Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a small sleeper that allows babies to sleep in the same room as their parents without the dangers of co-sleeping (which the AAP cautions against due SIDS and suffocation). It helps you care for your baby and nurse them during the night.
This sleeper features a firm mattress that is designed to support babies' backs and minimize the chance of SIDS. It can be swiveled over your bed to make it easier for you to carry your baby for nighttime cuddles or a sunrise kiss.
Budget
A bedside crib, also called a bassinet or co-sleeper is a bassinet-style crib for babies that attaches to your existing bed. This lets you reach your baby easily and safely for a late-night feed or cuddles. They are a great choice for mums or new parents recovering from a csection as they provide an easy access to baby and don't require you to get up.
There are many different styles available, from basic models with just a drop-down option to more sophisticated models that can be adjusted in a variety of ways including height and incline options. The majority of them can be converted into a separate crib for napping during the daytime or when your baby is about months old and sleeping longer at night.
One of our favorites is the Maxi-Cosi Lora, that was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards, including the categories of Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily noted how stylish and modern the design was. She also appreciated the fact that it could be used as a bassinet, or attached to your existing bed, for safe side-byside sleeping. She also adored its soft mattress, which was able to pass our tests of firmness and it also has a manual inclining function for those who suffer from reflux.
She wasn't a fan of the fact that it had a non-mesh panel on the bottom and she thought it was too heavy to move from room to room. When folded into a travel bag she found it somewhat heavy to carry up the stairs.
Size
A bedside cot is a bassinet that is placed on the side of your bed. It's easy to reach your baby's side to feed them, change nappies or just to soothe them during the night. It's great for mothers who are recovering from an o-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby away from you during the first six month, to lower the risk of SIDS. The bedside crib with its low sides, is a great method to achieve this. It allows you to be able to easily access your baby during the night.
It is crucial that your baby is sleeping on a firm, not a soft mattress. A mattress that is soft increases the risk of suffocation in newborns, since they do not have the motor control required to turn. The soft, breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make this mattress comfortable for your baby but also sufficient to ensure safety.
Mum Jasmin was delighted that the crib didn't occupy too much space in her room and thought it was the perfect size for a newborn. bedside crib travel rated as also of good quality, as opposed to those that feel cheap and thin. She also appreciates that it has storage space underneath for bedding and clothes - something many other bassinets don't have.
Mehack is an MFM mom who tried the product at home, is thrilled that you can remove the side wall to allow easier access to your baby. She also loves the fact that legs can be placed under the bed to make it appear less bulky and take up less space on the floor. She's also amazed by how easy it is to move around the house when you want to for ease during late-night meals and check-ins.
The CoZee Air crib is a favorite among parents. It was awarded a Gold Award in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards. It has a clever design with four pulleys that are built-in to raise or lower the crib. It includes a large storage basket to store your baby's toys, blankets and other necessities. It's also easy to assemble and light in weight, which is useful for travelling with your baby.
Safety
It's important to consider the safety of a newborn bedside crib. The official safe sleep guidelines from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies not sleep in their parents' beds due to the risk of overheating, suffocation and a greater chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bedside bassinets allow parents to keep their infants close, which allows for nighttime feedings as well as comforting and monitoring without the need to get up.
This close proximity can aid breastfeeding mothers since it allows them to be attentive to the needs of their infant while they sleep. This can help maintain the supply of milk and encourage breastfeeding. Some cots for bedside have adjustable height features, which will help ensure that the bassinet is a comfortable height for both mother and baby for easy access for middle-of-the-night feedings or for care.
Many bassinets have a mattress that is designed to decrease the risk of suffocation, and is in line with industry standards. This is essential because newborn's bones are soft and aren't fully developed. They must be supported to prevent damage. The mattress should be covered with an appropriate sheet to reduce the risk that dust mites, or other allergens, will choke a child. It should also be kept clean and free of irritants.
Some bedside cribs can be tilted. This is beneficial for babies suffering from digestive or reflux issues. However, this should only be done gently and with caution. It is also essential to stay clear of adding pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet as they can create the risk of suffocation for your baby and should only be used when the cot is placed on a flat surface.
It is also recommended to consider an infant bassinet with a secure attachment system. This can be connected to your bed without the use of tools. This feature is especially useful for parents who find it difficult to get their child in and out of the crib or are concerned about their child rolling over while sleeping. If your bassinet does have an attachment system that is secure, it's a good idea to regularly make sure it's secure and that there aren't any gaps or loose parts that could cause danger.
Comfort
If you're a parent-to-be, the safety of your child is definitely one of your top priorities. There's a brand new sleep solution that lets you keep your baby close in the evening, without the risk of bed-sharing. The newborn bedside cot is an essentially a bassinet-style crib which is fixed to the bed's side, allowing you to safely take them away to feed them at night and soothe. It's also an excellent choice for mothers recovering from a c-section since it makes it less necessary to bend down too far or even to get out of the bed.
A modern bedside cot for newborns should have a sturdy, flat mattress to help in promoting safe sleeping habits and lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The bedding should be simple with just the sheets for the cot and a blanket tucked in tightly at the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers and pillows since they could fall on your baby and cause danger of suffocation. If your baby has been used to being swaddled during a few weeks then you can use an swaddle or baby sleep bag. However, this should be removed after they are strong enough to unwrap them.
Some cribs with a bedside feature a removable or drop-down side that allows for an easy access to your baby for feeding and comfort in the middle of the night. This feature is perfect for parents who want to maintain a close relationship with their child, but still adhere to NHS sleep guidelines. However, if you're planning to co-sleep in the same bed with your baby it's important to recognize that this practice has been linked to an increased risk of SIDS especially in the event that a parent is able to roll onto their child during sleep.
A breathable fabric is another important safety feature, as it's designed to keep your baby cool and comfortable throughout the night. This is particularly important if you plan to co-sleep your newborn because the risk of overheating in the night increases. The SnuzPod4 features a unique side panel made of breathable mesh that helps improve the flow of air and keep your baby warm in their bed.