Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a small sleeper that allows babies to share the same room as their parents, without the risk of sleeping together (which the AAP advises against due to suffocation and SIDS). It makes it easier to take care of your baby and give them a bottle in the middle of the night.
This mattress is a firm mattress that is designed to support babies' backs and minimize the chance of SIDS. It can swivel over your bed to allow you to lift your baby out for midnight cuddles or a sunrise kiss.
Budget
A bedside cot bedside, sometimes referred to as a co-sleeper is an infant cot with a bassinet design that is attached or clipped to your existing bed. This allows you to easily and safely reach your baby for mid-night feeding or comforting cuddles. These are perfect for moms and babies recovering from a csection because they provide the baby to be easily accessible without having to get up from the bed.
There are many different designs available, from the simple ones with the drop-down side, to more sophisticated models that have multiple adjustment options, including incline or height. Most convert to an independent crib for daytime naps or when your baby is a few months old and sleeping longer at night.
One of our favorites is the Maxi-Cosi Lora, which was nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards, including Best Cot Crib, Best Cot, or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily said she was impressed by how chic and modern the design is and she was impressed by the possibility of using it as a regular bassinet or attach it onto your bed for safe side-by-side sleeping. She also liked the plush mattress, which was able to pass our test of firmness and the fact that it has a manual rocking feature that can be set to a slight incline for reflux sufferers.
She didn't like that it had a mesh panel at the bottom, and considered it too bulky to move from room to room. It also felt a bit heavy to carry up and down the stairs when folded away into its travel cot bedside bag.
Size
A bedside cot is a bassinet that is connected to the bed's side. It allows you to reach your baby for mid-night feeding nappies, feeding and comforting. It's also great for moms recovering from a C-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby separated from you for the first 6 months to lower the risk of SIDS. A crib for your bed is a safe method to achieve this because it is low-sided and allows you to easily access your newborn throughout the night.
It is essential that your baby sleeps on a firm mattress since this is safer than a soft one. A mattress that is soft increases the risk of suffocation in newborns, since they lack the motor control necessary to turn. This mattress is made of skin-friendly and breathable materials. It's comfortable for your baby, yet firm enough to ensure safety.
Mum home test Jasmin liked that this crib does not take up a lot of space in her bedroom and she found it to be the perfect size for a baby. She also noted that the mattress was of good quality, unlike others which seem thin and flimsy. She also loves that it has a storage space underneath for clothes and blankets - something she says many other bassinets lack.
MFM mum home tester Mehack is a fan of the side wall with a removable design that lets you lower it down to give easy access to your baby. She also likes that legs fold under the bed so that it doesn't appear big or take up a lot of floor space. She's also impressed by how easy it is to move around the house as you'd like in the middle of the night, which is convenient for meals and check-ins.
The CoZee Air crib is a popular choice for parents. It was awarded a Gold Award at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It features a smart design with four pulleys that are built-in to raise or lower the crib and comes with a large storage bin for your baby's blankets, toys and other essentials. It's also easy to put together and lightweight and portable, which is ideal for travelling with your baby.
Safety
When choosing a new baby's bedside cot it's important to keep safety in your thoughts. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS advise that babies not sleep in their parents' beds because of the risk of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome. Bassinets that are placed in bed let parents keep their newborn close by, facilitating night-time feedings and monitoring without needing to leave their bed.
This close proximity also assists breastfeeding mothers as they can attend to the needs of their infant without having to get up in the middle of the night, which can help to keep milk supply steady and enhance the breastfeeding experience. Some cots for bedside use adjustable height options that can make it easier for mother and child to access the bassinet for feedings or other care throughout the night.
A lot of bassinets have a firm mattress, which is designed to decrease the risk of suffocation, and also meets the standards of the industry. This is essential because baby's bones are fragile and aren't fully developed. They need to be supported to prevent injury. The mattress should be encased with a fitted sheet to decrease the chance of suffocation due to dust mites or other allergens. It should also be kept clean and free from irritants.
Some cots with a bedside can be tilted, which can be beneficial for babies suffering from reflux or digestive issues, but this should always be done with a lot of care and at a moderate angle. Avoid putting pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers in the bassinet. They could pose a risk of suffocation for your baby.
It is also recommended to consider the bassinet with a secure attachment system. This can be connected to your bed without the use of tools. This is particularly beneficial for parents who struggle to carry their child into and out of the crib or are worried about their child accidentally rolling over while sleeping. If your bassinet does have secured attachments it's an excellent idea to periodically ensure that it's securely secured and that there aren't any gaps or loose components that could cause danger.
Comfort
If you're planning to become a parent, your baby's safety is one of your main concerns. Thankfully, there's an innovative sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close throughout the night - without any of the risks that come with sharing beds. The baby bedside crib that turns into cot cot is basically a bassinet-style cot which is fixed to the side of your bed, allowing you to safely move them towards you to feed them at night and soothe. It is also a great option for mothers who are recovering from a C section as it removes the need to stand or sit up.
A modern newborn bedside cot crib cot should have a sturdy and flat mattress that can promote safe sleeping practices and decrease the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The bedding should be kept simple with just the sheets for the cot and a blanket tucked tightly at the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers and pillows that can fall on your baby, posing the risk of suffocation. If your baby has been used to being swaddled for a few weeks then you can use an swaddle or baby sleep bag. However, it is recommended that this be removed after they have the strength to unwrap them.
Some cribs with a bedside have a drop-down or removable side for easy access to your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeds and comforting. This is a wonderful feature for parents who want to maintain an intimate relationship with their child while still following NHS safe sleep guidelines. However, if you're planning to sleep in the same bed with your child it's important to recognize that this practice has been associated with an increased risk of SIDS especially when a parent accidentally rolls onto their infant while they sleep.
A breathable fabric is another 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 sleep with your baby because the risk of overheating when sleeping increases. The SnuzPod4 has a unique, breathable side panel, which helps increase airflow, keeping your baby cool.