Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside Cot [peatix.com] is a small sleeper that allows babies to share a space as their parents without the risks of true co-sleeping (which the AAP recommends against due to SIDS and suffocation). It also makes mid-night nursing sessions and care much easier.
This sleeper features a firm mattress that can support babies' backs and decrease the risk of SIDS. It can be swiveled over your bed to allow you to carry your child out for midnight nursing or cuddles at sunrise.
Budget
A bedside cot, also known as a co-sleeper, the bassinet-style baby cot that clips or attaches to your existing bed. This lets you reach your baby quickly and safely for a nighttime feed, comforting, or cuddles. They are a great choice for mums or new parents recovering from a c-section as they provide the baby with easy access and don't require you to get up.
There are a variety of styles available, ranging from basic ones with just the drop-down side, to more sophisticated ones with multiple adjustment options, including the ability to tilt or raise. Most can be converted into an independent crib once your baby grows older and is sleeping longer at night.
One of our favourites is the Maxi-Cosi Lura, which was nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards, including the categories of best bedside cots Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily noted how stylish and modern the design was. She also appreciated 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 appreciated the soft mattress that passed our firmness test and also the fact that it features an automatic rocking feature that can be adjusted to a slight slope for those suffering from reflux.
But she wasn't thrilled with the fact that it had a non-mesh panel at the lower end, and thought it was a bit bulky to move from room to room frequently. When folded into its travel bag, she found it to be somewhat heavy to carry up the stairs.
Size
A bedside cot is a bassinet that is placed on the bed's side. It allows you to reach your baby during the night for feeding nappies, comforting and feeding. It's perfect for mothers who are recovering from a c-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise that you place your baby in the same space as you but separate from you for the first six months, as this can help reduce the chance of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). The crib at the bedside, with its low sides, is a great way to do this. It allows you to be able to easily access your baby during the night.
It is essential that your baby sleeps on a firm bed as it is safer than a mattress that is soft. Newborns don't have the motor control to rotate and a soft mattress could increase the risk of suffocation. The breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make the mattress comfortable for your baby, but sufficient to ensure safety.
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 bedside co sleeper. She also said that the mattress was also of good quality, as opposed to some that feel flimsy and thin. She also loves the fact that it has a storage space beneath for bedding and clothes which many bassinets don't.
Mehack is an MFM mother who has tested the product at home, likes that you can take off the wall on the side to allow easier access to your baby. She also likes the fact that legs fold into the bed so it doesn't appear big or take up too much floor space. She's also impressed with the ease of being able to move around the house as you need to, for convenience during middle-of-the-night feedings and check-ins.
The CoZee Air crib is a favorite among parents. It was awarded the Gold Award in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards. It is a clever design with four pulleys which can be used to raise or lower your crib. There's also an ample basket for blankets, toys, and other items. It is also lightweight and easy to assemble which makes it perfect to travel cot bedside with your baby.
Safety
When choosing a baby's bedside cot it's important to keep the safety aspect in your mind. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS, recommend that babies don't sleep in the parents' beds because of the risk of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome. Bedside bassinets allow parents to keep their infants close, which allows for nighttime feedings as well as comforting and monitoring without the need to get out of bed.
This close proximity can also aid breastfeeding mothers since it allows them to be attentive to the baby's needs while also sleeping. This can help maintain the supply of milk and encourage breastfeeding. Some cots for bedside have adjustable height features, which can help to ensure that the bassinet is an ideal height for mother and baby to allow easy access for middle-of-the-night feedings or other care.
Many bassinets come with mattresses that are firm, which is designed to reduce suffocation risk and meets the standards of the industry. This is essential because baby's bones are fragile and not fully developed, and 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, can suffocate a child. It must also be kept free of allergens and clean.
Some cribs for bedside use can be tilted. This is helpful for babies with digestive or reflux issues. However, it should be done with care and with caution. Avoid placing pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers inside the bassinet. These could create the risk of suffocation your baby.
It's also worth thinking about an infant bassinet that has an attachment system that is secure and can be easily attached to your existing bed without the need for tools. This feature is especially beneficial for parents who have difficulty carry their child into and out of the crib or are worried about their baby accidentally rolling over during sleep. If your bassinet has a secure attachment it is a good idea for you to check it frequently. Check to ensure there aren't any gaps and that the system is securely connected.
Comfort
If you're a parent-to-be and you're worried about the safety of your baby is surely one of your main concerns. Thankfully, there's an innovative sleep solution that lets you keep your baby close to you throughout the night without taking on any of the risks associated with bed-sharing. The infant bedside cot basically a bassinet-style cot that is attached to the side of your bed and allows you to take them away to feed them at night and soothe. It's an excellent option for mothers who are recovering from a C section as it eliminates the need to stand up or sit up.
Modern cots for infants should have a flat, firm mattress to encourage safe sleeping practices and reduce the risk Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The bedding should be simple and consist of only the sheets for the cot and a blanket tucked in tightly at the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers or pillows as these could be thrown over your baby and create a risk 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 you can once they've developed the strength to unwrap themselves.
Some cribs with a bedside sleeper cot feature an option to remove or drop down the side that provides the baby to be easily accessible to feed and comfort them in the middle of the night. This is a great feature for parents who wish to maintain a close relationship with their child while adhering to NHS guidelines for sleep. If you're planning to co-sleep in the same bed as your baby it's important to recognize that this practice has been linked to a higher risk of SIDS especially when a parent accidentally falls on their child during 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 particularly important if you plan to sleep with your newborn since the chance of overheating increases when you sleep. The SnuzPod4 features a unique mesh side panel that is breathable that helps improve the flow of air and keep your baby comfortable in their bed.