Newborn Bedside Cot
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 makes it easier to take care of your baby and nurse them throughout the night.
This sleeper has a sturdy mattress to support babies' backs and decrease the risk of SIDS. It can slide over your adult bed to make it easier for you to lift your baby for nighttime nursing or cuddles at sunrise.
Budget
A bedside cot, sometimes referred to as a co-sleeper is the bassinet-style baby cot that clips or attaches to your existing bed. This allows you to reach your baby comfortably and safely for a late-night feed or cuddles. They are a great choice for mums or new parents recovering from a c-section as they allow the baby with easy access and do not require you to get out of 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 multiple ways, including incline and height options. Many convert to an independent crib for napping during the daytime or when your baby is a few months old and sleeping longer at night.
One of our favourites is the Maxi-Cosi Lora that was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&baby bedside cot awards, including 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 clipped to your existing bed for safe side-byside sleeping. She also liked its plush mattress that passed our firmness tests and also that it comes with an adjustable manual inclining feature for reflux sufferers.
She didn't like that it had a non-mesh panel on the bottom and thought it was too bulky to move from room to room. It also felt a little heavy to carry up and down the stairs when folded away into its travel bag.
Size
A bedside cot is a bassinet-style cot that fixes to your side of the bed. It allows you to reach your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeding nappies, comforting and feeding. It's perfect for mothers recovering from the 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 as this can help reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). The crib that is placed beside your bed, with its low sides, is a great way to accomplish this. It allows you to access your baby easily throughout the night.
It's important that your newborn sleeps on a firm mattress as this is safer than a mattress that is soft. Infants don't have the motor control needed to turn and a soft mattress could increase the risk of being suffocated. The soft, breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make this mattress a comfortable one for your baby but also sufficiently firm to be safe for your baby.
Mum home test Jasmin loved that the crib does not take up much space in her bedroom. Also, she found it to be the perfect size for a newborn. She also noted that the mattress was of good quality unlike other cribs that seem thin and flimsy. She also loves the fact that it has a storage space beneath to store blankets and clothing which she claims most bassinets do not have.
Mehack is an MFM mom who tried the product at home, likes the ability to remove the wall on the side to make it easier to access your baby. She also loves the fact that legs can be placed under the bed to look less bulky and take up less area on the floor. She's also impressed by the ease of being able to move around the house when you want to in the middle of the night, which is convenient for feedings and check-ins.
The CoZee Air crib is a favourite among parents. It was awarded a Gold Award in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It features a unique design with four pulleys that can be used to raise or lower your crib. It also comes with a large bedside crib basket for blankets, toys and other necessities. It's also simple to put together and light, which is useful for travelling with your baby.
Safety
When choosing a baby's bedside cot, you must keep safety in your mind. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS advise that babies do not sleep in the parents' beds due to the risk of suffocation as well as sudden infant death syndrome. Bedside bassinets enable parents to keep their infants close to them, facilitating nighttime feedings as well as monitoring without needing to leave their bed.
This close proximity also assists breastfeeding mothers as they can take care of their infant's needs without waking up in the middle of the night, which can help to keep the supply of milk steady and help the breastfeeding experience. Some cots for cheap bedside cot use adjustable height features that can help both the mother and baby to get into the bassinet to feed or take care of other needs during the night.
Many bassinets come with mattresses that are firm. This is designed to decrease the risk of suffocation, and also meets the standards of the industry. This is crucial because a newborn's bones are brittle and not fully developed and must be supported to avoid damage. The mattress should be covered with an appropriate sheet to minimize the chance that dust mites or other allergens, can suffocate a child. It should also be kept clean and free of irritants.
Some cots for bedside use can be tilted, which is beneficial for babies with reflux or digestive issues, however this should always be done with extreme caution and at a gentle angle. Avoid placing pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers inside the bassinet. These can pose a risk of suffocation for your baby.
You should also think about an infant bassinet with an attachment system that is secure. It can be connected to your bed without the need of tools. This feature can be particularly helpful for parents who may struggle to lift their baby in and out of the cot or who are worried about accidentally falling asleep. If your bassinet does have a secure attachment system, it's a good idea to regularly check that it's securely attached and that there aren't gaps or loose components that could pose a hazard.
Comfort
If you are a soon-to-be parent, your baby's safety 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 sharing beds. The infant bedside cot basically a bassinet-style cot that is attached to the side of your bed that allows you to move them towards you for feeding at night and calming. It's also a great choice for mums recovering from a c-section, as it reduces the need to bend down too far or even get out of bed.
Modern cots for infants should include a firm, flat mattress to encourage safe sleep practices and reduce the risk Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Bedding should be simple comprising a cot sheets and a blanket tightly tucked on the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys and pillows that could fall onto your baby posing an obstructive risk. If your baby is used to being swaddled you can make use of a swaddle, or a baby sleep bag for the first few weeks, although it is best to remove it as soon as possible once they've developed the strength to pull themselves out of the wrap.
Some cribs for bedside use an adjustable 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 looking to keep an intimate relationship with their child, but still adhere to NHS safe sleep guidelines. If you're planning to sleep in the same bed as your baby it's important to know that this practice has been linked to an increased risk of SIDS especially if a parent unintentionally rolls onto their infant during sleep.
A fabric that is breathable will keep your baby comfortable and cool throughout the night. This is especially crucial if you intend to sleep with your baby since the chance of overheating is higher during sleep. The SnuzPod4 has a unique mesh side panel that is breathable that aids in improving the airflow and keeps your baby comfortable in their bed.