Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a small sleeper that allows new babies to sleep in the same space as their parents without the risk of sleeping together (which the AAP cautions against due SIDS and suffocation). It makes it easier to take care of your baby and nurse them in the middle of the night.
This mattress is a firm mattress that can help babies' backs and reduce the chance of SIDS. It can be swiveled on your adult bed to raise your baby for sunrise cuddles or late night nursing.
Budget
A bedside crib, also called a bassinet or cosleeper, is a bassinet style crib that can be attached to your existing bed. This lets you comfortably and safely reach your baby during the night for feeding or comforting cuddles. These are ideal for moms and babies recovering from a csection as they allow easy access to the baby without having to get up from the bed.
There are a variety of styles available, from the simple ones with an upside-down side to more sophisticated ones with multiple adjustment options, including the ability to tilt or raise. Most convert to a separate crib for napping during the daytime or when your baby is a few months old and is sleeping more at night.
One of our favourites is the Maxi-Cosi Lora which was nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Cot, Crib 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 a clip to your bed to ensure safe side-by-side sleeping. She also liked the plush mattress, which has passed our test for firmness, and the fact that it features a manual rocking feature that can be adjusted to a slight slope for reflux sufferers.
But she wasn't thrilled with the design of the non-mesh panel on the foot end and felt it was a bit heavy to move from room to room frequently. She also found it to be a little heavy to carry up and down the stairs when it was folded up into its travel bag.
Size
A bedside cot is basically an upholstered bassinet that is fixed to your side of the bed. You can easily reach your baby's side for feedings, changing nappies, or to comfort them in the middle of the night. It's also great for moms recovering from a C-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby separate from you in the first six months, to decrease the chance of SIDS. A bedside crib is a safe way to achieve this as it is low-sided and allows you to easily reach your baby throughout the night.
It is crucial that your infant sleeps on a firm mattress as it is more secure than a mattress that is soft. Infants don't have the motor control needed to turn and a mattress that is soft can increase the risk of being suffocated. The soft, breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make the mattress comfortable for your baby but firm enough for safety.
Mum home tester Jasmin was pleased with the fact that the crib doesn't take up too much space in her bedroom, and she found the size to be perfect for a newborn. She also said that the mattress was excellent quality, in contrast to those that feel cheap and thin. She also likes the fact that it has a storage compartment underneath for clothes and blankets which she believes many bassinets don't have.
MFM mom home test Mehack is a huge fan of the side wall that is removable that lets you drop it down for easy access to your infant. She also likes the fact that the legs tuck under the bed so it does not look heavy or take up a lot of floor space. She's also impressed with how easy it was to move around the house when she needed to for checks and feedings in the middle of the night.
The winner of the Gold award at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards The CoZee Air is a popular choice for parents. It has a clever 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 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 a newborn bedside crib. Official safe sleep advice from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies not sleep in parent's beds due to the risk of overheating, suffocation and a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bassinets that are placed in bed let parents keep their infant close to help with nighttime feedings, comforting and monitoring without having to get up from their beds.
This close proximity can aid breastfeeding mothers since it allows them to be attentive to the baby's needs while still sleeping. This can help maintain milk supply and encourage breastfeeding. Some cots with a bedside are equipped with adjustable height features that help both the mother and baby to get into the bassinet for feedings or other care throughout the night.
A majority of bassinets come with a firm mattress that is designed to minimize the risk of suffocation and is in line with industry standards. This is crucial because a baby's bones are fragile and not fully developed and require support to prevent damage. The mattress should be covered with a fitted sheet to minimize the risk of suffocation due to dust mites or other allergens, and kept clean and free of allergens.
Some bedside cribs can be tilted. bedside crib to cot is helpful for babies with reflux or digestive issues. But, it should only be done gently and with care. Avoid putting pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers in the bassinet. These could create the risk of suffocation to your baby.
It is also recommended to consider an infant bassinet with an attachment system that is secure. It can be attached to your bed without the use of tools. This is especially useful for parents who struggle to lift their child in and out of the cot or concerned about the possibility of rolling over in the night. If your bassinet is equipped with a secure attachment, it is a good idea for you to regularly check it. Make sure there are no gaps and that the system is securely connected.
Comfort
If you're expecting your first child, the comfort of your baby is surely one of your top concerns. There's a new sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close in the evening, without the risk of bed-sharing. The infant bedside crib is a cot that resembles a bassinet that attaches to the side of the bed. It lets you safely lift your baby out towards you for feedings and soothing. It also makes an excellent choice for mothers recovering from a c-section, because it eliminates 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 promote safe sleeping habits and reduce the risk Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The bedding should be kept simple with just the sheets for the cot and a blanket tucked in tightly at the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers and pillows that could fall on 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 initial few weeks, but it should be removed when possible after they've developed the strength to pull themselves out of the wrap.
Some bedside cribs have an open or removable side that allows easy access to your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeds and comforting. This is a great feature for parents who want to keep a close relationship with their child while still following NHS guidelines on sleep. If you are planning to sleep with your child, it's important to know that this practice can increase the risk of SIDS. This is especially the case if a parent rolls on their infant during sleep.
A fabric that breathes will keep your baby cool and cool throughout the night. This is especially crucial if you plan to co-sleep your newborn since the risk of being overheated in the night increases. bedside cot newborn has a unique side panel made of breathable mesh that helps improve the airflow and keeps your baby snug in their bed.