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 recommends against due to SIDS and suffocation). It helps you take care of your baby and nurse them during the night.
This sleeper has a firm mattress that supports babies backs, reducing the risk of SIDS. It can swivel over your adult bed to make it easier for you to get your baby for nighttime cuddles or a sunrise kiss.
Budget
A bedside cot, also known as a co-sleeper, the bassinet-style baby bedside sleeper cot that can be attached to your existing bed. This lets you comfortably and safely reach your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeding or cuddles. These are perfect for new parents and mums recovering from a c-section as they allow the baby to be easily accessible without needing to get out of bed.
There are many different designs available, ranging from basic ones that have a drop down side to more sophisticated models with multiple adjustment options, including the ability to tilt or raise. Most convert to an independent crib for naps during the day or when your baby is a few months old and sleeping longer at night.
One of our favourites 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 a clip to your existing bed, to ensure safe side-by-side sleeping. She also liked its plush mattress that passed our firmness tests and it also has an adjustable manual inclining feature for those suffering from reflux.
She didn't like the fact that it had a non-mesh panel at the bottom, and thought it was too bulky to move from room to room. When it was folded into its travel bag, she found it to be a bit heavy to carry up the stairs.
Size
A bedside cot is similar to an infant bassinet that is placed on the bed's side. It lets you easily reach your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeding nappies, comforting and feeding. It's perfect for mothers who are recovering from the c-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby separated from you for the first 6 months to decrease the chance of SIDS. A crib that is placed near your bed is a safe method to accomplish this since it is low-sided and lets you easily reach your baby at night.
It is crucial that your baby sleeps on a firm and not a soft mattress. A soft mattress can increase the risk of suffocation in newborns, as they lack the motor control needed to turn. This mattress is made of skin-friendly and breathe-able materials. It is comfortable for your baby but sufficient to be secure.
Mum Jasmin was pleased that the crib didn't take up much space in her room and found it to be the perfect size for a newborn. She also said that the mattress was excellent quality, in contrast to others that feel thin and thin. She also appreciates that it has a storage area underneath for clothes and bedding which other bassinets don't.
Mehack is an MFM mother who has tested the product at home, likes the ability to remove the side wall to allow for easier access to your baby. She also loves that the legs tuck into the bed so it doesn't look big or take up a lot of floor space. She's also impressed with how easy it is to move around the house when you'd like, for convenience during middle-of-the-night meals and check-ins.
A recipient of a Gold award in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards The CoZee Air is a popular choice amongst parents. It features a smart design with four built-in pulleys to raise or lower the crib. It includes a large storage basket for blankets, toys and other necessities. It's also light and easy to put together which makes it perfect to travel with your baby.
Safety
When selecting a newborn 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 don't be placed in parents' beds due to the possibility of suffocation as well as sudden infant death syndrome. Bedside bassinets allow parents to keep their infants close, which allows for nighttime feedings as well as monitoring without having to leave their bed.
This close proximity can support breastfeeding mothers, as it allows them to attend to the needs of their infant while still sleeping. This can help maintain the supply of milk and encourage breastfeeding. Some cots for wooden bedside cot use adjustable height features that aid the mother and child to reach the bassinet to feed or take care of other needs at night.
Many bassinets have mattresses that are firm and designed to reduce the risk of suffocation and is in line with industry standards. This is essential because newborn's bones are brittle and not fully developed and require support to prevent damage. The mattress should be encased with a fitted sheet to minimize the risk of suffocation from dust mites or other allergens, and kept clean and free of irritants.
Some cots with a bedside have the capability of being tilted. This can be useful for babies with reflux or digestive issues, however it should be done with a lot of care and at a gentle angle. It's also important to avoid putting pillows, duvets or crib bumpers to the bassinet as these can pose the risk of suffocation for your baby and should only be used when the cot is set on an even surface.
You should also think about a bassinet that has a secure attachment system. It can be connected to your existing bed easily without the need for tools. This feature is especially beneficial for parents who find it difficult to lift their child into and out of the crib or are concerned about their child accidentally rolling over during sleep. If your bassinet has secured attachments it is a good idea to regularly check it. Check to ensure there are no gaps, and that the system is securely attached.
Comfort
If you're expecting a child, the comfort of your infant is undoubtedly one of your top concerns. There's a new solution to sleep that allows you to keep your baby close at night without the risk of sharing the bed. The newborn bedside cot is essentially a bassinet-style cot that fixes to the side of your bed and allows you to move them towards you to feed them at night and soothe. It's also a great choice for mums recovering from a csection, because it eliminates the need to bend over too much or even to get out of bed.
A modern foldable bedside crib cot for newborns should have a sturdy, flat mattress to help in promoting safe sleeping habits and reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The bedding should be simple, comprising a cot sheets and a blanket that is tightly tucked at the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys or pillows since they could fall on your baby and pose a suffocation hazard. If your baby is familiar with being swaddled, you can use a swaddle or baby sleep bag for the first few weeks, although it should be removed as soon as you can once they've developed the strength to take off their wraps.
Some cribs for bedside use an open or removable side for easy access to your baby's feeds and comforting. This is a good option for parents who wish to keep an intimate relationship with their child, but still adhere to NHS safe sleep guidelines. If you plan to co-sleep with your child, it is important to know that this practice could increase the risk of SIDS. This is especially when a parent accidentally is able to roll their infant over when they are asleep.
A breathable fabric will keep your baby cool and cool throughout the night. This is especially important if you plan to sleep with your newborn, as the risk of overheating increases during sleep. The SnuzPod4 is a unique, side panel made of breathable mesh, which helps to improve the airflow and keeps your baby comfortable in their bed.