Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside crib is a small 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 nursing sessions and baby care simpler.
This sleeper features a firm mattress that is designed to help babies' backs and decrease the risk of SIDS. It can be rotated over your adult bed to lift your baby to snuggle them at sunrise or for midnight nursing.
Budget
A bedside cot, also referred to as a co-sleeper is an infant cot with a bassinet design that clips or attaches to your existing bed. This allows you to easily and safely reach your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeding or cuddles. They are a great option for mothers or new parents recovering from a c-section as they provide the baby with easy access and don't require you to get out of bed.
There are many different designs that are available, from the basic ones with just the drop-down side, to more sophisticated models with multiple adjustment options, including an incline or a height. The majority of them can be converted to a standalone crib when your baby is older and has a longer sleep time in the night.
Maxi-Cosi Lora is one our top picks. It was nominated 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 appreciated the fact that it can be used as a bassinet, or attached to your bed for safe side-byside sleeping. She also adored its soft mattress that has passed our tests for firmness and also that it comes with 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 at the bottom and thought it was too bulky to move around from room to room. When folded into its travel bag she found it to be a bit heavy to carry up the stairs.
Size
A bedside cot is essentially an upholstered bassinet that is fixed to the side of the bed. It's easy to reach your baby to feed, change nappies or just to soothe them during the night. It's also great for moms recovering from C-sections.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise that you place your baby in the same space as you but 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 method to achieve this. It allows you to be able to easily access your baby throughout the night.
It is important that your baby is sleeping on a firm, not an extremely soft mattress. Newborns don't have the motor control to turn over and a mattress that is soft can increase the risk of suffocation. This mattress is made from skin-friendly and breathable materials. It is a comfortable fit for your baby, but sufficient to be secure.
Mum Jasmin was pleased that the crib didn't take up much space in her bedroom and thought it was the ideal size for a newborn. She also noted that the mattress was of high-quality, unlike others which feel thin and flimsy. She also loves the fact that it has storage space underneath for bedding and clothes which other bassinets don't.
MFM mom home test Mehack is a huge fan of the side wall that is removable that lets you lower it down for easy access to your infant. She also loves 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 by the ease of being able to move around the house when you want to in the middle of the night, which is convenient for meals and check-ins.
The CoZee Air crib is a favorite among parents. It was awarded the Gold Award at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards. It has a clever design with four pulleys built-in to raise or lower the crib and includes a large storage basket for toys, blankets and other necessities. It's also light and easy to put together and is ideal for travel with your baby.
Safety
It is important to think about the safety of the right crib for your baby's bed. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS advise that babies not be placed in parents bed due to the risk of suffocation or sudden infant death syndrome. Bassinets for bedside use let parents keep their newborn close by and allow for nighttime feedings and monitoring without having to get up from their beds.
This close proximity also assists breastfeeding mothers by allowing them to take care of their infant's needs without waking up in the middle of the night and can help maintain milk supply and support the breastfeeding experience. Some cots for bedside use adjustable height features that can aid mother and child to access the bassinet for feedings or other activities at night.
Many bassinets have mattresses that are firm and designed to reduce the risk of suffocation, and conforms to industry standards. 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 with a fitted sheet in order to decrease the risk that dust mites, as well as other allergens, will cause a child to be suffocated. baby bedside cot should also be kept free of allergens and clean.
Some bedside cribs can be tilted. This is useful for babies suffering from reflux or digestive problems. But, it should be done with care and with caution. It's also important to avoid putting pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet since these can pose an obstructing risk to your baby. They should only be used when the cot is placed on flat surfaces.
It's also worth thinking about an infant bassinet that has a secure attachment system that can be easily fixed to your bed without the necessity of tools. This can be especially beneficial for parents who struggle to lift their child in and out of the cot or who are concerned about rolling over during sleep. If your bassinet has a secure attachment system it's a good idea to regularly ensure that it's securely secured and that there aren't any gaps or loose components which could cause danger.
Comfort
If you're expecting your first child, the comfort of your baby is surely one of your main concerns. There's a new solution to sleep that allows you to keep your baby close at night without the risk of sharing the bed. The infant bedside crib is a bassinet-style cot that can be attached to the side of the bed. It allows you to safely lift your baby out to you for feedings at night and soothing. It's also a great option for mothers who are recovering from a C section as it removes the need to stand or bend over.
A modern cot for infants should have a firm, flat mattress to help promote safe sleeping practices and decrease the chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The bedding should be simple, with a cot sheet and a blanket that is tightly tucked on the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys or pillows as these could fall on your baby and pose a risk of suffocation. If your baby has been 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 after they have the strength to unwrap them.
Some cribs with a bedside feature an adjustable or drop-down side that allows for an easy access to your baby to feed and comfort them during the middle of the night. This is a wonderful option for parents who wish to maintain an intimate relationship with their child, but still adhere to NHS safe sleep guidelines. However, if bedside baby bed planning to co-sleep in the same bed with your baby, it's important to understand that this practice has been linked to a higher risk of SIDS, particularly if a parent unintentionally is able to roll onto their infant while they sleep.
A breathable fabric is another important safety feature, as it's designed to keep your baby cool and comfortable throughout the night. This is particularly important if you plan to co-sleep your newborn since the risk of being overheated when sleeping increases. The SnuzPod4 has a unique mesh side panel that is breathable that aids in improving the airflow and keeps your baby comfortable in their bed.