Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a tiny sleeper that allows new babies to share the same space as their parents without the risks of true co-sleeping (which the AAP recommends against due to SIDS and suffocation). It helps you care for your baby and give them a bottle throughout the night.
This sleeper features a firm mattress that can support babies' backs and decrease the risk of SIDS. It can be swiveled over your adult bed to raise your baby to cuddle them at sunrise or during midnight nursing.
Budget
A bedside crib, also called a bassinet or cosleeper is a bassinet type crib that can be attached to your existing bed. This allows you to safely and easily reach your baby during the night for feeding, comforting or cuddles. They are a great option for new parents or mums recovering from a c-section as they provide the baby with easy access and don't require you to get out of bed.
There are lots of different designs on the market starting with basic models that have only a drop-down side, to more advanced ones that can be adjusted in multiple ways, including incline and height options. Most can be converted into an independent crib once your baby is older and sleeps longer at night.
One of our favorites is the Maxi-Cosi Lora which was shortlisted for 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Cot Crib, Best Cot or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily expressed her delight at how stylish and modern the design is, while she appreciated the feature that you can use it as a regular bassinet or clip it onto your bed to sleep side-by-side in a safe and secure manner. She also liked its plush mattress that passed our firmness tests and it also has an option to manually tilt it for reflux sufferers.
However, she wasn't a fan of the feature of a non-mesh panel on the foot end and felt it was a bit bulky to move from room to room often. When folded into a travel cot bedside crib bag, she found it to be quite heavy to carry up the stairs.
Size
A bedside cot is basically the bassinet style cot that can be fixed to your side of the bed. It is easy to reach your baby's side for feedings, changing nappies, or to comfort them in the middle of the night. It's also great for mums recovering from C-sections.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise that you place your baby in the same room with you but separate from you for the first six months as this can help reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). The crib at the bedside with its low sides is a great method to achieve this. It allows you to access your baby easily at night.
It is essential that your baby sleeps on a firm mattress as this is safer than a mattress that is soft. Newborns don't have the motor control needed to turn and a mattress that is soft could increase the chance of drowning. The breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make the mattress comfortable for your baby, but firm enough for safety.
Mum home tester Jasmin was pleased with the fact that the 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 stated that the mattress was of good quality unlike other cribs that are thin and fragile. She also loves the fact that it has a storage space underneath for bedding and clothes which many bassinets don't have.
Mehack, a MFM mom who tried the product at home, is thrilled the ability to remove the side wall to allow for easier access to your baby. She also appreciates that the legs can be put under the bed to look less bulky and occupy less floor space. She's also impressed by how easy it is to move around the house as you need to, for convenience during middle-of-the-night feedings and check-ins.
A recipient of the Gold award at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards, the CoZee Air is a popular choice among parents. It is designed with four pulleys built-in to raise or lower the crib and comes with a large storage bin for your baby's toys, blankets and other necessities. It is also light and easy to assemble, making it ideal for traveling with your baby.
Safety
When choosing a new baby's bedside cot, it is important to keep the safety of your baby in your mind. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS, recommend that babies don't be placed in parents bed because of the risk of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome. Bassinets for bedside use let parents keep their baby close, facilitating night-time feedings, comforting and monitoring without needing to get up from their beds.
This close proximity also assists breastfeeding mothers by allowing them to take care of their infant's needs without having to wake up completely and help keep the supply of milk steady and help the breastfeeding experience. Some cots for bedside have adjustable height features that will help ensure that the bassinet is at an ideal height for mother and baby for easy access for middle-of-the-night feedings or for care.
Many bassinets are equipped with mattresses that are firm, which is designed to reduce the risk of suffocation and is in line with industry standards. It is important to support the bones of a newborn as they are still soft and aren't fully formed. The mattress should be covered in a fitted cover to minimize the risk of suffocation caused by dust mites or other allergens and kept hygienically clean and free of irritants.
Some bedside cots have the ability to be tilted, which can be useful for babies with reflux or digestive issues, but it should be done with a lot of care and at a gentle angle. Avoid adding pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers in the bassinet. These can pose the risk of suffocation your baby.
It is also recommended to consider the bassinet with an attachment system that is secure. It can be connected to your existing bed easily without the use of tools. This feature is especially beneficial for parents who have difficulty lift their child into and out of the crib or are concerned about their baby accidentally rolling over during sleep. If your bassinet is equipped with a secure attachment it is a good idea to check it frequently. Check to ensure there aren't any gaps and that the system is securely attached.
Comfort
If you're a soon-to-be parent, your baby's safety is among your top concerns. There's a wonderful sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close throughout the night without taking on any of the dangers that come with bed-sharing. The crib for newborns is a bassinet style cot that is attached to the side of the bed. It allows you to safely carry your baby to you for night feedings and comfort. It's also a great choice for mums recovering from a c-section, as it reduces the need to bend too much or even to get out of bed.
Modern bedside cots for babies should include a firm, flat mattress to encourage safe sleep practices and reduce the risk Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The bedding should be kept as simple as possible with just the sheet for the cot and blanket tucked tightly at the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys, and pillows that could be thrown over your baby, creating the risk of suffocation. If your baby is used to being swaddled for several weeks and you want to use a swaddle, or a baby sleep bag. However, this should be removed when they are strong enough to take them off.
Some cribs for bedside sleeper cot use a drop-down or removable side that allows easy access to your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeds and comforting. This is a wonderful feature for parents who want to maintain a strong bond with their child, but still adhere to NHS safe sleep advice. However, if you're planning to co-sleep in the same bed as your child it's important to recognize that this practice has been linked to a higher risk of SIDS particularly when a parent accidentally falls on their infant during sleep.
A fabric that is breathable will keep your baby cool and cool throughout the night. This is particularly crucial if you plan to sleep with your baby as the risk of overheating in the night increases. The SnuzPod4 has a unique breathable mesh side panel, which helps to improve airflow and keep your baby snug in their mattress.