Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside crib or cot cot is a compact sleeper that allows babies to sleep in the same room as their parents, without the risk of sleeping together (which the AAP cautions against due suffocation and SIDS). It helps you care for your baby and nurse them throughout the night.
This sleeper features a firm mattress that is designed to help babies' backs and decrease the risk of SIDS. It can be swiveled over your bed to make it easier for you to lift your baby out for midnight cuddles or a sunrise kiss.
Budget
A bedside cot, also referred to as a co-sleeper, a bassinet-style baby cot that can be attached to your existing bed. This allows you to reach your baby easily and safely for a late-night feed or comforting cuddle. These are ideal for moms and babies recovering from a csection because they provide the baby to be easily accessible without needing to get out of bed.
There are a variety of designs on the market, from basic models with just a drop-down option to more sophisticated models that can be adjusted in a variety of ways with incline and height options. Most can be converted into an independent crib once your baby is older and has a longer sleep time in the night.
One of our favourites is the Maxi-Cosi Lora, that was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards in Best Cot Crib, Best Cot, or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily expressed her delight at how stylish and modern the design is as well as the feature that you can use it as a regular bassinet, or clip it onto your bed to ensure that you can sleep side-by-side. She also admired the soft mattress that passed our firmness test and the fact that it has a manual rocking feature that can be adjusted to a slight slope for reflux sufferers.
She didn't like the fact that it had a non-mesh panel at the bottom, and thought it was too bulky to move around from room to room. When folded into its travel bag she found it a bit heavy to carry up the stairs.
Size
A bedside cot is basically the bassinet style cot that can be fixed to the side of your bed. It allows you to easily reach your baby during the night for feeding nappies, comforting and feeding. It's also great for mothers recovering from a C-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise you to keep your baby in the same space as you, but keep them separate from you for the first six months because this will reduce the chance of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). A crib that is placed near your bed is a secure way to achieve this because it has low sides and allows you to easily access your newborn during the night.
It is important that your baby is sleeping on a firm and not an extremely soft mattress. A soft mattress can increase the risk of suffocation among newborns, as they lack the motor control needed to turn. The breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make the mattress comfortable for your baby but also sufficient to ensure safety.
Mum home test Jasmin was pleased with the fact that the crib doesn't take up too much space in her bedroom and she found it to be the perfect size for a baby. She also said that the mattress was of high-quality, unlike others which seem thin and flimsy. She also appreciates the fact that it has a storage space underneath for clothes and blankets - something she says most bassinets do not have.
MFM mum home tester Mehack is a fan of the side wall with a removable design that allows you to drop it down for easy access to your infant. She also likes that the legs tuck under the bed so it doesn't look heavy or take up a lot of floor space. She's also amazed by how it was easy to move around her house in the event of feeds and check-ins in the middle of the night.
The CoZee Air crib is a favorite among parents. It won the Gold Award at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has a clever 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 necessities. It's also simple to put together and lightweight that is great for traveling with your baby.
Safety
When choosing a baby's bedside baby bed cot, it is important to keep the safety aspect in your mind. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS recommend that babies don't be placed in parents' beds due to the risk of suffocation or sudden infant death syndrome. bedside co sleeper bassinets allow parents to keep their infants close, which allows for nighttime feedings as well as monitoring without needing to leave their bed.
This close proximity can aid breastfeeding mothers since it allows them to attend to the needs of their infant while they sleep. This can help to maintain the supply of milk and encourage breastfeeding. Some cots with a bedside are equipped with adjustable height features that can help to ensure that the bassinet is at an appropriate height for mother and baby for easy access to mid-night feedings or for care.
Many bassinets come with mattresses that are firm, which is designed to minimize the risk of suffocation and is in line with the standards of the industry. It is crucial to support the bones of a newborn as they are still soft and aren't fully formed. The mattress should be encased with a fitted sheet to decrease the chance of suffocation from dust mites and other allergens. It should also be kept clean and free of irritants.
Some bedside cribs can be tilted. This is useful for babies with reflux or digestive issues. However, it should only be done gently and with care. It's also important to avoid putting pillows, duvets or crib bumpers to the bassinet, as these can pose an obstructing risk to your baby and should only be used when the cot is placed on flat surfaces.
You should also think about an infant bassinet with a secure attachment system. It can be connected to your bed without the need for tools. This feature is especially useful for parents who have difficulty lift their child into and out of the crib or are worried about their baby accidentally rolling over while sleeping. If your bassinet has secured attachments it is a good idea to check it frequently. Check to ensure there are no gaps and that the system is securely connected.
Comfort
If you're planning to become a parent, the comfort of your child is one of your main 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 sharing beds. The infant bedside cot essentially a bassinet-style cot that fixes to the side of your bed, allowing you to safely lift them out towards you to feed them at night and soothe. It's also a great option for mothers who are recovering from a C section as it will not require you to stand or to bend over.
A modern cot for infants should have a firm flat mattress to promote safe sleeping practices and decrease the chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The bedding should be simple, with only the sheet for the cot and blanket that is tightly tucked into the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys or pillows because they could fall on your baby and cause danger of suffocation. If your baby is familiar with 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 take off their wraps.
Some cribs with a bedside have an open or removable side for easy access to your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeds and comforting. This feature is ideal for parents who want to maintain a close relationship with their child, but still adhere to NHS sleep guidelines. If you're considering sleeping in the same bed as your baby, it's important to understand that this practice has been associated with an increased risk of SIDS especially if a parent unintentionally falls on their child during sleep.
A fabric that is breathable is an important safety feature, as it's designed to keep your baby cool and comfortable throughout the night. This is particularly important if you plan to sleep with your newborn because the risk of overheating is higher during sleep. The SnuzPod4 features a unique breathable mesh side panel that helps improve airflow and keep your baby comfortable in their mattress.