Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a small sleeper that allows newborns to sleep in the same space as their parents without the risk of sleeping together (which the AAP cautions against due suffocation and SIDS). It helps you care for your infant and feed them during the night.
This sleeper has a sturdy mattress to help babies' backs and reduce the risk of SIDS. It can be swiveled on your adult bed to allow you to raise your baby to snuggle them at sunrise or for midnight nursing.
Budget
A bedside crib, also referred to as a co-sleeper or bassinet, is a bassinet style crib that can be attached to your existing bed. This allows you to reach your baby easily and safely for a late-night feed or comforting cuddle. They are a great choice for mothers or new parents recovering from a csection as they allow easy access to baby and do not require you to get up.
There are lots of different designs on the market starting with basic models that have only a drop-down side, to more advanced ones that can be adjusted in several ways including height and incline options. Most convert to a standalone crib for daytime naps or when your baby is about months old and sleeping longer at night.
Maxi-Cosi Lora is among our top picks. It was shortlisted in the Best Cot category for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. MFM home tester Emily noted how stylish and modern the design was. She also liked the fact that it can be used as a bassinet, or clipped to your bed to ensure safe side-by-side sleeping. She also liked its plush mattress that was able to pass our tests of firmness and it also has an option to manually tilt it for those suffering from reflux.
She wasn't a fan of the fact that it had a mesh panel at the bottom and considered it too bulky 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 bag for travel.
Size
A bedside cot is the bassinet, which is placed on the side of your bed. bedside crib to cot to reach your baby's mouth to feed them, change nappies or comforting in the middle of the night. It's also great for mothers recovering from a C-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise that you keep your baby in the same room with you but separate from you for the first six months as this can help reduce the chance of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). A crib that is placed near your bed is a safe way to achieve this because it has low sides and lets you easily access your newborn during the night.
It is crucial that your baby sleeps on a firm and not a soft mattress. A soft mattress can increase the risk of suffocation in infants as they do not have the motor control required to turn. The breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make the mattress comfortable for your baby, but firm enough for safety.
Mum Jasmin was pleased that the crib didn't occupy too the entire space in her room and found it to be the ideal size for a baby. She also noted that the mattress was of good quality unlike other cribs that feel thin and flimsy. She also appreciates that it has a storage space underneath for bedding and clothes which many bassinets do not have.
Mehack, a MFM mother who has tested the product at home, likes that you can remove the wall on the side to allow for easier access to your baby. She also likes the fact that legs fold under the bed so that it doesn't look big or take up too much floor space. She's also impressed by the ease of being able to move around the house as you want to in the middle of the night, which is convenient for meals and check-ins.
A winner of an Gold award in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards and the CoZee Air is a popular choice among parents. It features a smart design with four built-in pulleys to raise or lower the crib and has a large storage basket for blankets, toys and other necessities. It's also easy to put together and light and portable, which is ideal for traveling with your baby.
Safety
When choosing a baby's bedside cot, it is important to keep safety in mind. Official safe sleep advice from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies should not sleep in their parents' beds because of the risks of overheating, suffocation and a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). bedside cot newborn that are placed in bed let parents keep their infant close, facilitating night-time feedings as well as monitoring and comforting without needing to get up from their beds.
This close proximity also helps breastfeeding mothers by allowing them to attend to the needs of their infant without having to get up in the middle of the night, which can help to maintain milk supply and support the breastfeeding experience. Some cots for bedside use adjustable height options that can make it easier for the mother and child to reach the bassinet for feedings or other activities throughout the night.
Many bassinets are equipped with mattresses that are firm, which is designed to decrease suffocation risk and meets industry standards. It is essential to provide support for the bones of a newborn, because they are still squishy and aren't fully formed. The mattress should be covered in a fitted sheet to reduce the risk of suffocation from dust mites and other allergens, and kept clean and free of irritants.
Some cribs on the bed can be tilted. This is useful for babies with reflux or digestive issues. However, this should be done slowly and with care. Avoid adding pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers in the bassinet. They could pose the risk of suffocation to your baby.
It's also worth considering an adjustable bassinet with an attachment system that is secure and can be easily attached to your bed without the necessity of tools. This can be especially beneficial for parents who struggle to lift their child into and out of the crib or concerned about the possibility of rolling over during sleep. If your bassinet is equipped with secured attachments it is a good idea to check it regularly. Make sure there are no gaps, and that the system is securely connected.
Comfort
If you're a soon-to-be parent, your baby's comfort is one of your main concerns. Thankfully, there's an innovative sleep solution that lets you keep your baby close during the night without taking on any of the dangers that come with bed-sharing. The baby bedside cot is an essentially a bassinet-style crib which is fixed to the side of your bed and allows you to lift them out towards you for feeding at night and calming. It is also a great option for mothers recovering from a C-section as it eliminates the need to stand up or bend over.
Modern bedside cots for babies should have a flat, firm mattress to encourage safe sleeping habits and reduce the risk Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Bedding should be simple with a cot sheet and blanket tucked tightly on the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers or pillows as these can fall on your baby and create a risk of suffocation. If your baby is familiar with being swaddled, you can use a swaddle or baby sleep bag for the first few weeks, however it is best to remove it when possible after they've gained the strength to pull themselves out of the wrap.
Some cribs for bedside use a drop-down or removable side to make it easy for your baby for feedings in the middle of the night and comforting. This feature is ideal for parents who wish to maintain a close relationship with their child, but still adhere to NHS guidelines on sleep. If you're planning to sleep in the same bed with your baby it's important to know that this practice has been linked to a higher risk of SIDS especially when a parent accidentally rolls onto their infant while they sleep.
A fabric that is breathable is an important safety feature, as it's designed to keep your baby cool and comfortable throughout the night. This is particularly crucial if you intend to sleep with your baby since the chance of overheating increases during sleep. The SnuzPod4 has a unique, breathable side panel, which helps increase airflow, keeping your baby warm.