Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a compact sleeper that allows new babies to share a space as their parents without the risk of sleeping together (which the AAP cautions against due suffocation and SIDS). It also makes mid-night nursing sessions and child care easier.
This sleeper has a sturdy mattress that is designed to support babies' backs and minimize the risk of SIDS. It can be swiveled over the bed of your adult to allow you to get your child out for midnight nursing or sunrise cuddles.
Budget
A bedside cot, also known as a co-sleeper, is a bassinet-style baby cot that clips or attaches to your existing bed. This allows you to reach your baby easily and safely for a nighttime feed or comforting cuddle. They are a great option for mums or new parents recovering from a c-section because they offer an easy access to baby and don't require you to get out of bed.
There are a variety of designs available, from the basic ones that have a drop down side to more sophisticated ones that offer multiple adjustment options, including the ability to tilt or raise. The majority of them can be converted into a separate crib for napping during the daytime or when your baby is around a few months old and sleeps longer at night.
One of our favourites is the Maxi-Cosi Lora which was nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the categories of Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily said she was impressed by how chic and modern the design was. She also liked the fact that it could be used as a bassinet, or a clip to your existing bed, for safe side-byside sleeping. She also appreciated its luxurious mattress which passed our firmness tests and it also has a manual inclining function for those who suffer from reflux.
She didn't like the fact that it had a non mesh panel at the bottom, and thought it was too bulky to move from room to room. When folded into a travel bag she found it to be somewhat heavy to carry up the stairs.
Size
A bedside cot is similar to a bassinet that is placed on the bed's side. It is easy to reach your baby's mouth to feed them, change nappies or just to soothe them in the middle of the night. It's also great for mothers recovering from C-sections.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise that you keep your baby in the same room as you but separate from you for the first six months because this will reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). A bedside crib is a safe way to achieve this as it has low sides and lets you easily access your newborn throughout the night.
It is crucial that your infant sleeps on a firm bed as this is safer than a soft one. A soft mattress can increase the risk of suffocation for newborns, as they lack the motor control needed to turn. The mattress is made of skin-friendly and breathable materials. It is a comfortable fit for your baby, but firm enough to ensure safety.
Mum Jasmin was delighted that the crib didn't take up much space in her bedroom and found it to be the ideal size for a baby. She said the mattress was also of good quality, as opposed to those that feel cheap and thin. She also loves the fact that it has storage space underneath for bedding and clothes which many bassinets don't have.
MFM mum home test Mehack is a fan of the side wall with a removable design that allows you to drop it to make it easier access to your infant. She also appreciates that the legs can be tucked under the bed to make it look less bulky and take up less floor space. She's also impressed with how it was simple to move around the house in the event of feeds and check-ins during the night.
The winner of an Gold award in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards, the CoZee Air is a popular choice among parents. It has a clever design that has four pulleys that can be used to raise or lower your crib. There's also an enormous basket that can be used to store blankets, toys and other essentials. It's also simple to put together and light and portable, which is ideal for traveling with your baby.
Safety
It is important to think about the safety of the right crib for your baby's bed. 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 dangers of suffocation, overheating and a greater chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bassinets for bedside use let parents keep their infant close to help with nighttime feedings as well as monitoring and comforting without having to leave their bed.
This close proximity can aid breastfeeding mothers since it allows them to attend to the needs of their infant while also sleeping. This can help maintain the supply of milk and also encourage breastfeeding. Some bedside cots come with adjustable height features that help both the mother and baby to get into the bassinet to feed or take care of other needs during the night.
Many bassinets are equipped with mattresses that are firm, which is designed to decrease the risk of suffocation, and also meets the standards of the industry. This is important because a newborn's bones are brittle and aren't fully developed. They must be supported to avoid damage. The mattress should be covered with an appropriate sheet to decrease the risk that dust mites, as well as other allergens, could choke a child. It should also be kept clean and free of irritants.
Some cribs for bedside use can be tilted. This is helpful for babies who have digestive or reflux issues. But, it should only be done gently and with care. It's also important to avoid adding pillows, duvets or crib bumpers to the bassinet, as they could pose an obstructing risk to your baby and should only be used when the cot is placed on an even surface.
It's also worth looking into a bassinet with a secure attachment system that can be easily attached to your bed without the necessity of tools. This feature can be particularly useful for parents who struggle to lift their child into and out of the crib or who are worried about accidentally rolling over in the night. If your bassinet does have a secure attachment system it's recommended to regularly ensure that it's securely secured and that there aren't gaps or loose components that could pose a hazard.
Comfort
If you're planning to become a parent, your baby's comfort is one of your main concerns. There's a wonderful sleep solution that lets you keep your baby close during the night - without any of the risks associated with sharing a bed. The crib for newborns is a bassinet-style cot that is attached to the side of the bed. It lets you safely carry your baby to you for feedings at night and soothing. It's also a great choice for mothers recovering from a C section as it removes the need to get up or to bend over.
A modern newborn bedside cot should have a sturdy flat mattress to in promoting safe sleeping habits and lower the chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The bedding should be simple, comprising a cot sheets and blanket tucked tightly at the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers or pillows because they could be thrown over your baby and pose a suffocation hazard. If your baby is used to being swaddled for several weeks, you can use either an swaddle or baby sleep bag. But, it should be removed after they are strong enough to remove them.
Some cribs for bedside use an open or removable side that allows easy access to your baby for feedings in the middle of the night and comforting. This is a great feature for parents who wish to keep a close relationship with their child while adhering to NHS guidelines for sleep. If you're planning to sleep in the same bed with your child, it's important to understand that this practice has been associated with an increased risk of SIDS particularly when a parent accidentally rolls onto their infant while they sleep.
A fabric that is breathable will keep your baby comfy and cool throughout the night. This is especially important if you plan to sleep with your baby since the chance of overheating increases when you sleep. The SnuzPod4 features a unique, breathable side panel that helps improve the flow of air, keeping your baby comfortable.