Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a tiny sleeper that allows newborns to share the same space as their parents without the risk of sleeping together (which the AAP recommends against due to SIDS and suffocation). It also makes middle-of-the-night nursing sessions and child care more convenient.
This sleeper features a firm mattress that is designed to help babies' backs and reduce the chance of SIDS. It can be swiveled over your adult bed to make it easier for you to lift your baby out for midnight nursing or sunrise cuddles.
Budget
A bedside cot, also known as a co-sleeper, a bassinet-style baby cot that can be attached to your existing bed. This lets you easily and safely reach your baby for mid-night feeding or cuddles. These are great for new parents and mums recovering from a c-section because they allow easy access to the baby without needing to get out of the bed.
There are a variety of styles available, ranging from basic ones with just an upside-down side to more sophisticated models that have various adjustment options, such as an incline or a height. The majority of them can be converted to a standalone crib when your baby gets older and is sleeping longer at night.
Maxi-Cosi Lora is one of our top picks. It was shortlisted in the Best Cot category for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. MFM home tester Emily commented on how stylish and modern the design as well as the fact that you can use it as a regular bassinet, or connect it to a bed to sleep side-by-side in a safe and secure manner. She also liked the plush mattress, which was able to pass our test of firmness and also the fact that it comes with a manual rocking function that can be set to a slight incline for reflux sufferers.
She didn't like the fact that it had a non mesh panel at the bottom and considered it too bulky to move around from room to room. It also felt a bit heavy to carry up and down the stairs once folded into a travel bag.
Size
A bedside cot is a bassinet that is attached to the bed's side. It allows you to reach your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeding nappies, feeding and comforting. It's ideal for mothers who are recovering from the c-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise you to keep your baby in the same room as you, but keep them separate from you for the first six months because this will reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). The bedside crib, with its low sides is a great option to do this. It lets you access your baby easily throughout the night.
It is crucial that your baby sleeps on a firm, not an extremely soft mattress. A mattress that is soft increases the risk of suffocation in newborns, since they lack the motor control necessary to turn. The breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make this mattress a comfortable one for your baby but also sufficient to ensure safety.
Mum home test Jasmin loved that the crib doesn't take up too much space in her bedroom and she found the size perfect for a newborn. The mattress she rated as also of good quality, as opposed to those that feel cheap and thin. She also loves the fact that it has storage space beneath for bedding and clothes - something many other bassinets don't.
MFM mom home test Mehack is a fan of the removable side wall that lets you drop it down for easy access to your infant. She also likes that the legs tuck into the bed so it doesn't appear heavy or take up a lot of floor space. She's also impressed with how it was simple to move around the house when she needed to do feeds and check-ins in the middle of the night.
The CoZee Air crib is a favorite among parents. It was awarded a Gold Award in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has a clever design with four pulleys built-in to raise or lower the crib. It has a large storage basket for your baby's blankets, toys and other essentials. It's also easy to put together and light, which is useful for travelling with your baby.
Safety
When choosing a new baby's bedside cot it's important to keep the safety aspect in mind. The official safety sleep guidelines of both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies do not sleep in parent's beds due to the risk of overheating, suffocation and a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bassinets for bedside cot newborn use allow parents to keep their infant close to help with night-time feedings and monitoring without the need to get out of bed.
This close proximity can also help breastfeeding mothers as it lets them attend to the baby's needs while still sleeping. This can help to maintain milk supply and encourage breastfeeding. Some cots with a bedside are equipped with adjustable height options that can aid the mother and child to reach the bassinet for feedings or other activities during the night.
A majority of bassinets come with a mattress that is designed to minimize the chance of suffocation and conforms to industry standards. This is essential because newborn's bones are soft and aren't fully developed. They require support to avoid damage. The mattress should be covered in a fitted cover to decrease the chance of suffocation caused by dust mites and other allergens, and kept clean and free from irritants.
Some cribs on the bed can be tilted. This is helpful for babies with reflux or digestive issues. However, it should only be done gently and with care. Avoid placing pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers in the bassinet. They could pose the risk of suffocation your baby.
It is also recommended to consider a bassinet that has an attachment system that is secure. It can be attached to your bed without the need of tools. This feature is especially beneficial for parents who struggle to get their child in and out of the crib or are concerned about their child accidentally rolling over during sleep. If your bassinet has an attachment system that is secure, it's a good idea to regularly make sure it's secure and that there are no gaps or loose components that could cause danger.
Comfort
If you're expecting a child, the comfort of your infant is undoubtedly one of your top concerns. There's a great sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close during the night, without any of the risks associated with bed-sharing. The infant bedside crib is a cot that resembles a bassinet that can be attached to the side of the bed. It lets you safely lift your baby out to you for feedings at night and soothing. It is also the perfect choice for mothers recovering from a c-section, as it reduces the need to bend over too much or even to get out of bed.
A modern bedside cot for newborns should have a sturdy and flat mattress that can promote safe sleeping practices and lower the chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Bedding should be simple with a cot sheet and a blanket that is tightly tucked at the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys or pillows as these could fall on your baby and pose a suffocation hazard. If your baby is used to being swaddled, you can make use of a swaddle, or a baby sleep bag for the first few weeks, however this should be removed as soon as possible once they've gained the strength to unwrap themselves.
Some bedside cots uk cribs have an open or removable side that allows easy access to your baby for feedings in the middle of the night and comforting. This is a great feature for parents who want to maintain a close relationship with their child, while still following NHS guidelines on sleep. However, if you're planning to sleep in the same bed with your child, it's important to understand that this practice has been associated with an increased risk of SIDS particularly in the event that a parent is able to roll onto their infant during sleep.
A breathable fabric will keep your baby comfortable and cool throughout the night. This is especially important if you intend to co-sleep your newborn since the risk of being overheated in the night increases. The SnuzPod4 has a unique mesh side panel that is breathable that helps improve the airflow and keeps your baby comfortable in their mattress.