Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a compact sleeper that allows newborns to sleep in the same room as their parents without the dangers of co-sleeping (which the AAP recommends against due to SIDS and suffocation). It helps you care for your baby and nurse them during the night.
This sleeper has a sturdy mattress to help babies' backs and minimize the chance of SIDS. It can be swiveled over your adult bed to lift your baby to cuddle them at sunrise or during late night nursing.
Budget
A bedside crib, also known as a co-sleeper or bassinet is a bassinet-style crib for babies that attaches to your bed. This allows you to reach your baby quickly and safely for a mid-night feed or comforting cuddle. They are a great choice for mothers or new parents recovering from a csection as they offer the baby with easy access and don't require you to get up.
There are lots of different designs available that range from basic models with just a drop-down option to more sophisticated models that can be adjusted in multiple ways with incline and height options. Many convert to a separate crib for daytime naps or when your baby is about months old and sleeps longer at night.
One of our top picks is the Maxi-Cosi Lora that was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards in the categories of best bedside cot uk Cot, Crib 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 for safe side-byside sleeping. She also admired the soft mattress, which was able to pass our test of firmness and also the fact that it comes with a manual rocking bedside crib function that can be adjusted to a slight slope for those suffering from reflux.
However, she didn't like the fact that it had a non-mesh panel at its bottom and felt it was a bit bulky to move from room room frequently. When folded into a travel bag she found it quite heavy to carry up the stairs.
Size
A bedside cot is basically a bassinet-style cot that fixes to the side of your bed. It lets you easily reach your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeding nappies, feeding and comforting. It's also great for mothers recovering from the C-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby separate from you during the first six month, to lower the risk of SIDS. A crib that is placed near your bed is a safe method to accomplish this since it has low sides and lets you easily reach your baby during the night.
It is essential that your baby sleeps on a firm bed as it is more secure than a mattress that is soft. Newborns don't have the motor control to rotate and a mattress that is soft can increase the chance of suffocation. This mattress is made from skin-friendly and air-tight materials. It is comfortable for your baby, yet sufficient to be secure.
Mum Jasmin was delighted that the crib didn't take up much space in her bedroom and thought it was the ideal size for a baby. She also said that the mattress was of high-quality unlike other cribs that are thin and fragile. She also loves that it has a storage space beneath for blankets and clothes which she believes many other bassinets lack.
Mehack is an MFM mother who has tested the product at home, loves that you can take off the side wall to allow easier access to your baby. She also appreciates that the legs can be put under the bed to make it look less bulky and take up less space on the floor. She's also amazed by how it was easy to move around her house in the event of check-ins and feedings in the middle of the night.
A winner of a Gold award in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards, the CoZee Air is a popular choice for parents. It features a smart design with four built-in pulleys to raise or lower the crib and has a large storage basket to store your baby's toys, blankets and other essentials. It's also simple to put together and light and portable, which is ideal for traveling with your baby.
Safety
When choosing a baby's bedside cot, it is important to keep the safety of your baby in your mind. Official safe sleep advice from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies should not sleep in their parents' beds due to the dangers of suffocation, overheating and a higher chance of suffering from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bedside bassinets allow parents to keep their baby close to help with nighttime feedings and monitoring without the need to leave their bed.
This close proximity can help breastfeeding mothers as it allows them to be attentive to the needs of their baby while still sleeping. This can help to maintain the supply of milk and encourage breastfeeding. Some cots for bedside have adjustable height options, which can help to ensure that the bassinet is an ideal height for mother and baby bedside crib to allow easy access to mid-night feedings or for care.
Many bassinets are equipped with mattresses that are firm, which is designed to minimize 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 to minimize the chance that dust mites or other allergens, could choke a child. It should be kept free of allergens and clean.
Some bedside cribs can be tilted. This is helpful for babies who have digestive or reflux issues. However, this should only be done gently and with care. It is also essential to avoid adding pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet, as they can create a suffocation risk for your baby and should only be used when the cot is on a flat surface.
You should also think about an infant bassinet with an attachment system that is secure. This can be attached to your existing bed easily without the use of tools. This can be especially beneficial for parents who struggle to lift their child into and out of the cot, or concerned about the possibility of falling asleep. If your bassinet is equipped with secured attachments it is a great idea to check it regularly. Check to ensure there are no gaps and that the system is securely connected.
Comfort
If you are a soon-to-be parent, your baby's safety is among your top 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 baby bedside cot is basically a bassinet-style cot that is attached to the side of your bed, allowing you to safely take them away for feeding at night and calming. It is also a great choice for mothers recovering from a C-section since it eliminates the need to stand up or sit up.
Modern bedside cots for newborns should include a firm, flat mattress to encourage safe sleep habits and lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Bedding should be easy with just a cot sheet and blanket tucked tightly at the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys and pillows that can fall onto your baby posing a suffocation 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 is best to remove it as soon as possible once they've gained the strength to unwrap themselves.
Some cribs with a foldable bedside crib feature an option to remove or drop down the side that provides easy access to your baby for feeding and comfort in the middle of the night. This feature is ideal for parents who want to maintain a close bond with their child, while adhering to NHS sleep guidelines. If you're planning to sleep with your child, it is crucial to be aware that this practice may increase the risk of SIDS. This is especially when a parent accidentally is able to roll their infant over when they are asleep.
A fabric that is breathable is an important safety factor, since it's designed to keep your baby cool and comfortable throughout the night. This is especially important if you plan to co-sleep with your newborn since the chance of overheating increases during sleep. The SnuzPod4 comes with a unique breathable side panel that aids in improving the flow of air, keeping your baby comfortable.