Newborn wooden bedside cot Cot

A newborn bedside cot is a small bedside cot sleeper that allows newborns to share the same space as their parents without the risks of true co-sleeping (which the AAP advises against due to SIDS and suffocation). It makes it easier to take care of your infant and feed them during the night.

This sleeper features a firm mattress to support babies' backs and decrease the chance of SIDS. It can be rotated over your adult bed to allow you to raise your baby for sunrise cuddles or late night nursing.

Budget

A bedside cot, also known as a co-sleeper, is the bassinet-style baby cot that can be attached to your bed. This allows you to reach your baby comfortably and safely for a nighttime feed or comforting cuddle. These are ideal for moms and babies recovering from a c-section because they provide easy access to the baby without needing to get out of the bed.

There are a variety of designs that are available, from the basic ones that have a drop down side to more sophisticated ones that have multiple adjustment options, including the ability to tilt or raise. The majority of them can be converted into a separate crib for daytime naps or when your baby is about months old and sleeps longer at night.

One of our favorites is the Maxi-Cosi Lora, which was shortlisted for 2021 Mother&Baby awards for 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 as well as the fact that you can use it as a regular bassinet or attach it onto your bed for safe side-by-side sleeping. She also liked its plush mattress, which has passed our tests for firmness and also that it comes with an option to manually tilt it for reflux sufferers.

However, she wasn't a fan of the fact that it had a non-mesh panel on the bottom and thought it was a bit bulky to move from room to room regularly. When folded into a travel bag, she found it to be quite heavy to carry up the stairs.

Size

A foldable bedside crib cot is an upholstered bassinet that is fixed to the side of your bed. It lets you easily reach your baby for mid-night feeding nappies, feeding and comforting. It's ideal for mothers who are recovering from the c-section.

The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby away from you during the first six months, to decrease the chance of SIDS. The crib that is placed beside your bed, with its low sides is a great way to do this. It lets you access your baby easily at night.

It is essential that your baby is sleeping on a firm and not an extremely soft mattress. A soft mattress can increase the risk of suffocation for newborns, as they do not have the motor control required to turn. The soft, breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make the mattress comfortable for your baby, but sufficiently firm to be safe for your baby.

Mum home tester Jasmin was pleased with the fact that the crib does not take up much space in her bedroom and she found the size to be perfect for a baby. She also said that the mattress was of high-quality, unlike others which feel thin and flimsy. She also appreciates that it has storage space underneath for bedding and clothes which many bassinets don't.

Mehack is an MFM mum who tested the product at home, loves that you can remove the wall on the side to allow easier access to your baby. She also loves the fact that the legs can be tucked under the bed to make it look less bulky and take up less floor space. She's also amazed by how easy it is to move around the house whenever you need to, for convenience during middle-of-the-night feedings and check-ins.

The CoZee Air crib is a favorite among parents. It was awarded the Gold Award at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards. It has a clever design with four pulleys built-in to raise or lower the crib. It comes with a large storage bin for blankets, toys and other essentials. It is also lightweight and easy to assemble which makes it perfect for travel with your baby.

Safety

It is important to think about safety when choosing the crib for your newborn. Official safe sleep advice from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies do not sleep in parent's beds due to the dangers of suffocation, heat exhaustion and a greater chance of suffering from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bassinets that are placed in bed let parents keep their newborn close by and allow for night-time feedings and monitoring without needing to get out of bed.

This close proximity can also support breastfeeding mothers, as it lets them attend to the needs of their infant while they sleep. This can help to maintain the supply of milk and also encourage breastfeeding. Some cots for bedside use adjustable height features that can aid mother and child to access the bassinet for feedings or other care at night.

Many bassinets are equipped with a firm mattress, which is designed to minimize the risk of suffocation and is in line with industry standards. It is essential to provide support for the bones of a newborn, as they are still soft and not fully formed. The mattress should be covered in a fitted cover to decrease the chance of suffocation due to dust mites or other allergens and kept hygienically clean and free of irritants.

Some bedside crib and travel cot cots have the capability of being tilted, which is beneficial for babies suffering from reflux or digestive issues, however this should be done with extreme caution and at a gentle angle. Avoid adding pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet. These can pose the risk of suffocation to 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 for tools. This is especially beneficial for parents who struggle to lift their child in and out of the cot or who are concerned about falling asleep. If your bassinet does have secured attachments, it's a good idea to regularly check that it's securely attached and that there aren't gaps or loose parts which could cause danger.

Comfort

If you're expecting a child, the safety of your infant is undoubtedly one of your top concerns. There's a wonderful sleep solution that lets you keep your baby close throughout the night - without any of the risks associated with bed-sharing. The newborn bedside cot is basically a bassinet-style cot which is fixed to the side of your bed, allowing you to safely take them away for feeding at night and calming. It also makes an excellent choice for mothers recovering from a c-section, since it makes it less necessary to bend down too far or even get out of the bed.

Modern cots for infants should have a flat, firm mattress to encourage safe sleeping habits and lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The bedding should be kept as simple as possible, with only the sheets for the cot and a blanket that is tightly tucked into the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers and pillows that can be thrown over your baby, creating an obstructive risk. If your baby is used to being swaddled, you can use a swaddle or a baby sleep bag for the initial few weeks, but it should be removed as soon as you can once they've gained the strength and confidence to unwrap themselves.

Some bedside cribs have a removable or drop-down side that allows easy access to your baby's feeds and comforting. This is a great feature for parents who want to maintain a close relationship with their child while adhering to NHS guidelines on sleep. If you're planning to sleep in the same bed with your child it's important to know that this practice has been linked to an increased risk of SIDS particularly if a parent unintentionally falls on their infant during sleep.

A breathable fabric will keep your baby comfy and cool throughout the night. This is especially crucial if you intend to sleep with your newborn since the chance of being overheated increases when you sleep. The SnuzPod4 is a unique, side panel made of breathable mesh that aids in improving the airflow and keeps your baby snug in their mattress.