Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a tiny sleeper that allows newborns 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 take care of your infant and feed them during the night.
This mattress has a firm mattress that supports babies' backs, reducing the chance of SIDS. It can be rotated over your adult bed to carry your baby to the top to cuddle them at sunrise or during late night nursing.
Budget
A bedside crib, also referred to as a bassinet or co-sleeper, is a bassinet style crib for babies that attaches to your bed. This lets you safely and easily reach your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeding or cuddles. These are great for mothers and new parents recovering from a csection as they allow the baby to be easily accessible without needing to get out of bed.
There are a variety of designs on the market starting with basic models that have only a drop-down side, to more advanced ones that can be adjusted in a variety of ways including height and incline options. Most convert to an independent crib for daytime naps or when your baby is around 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, including 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 liked the fact that it can be used as a bassinet or attached to your existing bed, for safe side-byside sleeping. She also adored its soft mattress, which passed our firmness tests, and that it has an option to manually tilt it for those who suffer from reflux.
However, she didn't like the fact that it had a non-mesh panel at the lower end, and felt it was a bit bulky to move from room to room regularly. She also found it to be a bit heavy to carry up and down the stairs once folded into a bag for travel.
Size
A bedside crib travel cot is the bassinet, which is placed on the bed's side. It allows you to reach your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeding nappies, comforting and feeding. It's perfect for mothers who are recovering from an o-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise that you keep your baby in the same space as you, but separated from you for the first six months, since this will help decrease the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). A bedside travel cot crib is a secure way to accomplish this since it has low sides and allows you to be able to easily access your baby at night.
It is important that your baby is sleeping on a firm, not an extremely soft mattress. Newborns don't have the motor control to rotate and a soft mattress could increase the risk of suffocation. The breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make this mattress a comfortable one for your baby but also sufficiently firm to be safe for your baby.
Mum Jasmin was happy that the crib didn't take up much space in her room and thought it was the perfect size for a newborn. She also said that the mattress was also of good quality, as opposed to others that feel thin and thin. She also loves that it has a storage area underneath for clothes and blankets - something she says many other bassinets lack.
MFM mum home tester Mehack is a fan of the removable side wall that lets you drop it down for easy access to your infant. She also likes that legs fold under the bed so it doesn't look 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 need to for ease during late-night meals and check-ins.
A winner of a Gold award at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards The CoZee Air is a popular choice for parents. It is a clever design that has four pulleys that can be used to raise or lower your crib. There is also an ample basket for toys, blankets, and other essentials. It is also lightweight and easy to put together which makes it perfect for traveling with your baby.
Safety
When choosing a new baby's bedside cot, it is important to keep the safety aspect in your thoughts. The official safe sleep guidelines from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies not sleep in parent's beds because of the risks of suffocation, heat exhaustion and a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bedside bassinets allow parents to keep their newborns close, facilitating night time feedings as well as comforting and monitoring without the need to leave their bed.
This close proximity also supports breastfeeding mothers by allowing them to attend to their baby's needs without having to wake up completely and can help keep the supply of milk steady and help the breastfeeding experience. Some cots for bedside have adjustable height features, which can ensure that the bassinet is an ideal height for mother and baby to allow easy access for middle-of-the-night feedings or other care.
Many bassinets are equipped with a firm mattress, which is designed to reduce the risk of suffocation, and also meets the standards of the industry. This is crucial because a newborn's bones are brittle and not fully developed and must be supported to prevent injury. The mattress should be covered with a fitted sheet to minimize the risk of suffocation due to dust mites and other allergens, and kept clean and free of allergens.
Some cots with a bedside can be tilted, which can be useful for babies with reflux or digestive issues, however this should always be done with extreme caution and at a gentle angle. It is also essential to avoid adding pillows, duvets or crib bumpers to the bassinet since they can create a suffocation risk for your baby and should only be used when the cot is placed on an even surface.
It's also worth looking into an infant bassinet that has an attached system that is secure and can be easily attached to your existing bed without the necessity of tools. This is particularly beneficial for parents who have difficulty get their child in and out of the crib or are concerned about their child accidentally rolling over during sleep. If your bassinet has an attachment that is secure it is a great idea for you to check it frequently. Make sure there are no gaps and that the system is securely attached.
Comfort
If you're expecting your first child and you're worried about the safety of your infant is undoubtedly one of your top priorities. There's a wonderful sleep solution that lets you keep your baby close to you throughout the night - without any of the risks that come with sharing beds. The newborn bedside cot is basically a bassinet-style cot that is attached to the bed's side and allows you to lift them out towards you to feed them at night and soothe. It is also an excellent choice for mothers recovering from a c-section, because it eliminates the need to bend over too much or even to get out of the bed.
Modern bedside cots for newborns should include a firm, flat mattress to encourage safe sleep habits and reduce the risk Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Bedding should be easy comprising a cot sheets and a blanket tightly tucked on the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys, and pillows that may fall onto your baby posing an obstructive risk. If your baby is familiar with being swaddled, you can use a swaddle or baby sleep bag for the first few weeks, however it is best to remove it as soon as you can once they've developed the strength to unwrap themselves.
Some bedside cot sale cribs have a removable or drop-down side to make it easy for your baby for feedings in the middle of the night and comforting. This feature is perfect for parents who wish to keep a close relationship with their child, but still adhere to NHS sleep guidelines. If you plan to co-sleep with your child, it's important to be aware that this practice can increase the risk of SIDS. This is especially when a parent accidentally falls on their child when they are asleep.
A breathable fabric will keep your baby comfy and cool throughout the night. This is particularly important if you intend to sleep with your baby since the risk of being overheated when sleeping increases. The SnuzPod4 is a unique, breathable mesh side panel, which helps to improve airflow and keep your baby comfortable in their mattress.