Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a small sleeper that allows 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 also makes mid-night nursing sessions and baby care simpler.
This mattress is a firm mattress that is designed to support the backs of babies and minimize the chance of SIDS. It can swivel over your bed to make it easier for you to lift your baby for nighttime nursing or sunrise cuddles.
Budget
A bedside crib, also referred to as a bassinet or cosleeper, is a bassinet style crib for babies that attaches to your existing bed. This lets you reach your baby comfortably and safely for a nighttime feed, comforting, or cuddles. These are perfect for mothers and new parents recovering from a csection because they allow easy access to the baby without needing to get out of the bed.
There are bedside cot wooden of designs available starting with basic models that have only a drop-down side, to more sophisticated models that can be adjusted in multiple ways, including incline and height options. Many convert to a separate crib for napping during the daytime or when your baby is about months old and is sleeping more at night.
Maxi-Cosi Lora is one 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 contemporary the design is as well as the fact that you can use it as a regular bassinet, or clip it onto your bed to ensure that you can sleep side-by-side. She also adored its soft mattress which has passed our tests for firmness and also that it comes with an adjustable manual inclining feature 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. It also felt a little heavy to carry up and down the stairs, especially when folded into a bag for travel.
Size
A bedside cot is similar to a bassinet that is connected to the side of your bed. It allows you to easily reach your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeding nappies, comforting and feeding. It's also great for mothers recovering from C-sections.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby separate from you during the first six months, to lower the risk of SIDS. The crib at the bedside, with its low sides, is a great option to do this. It allows you to access your baby easily throughout the night.
It is essential that your baby sleeps on a firm bed as this is safer than a soft one. bedside crib that turns into cot that is soft can increase the risk of suffocation in newborns, since they lack the motor control necessary to turn. The soft, breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make the mattress comfortable for your baby but also sufficiently firm to be safe for your baby.
Mum Jasmin was delighted that the crib didn't occupy too the entire space in her room and found it to be the ideal size for a newborn. She also stated that the mattress was of high-quality, unlike others which feel thin and flimsy. She also loves that it has a storage compartment beneath for blankets and clothes which she claims many bassinets don't have.
MFM mom home tester Mehack is a big fan of the side wall that is removable that lets you lower it down to give easy access to your infant. She also appreciates that legs can be placed under the bed to make it appear less bulky and occupy less floor space. She's also impressed with the ease of being able to move around the house as you want to, for convenience during middle-of-the-night meals and check-ins.
The winner of a Gold award in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards and the CoZee Air is a popular choice amongst parents. It features a smart design with four pulleys built-in to raise or lower the crib. It comes with a large storage bin for toys, blankets and other necessities. It's also light and easy to put together which makes it perfect to travel with your baby.
Safety
When selecting a newborn bedside cot, you must keep safety in mind. Official safe sleep advice from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies do not sleep in parent's beds because of the risks of overheating, suffocation and a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bedside bassinets allow parents to keep their infant close to help with nighttime feedings, comforting and monitoring without needing to get up from their beds.
This close proximity can help breastfeeding mothers as it allows them to be attentive to the baby's needs while still sleeping. This can help to maintain the supply of milk and also encourage breastfeeding. Some cots for bedside have adjustable height options, which can help to ensure that the bassinet is at an ideal height for mother and baby, allowing easy access for middle-of-the-night feedings or care.
Many bassinets are equipped with mattresses that are firm, which is designed to reduce suffocation risk and meets industry standards. It is essential to provide support for the bones of a newborn since they are still fragile and not fully formed. The mattress should be covered with a fitted sheet in order to reduce the risk that dust mites, or other allergens, could suffocate a child. It must also be kept free of allergens and clean.
Some cots with a bedside can be tilted, which can be beneficial for babies with reflux or digestive issues, but this should be done with a lot of care and at a moderate angle. Avoid putting pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet. These can pose the risk of suffocation to your baby.
You should also consider the bassinet with an attachment system that is secure. It can be attached to your existing bed easily without the need of tools. bedside crib travel cot is particularly beneficial for parents who have difficulty 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 that is secure it is a good idea to check it regularly. Make sure there are no gaps, and that the system is securely attached.
Comfort
If you're a soon-to-be parent, your baby's comfort is one of your main concerns. There's a wonderful sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close during the night without taking on any of the risks that come with sharing a bed. The newborn bedside cot is basically a bassinet-style cot which is fixed to the side of your bed and allows you to take them away to feed them at night and soothe. It is also a great option for mothers recovering from a C section as it eliminates the need to stand or bend over.
A modern bedside cot for newborns should have a firm and flat mattress that can in promoting safe sleeping habits and decrease the chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The bedding should be simple and consist of only the cot sheet and a blanket tucked in tightly at the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers and pillows that may fall onto your baby posing the risk of suffocation. If your baby is used to being swaddled for a few weeks then you can use the swaddle or baby sleep bag. However, it is recommended that this be removed when they are strong enough to take them off.
Some cribs with a bedside feature a removable or drop-down side that provides easy access to your baby to feed and comfort them in the middle of the night. This is a good option for parents who wish to keep a strong bond with their child while still following NHS safe sleep advice. If you're considering sleeping in the same bed as your child it's important to know that this practice has been linked to an increased risk of SIDS especially in the event that a parent falls on their infant while they sleep.
A fabric that is breathable is an important 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 since the risk of being overheated when sleeping increases. The SnuzPod4 features a unique, breathable side panel, which helps increase the airflow and keeps your baby cool.