Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a small sleeper that allows new babies to sleep in the same space as their parents without the risk of sleeping together (which the AAP advises against due to SIDS and suffocation). It helps you care for your infant and feed 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 allow you to raise your baby to cuddle them at sunrise or during nighttime nursing.
Budget
A bedside cot, sometimes referred to as a co-sleeper, a bassinet-style baby cot that clips or attaches to your bed. This lets you safely and easily reach your baby for mid-night feeding or cuddles. They are a great option for new parents or mums recovering from a c-section because they offer the baby with easy access and do not require you to get up from your bed.
There are many different designs on the market starting with basic models that have only a drop-down side, to more sophisticated models that can be adjusted in several ways including height and incline options. Most convert to a separate crib for daytime naps or when your baby is around a few months old and is sleeping more at night.
Maxi-Cosi Lora is one of our favorites. It was selected in the Best Cot category for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. MFM home tester Emily commented how stylish and modern the design was. She also appreciated the fact that it can be used as a bassinet, or attached to your existing bed for a safe side-by-side sleep. She also adored its soft mattress that was able to pass our tests of firmness and also that it comes with an adjustable manual inclining feature for those suffering from reflux.
But she wasn't thrilled with the feature of a non-mesh panel at its bottom and felt it was a bit bulky to move from room to room often. It also felt a bit heavy to carry up and down the stairs, especially when folded away into its travel bag.
Size
A bedside cot is an infant bassinet that is connected to the side of your bed. You can easily reach your baby's side to feed them, change nappies or just to soothe them during the night. It's also great for mums recovering from a C-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby separated from you during the first six months, to reduce the risk of SIDS. The crib at the bedside with its low sides, is a great method to accomplish this. It lets you be able to easily access your baby at night.
It is crucial that your infant sleeps on a firm mattress as it is more secure than a mattress that is soft. Newborns don't have the motor control needed to turn and a soft mattress could increase the risk of drowning. The soft, breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make this mattress comfortable for your baby but sufficient to ensure safety.
Mum Jasmin was happy that the crib didn't occupy too the entire space in her room and found it to be the ideal size for a newborn. She also noted that the mattress was of high-quality and not like other mattresses that seem thin and flimsy. She also appreciates the fact that it has a storage space beneath for blankets and clothes - something she says many bassinets don't have.
MFM mom home test Mehack is a big fan of the side wall with a removable design that allows you to drop it to make it easier access to your newborn. She also appreciates that the legs can be tucked under the bed to make it appear less bulky and take up less floor space. She's also amazed by how easy it was to move around the house when she needed to do check-ins and feedings in the middle of the night.
The winner of an Gold award in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards, the CoZee Air is a popular choice amongst parents. It is designed with four built-in pulleys to raise or lower the crib and comes with a large bedside cot storage bin for toys, blankets and other necessities. It's also light and easy to put together which makes it perfect 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 thoughts. The official safety sleep guidelines of both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies do not be sleeping in the bed of their parents because of the risks of overheating, suffocation and a greater chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bedside bassinets enable parents to keep their infants close, which allows for nighttime feedings, comforting, and monitoring without the need to leave their bed.
This close proximity can also aid breastfeeding mothers since it lets them attend to the needs of their baby while also sleeping. This can help to maintain milk supply and encourage breastfeeding. Some bedside cot crib cots have adjustable height features, which will help ensure that the bassinet is a comfortable height for both mother and baby for ease of access during feedings or other care.
Many bassinets have a mattress that is designed to reduce the risk of suffocation and meets industry standards. This is important because a baby's bones are fragile and not fully developed and must be supported to prevent damage. The mattress should be covered in a fitted cover to reduce the risk of suffocation due to dust mites or other allergens, and kept clean and free of allergens.
Some bedside cosleeper cribs can be tilted. This is useful for babies with reflux or digestive problems. But, it should be done slowly and with care. Avoid putting pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers in the bassinet. They could pose a risk of suffocation for your baby.
You should also think about an infant bassinet with a secure attachment system. It can be connected to your existing bed easily without the need of tools. This feature can be particularly useful for parents who struggle to get their child into and out of the cot or who are worried about accidentally falling asleep. If your bassinet has a secure attachment it is a great idea to check it regularly. Check to ensure there aren't any gaps and that the system is securely connected.
Comfort
If you're expecting a child and you're worried about the safety of your infant is undoubtedly one of your top concerns. Thankfully, there's an innovative sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close during the night - without any of the dangers that come with bed-sharing. The infant bedside crib travel crib is a cot that resembles a bassinet that can be attached to the side of the bed. It allows you to safely lift your baby out to you for night feedings and calming. It is also a great option for mothers who are recovering from a C section as it eliminates the need to stand up or sit up.
A modern cot bedside for infants should have a sturdy, flat mattress to help in promoting safe sleeping habits and reduce the chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The bedding should be kept simple and consist of only the sheets for the cot and a blanket tucked in tightly at the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys, and pillows that could fall onto your baby posing an obstructive risk. If your baby is familiar with being swaddled, you can use a swaddle or a baby sleep bag for the first few weeks, although it is best to remove it as soon as possible once they've developed the strength to pull themselves out of the wrap.
Some cribs for bedside use an open or removable side for easy access to your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeds and comforting. This is a wonderful option for parents who wish to maintain an intimate relationship with their child, while adhering to NHS safe sleep guidelines. However, if you're planning to co-sleep in the same bed with your baby, it's important to understand that this practice has been linked to an increased risk of SIDS particularly in the event that a parent is able to roll onto their infant while they 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 intend to sleep with your baby as the risk of overheating when sleeping increases. The SnuzPod4 features a unique breathable mesh side panel that aids in improving the airflow and keeps your baby snug in their bed.