Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a small sleeper that allows new babies to share a room as their parents without the dangers of co-sleeping (which the AAP recommends against due to suffocation and SIDS). It also makes middle-of-the-night nursing sessions and care much easier.
This sleeper has a firm mattress that supports babies backs, which reduces 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 midnight nursing.
Budget
A bedside crib, also called a co-sleeper or bassinet is a bassinet-style crib for babies that attaches to your bed. This lets you reach your baby comfortably and safely for a nighttime feed or comforting cuddle. They are a great choice for mothers or new parents recovering from a csection as they provide easy access to baby and do not require you to get up.
There are a variety of styles that are available, from the basic ones that have an upside-down side to more sophisticated ones that offer various adjustment options, such as an incline or a height. Many can be converted into a separate crib when your baby grows older and is sleeping longer in the night.
Maxi-Cosi Lora is one our top picks. It was shortlisted in the Best 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 could be used as a bassinet, or clipped to your existing bed, for safe side-byside sleeping. She also liked the plush mattress, which was able to pass our test of firmness and the fact that it has a manual rocking feature that can be set to a slight tilt for reflux sufferers.
However, she didn't like the feature of a non-mesh panel at its foot end and felt it was a bit heavy to move from room to room frequently. It also felt a bit heavy to carry up and down the stairs when folded into a travel bag.
Size
A bedside cot is essentially the bassinet style cot that can be fixed to your side of the bed. You can easily reach your baby to feed, change nappies or comforting in the middle of the night. It's perfect for mothers who are recovering from the c-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise you to keep your baby in the same space as you, but keep them separate from you for the first six months, since this will help decrease the chance of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). The crib at the bedside sleeper cot, with its low sides, is a great way to accomplish this. It allows you to be able to easily access your baby at night.
It is important that your baby is sleeping on a firm and not a soft mattress. A mattress that is soft can increase the risk of suffocation in newborns, since they do not have the motor control required to turn. The breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make this mattress a comfortable one for your baby but sufficiently firm to be safe for your baby.
Mum home test Jasmin liked that this crib does not take up much space in her bedroom. Also, she found the size perfect for a newborn. She also said that the mattress was of good quality and not like other mattresses that feel thin and flimsy. She also likes that it has a storage area beneath for blankets and clothes which she claims most bassinets do not have.
MFM mom home test Mehack is a big fan of the side wall with a removable design that allows you to drop it to make it easier access to your newborn. She also likes the fact that legs can be placed under the bed to make it appear less bulky and occupy less floor space. She is also impressed by how easy it was to move around her home when she needed to for check-ins and feedings in the middle of the night.
The CoZee Air crib is a favorite among parents. It won a Gold Award in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It features a unique design with four pulleys which can be used to raise or lower your crib. It also comes with an ample basket for toys, blankets, and other items. It's also easy to put together and lightweight, which is useful for traveling with your baby.
Safety
It is crucial to think about the safety aspect when selecting a newborn bedside baby sleeper crib. The official safety sleep guidelines of both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies should not sleep in their parents' beds due to the dangers of suffocation, heat exhaustion and a higher chance of suffering from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bedside bassinets let parents keep their newborn close by, facilitating night-time feedings as well as monitoring and comforting without the need to get out of bed.
This close proximity also supports breastfeeding mothers as they can attend to the needs of their infant without having to get up completely and can help keep the supply of milk steady and help the breastfeeding experience. Some cots for bedside use adjustable height options that can aid both the mother and baby to get into the bassinet for feedings or other activities at night.
Many bassinets are equipped with mattresses that are firm, which is designed to minimize the risk of suffocation and is in line with industry standards. This is important because a newborn's bones are brittle and not fully developed and need to be supported to prevent damage. The mattress should be encased in a fitted cover to decrease the chance of suffocation caused by dust mites and other allergens. It should also be kept clean and free from irritants.
Some bedside crib or cot cribs can be tilted. This is useful for babies with reflux or digestive problems. However, this should be done with care and with care. It's also important to avoid putting pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet as they could pose a suffocation risk for your baby and should only be used when the cot is on a flat surface.
It is also recommended to consider the bassinet with an attachment system that is secure. This can be attached to your bed without the need for tools. This feature is especially useful for parents who have difficulty get their child in and out of the crib or are concerned about their child accidentally falling asleep. If your bassinet is equipped with secured attachments, it is a good idea for you to regularly check it. Check to ensure there are no gaps and that the system is securely attached.
Comfort
If you're planning to become a parent, your baby's comfort is one of your main concerns. Thankfully, there's an innovative sleep solution that lets you keep your baby close to you throughout the night - without any of the risks that come with sharing a bed. The infant bedside cot basically a bassinet-style cot that is attached to the side of your bed and allows you to lift them out towards you for feeding at night and calming. It is also a great choice for mums recovering from a c-section because it eliminates the need to bend down too far or even take a step out of bed.
Modern cots for infants should have a flat, firm mattress to promote safe sleeping habits and lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The bedding should be simple, comprising a cot sheets and a blanket tightly tucked on the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys or pillows because they can fall on your baby and pose a risk of suffocation. If your baby is familiar with being swaddled, you can make use of a swaddle, or a baby sleep bag for the initial few weeks, but this should be removed as soon as you can once they've gained the strength and confidence to unwrap themselves.
Some bedside cribs have a drop-down or removable side that allows easy access to your baby's feeds and comforting. This is a good feature for parents looking to maintain an intimate relationship with their child while still following NHS safe sleep advice. If you are planning to sleep with your child, it's important to be aware that this practice could increase the chance of SIDS. This is especially the case if a parent is able to roll their infant over when they are asleep.
A fabric that is breathable is an important safety feature, as it's designed to keep your baby cool and comfortable throughout the night. This is especially crucial if you plan to co-sleep your newborn since the risk of being overheated during sleep increases. The SnuzPod4 has a unique breathable side panel that helps improve the airflow and keeps your baby warm.