Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside crib with changing table cot is a compact sleeper that allows new babies to share a space as their parents without the risk of sleeping together (which the AAP advises against due to suffocation and SIDS). It makes it easier to care for your infant and feed them during the night.
This sleeper has an extremely firm mattress that can support babies' backs, reducing the chance of SIDS. It can swivel over your adult bed to make it easier for you to carry your child out for midnight nursing or sunrise cuddles.
Budget
A bedside crib, also referred to as a bassinet or co-sleeper is a bassinet-style crib that can be attached to your bed. This allows you to safely and easily reach your baby during the night for feeding or cuddles. They are a great choice for mothers or new parents recovering from a c-section as they provide easy access to baby and do not require you to get out of bed.
There are a variety of designs available, from the simple ones with a drop down side to more sophisticated models with multiple adjustment options, including an incline or a height. The majority of them can be converted to an independent crib once your baby is older and is sleeping longer at night.
One of our favorites is the Maxi-Cosi Lora which was nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards in the categories of Best Cot Crib, best bedside cots Cot, or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily noted how stylish and modern the design was. She also liked the fact that it can be used as a bassinet, or clipped to your existing bed for a safe side-by-side sleep. She also appreciated its luxurious mattress, which was able to pass our tests of firmness, and that it has an option to manually tilt it for those suffering from reflux.
However, she wasn't a fan of the feature of a non-mesh panel at its bottom and thought it was a bit bulky to move from room room frequently. It also felt a little heavy to carry up and down the stairs once it was folded up into its bag for travel.
Size
A bedside cot is a bassinet that is placed on the side of your bed. You can easily reach your baby's side to feed them, change nappies or just to soothe them in the middle of the night. It's great for mothers who are recovering from a c-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise that you place your baby in the same room as you, but keep them separate from you for the first six months as this can help reduce the chance of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). A crib for your bed is a safe way to accomplish this since it has low sides and allows you to be able to easily access your baby during the night.
It is important that your baby sleeps on a firm and not a soft mattress. Babies don't have motor control to rotate and a mattress that is soft can increase the risk of being suffocated. The mattress is made of skin-friendly and breathable materials. It is a comfortable fit for your baby, yet firm enough to be safe.
Mum Jasmin was delighted that the crib didn't occupy too much space in her bedroom and found it to be the ideal size for a baby. She also stated that the mattress was of high-quality unlike other cribs that seem thin and flimsy. She also likes the fact that it has storage space beneath for bedding and clothes which many bassinets don't have.
Mehack, a MFM mother who has tested the product at home, is thrilled that you can remove the wall on the side to allow easier access to your baby. She also likes the fact that legs can be placed under the bed to make it appear less bulky and occupy less space on the floor. She's also impressed by how easy it is to move around the house when you want to, for convenience during middle-of-the-night feedings and check-ins.
A recipient of an Gold award in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards, the CoZee Air is a popular choice amongst parents. It has a clever design with four built-in pulleys to raise or lower the crib. It also has a large storage basket for your baby's blankets, toys and other necessities. It's also easy to assemble and light that is great to travel with your baby.
Safety
It is crucial to think about the safety of a newborn bedside crib. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS recommend that babies not sleep in their parents' beds due to the risk of suffocation or sudden infant death syndrome. Bassinets that are placed in bed let parents keep their newborn close by, facilitating feeding at night as well as monitoring and comforting without having to get out of bed.
This close proximity can also aid breastfeeding mothers since it allows them to attend to the needs of their baby while still sleeping. This can help maintain the supply of milk and also encourage breastfeeding. Some bedside rocking crib cots have adjustable height options, which will help ensure that the bassinet is at an appropriate height for mother and baby for ease of access during feedings or other care.
A majority of bassinets come with a firm mattress that is designed to decrease the chance of suffocation and is in line with industry standards. It is important to support the bones of a newborn, because they are still squishy and are not fully formed. The mattress should be covered with a fitted sheet to decrease the risk that dust mites or other allergens, could suffocate a child. It must be kept clean and free of allergens.
Some bedside cribs can be tilted. This is beneficial for babies who have digestive or reflux issues. However, this should be done slowly and with care. It's also important to avoid adding pillows, duvets or crib bumpers to the bassinet, as these can pose a suffocation risk for your baby. They should only be used when the cot is set on an even surface.
It's also worth looking into a bassinet with an attachment system that is secure and can be easily fixed to your bed without the necessity of tools. This is particularly beneficial for parents who find it difficult to get their child in and out of the crib or are concerned about their baby accidentally falling asleep. If your bassinet is equipped with secured attachments it's a good idea to regularly check that it's securely attached and that there are no gaps or loose components that could pose a hazard.
Comfort
If you are a soon-to-be parent, your baby's comfort is one of your main concerns. There's a new sleep solution that lets you keep your baby close at night without the risk of sharing the bed. The infant bedside cot an essentially a bassinet-style crib that is attached to the bed's side that allows you to take them away to feed them at night and soothe. It's also a great option for mothers recovering from a C-section since it eliminates the need to get up or sit up.
Modern cots for infants should include a firm, flat mattress to promote safe sleeping habits and reduce the risk Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The bedding should be kept simple, with only the cot sheet and a blanket tucked in tightly at the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys or pillows since they could be thrown over your baby and cause danger of suffocation. If your baby is used to being swaddled for several weeks, you can use either a swaddle, or a baby sleep bag. However, it is recommended that this be removed when they have the strength to unwrap them.
Some cribs with a foldable bedside crib feature an adjustable or drop-down side that gives you easy access to your baby for feeding and comfort during the middle of the night. This feature is ideal for parents who want to maintain a close bond with their child while still following NHS guidelines for sleep. If you're planning to sleep with your child, it is important to know that this practice could increase the chance of SIDS. This is especially the case if a parent falls on their child when they are asleep.
A breathable fabric is another important safety feature, as it's designed to keep your baby cool and comfortable throughout the night. This is especially crucial if you plan to co-sleep your newborn as the risk of overheating in the night increases. The SnuzPod4 has a unique breathable mesh side panel that helps improve the airflow and keeps your baby warm in their mattress.