Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a small sleeper that allows new babies to share a room as their parents without the risks of true co-sleeping (which the AAP advises against due to SIDS and suffocation). It helps you care for your infant and feed them in the middle of the night.
This sleeper comes with a mattress that is firm and supports babies' backs, reducing the chance of SIDS. It can be swiveled on your adult bed to allow you to lift your baby to snuggle them at sunrise or for midnight nursing.
Budget
A bedside crib, also known as a bassinet or cosleeper is a bassinet type baby cot that clips to your bed. This allows you to safely and easily reach your baby during the night for feeding or cuddles. They are a great option for mothers or new parents recovering from a c-section as they provide easy access to baby and don't require you to get out of bed.
There are a variety of styles available, from the basic ones that have an upside-down side to more sophisticated ones that offer numerous adjustment options, like an incline or a height. Most convert to a standalone crib for napping during the daytime or when your baby is around a few months old and sleeping longer at night.
Maxi-Cosi Lora is one of our top picks. It was shortlisted in the Best Cot category for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. MFM home tester Emily expressed her delight at how stylish and contemporary the design is, while she appreciated the feature that you can use it as a regular bassinet or connect it onto your bed to ensure that you can sleep side-by-side. She also admired the soft mattress, which passed our firmness test, and the fact that it features a manual rocking bedside crib function that can be set to a slight incline for those suffering from reflux.
But she wasn't thrilled with the design of the non-mesh panel on the lower end, and thought it was a bit bulky to move from room to room regularly. It also felt a little heavy to carry up and down the stairs once folded into a travel bag.
Size
A bedside cot is essentially the bassinet style cot that can be fixed to the side of your bed. It allows you to easily reach your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeding nappies, comforting and feeding. It's ideal for mothers recovering from a c-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise that you place your baby in the same room as you, but keep them separate from you for the first six months, because this will reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). A large bedside crib crib is a safe method to achieve this as it has low sides and lets you easily access your newborn throughout the night.
It is important that your baby sleeps on a firm and not a soft mattress. A soft mattress can increase the risk of suffocation for newborns, since they lack the motor control necessary to turn. The mattress is made of skin-friendly and air-tight materials. It is a comfortable fit for your baby, yet firm enough to ensure safety.
Mum home test Jasmin liked that this crib does not take up a lot of space in her bedroom and she found the size perfect for a newborn. She also said that the mattress was also good quality, unlike those that feel cheap and thin. She also loves that it has a storage area beneath to store blankets and clothing - something she says many bassinets don't have.
Mehack Mehack, an MFM mom who tried the product at home, is thrilled that you can remove the side wall to allow for easier access to your baby. She also appreciates that legs can be placed under the bed to make it look less bulky and occupy less floor space. She is also impressed by how it was easy to move around her home when she needed to for checks and feedings during the night.
A recipient of the Gold award in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards and the CoZee Air is a popular choice amongst parents. It has a clever design with four pulleys that can be used to raise or lower your crib. There's also an ample basket for toys, blankets, and other items. It is also lightweight and easy to put together and is ideal to travel cot bedside crib with your baby.
Safety
It is important to think about the safety of the crib for your newborn. Official safe sleep advice from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies do not be sleeping in the bed of their parents due to the risk of suffocation, heat exhaustion and a greater chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bassinets for foldable bedside crib use allow parents to keep their newborns close, which allows for nighttime feedings, comforting, and monitoring without needing to get up.
This close proximity can also aid breastfeeding mothers since it allows them to be attentive to the needs of their infant while also sleeping. This can help to maintain milk supply and encourage breastfeeding. Some cots for bedside have adjustable height features, which will help ensure that the bassinet is an ideal height for mother and baby, allowing easy access to mid-night feedings or other care.
A lot of bassinets have mattresses that are firm, which is designed to minimize the risk of suffocation, and also meets the standards of the industry. This is important because a newborn's bones are soft and aren't fully developed. They must be supported to prevent damage. The mattress should be covered in a fitted cover to minimize the risk of suffocation due to dust mites or other allergens and kept hygienically clean and free of irritants.
Some cribs on the bed can be tilted. This is helpful for babies with reflux or digestive problems. However, this should be done slowly and with care. Avoid putting pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet. They could pose a risk of suffocation for your baby.
It's also worth thinking about a bassinet with an attachment system that is secure and can be easily attached to your bed without the necessity of tools. This is especially useful for parents who struggle to get their child into and out of the crib or who are worried about accidentally rolling over during sleep. If your bassinet has an attachment system that is secure, it's a good idea to regularly make sure it's secure and that there aren't any gaps or loose parts that could pose a hazard.
Comfort
If you're expecting a child, the safety of your infant is undoubtedly 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 risks that come with bed-sharing. The newborn bedside crib is a cot that resembles a bassinet that can be attached to the side of the bed. It lets you safely lift your baby out to you for feedings at night and calming. It also makes a great choice for mums recovering from a csection, since it makes it less necessary to bend over too much or even to get out of bed.
Modern bedside cots for babies 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 simple and consist of only the sheet for the cot and blanket tucked in tightly at the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers and pillows that can fall onto your baby posing the risk of suffocation. If your baby is used to being swaddled during a few weeks and you want to use a swaddle, or a baby sleep bag. However, it is recommended that this be removed when they have the strength to remove them.
Some bedside cribs have a drop-down or removable side to make it easy for your baby for feedings in the middle of the night and comforting. This is a great option for parents who wish to maintain the bond between them and their child, while adhering to NHS safe sleep guidelines. If you're considering sleeping 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 falls on their child during sleep.
A breathable fabric will keep your baby comfy and cool throughout the night. This is especially crucial if you plan to sleep with your baby since the risk of being overheated when sleeping increases. The SnuzPod4 is a unique, breathable mesh side panel that helps improve the flow of air and keep your baby snug in their mattress.