Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot (this content) is a tiny sleeper that allows newborns to sleep in the same space as their parents without the dangers of co-sleeping (which the AAP recommends against due to suffocation and SIDS). It helps you take care of your infant and feed them throughout the night.
This sleeper comes with a mattress that is firm and supports babies backs, which reduces the chance of SIDS. It can slide over your bed to make it easier for you to get your baby out for midnight nursing or sunrise cuddles.
Budget
A bedside cot, sometimes referred to as a co-sleeper is a bassinet-style baby cot that is attached or clipped to your existing bed. This allows you to easily and safely reach your baby for mid-night feeding or comforting cuddles. These are great for moms and babies recovering from a c-section because they allow the baby to be easily accessible without having to get up from bed.
There are a variety of designs available starting with basic models that have only a drop-down side, to more sophisticated models that can be adjusted in several ways, including incline and height options. The majority of them can be converted into an independent crib for napping during the daytime or when your baby is around a few months old and sleeping longer at night.
One of our favorites is the Maxi-Cosi Lora, which was shortlisted for 2021 Mother&Baby awards, including 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 appreciated 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 liked the plush mattress, which has passed our test for firmness, and the fact that it comes with a manual rocking feature 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 at the bottom and she thought it was too heavy to move around from room to room. She also found it to be a little heavy to carry up and down the stairs when folded away into its travel bedside crib bag.
Size
A bedside cot is similar to the bassinet, which is attached to the side of your bed. It allows you to reach your baby for mid-night feeding, nappies and comforting. 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 six month, to reduce the risk of SIDS. The crib that is placed beside your bed with its low sides is a great way to achieve this. It lets you access your baby easily at night.
It is essential that your baby sleeps on a firm mattress since this is safer than a soft one. A mattress that is soft increases the risk of suffocation in newborns, as they do not have the motor control required to turn. The mattress is made of skin-friendly and breathe-able materials. It's comfortable for your baby, yet firm enough to be safe.
Mum Jasmin was delighted that the crib didn't take up much space in her room and found it to be the ideal size for a newborn. She also said that the mattress was also good quality, unlike some that feel flimsy and thin. She also loves the fact that it has a storage compartment underneath for clothes and blankets which she believes many other bassinets lack.
MFM mum home tester Mehack is a fan of the side wall that is removable that allows you to drop it down for easy access to your infant. She also loves that the legs tuck under the bed so that it doesn't appear big or take up a lot of floor space. She's also impressed with how it was easy to move around her home when she needed to do feeds and check-ins during the night.
A winner of the Gold award at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards, the CoZee Air is a popular choice among parents. It has a clever design with four pulleys that can be used to raise or lower your crib. It also comes with an ample basket for blankets, toys, and other essentials. It's also light and easy to put together which makes it perfect for traveling with your baby.
Safety
When choosing a new baby's bedside cot it's important to keep the safety of your baby in your mind. The official safe sleep guidelines from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies not be sleeping in the bed of their parents due to the dangers of overheating, suffocation and a higher chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bedside bassinets enable parents to keep their babies close, facilitating night time feedings as well as monitoring without needing to leave their bed.
This close proximity also helps breastfeeding mothers as they can take care of their infant's needs without waking up in the middle of the night and help keep the supply of milk steady and help the breastfeeding experience. Some bedside cot used cots come with adjustable height features that can make it easier for mother and child to access the bassinet to feed or take care of other needs during the night.
Many bassinets are equipped with mattresses that are firm, which is designed to minimize suffocation risk and meets the standards of the industry. This is essential because newborn's bones are brittle and not fully developed and need to be supported to avoid damage. The mattress should be covered with a fitted sheet to decrease the risk that dust mites or other allergens, can suffocate a child. It must be kept clean and free of irritants.
Some cribs for bedside use can be tilted. This is useful for babies who have reflux or digestive issues. But, it should only be done gently and with caution. Avoid placing pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet. These could create the risk of suffocation to your baby.
It is also recommended to consider an infant bassinet with an attachment system that is secure. It can be attached to your bed without the need of tools. This is particularly beneficial for parents who struggle to get their child in and out of the crib or are concerned about their baby accidentally rolling over while sleeping. If your bassinet is equipped with a secure attachment it is a great idea for you to check it regularly. Check to ensure there aren't any gaps and that the system is securely attached.
Comfort
If you are a soon-to-be parent, the comfort of your child is one of your main concerns. There's a brand new sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close to you at night without the risk of bed-sharing. The baby cheap bedside cot cot is basically a bassinet-style cot which is fixed to the bed's side that allows you to move them towards you to feed them at night and soothe. It also makes an excellent choice for mothers recovering from a csection, because it eliminates the need to bend down too far or even take a step out of bed.
Modern cots for infants should have a flat, firm mattress to promote safe sleeping habits and lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Bedding should be simple with just a cot sheet and a blanket that is tightly tucked on 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 familiar with being swaddled, you can use a swaddle or a baby sleep bag for the initial few weeks, but this should be removed when possible after they've gained the strength and confidence to pull themselves out of the wrap.
Some bedside baby sleeper cribs feature an option to remove or drop down the side that provides easy access to your baby to feed and comfort them in the middle of the night. This is a good option for parents who wish to keep a strong bond with their child, while adhering to NHS safe sleep guidelines. If you're considering sleeping in the same bed as your child, it's important to understand that this practice has been linked to an increased risk of SIDS especially if a parent unintentionally falls on their infant while they 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 crucial if you intend to co-sleep with your newborn because the risk of being overheated increases when you sleep. The SnuzPod4 has an exclusive breathable side panel that aids in improving the airflow and keeps your baby warm.