newborn bedside Cot (Longisland.com)
A newborn bedside cot is a tiny sleeper that allows new babies to share a room as their parents, without the dangers of co-sleeping (which the AAP advises against due to suffocation and SIDS). It also makes mid-night nursing sessions and care much easier.
This sleeper comes with a firm mattress that supports babies backs, reducing the chance of SIDS. It can be swiveled over your adult bed to allow you to raise your baby to cuddle them at sunrise or during late night nursing.
Budget
A bedside crib, also called a bassinet or co-sleeper is a bassinet-style baby cot that clips to your bed. This allows you to reach your baby easily and safely for a nighttime feed or cuddles. They are a great choice for mothers or new parents recovering from a c-section as they provide an easy access to baby and do not require you to get out of bed.
There are lots of different designs available that range from basic models with just a drop-down option to more sophisticated models that can be adjusted in multiple ways with incline and height options. Most convert to 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 one of our top picks. It was nominated in the best bedside cot for newborn Cot category for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. MFM home tester Emily said she was impressed by how chic 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 safe side-byside sleeping. She also liked its plush mattress, which was able to pass our tests of firmness, and that it has an adjustable manual inclining feature for reflux sufferers.
She didn't like that it had a mesh panel at the bottom and considered it too bulky to move from room to room. When folded into its travel bag she found it to be a bit heavy to carry up the stairs.
Size
A bedside cot is similar to a bassinet that is connected to the bed's side. It is easy to reach your baby for feedings, changing nappies or just to soothe them in the middle of the night. It's also great for moms recovering from the C-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby away from you in the first six months, to reduce the risk of SIDS. The crib at the bedside, with its low sides, is a great way to achieve this. It allows you to access your baby easily throughout the night.
It is essential that your baby is sleeping on a firm, not an extremely soft mattress. A mattress that is soft increases the risk of suffocation in infants as they lack the motor control necessary to turn. The breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make the mattress comfortable for your baby, but sufficient to ensure safety.
Mum home test Jasmin was pleased with the fact that the crib does not take up much space in her bedroom and she found the size to be perfect for a newborn. She also noted that the mattress was of high-quality unlike other cribs that feel thin and flimsy. She also appreciates the fact that it has a storage area beneath to store blankets and clothing - something she says many bassinets don't have.
MFM mum home tester Mehack is a fan of the side wall that is removable that lets you drop it down to give easy access to your baby. She also likes the fact that the legs tuck under the bed so that it does not look heavy or take up too much floor space. She's also impressed with the ease of being able to move around the house whenever you need to for ease during late-night meals and check-ins.
The CoZee Air crib is a popular choice for parents. It was awarded a Gold Award at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has a clever design with four pulleys built-in to raise or lower the crib and has a large bedside cot storage basket for your baby's blankets, toys and other essentials. It is also lightweight and easy to put together, making it ideal for travel with your baby.
Safety
It is crucial to think about the safety of a newborn bedside crib. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS recommend that babies not be placed in parents' beds due to the risk of suffocation or sudden infant death syndrome. Bedside bassinets allow parents to keep their infants close, facilitating night time feedings as well as monitoring without the need to leave their bed.
This close proximity also helps breastfeeding mothers by allowing them to attend to the needs of their infant without having to wake up in the middle of the night, which can help to keep the supply of milk steady and help the breastfeeding experience. Some small bedside cot cots have adjustable height features, which can ensure that the bassinet is an ideal height for mother and baby, allowing ease of access during feedings or care.
Many bassinets come with a firm mattress, which is designed to reduce the risk of suffocation and is in line with the standards of the industry. It is crucial to support the bones of a newborn, as they are still soft and aren't fully formed. The mattress should be covered in a fitted sheet to minimize the risk of suffocation due to dust mites and other allergens, and kept clean and free of irritants.
Some cots with a bedside can be tilted, which can be useful for babies with reflux or digestive issues, however this should be done with extreme caution and at a moderate angle. It is also important to avoid adding pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet, as they could pose an obstructing risk to your baby and should only be used when the cot is on flat surfaces.
It's also worth looking into a bassinet with an attachment system that is secure and can be easily fixed to your existing bed without the need for tools. This is especially useful for parents who struggle to lift their child into and out of the cot or who are concerned about falling asleep. If your bassinet does have an attachment system that is secure it's recommended to regularly ensure that it's securely secured and that there aren't any gaps or loose components that could pose a hazard.
Comfort
If you're a soon-to-be parent, the comfort of your child is among your top concerns. There's a great sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close throughout the night - without any of the dangers that come with bed-sharing. The baby bedside cot is an essentially a bassinet-style crib which is fixed to the bed's side that allows you to move them towards you to feed them at night and soothe. It's an excellent option for mothers recovering from a C-section as it will not require you to stand or to bend over.
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 easy with a cot sheet and a blanket tightly tucked at the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers and pillows that may be thrown over your baby, creating an obstructive risk. If your baby is used to being swaddled, you can use a swaddle or a baby sleep bag for the first few weeks, although this should be removed as soon as you can once they've developed the strength to unwrap themselves.
Some cribs with a bedside feature an adjustable or drop-down side that provides the baby to be easily accessible for feeding and comfort during the middle of the night. This is a great feature for parents who want to maintain the bond between them and their child while still following NHS safe sleep advice. If you're planning to sleep with your child, it's crucial to be aware that this practice can increase the risk of SIDS. This is particularly the case if a parent falls on their child when they are asleep.
A fabric that is breathable will keep your baby cool and cool throughout the night. This is especially important if you intend to co-sleep your newborn since the risk of being overheated when sleeping increases. The SnuzPod4 has a unique breathable mesh side panel, which helps to improve the airflow and keeps your baby warm in their bed.