Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a tiny sleeper that allows newborns to share a room as their parents without the risks of true co-sleeping (which the AAP advises against due to suffocation and SIDS). It also makes mid-night nursing sessions and baby care more convenient.
This sleeper has a firm mattress that supports babies backs, which reduces the chance of SIDS. It can be swiveled on your adult bed to allow you to carry your baby to the top for sunrise cuddles or late night nursing.
Budget
A bedside crib, also called a bassinet or co-sleeper is a bassinet type crib for babies that attaches to your existing bed. This lets you reach your baby easily and safely for a late-night feed or cuddles. These are great for mothers and new parents recovering from a c-section because they provide the baby to be easily accessible without having to get up from bed.
There are many different designs available, ranging from simple ones with an upside-down side to more sophisticated ones that offer multiple adjustment options, including an incline or a height. Most convert to a separate crib for naps during the day or when your baby is around a few months old and is sleeping more at night.
Maxi-Cosi Lora is one 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 a clip to your existing bed, to ensure safe side-by-side sleeping. She also appreciated its luxurious mattress that passed our firmness tests and it also has an adjustable manual inclining feature for those who suffer from reflux.
She wasn't a fan of the fact that it had a mesh panel on the bottom and considered it too bulky to move around from room to room. She also found it a little heavy to carry up and down the stairs, especially when folded away into its bag for travel.
Size
A bedside cot is an infant bassinet that is connected to the bed's side. It allows you to easily reach your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeding nappies, feeding and comforting. 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 for the first six months, to reduce the risk of SIDS. The crib that is placed beside your bed, with its low sides is a great method to accomplish this. It lets you access your baby easily throughout the night.
It's important that your newborn sleeps on a firm mattress as this is safer than a soft one. Babies don't have motor control needed to turn and a soft mattress could increase the chance of drowning. rocking bedside crib and skin-friendly materials make the mattress comfortable for your baby but also sufficient to ensure safety.
Mum home test Jasmin was pleased with the fact that the crib does not take up a lot of space in her bedroom. Also, she found the size perfect for a baby. She also noted that the mattress was of good quality unlike other cribs that seem thin and flimsy. She also appreciates that it has a storage compartment underneath for clothes and blankets - something she says most bassinets do not have.
Mehack is an MFM mother who has tested the product at home, loves that you can remove the wall on the side to make it easier to access your baby. She also loves that the legs tuck under the bed so that it doesn't look big or take up a lot of floor space. She's also impressed with how easy it is to move around the house when you want to for ease during late-night feedings and check-ins.
The CoZee Air crib is a favourite among parents. It won the Gold Award at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards. It features a unique design with four pulleys which can be used to raise or lower your crib. It also comes with an ample basket for blankets, toys and other essentials. It's also easy to assemble and lightweight, which is useful to travel with your baby.
Safety
When selecting a newborn bedside cot it's important to keep the safety aspect in your mind. The official safe sleep guidelines from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies not sleep in parent's beds due to the risk of suffocation, heat exhaustion and a greater chance of suffering from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bedside bassinets allow parents to keep their newborns close, facilitating night time feedings, comforting, and monitoring without needing to get up.
This close proximity also assists breastfeeding mothers as they can attend to the needs of their infant without having to get up at all times, which can help to maintain milk supply and support the breastfeeding experience. Some bedside cots come with adjustable height options that can help mother and child to access the bassinet to feed or take care of other needs throughout the night.
A lot of bassinets have mattresses that are firm, which is designed to reduce the risk of suffocation, and also meets the standards of the industry. This is essential because newborn's bones are soft and aren't fully developed. They need to be supported to prevent injury. The mattress should be covered in a fitted cover to reduce the risk of suffocation caused by dust mites and other allergens, and kept clean and free of allergens.
Some bedside cots can be tilted, which can be beneficial for babies with reflux or digestive issues, but this should always be done with great caution and at a gentle angle. Avoid adding pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers to 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 connected to your bed without the need for tools. This can be especially beneficial for parents who struggle to lift their child in and out of the cot or concerned about the possibility of falling asleep. If your bassinet is equipped with secured attachments it is a great idea for you to check it regularly. Make sure there are no gaps, and that the system is securely attached.
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 throughout the night, without any of the risks that come with sharing beds. The newborn bedside cot is an essentially a bassinet-style crib which is fixed to the bed's side, allowing you to safely take them away for night feeding 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 bed.
Modern cots for infants should include a firm, flat mattress to encourage safe sleeping habits and lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The bedding should be simple, with a cot sheet and a blanket that is tightly tucked on the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers and pillows that could be thrown over your baby, creating a suffocation risk. If your baby is used to being swaddled for several weeks and you want to use a swaddle, or a baby sleep bag. However, it is recommended that this be removed once they are strong enough to remove them.
Some bedside cribs have a drop-down or removable side that allows easy access to your baby's feeds and comforting. This feature is perfect for parents who wish to keep a close relationship with their child, but still adhere to NHS guidelines for sleep. If you plan to co-sleep with your child, it's crucial to be aware that this practice may increase the risk of SIDS. This is particularly when a parent accidentally falls on their child when they are asleep.
A breathable fabric will keep your baby comfy and cool throughout the night. This is particularly important if you plan to sleep with your newborn, because the risk of overheating in the night increases. The SnuzPod4 comes with a unique, breathable side panel that helps improve airflow, keeping your baby comfortable.