-able materials. It is comfortable for your baby but firm enough to be safe.
Mum home test 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 also good quality, unlike those that feel cheap and thin. She also loves the fact that it has storage space underneath for bedding and clothes - something many other bassinets don't.
MFM mum home tester Mehack is a huge fan of the side wall with a removable design that lets you drop it down to give easy 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 it was simple to move around her house when she needed to do checks and feedings during the night.
The CoZee Air crib is a popular choice for parents. It won the Gold Award in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards. It features a smart design with four built-in pulleys to raise or lower the crib. It comes with a large storage bin to store your baby's blankets, toys and other essentials. It's also easy to put together and lightweight, which is useful for travelling with your baby.
Safety
It's important to consider safety when choosing the right crib for your baby's bed. Official safe sleep advice from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies should not sleep in their parents' beds because of the risks of suffocation, heat exhaustion and a higher chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bassinets for bedside use let parents keep their infant close, facilitating nighttime feedings, comforting and monitoring without needing to get out of bed.
This close proximity can also aid breastfeeding mothers since it allows them to be attentive to the baby's needs while also sleeping. This can help to maintain the supply of milk and also encourage breastfeeding. Some cots for foldable bedside crib use adjustable height features that can aid the mother and child to reach the bassinet to feed or take care of other needs at night.
A lot of bassinets have mattresses that are firm. This is designed to minimize the risk of suffocation, and also meets the standards of the industry. It is essential to support the bones of a newborn as they are still soft and not fully formed. The mattress should be covered with a fitted sheet to reduce the risk of suffocation caused by dust mites or other allergens and kept hygienically clean and free of allergens.
Some cots with a bedside can be tilted, which can be beneficial for babies suffering from reflux or digestive issues, but it should be done with a lot of care and at a moderate angle. It's also important to stay clear of adding pillows, duvets or crib bumpers to the bassinet as they could pose an obstructing risk to your baby and should only be used when the cot is set on flat surfaces.
It's also worth considering an adjustable bassinet with an attached system that is secure and can be easily fixed to your existing bed without the need for tools. This can be especially helpful for parents who may struggle to lift their child into and out of the cot, or who are concerned about falling asleep. If your bassinet has a secure attachment it is a great idea to check it frequently. Check to ensure there are no gaps and that the system is securely attached.
Comfort
If you're planning to become a parent, your baby's safety is among your top concerns. There's a wonderful sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close to you throughout the night without taking on any of the risks associated with sharing a bed. The newborn bedside cot is essentially a bassinet-style cot that is attached to the bed's side that allows you to move them towards you to feed them at night and soothe. It's also a great option for mothers who are recovering from a C-section since it removes the need to stand or sit up.
Modern bedside cots for babies should include a firm, flat mattress to encourage safe sleep practices and reduce the risk Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The bedding should be simple, with a cot sheet and a blanket tightly tucked on the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers and pillows because they could fall on your baby and pose a risk of suffocation. If your baby has been used to being swaddled for several weeks then you can use a swaddle, or a baby sleep bag. However, it is recommended that this be removed when they have the strength to take them off.
Some cribs for bedside crib and travel cot use a drop-down or removable side that allows easy access to your baby bedside cot's feeds and comforting. This is a good option for parents who wish to maintain a strong bond with their child, while adhering to NHS safe sleep guidelines. If you plan to co-sleep with your child, it is important to be aware that this practice can increase the chance of SIDS. This is particularly the case if a parent rolls on their infant during sleep.
A fabric that is breathable is an important safety factor, since it's designed to keep your baby cool and comfortable throughout the night. This is especially crucial if you plan to sleep with your baby because the risk of overheating during sleep increases. The SnuzPod4 has a unique side panel made of breathable mesh that aids in improving the flow of air and keep your baby comfortable in their bed.