Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a small sleeper that allows new babies to share the same room as their parents without the risk of sleeping together (which the AAP recommends against due to SIDS and suffocation). It makes it easier to take care of your baby and give them a bottle in the middle of the night.
This mattress has an extremely firm mattress that can support babies' backs, reducing the chance of SIDS. It can swivel over your bed to make it easier for you to get your baby for nighttime cuddles or a sunrise kiss.
Budget
A bedside cot, sometimes referred to as a co sleeper bedside cot-sleeper, is the bassinet-style baby cot that can be attached to your existing bed. This lets you reach your baby easily and safely for a mid-night feed or cuddles. These are ideal for new parents and mums recovering from a c-section because they allow the baby to be easily accessible without needing to get out of bed.
There are a variety of designs available, ranging from simple ones with the drop-down side, to more sophisticated ones that offer multiple adjustment options, including incline or height. Most convert to a standalone crib for naps during the day or when your baby is a few months old and is sleeping more at night.
One of our top picks is the Maxi-Cosi Lora which was shortlisted for 2021 Mother&Baby awards, including best bedside cot Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily expressed her delight at how stylish and modern the design as well as the possibility of using it as a regular bassinet or clip it onto your bed for safe side-by-side sleeping. She also liked the plush mattress, which passed our firmness test and the fact that it has a manual rocking function that can be adjusted to a slight slope for reflux sufferers.
However, she didn't like the design of the non-mesh panel on the foot end and felt it was a bit heavy to move from room to room often. It also felt a little heavy to carry up and down the stairs once folded away into its travel bag.
Size
A bedside cot is basically an upholstered bassinet that is fixed to your side of the bed. It lets you easily reach your baby for mid-night feeding nappies, feeding and comforting. It's also great for mothers recovering from a C-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise you to keep your baby in the same room as you but separate from you for the first six months since this will help decrease the chance of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). A crib for your bed is a secure way to accomplish this since it is low-sided and lets you easily reach your baby during the night.
It is crucial that your infant sleeps on a firm bed as it is more secure than a soft one. Newborns don't have the motor control to turn over and a soft mattress could increase the chance of being suffocated. This mattress is made of skin-friendly and air-tight materials. It is comfortable for your baby but firm enough to ensure safety.
Mum Jasmin was delighted that the crib didn't take up the entire space in her room and found it to be the ideal size for a baby. She also noted that the mattress was of good quality unlike other cribs that are thin and fragile. She also appreciates that it has storage space underneath for clothes and bedding which other bassinets do not have.
MFM mum home test Mehack is a big fan of the removable side wall that allows you to drop it down for easy access to your infant. She also likes the fact that legs fold into the bed so it doesn't appear bulky or take up a lot of floor space. She's also impressed by the ease of being able to move around the house as you need to, for convenience during middle-of-the-night meals and check-ins.
A recipient of an Gold award in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards and the CoZee Air is a popular choice for parents. It features a unique design that has four pulleys that can be used to raise or lower your crib. There is also an enormous basket that can be used to store blankets, toys and other essentials. It is also light and easy to assemble, making it ideal for travel with your baby.
Safety
When choosing a new baby's bedside cot, you must keep safety in mind. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS, recommend that babies not be placed in parents' beds due to the possibility of suffocation as well as sudden infant death syndrome. Bassinets for bedside use allow parents to keep their infant close and allow for night-time feedings and monitoring without having to get up from their beds.
This close proximity also helps breastfeeding mothers as they can attend to their baby's needs without waking up at all times and can help keep the supply of milk steady and help the breastfeeding experience. Some cots with a bedside cot used are equipped with adjustable height options that can help mother and child to access the bassinet for feedings or other activities at night.
A majority of bassinets come with mattresses that are firm and designed to reduce the risk of suffocation and meets industry standards. This is crucial because a baby's bones are fragile and not fully developed and must be supported to prevent injury. The mattress should be covered in a fitted sheet to minimize the risk of suffocation caused by dust mites or other allergens. It should also be kept clean and free from irritants.
Some bedside cots for newborns cots can be tilted, which can be beneficial for babies with reflux or digestive issues, however this should be done with a lot of care and at a moderate angle. Avoid putting pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers in the bassinet. These can pose a risk of suffocation for your baby.
It's also worth thinking about an adjustable bassinet with an attached system that is secure and can be easily attached to your bed without the need for tools. This feature can be particularly useful for parents who struggle to lift their baby in and out of the crib or who are worried about accidentally falling asleep. If your bassinet is equipped with a secure attachment it is a good idea for you to check it frequently. Check to ensure there are no gaps and that the system is securely connected.
Comfort
If you're a parent-to-be and you're worried about the safety of your child is definitely one of your top priorities. There's a wonderful sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close throughout the night without taking on any of the dangers that come with sharing beds. The infant bedside cot essentially a bassinet-style cot that fixes to the bed's side that allows you to take them away for feeding at night and calming. It is also a great option for mothers recovering from a C-section since it eliminates the need to get up or sit up.
Modern cots for infants should have a flat, firm mattress to encourage safe sleeping habits and lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The bedding should be kept as simple as possible, with only the cot sheet and a blanket tucked in tightly at the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys and pillows that may fall on your baby, posing a suffocation risk. If your baby is used to being swaddled during a few weeks and you want to use an swaddle or baby sleep bag. However, this should be removed when they are strong enough to unwrap them.
Some bedside cribs feature a removable or drop-down side that provides the baby to be easily accessible to feed and comfort them during the middle of the night. This is a good feature for parents who want to keep an intimate relationship with their child while still following NHS safe sleep guidelines. If you're planning to sleep with your child, it's important to know that this practice may increase the chance of SIDS. This is particularly when a parent accidentally is able to roll their infant over while sleeping.
A breathable fabric will keep your baby cool and cool throughout the night. This is particularly important if you intend to sleep with your newborn, as the risk of overheating in the night increases. The SnuzPod4 is a unique, mesh side panel that is breathable that aids in improving airflow and keep your baby warm in their bed.