Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn crib with a bedside is a tiny sleeper that allows babies to sleep in the same room with their parents without the risks of co-sleeping. (The AAP warns against this due to the risk of SIDS and inhalation.) It also makes mid-night nursing sessions and baby care simpler.
This sleeper comes with a mattress that is firm and supports babies backs, which reduces the chance of SIDS. bedside cot 6 months plus can be swiveled on your adult bed to allow you to lift your baby for sunrise cuddles or midnight nursing.
Budget
A bedside cot, also known as a co-sleeper is an infant cot with a bassinet design that clips or attaches to your existing bed. This lets you easily and safely reach your baby for mid-night feeding, comforting or cuddles. They are a great option for mums or new parents recovering from a csection as they offer an easy access to baby and don't require you to get up from your bed.
There are a variety of styles available that range from basic models with just a drop-down side to more sophisticated models that can be adjusted in multiple ways including height and incline options. Many can be converted into a separate crib when your baby gets older and sleeps longer in the night.
Maxi-Cosi Lora is one of our favorites. It was shortlisted in the Best Cot category for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. MFM home tester Emily commented how stylish and modern the design was. She also liked the fact that it can be used as a bassinet or attached to your existing bed to ensure safe side-by-side sleeping. She also appreciated the soft mattress that has passed our test for firmness and the fact that it features a manual rocking function that can be set to a slight tilt for reflux sufferers.
She didn't like that it had a non-mesh panel at the bottom and thought it was too bulky to move around from room to room. When folded into a travel bag she found it quite heavy to carry up the stairs.
Size
A bedside cot is the bassinet style cot that can be fixed to your side of the bed. You can easily reach your baby for feedings, changing nappies or comforting in the middle of the night. It's perfect for mothers who are recovering from a c-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby separate from you in the first 6 months to decrease the chance of SIDS. A crib for your bed is a secure way to achieve this because it is low-sided and lets you be able to easily access your baby at night.
It is essential that your baby sleeps on a firm and not a soft mattress. A soft mattress can increase the risk of suffocation among newborns, since they lack the motor control needed to turn. The breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make the mattress comfortable for your baby, but sufficiently firm to be safe for your baby.
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 newborn. The mattress she rated as excellent quality, in contrast to some that feel flimsy and thin. She also loves the fact that it has storage space beneath for bedding and clothes which many bassinets don't.
MFM mom home test Mehack is a huge fan of the removable side wall that lets you drop it down for easy access to your baby. She also likes the fact that the legs tuck under the bed so that it does not look heavy or take up a lot of floor space. She's also amazed by the ease of being able to move around the house when you'd like in the middle of the night, which is convenient for meals and check-ins.
A recipient of a Gold award in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards The CoZee Air is a popular choice amongst parents. It has a clever design with four pulleys built-in to raise or lower the crib and comes with a large storage bin for your baby's blankets, toys and other necessities. It is also light and easy to assemble which makes it perfect to travel with your baby.
Safety
When choosing a new baby's bedside cot, it is important to keep the safety of your baby in your mind. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS recommend that babies not sleep in their parents bed due to the possibility of suffocation or sudden infant death syndrome. Bedside bassinets allow parents to keep their babies close to them, facilitating nighttime feedings, comforting, and monitoring without the need to get out of bed.
This close proximity also helps breastfeeding mothers by allowing them to take care of their infant's needs without waking up completely and can help keep the supply of milk steady and help the breastfeeding experience. Some cots for bedside have adjustable height features, which can help to ensure that the bassinet is at an appropriate height for mother and baby to allow ease of access during feedings or care.
Many bassinets are equipped with a firm mattress, which is designed to reduce suffocation risk and meets the standards of the industry. It is crucial to support the bones of a newborn as they are still soft and are not fully formed. The mattress should be covered with a fitted sheet to decrease the risk that dust mites or other allergens, will suffocate a child. It should also be kept free of allergens and clean.
Some cribs for bedside use can be tilted. This is beneficial for babies with reflux or digestive problems. However, it should be done slowly and with care. Avoid putting pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers inside the bassinet. These could create a risk of suffocation for your baby.
It's also worth thinking about a bassinet with a secure attachment system that can be easily fixed to your bed without the need for tools. This feature is especially beneficial for parents who find it difficult to get their child in and out of the crib or are concerned about their child rolling over while sleeping. If your bassinet does have an attachment system that is secure, it's an excellent idea to periodically make sure it's secure and that there aren't any gaps or loose components which could cause danger.
Comfort
If you're a parent-to-be, the safety of your child is definitely one of your top priorities. There's a brand new sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close at night without the risk of sharing the bed. The crib for newborns is a bassinet-style cot that attaches to the side of the bed. It lets you safely carry your baby towards you for feedings and calming. It is also the perfect choice for mothers recovering from a csection, because it eliminates the need to bend too much or even to get out of the bed.
Modern bedside cots for babies should include a firm, flat mattress to encourage safe sleep habits and reduce the risk Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The bedding should be simple with just the sheets for the cot and a blanket tucked in tightly at the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys, and pillows that may fall on your baby, posing an obstructive risk. If your baby is familiar with being swaddled, you can make use of a swaddle, or a baby sleep bag for the first few weeks, although it is best to remove it as soon as possible once they've gained the strength to unwrap themselves.
Some bedside cribs feature an option to remove or drop down the side that gives you easy access to your baby to feed and comfort them in the middle of the night. This is a great option for parents who wish to keep an intimate relationship with their child, while adhering to NHS safe sleep advice. If you are planning to sleep with your child, it's important to know that this practice could increase the risk of SIDS. This is particularly the case if a parent rolls on their infant when they are asleep.
A breathable fabric is another important safety feature, as it's designed to keep your baby cool and comfortable throughout the night. This is especially crucial if you intend to sleep with your baby, as the risk of overheating increases when you sleep. The SnuzPod4 features a unique side panel made of breathable mesh, which helps to improve the flow of air and keep your baby snug in their mattress.