Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a compact 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 makes it easier to care for your baby and give them a bottle in the middle of the night.
This mattress has an extremely firm mattress that can support babies' backs, reducing the risk of SIDS. It can be swiveled on your adult bed to allow you to raise your baby for sunrise cuddles or late night nursing.
Budget
A bedside crib, also called a co-sleeper or bassinet is a bassinet-style baby cot that clips to your bed. This lets you reach your baby comfortably and safely for a mid-night feed, comforting, or cuddles. They are a great choice for mums or new parents recovering from a c-section as they offer the baby with easy access and do not require you to get out of bed.
There are lots of different styles available that range from basic models with just a drop-down option to more advanced ones that can be adjusted in a variety of ways including height and incline options. Most convert to a separate crib for daytime naps or when your baby is around a few months old and sleeps longer at night.
One of our top picks is the Maxi-Cosi Lora which was nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards, including best bedside cot for newborn Cot, Crib 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 connect it to a bed to sleep side-by-side in a safe and secure manner. She also appreciated its luxurious mattress that passed our firmness tests and it also has an adjustable manual inclining feature for reflux sufferers.
She didn't like the fact that it had a non-mesh panel at the bottom, and she thought it was too heavy to move around from room to room. She also found it a bit heavy to carry up and down the stairs, especially when folded away into its travel bag.
Size
A bedside cot is the bassinet style cot that can be fixed to the side of your bed. It allows you to reach your baby for mid-night feeding nappies, feeding and comforting. It's also great for mothers recovering from C-sections.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby away from you during the first 6 months to reduce the risk of SIDS. The crib at the bedside with its low sides is a great way to achieve this. It allows you to be able to easily access your baby throughout the night.
It is essential that your baby sleeps on a firm mattress as this is safer than a soft one. Babies don't have motor control to turn over and a mattress that is soft can increase the risk of being suffocated. The breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make the mattress comfortable for your baby but firm enough for safety.
Mum home test Jasmin was pleased with the fact that the crib does not take up much space in her bedroom. Also, she found it to be the perfect size for a baby. She said the mattress was excellent quality, in contrast to those that feel cheap and thin. She also loves the fact that it has a storage area underneath for clothes and bedding which many 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 down for easy access to your newborn. She also likes that legs slide under the bed so that it doesn't appear heavy or take up too much floor space. She's also impressed by the ease of being able to move around the house as you want to, for convenience during middle-of-the-night feedings and check-ins.
A recipient of the Gold award at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards The CoZee Air is a popular choice among parents. It features a smart design with four pulleys built-in to raise or lower the crib. It includes a large storage basket for blankets, toys and other essentials. It's also light and easy to assemble, making it ideal for travel with your baby.
Safety
When choosing a new baby's bedside cot, it is important to keep the safety of your baby in your mind. The official safe sleep guidelines from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies should not sleep in parent's beds due to the dangers of suffocation, overheating and a higher chance of suffering from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bassinets that are placed in bed allow parents to keep their infant close to help with feeding at night as well as monitoring and comforting without having to leave their bed.
This close proximity also helps breastfeeding mothers as they can attend to their baby's needs without having to wake up at all times and can help keep milk supply steady and enhance the breastfeeding experience. Some cots for bedside have adjustable height features that can ensure that the bassinet is an appropriate height for mother and baby, allowing ease of access during feedings or other care.
A majority of bassinets come with a mattress that is designed to minimize the risk of suffocation, and conforms to industry standards. This is crucial because a newborn's bones are brittle and not fully developed, and need to be supported to avoid damage. The mattress should be encased with a fitted sheet to minimize the risk of suffocation from dust mites and other allergens and kept hygienically clean and free of allergens.
Some cots for bedside use can be tilted, which is beneficial for babies with reflux or digestive issues, however this should always be done with extreme caution and at a moderate angle. It is also essential to avoid putting pillows, duvets or crib bumpers to the bassinet since they could pose an obstructing risk to your baby. They should only be used when the cot is set on flat surfaces.
It is also recommended to consider a bassinet that has a secure attachment system. This can be connected to your existing bed easily without the use of tools. This can be especially beneficial for parents who struggle to lift their child in and out of the crib or concerned about the possibility of falling asleep. If your bassinet is equipped with an attachment that is secure 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 are a soon-to-be parent, your baby's comfort is one of your main concerns. Thankfully, there's an innovative sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close to you throughout the night - without any of the risks that come with bed-sharing. The infant bedside co sleeper cot crib is a bassinet-style cot that is attached to the side of the bed. It allows you to safely carry your baby to you for night feedings and calming. It is also the perfect choice for mothers recovering from a c-section as it reduces the need to bend over too much or even take a step out of bed.
A modern newborn foldable bedside crib cot should have a firm flat mattress to ensure a safe sleep and lower the chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The bedding should be simple and consist of 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 has been used to being swaddled during a few weeks and you want to use the swaddle or baby sleep bag. However, it is recommended that this be removed once they have the strength to unwrap them.
Some bedside cots uk cribs feature an adjustable or drop-down side that provides the baby to be easily accessible for feeding and comfort during the middle of the night. This is a great feature for parents looking to keep a strong bond with their child, while adhering to NHS safe sleep guidelines. If you're considering sleeping in the same bed with your child it's important to know that this practice has been associated with an increased risk of SIDS particularly in the event that a parent falls on their infant during sleep.
A fabric that is breathable will keep your baby comfortable and cool throughout the night. This is particularly important if you plan to co-sleep with your newborn because the risk of overheating is higher during sleep. The SnuzPod4 has a unique mesh side panel that is breathable that helps improve airflow and keep your baby snug in their mattress.