Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot - their website, is a small sleeper that allows new babies to share the same space as their parents without the risk of sleeping together (which the AAP advises against due to SIDS and suffocation). It makes it easier to care for your baby and nurse them during the night.
This mattress has a mattress that is firm and supports babies' backs, reducing the risk of SIDS. It can slide over your adult bed to make it easier for you to get your baby out for midnight nursing or cuddles at sunrise.
Budget
A bedside cot, also referred to as a co-sleeper, is the bassinet-style baby cot that is attached or clipped to your bed. This lets you reach your baby easily and safely for a nighttime feed or cuddles. These are great for new parents and mums recovering after a c section because they allow easy access to the baby without having to get up from bed.
There are many different designs available, ranging from basic ones with just a drop down side to more sophisticated models with multiple adjustment options, including incline or height. Most convert to a standalone crib for daytime naps or when your baby is a few months old and is sleeping more at night.
One of our favorites is the Maxi-Cosi Lora, that was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards in the categories of 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 can be used as a bassinet or a clip to your existing bed, for a safe side-by-side sleep. She also liked the plush mattress that has passed our test for firmness and also the fact that it features a manual rocking feature that can be adjusted to a slight slope for reflux sufferers.
She didn't like the fact that it had a mesh panel at the bottom and she thought it was too heavy to move around from room to room. It also felt a little heavy to carry up and down the stairs once it was folded up into its bag for travel.
Size
A bedside cot is an upholstered bassinet that is fixed to the side of your bed. It's easy to reach your baby for feedings, changing nappies or comforting during the night. It's ideal for mothers recovering from a c-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby separate from you for the first 6 months to lower the risk of SIDS. A crib that is placed near your bed is a safe way to achieve this as it is low-sided and allows you to easily access your newborn at night.
It is important that your baby is sleeping on a firm and not an extremely soft mattress. A mattress that is soft can increase the risk of suffocation for newborns, as they lack the motor control needed to turn. The breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make this mattress a comfortable one for your baby, but firm enough for safety.
Mum Jasmin was happy that the crib didn't occupy too much space in her room and thought it was the ideal size for a baby. She also said that the mattress was also good quality, unlike those that feel cheap and thin. She also appreciates that it has a storage space underneath for bedding and clothes - something many other bassinets don't have.
MFM mom home tester Mehack is a big fan of the side wall with a removable design that allows you to drop it down for easy access to your infant. She also loves that legs slide into the bed so it doesn't look heavy or take up a lot of floor space. She's also amazed by how it was easy to move around her house when she needed to for feeds and check-ins in the middle of the night.
A winner of the Gold award at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards and the CoZee Air is a popular choice among parents. It has a clever design with four built-in pulleys to raise or lower the crib. It also has a large storage basket for blankets, toys and other necessities. It's also simple to put together and lightweight and portable, which is ideal for travelling with your baby.
Safety
It's important to consider the safety aspect when selecting the right crib for your baby's bed. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS advise that babies not sleep in their parents bed due to the possibility of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome. Bedside bassinets enable parents to keep their infants close to them, facilitating nighttime feedings, comforting, and monitoring without having to get up.
This close proximity can aid breastfeeding mothers since it lets them attend to the baby's needs while also sleeping. This can help to maintain the supply of milk and encourage breastfeeding. Some bedside cots have adjustable height features that can ensure that the bassinet is a comfortable height for both mother and baby for easy access for middle-of-the-night feedings or care.
A majority of bassinets come with a mattress that is designed to reduce the chance of suffocation and meets industry standards. This is important because a newborn's bones are soft and not fully developed, and need to be supported to prevent damage. The mattress should be encased in a fitted cover to minimize the risk of suffocation caused by dust mites and other allergens, and kept clean and free from irritants.
Some cots with a foldable bedside crib have the capability of being tilted, which can be useful for babies with reflux or digestive issues, however this should be done with great caution and at a moderate angle. It's also important to stay clear of adding pillows, duvets or crib bumpers to the bassinet as they can create a suffocation risk for your baby bedside co sleeper. They should only be used when the cot is placed on a flat surface.
It's also worth looking into an adjustable bassinet with a secure attachment system that can be easily fixed to your existing bed without the necessity of tools. This can be especially beneficial for parents who struggle to lift their child in and out of the cot, or concerned about the possibility of falling asleep. If your bassinet is equipped with a secure attachment system it's recommended to regularly check that it's securely attached and that there aren't any gaps or loose components that could cause danger.
Comfort
If you're a soon-to-be parent, your baby's safety is one of your main concerns. There's a brand new sleep solution that lets you keep your baby close in the evening, without the risk of sharing a bed. The newborn bedside crib is a bassinet style cot that is attached to the side of the bed. It lets you safely lift your baby out to you for night feedings and soothing. It's also a great option for mothers who are recovering from a C-section as it removes the need to stand up or to bend over.
Modern cots for infants should be fitted with a firm, flat mattress to encourage safe sleep practices and reduce the risk Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The bedding should be kept as simple as possible and consist of only the cot sheet and a blanket tucked in tightly at the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers and pillows that can be thrown over your baby, creating a suffocation risk. If your baby is used to being swaddled for several weeks and you want to use the swaddle or baby sleep bag. However, it is recommended that this be removed when they have the strength to unwrap them.
Some cribs for bedside use a removable or drop-down side to make it easy for your baby's feeds and comforting. This is a great feature for parents who want to keep a close relationship with their child while adhering to NHS guidelines for sleep. If you're planning to co-sleep in the same bed as your baby, it's important to understand that this practice has been associated with an increased risk of SIDS particularly in the event that a parent is able to roll onto their infant during sleep.
A fabric that is breathable will keep your baby cool and cool throughout the night. This is especially important if you plan to co-sleep with your newborn because the risk of overheating increases when you sleep. The SnuzPod4 features a unique side panel made of breathable mesh, which helps to improve the airflow and keeps your baby snug in their mattress.