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 dangers of co-sleeping (which the AAP recommends against due to suffocation and SIDS). It also makes mid-night nursing sessions and child care simpler.
This mattress has an extremely firm mattress that can support babies backs, reducing the chance of SIDS. It can swivel over the bed of your adult to make it easier for you to get your baby for nighttime cuddles or a sunrise kiss.
Budget
A bedside cot, also known as a co-sleeper, is an infant cot with a bassinet design that is attached or clipped to your bed. This lets you easily and safely reach your baby during the night for feeding or comforting cuddles. These are perfect for new parents and mums recovering from a c-section because they allow the baby to be easily accessible without having to get up from the bed.
There are a variety of designs available starting with basic models that have just a drop-down option to more sophisticated ones that can be adjusted in multiple ways, including incline and height options. Most convert to an independent crib for daytime naps or when your baby is a few months old and sleeps longer at night.
Maxi-Cosi Lora is one of our top picks. It was selected in the best bedside cot uk Cot category for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. MFM home tester Emily commented how stylish and modern the design was. She also appreciated the fact that it could be used as a bassinet or clipped to your existing bed for safe side-byside sleeping. She also adored its soft mattress, which has passed our tests for firmness and it also has an option to manually tilt it for those suffering from reflux.
However, she didn't like the feature of a non-mesh panel on the lower end, and felt it was a bit heavy to move from room to room often. It also felt a bit heavy to carry up and down the stairs, especially when folded away into its travel bag.
Size
A bedside cot for bedside is basically an upholstered bassinet that is fixed to the side of the bed. It allows you to easily reach your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeding, nappies and comforting. It's also great for moms recovering from C-sections.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby separate from you in the first six months, to lower the risk of SIDS. The crib that is placed beside your bed, with its low sides is a great option to do this. It allows you to access your baby easily during the night.
It's important that your newborn sleeps on a firm mattress since this is safer than a soft one. Infants don't have the motor control needed to turn and a mattress that is soft could increase the chance of being suffocated. This mattress is made from skin-friendly and breathe-able materials. It is a comfortable fit for your baby, but firm enough to ensure safety.
Mum Jasmin was happy that the crib didn't occupy too much space in her bedroom and thought it was the ideal size for a newborn. The mattress she rated as also of good quality, as opposed to some that feel flimsy and thin. She also loves that it has a storage space beneath to store blankets and clothing - something she says many other bassinets lack.
Mehack Mehack, an MFM mother who has tested the product at home, loves the ability to remove the side wall to make it easier to access your baby. She also loves the fact that the legs can be put under the bed to make it appear less bulky and take up less space on the floor. She's also amazed by the ease of being able to move around the house as you'd like, for convenience during middle-of-the-night meals and check-ins.
The winner of an Gold award in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards The CoZee Air is a popular choice for parents. It features a smart design with four pulleys built-in to raise or lower the crib. It also includes a large storage basket for blankets, toys and other necessities. It's also light and easy to assemble which makes it perfect for travel with your baby.
Safety
When choosing a baby's bedside cot, it is important to keep safety in your mind. Official safe sleep advice from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies not sleep in parent's beds due to the risk of suffocation, heat exhaustion and a greater chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bassinets for bedside cots use let parents keep their baby close and allow for night-time feedings as well as monitoring and comforting without having to leave their bed.
This close proximity also supports breastfeeding mothers as they can attend to their baby's needs without having to wake up at all times and help maintain milk supply and support the breastfeeding experience. Some cots with a bedside are equipped with adjustable height options, which can ensure that the bassinet is an appropriate height for mother and baby to allow easy access for middle-of-the-night feedings or for care.
A lot of bassinets have mattresses that are firm, which is designed to reduce suffocation risk and meets industry standards. This is important because a newborn's bones are brittle and not fully developed and require support to prevent damage. The mattress should be encased in a fitted cover to decrease the chance of suffocation from dust mites or other allergens and kept hygienically clean and free of irritants.
Some cots for bedside use have the capability of being tilted, which can be beneficial for babies with reflux or digestive issues, however this should be done with extreme caution and at a gentle angle. It's also important to avoid adding pillows, duvets or crib bumpers to the bassinet since they can create an obstructing risk to your baby. They should only be used when the cot is placed on a flat surface.
It's also worth considering a bassinet with an attached system that is secure and can be easily attached to your bed without the need for tools. This feature is especially useful for parents who find it difficult to carry their child into and out of the crib or are worried about their child falling asleep. If your bassinet has a secure attachment, it is a good idea for you to check it regularly. Make sure there are no gaps and that the system is securely connected.
Comfort
If you're a soon-to-be parent, your baby's comfort is one of your main concerns. There's a new solution to sleep that allows you to keep your baby close at night without the risk of sharing a bed. The infant bedside crib is a cot that resembles a bassinet that can be attached to the side of the bed. It lets you safely carry your baby to you for feedings at night and comfort. It is also a great choice for mothers who are recovering from a C-section as it removes the need to stand up or sit up.
A modern newborn bedside cot should have a firm and flat mattress that can ensure a safe sleep and decrease the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The bedding should be kept simple with just the sheet for the cot and blanket that is tightly tucked into the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers or pillows since they could fall on your baby and pose a risk of suffocation. If your baby is used to being swaddled for a few weeks, you can use either the swaddle or baby sleep bag. But, it should be removed after they are strong enough to take them off.
Some cribs with a bedside have a removable or drop-down side to make it easy for your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeds and comforting. This feature is ideal for parents who wish to maintain a close relationship with their child, while adhering to NHS guidelines for sleep. If you're considering sleeping in the same bed with your child, it's important to understand that this practice has been linked to an increased risk of SIDS particularly if a parent unintentionally rolls onto their infant while they sleep.
A fabric that is breathable will keep your baby comfy and cool throughout the night. This is especially important if you plan to sleep with your newborn since the chance of overheating is higher during sleep. The SnuzPod4 is a unique, breathable mesh side panel, which helps to improve airflow and keep your baby snug in their mattress.