Newborn Bedside Cot
A crib for newborns is a tiny sleeping device that lets babies sleep in the same space as their parents without the dangers of co-sleeping. (The AAP warns against this due to the risk of SIDS and suffocation.) It also makes mid-night nursing sessions and child care more convenient.
This sleeper comes with an extremely firm mattress that can support babies' backs, reducing the risk of SIDS. It can be swiveled over your adult bed so that you can lift your baby to snuggle them at sunrise or for midnight nursing.
Budget
A bedside cot, also known as a co-sleeper, is an infant cot with a bassinet design that is attached or clipped to your bed. This allows you to reach your baby quickly and safely for a late-night feed, comforting, or cuddles. They are a great option for mothers or new parents recovering from a csection as they allow easy access to baby and don't require you to get out of bed.
There are a variety of designs available, ranging from basic ones with just an upside-down side to more sophisticated models with multiple adjustment options, including the ability to tilt or raise. Most can be converted into an independent crib once your baby grows older and is sleeping longer at night.
Maxi-Cosi Lora is one our favorites. It was shortlisted 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 appreciated the fact that it can be used as a bassinet or attached to your existing bed, for safe side-byside sleeping. She also liked its plush 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.
But she wasn't thrilled with the fact that it had a non-mesh panel at the lower end, and thought it was a bit bulky to move from room to room frequently. She also found it a little heavy to carry up and down the stairs once it was folded up into its bag for travel.
Size
A bedside cot is an upholstered bassinet that is fixed to your side of the bed. It is easy to reach your baby's mouth to feed them, change nappies or comforting during the night. It's also great for mothers recovering from C-sections.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise you to keep your baby in the same space as you, but keep them separate from you for the first six months because this will reduce the chance of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). The bedside crib with its low sides, is a great option to do this. It allows you to be able to easily access your baby throughout the night.
It's important that your newborn sleeps on a firm bed as it is more secure than a mattress that is soft. A mattress that is soft increases the risk of suffocation for newborns, since they do not have the motor control required to turn. This mattress is made from skin-friendly and breathable materials. It is a comfortable fit for your baby, yet firm enough to be safe.
Mum Jasmin was delighted that the crib didn't occupy too the entire space in her room and thought it was the perfect size for a newborn. She also noted that the mattress was of good quality, unlike others which seem thin and flimsy. She also likes that it has a storage space beneath to store blankets and clothing which she believes many bassinets don't have.
Mehack Mehack, an MFM mom who tried the product at home, likes the ability to remove the wall on the side to make it easier to access your baby. She also likes the fact that the legs can be put under the bed to make it appear less bulky and occupy less floor space. She's also amazed by how easy it was to move around her home when she needed to for checks and feedings in the middle of the night.
A winner of a Gold award at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards, the CoZee Air is a popular choice for parents. It has a clever design that has four pulleys that can be used to raise or lower your crib. There is also an enormous basket that can be used to store blankets, toys and other necessities. It is also lightweight and easy to put together and is ideal to travel with your baby.
Safety
When choosing a baby's bedside cot, you must keep the safety of your baby in your mind. Official safe sleep advice from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies do not be sleeping in the bed of their parents due to the dangers of suffocation, overheating and a higher chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bedside bassinets allow parents to keep their babies close, facilitating night time feedings as well as comforting and monitoring without needing to get out of bed.
This close proximity can also support breastfeeding mothers, as it allows them to attend to the needs of their infant while still sleeping. This can help to maintain milk supply and encourage breastfeeding. Some bedside cots have adjustable height features, which can ensure that the bassinet is an ideal height for mother and baby, allowing easy access for middle-of-the-night feedings or other care.
A lot of bassinets have mattresses that are firm. This is designed to minimize the risk of suffocation, and also meets the standards of the industry. It is important to support the bones of a newborn, because they are still squishy and are not fully formed. The mattress should be covered with an appropriate sheet to reduce the risk that dust mites, as well as other allergens, can cause a child to be suffocated. It should be kept free of allergens and clean.
Some cribs for bedside use can be tilted. This is useful for babies suffering from reflux or digestive issues. However, baby bedside sleeper should be done slowly and with care. Avoid placing pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers inside the bassinet. These can pose the risk of suffocation to your baby.
It's also worth considering an infant bassinet that has 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 struggle to get their child in and out of the crib or are worried about their child accidentally rolling over while sleeping. If your bassinet has an attachment system that is secure, it's a good idea to regularly make sure it's secure and that there aren't gaps or loose parts that could pose a hazard.
Comfort
If you're expecting a child and you're worried about the safety of your baby is surely one of your main concerns. There's a great sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close during the night - without any of the dangers that come with bed-sharing. The infant bedside cot basically a bassinet-style cot that fixes to the bed's side that allows you to take them away to feed them at night and soothe. It also makes an excellent choice for mothers recovering from a csection, since it makes it less necessary to bend over too much or even to get out of bed.
A modern bedside cot for newborns should have a sturdy, flat mattress to help promote safe sleeping practices and decrease the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The bedding should be kept simple, with only the sheets for the cot and a blanket tucked in tightly at the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers or pillows since they can fall on your baby and pose a suffocation hazard. If your baby is used to being swaddled for several weeks, you can use either a swaddle, or a baby sleep bag. But, it should be removed when they have the strength to remove them.
Some cribs with a bedside have an open or removable side for easy access to your baby for feedings in the middle of the night and comforting. This is a great option for parents who wish to keep a strong bond with their child, but still adhere to NHS safe sleep guidelines. If you plan to co-sleep with your child, it's crucial to be aware that this practice can increase the chance of SIDS. This is particularly true if a parent accidentally 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 crucial if you intend to co-sleep with your newborn, as the risk of being overheated increases when you sleep. The SnuzPod4 comes with an exclusive breathable side panel that helps improve airflow, keeping your baby comfortable.