Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a tiny sleeper that allows babies to sleep in the same space as their parents without the dangers of co-sleeping (which the AAP cautions against due SIDS and suffocation). It makes it easier to take care of your baby and nurse them during the night.
This sleeper comes with a mattress that is firm and supports babies backs, reducing the chance of SIDS. It can be swiveled over your adult bed so that you can carry your baby to the top for sunrise cuddles or midnight nursing.
Budget
A bedside cot, also referred to as a co-sleeper, an infant cot with a bassinet design that is attached or clipped to your existing bed. This allows you to reach your baby easily and safely for a mid-night feed, comforting, or cuddles. They are a great option for new parents or mums recovering from a csection as they provide easy access to baby and don't require you to get up.
There are a variety of styles available, from basic models with just a drop-down side to more sophisticated ones that can be adjusted in multiple ways including height and incline options. Most convert to an independent crib for napping during the daytime or when your baby is a few months old and sleeping longer at night.
Maxi-Cosi Lora is one of our top picks. It was selected in the Best Cot category for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. MFM home tester Emily said she was impressed by how chic and modern the design was. She also liked the fact that it could be used as a bassinet or clipped to your bed for a safe side-by-side sleep. She also appreciated the soft mattress, which has passed our test for firmness, and the fact that it has a manual rocking feature that can be set to a slight incline for those suffering from reflux.
But she wasn't thrilled with the fact that it had a non-mesh panel at its bottom and felt it was a bit heavy to move from room room often. It also felt a bit heavy to carry up and down the stairs when folded into a travel bag.
Size
A bedside cot resembles a bassinet that is connected to the side of your bed. It is easy to reach your baby's mouth for feedings, changing nappies or comforting during the night. It's also great for moms recovering from C-sections.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby away from you during the first six month, to reduce the risk of SIDS. The crib at the bedside with its low sides, is a great option to accomplish this. It allows you to be able to easily access your baby at night.
It is crucial that your infant sleeps on a firm bed as it is safer than a mattress that is soft. A soft mattress can increase the risk of suffocation among 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 sufficiently firm to be safe for your baby.
Mum home tester Jasmin loved that the crib does not take up a lot of space in her bedroom. Also, she found the size to be perfect for a baby. She also noted that the mattress was of good quality, unlike others which are thin and fragile. She also loves the fact that it has a storage space underneath for clothes and bedding which other bassinets don't.
MFM mum home test Mehack is a fan of the side wall with a removable design that lets you lower it to make it easier access to your newborn. She also likes that legs fold under the bed so that it doesn't look big or take up too much floor space. She's also impressed with how easy it is to move around the house whenever you want to for ease during late-night feedings and check-ins.
The CoZee Air crib is a favourite among parents. It was awarded the Gold Award in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It is designed with four built-in pulleys to raise or lower the crib. It comes with a large storage bin for your baby's toys, blankets and other necessities. It is also lightweight and easy to put together and is ideal for travel with your baby.
Safety
It's important to consider the safety aspect when selecting the right crib for your baby's bed. Official safe sleep advice 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 higher risk of suffering from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bassinets for bedside use allow parents to keep their babies close, facilitating night time feedings as well as monitoring without the need to get up.
This close proximity also assists breastfeeding mothers as they can attend to the needs of their infant without having to get up completely and help keep milk supply steady and enhance the breastfeeding experience. Some bedside cots have adjustable height options, which will help ensure that the bassinet is an ideal height for mother and baby to allow easy access to mid-night feedings or for care.
A majority of bassinets come with mattresses that are firm and designed to minimize the risk of suffocation, and is in line with industry standards. It is essential to support the bones of a newborn because they are still squishy and not fully formed. The mattress should be covered with an appropriate sheet to reduce the risk that dust mites or other allergens, will cause a child to be suffocated. It must be kept clean and free of allergens.
bedside co sleeper have the capability of being tilted. This can be beneficial for babies suffering from reflux or digestive issues, however this should always be done with extreme caution and at a gentle angle. It's also important to avoid putting pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet, as they could pose a suffocation risk for your baby and should only be used when the cot is set on an even surface.
It's also worth looking into a bassinet with an attached system that is secure and can be easily fixed to your existing bed without the need for tools. This is especially helpful for parents who may struggle to lift their baby in and out of the cot, or concerned about the possibility of rolling over during sleep. If your bassinet does have a secure attachment system, it's an excellent idea to periodically check that it's securely attached and that there aren't gaps or loose parts which could cause danger.
Comfort
If you're a soon-to-be parent, your baby's safety is one of your main concerns. Thankfully, there's an innovative sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close during the night, without any of the risks that come with bed-sharing. The newborn bedside crib is a bassinet-style cot that is attached to the side of the bed. It lets you safely lift your baby out towards you for feedings and calming. It is also a great choice for mothers recovering from a C-section as it removes the need to get up or bend over.
A modern newborn bedside cot should have a sturdy and flat mattress that can ensure a safe sleep and decrease the chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The bedding should be kept as simple as possible, with only the sheets for the cot and a blanket that is tightly tucked into the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys, and pillows that could fall onto your baby posing a suffocation risk. If your baby is used to being swaddled you can use a swaddle or baby sleep bag for the first few weeks, however it is best to remove it as soon as you can once they've gained the strength and confidence to pull themselves out of the wrap.
Some cribs for bedside use a removable or drop-down 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 wish to maintain a close bond with their child, but still adhere to NHS guidelines on sleep. If you're planning to co-sleep in the same bed with your child it's important to know that this practice has been linked to an increased risk of SIDS especially when a parent accidentally rolls onto their infant during sleep.
A fabric that is breathable will keep your baby comfy and cool throughout the night. This is especially important if you plan to sleep with your baby because the risk of being overheated increases when you sleep. The SnuzPod4 has a unique, breathable side panel, which helps increase airflow, keeping your baby cool.