Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a small sleeper that allows babies to sleep in the same space as their parents without the risk of sleeping together (which the AAP recommends against due to SIDS and suffocation). It makes it easier to care for your infant and feed them in the middle of the night.
This sleeper has a sturdy 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 cuddles at sunrise.
Budget
A bedside crib, also called a bassinet or cosleeper, is a bassinet style crib that can be attached to your bed. This allows you to reach your baby quickly and safely for a nighttime feed, comforting, or cuddles. They are a great choice for new parents or mums recovering from a c-section because they provide an easy access to baby and do not require you to get up.
There are a variety of designs on the market, from basic models with just a drop-down option to more advanced ones that can be adjusted in multiple ways including height and incline options. Many convert to a standalone crib for naps during the day or when your baby is a few months old and sleeps longer at night.
Maxi-Cosi Lora is one our top picks. It was selected in the Best Cot category for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. MFM home tester Emily commented how stylish and modern the design was. She also liked the fact that it can be used as a bassinet, or a clip to your bed for a safe side-by-side sleep. She also liked the plush mattress that passed our firmness test and the fact that it has an automatic rocking feature that can be set to a slight incline for reflux sufferers.
She didn't like that it had a non mesh panel on the bottom and she thought it was too heavy to move around from room to room. It also felt a bit heavy to carry up and down the stairs once it was folded up into its travel bag.
Size
A bedside cot is the bassinet, which is connected to the side of your bed. It lets you easily reach your baby for mid-night feeding nappies, comforting and feeding. It's also great for mothers recovering from the C-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby away from you during the first six months, to decrease the chance of SIDS. A bedside crib is a safe method to achieve this because it is low-sided and allows you to be able to easily access your baby at night.
It is important that your baby sleeps on a firm and not a soft mattress. A mattress that is soft can increase the risk of suffocation among infants as they lack the motor control needed to turn. The mattress is made of skin-friendly and breathe-able materials. It is comfortable for your baby but sufficient to be secure.
Mum Jasmin was happy that the crib didn't take up much space in her room and found it to be the perfect size for a newborn. The mattress she rated as excellent quality, in contrast to some that feel flimsy and thin. She also loves the fact that it has a storage space beneath for bedding and clothes which many bassinets do not have.
MFM mum home test Mehack is a huge fan of the side wall with a removable design that lets you drop it to make it easier access to your baby. She also loves that the legs tuck under the bed so that it doesn't appear heavy or take up a lot of floor space. She's also impressed with the ease of being able to move around the house as you need to, for convenience during middle-of-the-night feedings and check-ins.
The CoZee Air crib is a popular choice for parents. It was awarded a Gold Award in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards. It is a clever design that has four pulleys that can be used to raise or lower your crib. It also comes with a large basket for blankets, toys and other necessities. It is also light and easy to assemble which makes it perfect to travel with your baby.
Safety
When choosing a new baby's bedside cot, you must keep safety in your mind. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS advise that babies don't sleep in the parents bed due to the possibility of suffocation as well as sudden infant death syndrome. Bedside bassinets enable parents to keep their infants close, which allows for nighttime feedings, comforting, and monitoring without having to get out of bed.
This close proximity can also help breastfeeding mothers as it allows them to be attentive to the baby's needs while still sleeping. This can help to maintain milk supply and encourage breastfeeding. Some cots for bedside use adjustable height features that aid both the mother and baby to get into the bassinet for feedings or other care throughout the night.
A lot of bassinets have mattresses that are firm. This is designed to reduce suffocation risk and meets the standards of the industry. This is crucial because a newborn's bones are soft and aren't fully developed. They need to be supported to prevent injury. The mattress should be encased with a fitted sheet to minimize the risk of suffocation caused by dust mites or other allergens, and kept clean and free of irritants.
Some bedside cots have the ability to be tilted, which can be beneficial for babies suffering from reflux or digestive issues, however this should be done with extreme caution and at a moderate angle. It is also important to stay clear of adding pillows, duvets or crib bumpers to the bassinet, as they could pose an obstructing risk to your baby. They should only be used when the cot is placed on an even surface.
It's also worth thinking about an adjustable bassinet with an attachment system that is secure and can be easily attached to your existing bed without the need for tools. This is particularly beneficial for parents who find it difficult to lift their child into and out of the crib or are worried about their baby accidentally falling asleep. 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 any gaps or loose components which could cause danger.
Comfort
If you're planning to become a parent, your baby's comfort is one of your primary concerns. There's a new solution to sleep that lets you keep your baby close at night, without the danger of bed-sharing. The infant bedside cot essentially a bassinet-style cot that is attached to the side of your bed that allows you to take them away for feeding at night and calming. It also makes the perfect choice for mothers recovering from a c-section as it reduces the need to bend too much or even take a step out of the bed.
Modern bedside cots for newborns should be fitted with a firm, flat mattress to encourage safe sleep habits and reduce the risk Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Bedding should be easy comprising a cot sheets and a blanket tightly tucked on the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers or pillows since they can be thrown over your baby and cause danger of suffocation. If your baby is used to being swaddled for a few weeks and you want to use the swaddle or baby sleep bag. But, it should be removed after they have the strength to unwrap them.
Some bedside cribs feature an option to remove or drop down the side that allows for the baby to be easily accessible for feeding and comfort in the middle of the night. This is a wonderful option for parents who wish to keep an intimate relationship with their child, but still adhere to NHS safe sleep advice. However, if you're planning to sleep in the same bed as your baby, it's important to understand that this practice has been linked to an increased risk of SIDS particularly if a parent unintentionally falls on their child during sleep.
This Web page is another important safety feature, as it's designed to keep your baby cool and comfortable throughout the night. This is especially important if you plan to sleep with your newborn, since the risk of being overheated when sleeping increases. The SnuzPod4 has a unique breathable side panel that aids in improving the flow of air, keeping your baby cool.