Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a small sleeper that allows new babies to share a room as their parents without the risks of true co-sleeping (which the AAP recommends against due to suffocation and SIDS). It helps you care for your baby and nurse them throughout the night.
This sleeper has a sturdy mattress that can support babies' backs and reduce the risk of SIDS. It can be swiveled over your adult bed to lift your baby for sunrise cuddles or late night nursing.
Budget
A bedside cot, also referred to as a co-sleeper, the bassinet-style baby cot that is attached or clipped to your existing bed. This lets you reach your baby comfortably and safely for a late-night feed or comforting cuddle. These are perfect for mothers and new parents recovering from a csection because they allow easy access to the baby without having to get up from bed.
There are many different designs available that range from basic models with only a drop-down side, to more sophisticated ones that can be adjusted in multiple ways, including incline and height options. Most convert to a separate crib for daytime naps or when your baby is about months old and is sleeping more at night.
Maxi-Cosi Lora is among our favorites. It was shortlisted in the Best Cot category for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. MFM home tester Emily commented on how stylish and contemporary the design is, while she appreciated the possibility of using it as a regular bassinet or connect it to your existing bed for safe side-by-side sleeping. She also admired the soft mattress, which passed our firmness test, and the fact that it has a manual rocking feature that can be set to a slight tilt for reflux sufferers.
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 often. When folded into a travel bag, she found it to be somewhat heavy to carry up the stairs.
Size
A bedside cot is essentially the bassinet style cot that can be fixed to the side of the bed. It's easy to reach your baby's mouth to feed, change nappies or just to soothe them in the middle of the night. It's great for mothers recovering from the c-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby away from you for the first 6 months to lower the risk of SIDS. A crib that is placed near your bed is a safe way to accomplish this since it has low sides and lets you easily reach your baby at night.
It is crucial that your baby is sleeping on a firm, not a soft mattress. A mattress that is soft can increase the risk of suffocation in newborns, since they do not have the motor control required to turn. This mattress is made of skin-friendly and breathe-able materials. It's comfortable for your baby, yet sufficient to be secure.
Mum Jasmin was pleased that the crib didn't take up the entire space in her room and found it to be the perfect size for a newborn. She said the mattress was also good quality, unlike those that feel cheap and thin. She also likes the fact that it has a storage space beneath to store blankets and clothing which she believes many other bassinets lack.
MFM mom home tester Mehack is a big fan of the side wall that is removable that allows you to drop it down to give easy access to your baby. She also likes the fact that the legs can be tucked under the bed to look less bulky and occupy less space on the floor. She's also impressed with how easy it is to move around the house when you'd like for ease during late-night feedings and check-ins.
The winner of an Gold award at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards and the CoZee Air is a popular choice amongst parents. It features a smart design with four built-in pulleys to raise or lower the crib and includes a large storage basket to store your baby's blankets, toys and other essentials. It is also light and easy to assemble which makes it perfect for travel with your baby.
Safety
It is crucial to think about the safety aspect when selecting the crib for your newborn. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS recommend that babies not sleep in the parents' beds due to the possibility of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome. bedside crib or cot bassinets allow parents to keep their newborn close by and allow for nighttime feedings, comforting and monitoring without the need to get out of bed.
This close proximity can also help breastfeeding mothers as it allows them to attend to the needs of their baby while also sleeping. This can help to maintain the supply of milk and encourage breastfeeding. Some cots with a bedside are equipped with adjustable height features, which will help ensure that the bassinet is at a comfortable height for both mother and baby to allow easy access for middle-of-the-night feedings or other care.
Many bassinets have a firm mattress that is designed to reduce the risk of suffocation and meets industry standards. This is crucial because a baby's bones are fragile and not fully developed and require support to prevent injury. The mattress should be covered in a fitted cover to decrease the chance of suffocation from dust mites and other allergens. It should also be kept clean and free of allergens.
Some cribs on the bed can be tilted. This is useful for babies suffering from reflux or digestive problems. However, this should be done with care and with caution. It is also essential to avoid adding pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet, as these can pose an obstructing risk to your baby. They should only be used when the cot for bedside is placed on flat surfaces.
It is also recommended to consider a bassinet that has a secure attachment system. This can be connected to your bed without the need of tools. This feature is especially useful for parents who have difficulty carry their child into and out of the crib or are concerned about their child accidentally falling asleep. If your bassinet has a secure attachment it is a good idea for you to check it frequently. Make sure 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 one of your main concerns. There's a new sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close to you in the evening, without the risk of sharing the bed. The infant bedside crib is a bassinet-style cot that attaches to the side of the bed. It lets you safely lift your baby out to you for feedings at night and comfort. It is also a great option for mothers who are recovering from a C-section as it will not require you to stand up or bend over.
A modern cot for infants should have a firm flat mattress to promote safe sleeping practices and lower the chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Bedding should be easy with a cot sheet and a blanket tightly tucked at the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers and pillows that may fall onto your baby posing a suffocation risk. If your baby has been used to being swaddled for several weeks, you can use either an swaddle or baby sleep bag. However, it is recommended that this be removed after they have the strength to unwrap them.
Some cribs with a wooden bedside cot have a removable or drop-down side that allows easy access to your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeds and comforting. This feature is ideal for parents who want to maintain a close bond with their child, while still following NHS sleep guidelines. If you plan to co-sleep with your child, it is crucial to be aware that this practice may increase the chance of SIDS. This is especially true if a parent accidentally falls on their child when they are asleep.
A breathable fabric is another essential safety feature, as it's designed to keep your baby cool and comfortable throughout the night. This is particularly important if you intend to co-sleep your newborn as the risk of overheating when sleeping increases. The SnuzPod4 has a unique breathable mesh side panel that helps improve airflow and keep your baby comfortable in their mattress.