Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a tiny sleeper that allows newborns to share the same room as their parents, without the risks of true co-sleeping (which the AAP cautions against due SIDS and suffocation). It also makes nursing sessions and care much simpler.
This sleeper has a firm mattress that supports babies backs, which reduces the chance of SIDS. It can swivel over the bed of your adult to allow you to lift your child out for midnight cuddles or a sunrise kiss.
Budget
A bedside cot, also referred to as a co-sleeper, an infant cot with a bassinet design that clips or attaches to your existing bed. This allows you to reach your baby quickly and safely for a nighttime feed, comforting, or cuddles. These are perfect for mothers and new parents recovering after a c section because they provide the baby to be easily accessible without having to get up from the bed.
There are a variety of designs available, from the basic ones with just a drop down side to more sophisticated ones that have multiple adjustment options, including an incline or a height. Many convert to a standalone crib for naps during the day or when your baby is about months old and sleeps longer at night.
One of our favourites is the Maxi-Cosi Lora, that was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards in 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 appreciated the fact that it could be used as a bassinet or a clip to your bed to ensure safe side-by-side sleeping. She also appreciated the soft mattress, which passed our firmness test and also the fact that it comes with a manual rocking feature that can be set to a slight incline for those suffering from reflux.
She didn't like that it had a non-mesh panel at the bottom, and she thought it was too heavy to move from room to room. She also found it to be a little heavy to carry up and down the stairs, especially when it was folded up into its bag for travel.
Size
A cheap bedside cot cot is essentially an upholstered bassinet that is fixed to the side of your bed. It allows you to reach your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeding nappies, feeding and comforting. It's great for mothers recovering from an o-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby separate from you during the first 6 months to reduce the risk of SIDS. The bedside crib, with its low sides is a great option to do this. It lets you access your baby easily at night.
It is crucial that your baby sleeps on a firm, not a soft mattress. Infants don't have the motor control to turn over and a mattress that is soft can increase the chance of drowning. This mattress is made from skin-friendly and breathable materials. It is a comfortable fit for your baby, yet firm enough to be safe.
Mum home test Jasmin was pleased with the fact that the crib does not take up a lot of space in her bedroom, and she found it to be the perfect size for a newborn. She also noted that the mattress was of good quality, unlike others which seem thin and flimsy. She also appreciates that it has storage space beneath for bedding and clothes - something many other bassinets don't.
Mehack Mehack, 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 appreciates that legs can be placed under the bed to make it appear less bulky and occupy less area on the floor. She's also impressed by the ease of being able to move around the house whenever you want to, for convenience during middle-of-the-night feedings and check-ins.
The CoZee Air crib is a favorite among parents. It won the Gold Award in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has a clever design with four pulleys built-in to raise or lower the crib. It also has a large storage basket for your baby's toys, blankets and other essentials. It's also easy to assemble and light in weight that is great for traveling with your baby.
Safety
When choosing a baby's bedside cot it's important to keep the safety of your baby in mind. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS recommend that babies do not sleep in the parents bed due to the possibility of suffocation as well as sudden infant death syndrome. bedside crib vs cot bassinets enable parents to keep their babies close to them, facilitating nighttime feedings as well as comforting and monitoring without needing to get up.
This close proximity can support breastfeeding mothers, as it allows them to be attentive to the needs of their baby while still sleeping. This can help maintain the supply of milk and encourage breastfeeding. Some cots with a twin bedside cot are equipped with adjustable height features, which will help ensure that the bassinet is at a comfortable height for both mother and baby for ease of access during feedings or for care.
A lot of bassinets have mattresses that are firm. This is designed to decrease the risk of suffocation, and also meets the standards of the industry. This is essential because newborn's bones are brittle and aren't fully developed. They must be supported to prevent damage. The mattress should be covered with a fitted sheet in order to reduce the risk that dust mites, as well as other allergens, can cause a child to be suffocated. It must also be kept free of allergens and clean.
Some bedside cots can be tilted. This can be useful for babies with reflux or digestive issues, however this should be done with great caution and at a gentle angle. It's also important to stay clear of adding pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet, as these can pose the risk of suffocation for your baby. They should only be used when the cot is on a flat surface.
You should also consider a bassinet that has a secure attachment system. This can be connected to your existing bed easily without the need for tools. This is especially helpful for parents who may struggle to get their child in and out of the cot, or concerned about the possibility of rolling over during sleep. If your bassinet is equipped with a secure attachment it is a good idea for you to regularly check it. Make sure there aren't any gaps and that the system is securely connected.
Comfort
If you are a soon-to-be parent, the comfort of your child is among your top concerns. There's a brand new sleep solution that lets you keep your baby close to you at night, without the danger of bed-sharing. The newborn bedside cot is essentially a bassinet-style cot that is attached to the bed's side, allowing you to safely lift them out towards you to feed them at night and soothe. It also makes an excellent choice for mothers recovering from a csection, because it eliminates the need to bend too much or even to get out of the bed.
Modern bedside cot mattress cots for babies should be fitted with a firm, flat mattress to encourage safe sleep habits and lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Bedding should be simple with a cot sheet and blanket tucked tightly at the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys and pillows that could be thrown over your baby bedside cot, creating a suffocation risk. If your baby is used to being swaddled you can use a swaddle or a baby sleep bag for the first few weeks, however it should be removed as soon as you can once they've gained the strength to take off their wraps.
Some bedside cribs have a removable or drop-down side that allows easy access to your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeds and comforting. This feature is perfect 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 as your baby it's important to know that this practice has been associated with an increased risk of SIDS especially if a parent unintentionally is able to roll onto their infant while they sleep.
A breathable fabric will keep your baby comfortable and cool throughout the night. This is particularly important if you plan to sleep with your newborn, since the risk of being overheated in the night increases. The SnuzPod4 is a unique, mesh side panel that is breathable that helps improve the flow of air and keep your baby comfortable in their bed.