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 risk of sleeping together (which the AAP advises against due to suffocation and SIDS). It also makes middle-of-the-night nursing sessions and child care more convenient.
This sleeper features a firm mattress that can support the backs of babies and minimize the chance of SIDS. It can be rotated over your adult bed to carry your baby to the top for sunrise cuddles or late night nursing.
Budget
A bedside crib, also referred to as a bassinet or cosleeper, is a bassinet style baby cot that clips to your bed. This lets you comfortably and safely reach your baby during the night for feeding or comforting cuddles. They are a great option for mums or new parents recovering from a csection as they allow the baby with easy access and do not require you to get up.
There are many different designs available, from the simple ones with the drop-down side, to more sophisticated ones with multiple adjustment options, including incline or height. Most can be converted into an independent crib once your baby is older and sleeps longer at night.
One of our favorites is the Maxi-Cosi Lora, which was nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Cot Crib, Best Cot, or Moses Basket. 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 existing bed for a safe side-by-side sleep. She also appreciated its luxurious mattress which passed our firmness tests and also that it comes with an option to manually tilt it for those suffering from reflux.
However, she didn't like the design of the non-mesh panel on the lower end, and felt it was a bit bulky to move from room to room frequently. She also found it to be a little heavy to carry up and down the stairs once folded into a travel bag.
Size
A bedside cot is essentially the bassinet style cot that can be fixed to your side of the bed. It lets you easily reach your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeding, nappies and comforting. It's perfect for mothers recovering from the c-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise that you keep your baby in the same room as you, but separated from you for the first six months, because this will reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). A crib that is placed near your bed is a secure way to achieve this as it has low sides and allows you to easily access your newborn throughout the night.
It is essential that your baby sleeps on a firm, not a soft mattress. Newborns don't have the motor control to rotate and a mattress that is soft could increase the chance of suffocation. The soft, breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make the mattress comfortable for your baby but sufficient to ensure safety.
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 of good quality, as opposed to those that feel cheap and thin. She also likes the fact that it has a storage compartment beneath to store blankets and clothing - something she says many bassinets don't have.
Mehack Mehack, an MFM mom who tried the product at home, likes that you can take off the side wall to allow for easier access to your baby. She also loves the fact that legs can be placed under the bed to make it look less bulky and occupy less floor space. She's also impressed with how it was easy to move around the house when she needed to for checks and feedings in the middle of the night.
A recipient of an Gold award in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards 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. It also comes with a large storage bin to store your baby's blankets, toys and other essentials. It's also easy to put together and light in weight that is great for traveling with your baby.
Safety
When selecting a newborn bedside cot it's important to keep the safety of your baby in your mind. The official safe sleep guidelines from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies do not be sleeping in the bed of their parents because of the risks of suffocation, heat exhaustion and a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bedside bassinets allow parents to keep their newborns close to them, facilitating nighttime feedings as well as monitoring without having 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 for bedside use adjustable height features that make it easier for mother and child to access the bassinet to feed or take care of other needs throughout the night.
Many bassinets are equipped with mattresses that are firm. This is designed to minimize 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 require support to prevent damage. The mattress should be covered with an appropriate sheet to minimize the chance that dust mites or other allergens, could cause a child to be suffocated. It should be kept clean and free of allergens.
Some cribs for bedside use can be tilted. This is useful for babies who have reflux or digestive issues. However, this should be done with care and with care. It's also important to avoid putting pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet as they could pose the risk of suffocation for your baby and should only be used when the cot is set on an even surface.
It is also recommended to consider an infant bassinet with an attachment system that is secure. This can be attached to your existing bed easily without the need for tools. This can be especially helpful for parents who may struggle to get their child into and out of the cot or who are concerned about falling asleep. If your bassinet has an attachment that is secure it is a good idea to regularly check it. Make sure there are no gaps, and that the system is securely attached.
Comfort
If you're planning to become a parent, your baby's comfort is one of your main concerns. There's a wonderful sleep solution that lets you keep your baby close during the night, without any of the dangers that come with sharing a bed. The baby bedside cot is essentially a bassinet-style cot that is attached to the side of your bed, allowing you to safely lift them out towards you for night feeding and soothing. It's also a great choice for mothers recovering from a C-section since it eliminates the need to get up or bend over.
Modern bedside cots for newborns should include a firm, flat mattress to promote safe sleeping habits and lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The bedding should be kept simple, with only the cot sheet and a blanket tucked tightly at the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys and pillows that could fall on your baby, posing the risk of suffocation. If your baby has been used to being swaddled during a few weeks, you can use either the swaddle or baby sleep bag. However, it is recommended that this be removed once they are strong enough to remove them.
Some bedside cribs have 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 wonderful option for parents who wish to maintain an intimate relationship with their child while still following NHS safe sleep advice. If you are planning to sleep with your child, it's important to be aware that this practice can increase the risk of SIDS. This is particularly the case if a parent falls on their child while sleeping.
A breathable fabric is another important safety factor, since it's designed to keep your baby cool and comfortable throughout the night. This is especially important if you plan to sleep with your baby because the risk of overheating when sleeping increases. The SnuzPod4 features a unique breathable mesh side panel that helps improve the airflow and keeps your baby comfortable in their mattress.