Newborn bedside cot (wiki.iurium.cz)
A newborn bedside cot is a tiny sleeper that allows new babies to sleep in the same room as their parents, without the risk of sleeping together (which the AAP cautions against due SIDS and suffocation). It makes it easier to care for your baby and give them a bottle during the night.
This sleeper features a firm mattress that can help babies' backs and minimize the risk of SIDS. It can be swiveled on your adult bed so that you can carry your baby to the top to snuggle them at sunrise or for midnight nursing.
Budget
A bedside cot, also known as a co-sleeper is a bassinet-style baby cot that can be attached to your existing bed. This lets you reach your baby easily and safely for a nighttime feed, comforting, or cuddles. They are a great option for new parents or mums recovering from a c-section as they allow an easy access to baby and do not require you to get up from your bed.
There are many different styles available, from basic models with just a drop-down option to more sophisticated ones that can be adjusted in multiple ways, including incline and height options. The majority of them can be converted into a standalone crib for naps during the day or when your baby is about months old and sleeps longer at night.
One of our favourites is the Maxi-Cosi Lora that was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards, including Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily expressed her delight at how stylish and modern the design as well as the feature that you can use it as a regular bassinet or attach it to your existing bed for safe side-by-side sleeping. She also adored its soft mattress, which passed our firmness tests and also that it comes with a manual inclining function for those who suffer from reflux.
She wasn't a fan of the fact that it had a non-mesh panel at the bottom, and thought it was too bulky to move from room to room. She also found it a little heavy to carry up and down the stairs when folded into a bag for travel.
Size
A bedside cot resembles an infant bassinet that is attached to the side of your bed. It's easy to reach your baby's mouth for feedings, changing nappies, or to comfort them during the night. It's perfect for mothers who are recovering from the c-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby away from you during the first six month, to reduce the risk of SIDS. A bedside crib is a secure way to achieve this as it is low-sided and lets you easily reach your baby throughout the night.
It is essential that your baby sleeps on a firm and not an extremely soft mattress. Babies don't have motor control needed to turn and a soft mattress could increase the chance of drowning. The soft, breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make the mattress comfortable for your baby, but sufficient to ensure safety.
Mum home tester Jasmin loved that the crib does not take up much space in her bedroom, and she found the size to be perfect for a baby. The mattress she rated as also of good quality, as opposed to others that feel thin and thin. She also likes the fact that it has a storage area beneath for bedding and clothes which other bassinets do not have.
Mehack, a MFM mum who tested the product at home, is thrilled that you can take off the wall on the side to allow for easier access to your baby. She also likes the fact that the legs can be tucked under the bed to make it appear less bulky and occupy less floor space. She's also amazed by how it was simple to move around the house in the event of feeds and check-ins in the middle of the night.
The CoZee Air crib is a popular choice for parents. It was awarded the Gold Award at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards. 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 items. It's also easy to assemble and lightweight, which is useful for traveling with your baby.
Safety
It is important to think about the safety aspect when selecting the right crib for your baby's bed. The official safety sleep guidelines of both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies do not sleep in parent's beds because of the risks of suffocation, overheating and a higher chance of suffering from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bedside bassinets allow parents to keep their newborns close, which allows for nighttime feedings, comforting, and monitoring without the need to leave their bed.
This close proximity also supports breastfeeding mothers by allowing them to attend to their baby's needs without waking up at all times and can help keep the supply of milk steady and help the breastfeeding experience. Some cots for bedside have adjustable height features that can ensure that the bassinet is at an ideal height for mother and baby for ease of access during feedings or other care.
A lot of bassinets have a firm mattress, which is designed to minimize the risk of suffocation and is in line with the standards of the industry. It is essential to provide support for the bones of a newborn, because they are still squishy and are not fully formed. The mattress should be covered in a fitted sheet to decrease the chance of suffocation caused by dust mites and other allergens, and kept clean and free of allergens.
Some bedside crib and cot cots have the capability of being tilted, which can be beneficial for babies suffering from reflux or digestive issues, however this should always be done with extreme caution and at a moderate angle. It is also essential to avoid adding pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet since they can create the risk of suffocation for your baby and should only be used when the cot is set on an even surface.
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 feature can be particularly helpful for parents who may struggle to get their child in and out of the cot or who are concerned about rolling over in the night. If your bassinet is equipped with a secure attachment it is a good idea for you to regularly check it. Make sure there aren't any gaps and that the system is securely attached.
Comfort
If you're a soon-to-be parent, your baby's safety is one of your primary concerns. There's a wonderful sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close throughout the night, without any of the risks that come with sharing beds. The baby bedside cot is an essentially a bassinet-style crib that is attached to the bed's side that allows you to move them towards you to feed them at night and soothe. It's also a great choice for mums recovering from a c-section because it eliminates the need to bend too much or even get out of bed.
Modern bedside cots for newborns should include a firm, flat mattress to encourage safe sleeping habits and lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The bedding should be kept simple with just the sheets for the cot and a blanket tucked in tightly at the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys or pillows as these can be thrown over your baby and pose a risk of suffocation. If your baby bedside sleeper is used to being swaddled you can use a swaddle or baby sleep bag for the first few weeks, although it is best bedside cot for newborn to remove it when possible after they've gained the strength and confidence to pull themselves out of the wrap.
Some cribs for bedside use an open or removable side for easy access to your baby for feedings in the middle of the night and comforting. This feature is ideal for parents who want to maintain a close bond with their child, but still adhere to NHS guidelines on sleep. If you are planning to sleep with your child, it is important to know that this practice could increase the chance of SIDS. This is particularly the case if a parent is able to roll their infant over while sleeping.
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 co-sleep with your newborn, as the risk of being overheated increases when you sleep. The SnuzPod4 has an exclusive breathable side panel, which helps increase the flow of air, keeping your baby comfortable.