Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a small sleeper that allows babies to sleep in the same room as their parents, without the risk of sleeping together (which the AAP cautions against due suffocation and SIDS). It also makes nursing sessions and care much simpler.
This mattress is a firm mattress that is designed to support babies' backs and reduce the risk of SIDS. It can be swiveled over your adult bed to carry your baby to the top to snuggle them at sunrise or for nighttime 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 bed. This allows you to comfortably and safely reach your baby for mid-night feeding or comforting cuddles. They are a great choice 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.
There are many different designs that are available, from the simple ones with a drop down side to more sophisticated ones with various adjustment options, such as the ability to tilt or raise. Many can be converted into a separate crib when your baby grows older and has a longer sleep time in the night.
Maxi-Cosi Lora is one of our top picks. It was selected in the Best Cot category for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. MFM home tester Emily said she was impressed by how chic and modern the design is, while she appreciated the feature that you can use it as a regular bassinet or attach it onto your bed to sleep side-by-side in a safe and secure manner. She also liked the plush mattress, which has passed our test for firmness and the fact that it comes with an automatic rocking feature that can be set to a slight tilt for reflux sufferers.
wooden bedside cot Cots 4 Tots didn't like the fact that it had a non-mesh panel at the bottom and thought it was too bulky to move around from room to room. She also found it to be a bit heavy to carry up and down the stairs, especially when it was folded up into its travel bag.
Size
A bedside cot is similar to an infant bassinet that is connected to the side of your bed. It is easy to reach your baby's side to feed them, change nappies or comforting in the middle of the night. It's also great for moms recovering from the C-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby away from you in the first six month, to lower the risk of SIDS. A bedside crib is a safe way to achieve this as it has low sides and lets you easily reach your baby at night.
It is crucial that your baby is sleeping on a firm and not a soft mattress. Babies don't have motor control to rotate and a mattress that is soft could increase the chance of suffocation. This mattress is made from skin-friendly and air-tight materials. It's comfortable for your baby, yet sufficient to be secure.
Mum home test Jasmin liked that this crib does not take up much space in her bedroom. Also, she found it to be the perfect size for a baby. She also said that the mattress was also good quality, unlike others that feel thin and thin. She also loves the fact that it has storage space underneath for clothes and bedding which other bassinets don't have.
MFM mom home test Mehack is a fan of the removable side wall that allows you to drop it down for easy access to your infant. She also loves the fact that legs can be placed under the bed to make it look less bulky and occupy less floor space. She's also amazed by the ease of being able to move around the house whenever you want to for ease during late-night meals and check-ins.
The CoZee Air crib is a popular choice for parents. It was awarded the Gold Award at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards. It features a smart design with four pulleys that are built-in to raise or lower the crib. It comes with a large storage bin for toys, blankets and other necessities. It's also easy to put together and light in weight that is great for traveling with your baby.
Safety
It is crucial to think about the safety aspect when selecting the crib for your newborn. The official safe sleep guidelines from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies do not sleep in parent's beds due to the risk of suffocation, heat exhaustion and a higher chance of suffering from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bedside bassinets let parents keep their newborn close by, facilitating feeding at night, comforting and monitoring without having to leave their bed.
This close proximity can also aid breastfeeding mothers since it lets them attend to the needs of their infant while they sleep. This can help to maintain the supply of milk and encourage breastfeeding. Some cots with a bedside are equipped with adjustable height options that can aid the mother and child to reach the bassinet to feed or take care of other needs during the night.
Many bassinets come with mattresses that are firm. This is designed to reduce suffocation risk and meets the standards of the industry. 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 decrease the risk that dust mites, or other allergens, can suffocate a child. It must be kept clean and free of allergens.
Some cots for bedside use have the ability to be tilted, which is beneficial for babies suffering from reflux or digestive issues, however this should be done with a lot of care and at a gentle angle. It's also important to avoid putting pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet since they can create a suffocation risk for your baby and should only be used when the cot is set on flat surfaces.
It's also worth considering an adjustable bassinet with a secure attachment system that can be easily attached to your bed without the need for tools. This is particularly beneficial for parents who have difficulty get their child in and out of the crib or are concerned about their baby accidentally falling asleep. If your bassinet is equipped with secured attachments, it's recommended to regularly check that it's securely attached and that there aren't gaps or loose parts which could cause danger.
Comfort
If you're expecting your first child, the safety of your baby is surely one of your top priorities. There's a new solution to sleep that lets you keep your baby close at night without the risk of sharing the bed. The baby bedside cot is an essentially a bassinet-style crib that fixes to the side of your bed, allowing you to safely move them towards you to feed them at night and soothe. It is 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 bedside cot for newborns should have a firm, flat mattress to help in promoting safe sleeping habits and reduce the chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Bedding should be easy comprising a cot sheets and a blanket that is tightly tucked on the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys and pillows that can be thrown over your baby, creating a suffocation risk. If your baby has been used to being swaddled during a few weeks, you can use either an swaddle or baby sleep bag. But, it should be removed after they have the strength to take them off.
Some cribs with a bedside feature an option to remove or drop down the side that allows for the baby to be easily accessible for feeding and comfort during the middle of the night. This feature is perfect for parents who wish to maintain a close relationship with their child, while still following NHS sleep guidelines. If you plan to co-sleep with your child, it's crucial to be aware that this practice could increase the chance of SIDS. This is particularly true if a parent accidentally falls on their child while sleeping.
A fabric that breathes will keep your baby cool and cool throughout the night. This is especially crucial if you intend to co-sleep with your newborn because the risk of overheating increases during sleep. The SnuzPod4 comes with a unique breathable side panel, which helps increase the airflow and keeps your baby comfortable.