Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a compact sleeper that allows newborns to share a room as their parents without the dangers of co sleeper bedside cot-sleeping (which the AAP cautions against due suffocation and SIDS). It helps you care for your baby and nurse them during the night.
This sleeper comes with a mattress that is firm and supports babies backs, which reduces the risk of SIDS. It can swivel over the bed of your adult to allow you to carry your baby out for midnight nursing or sunrise cuddles.
Budget
A bedside crib, also referred to as a bassinet or co-sleeper, is a bassinet style crib that can be attached to your existing bed. This lets you reach your baby quickly and safely for a nighttime feed or comforting cuddle. These are great for new parents and mums recovering after a c section because they provide easy access to the baby without needing to get out of the bed.
There are many different designs available, ranging from simple ones with a drop down side to more sophisticated ones that offer multiple adjustment options, including the ability to tilt or raise. Most can be converted into a separate crib when your baby gets older and is sleeping longer in the night.
One of our favourites is the Maxi-Cosi Lora which was nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily expressed her delight at how stylish and contemporary the design is, while she appreciated the fact that you can use it as a regular bassinet or clip it to a bed to sleep side-by-side in a safe and secure manner. She also liked its plush mattress which passed our firmness tests and also that it comes with an option to manually tilt it for reflux sufferers.
She didn't like that it had a non mesh panel on the bottom and thought it was too bulky to move around from room to room. She also found it a bit heavy to carry up and down the stairs, especially when it was folded up into its bag for travel cot bedside.
Size
A bedside cot crib cot resembles the bassinet, which is connected to the bed's side. It lets you easily reach your baby for mid-night feeding, nappies and comforting. It's also great for mothers recovering from the C-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise that you place your baby in the same room with you, but keep them separate from you for the first six months, since this will help decrease the chance of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). The bedside crib, with its low sides, is a great option to do this. It allows you to access your baby easily at night.
It is essential that your baby sleeps on a firm, not a soft mattress. Newborns don't have the motor control to rotate and a mattress that is soft can increase the chance of being suffocated. The breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make this mattress comfortable for your baby but also sufficient to ensure safety.
Mum home tester Jasmin liked that this crib does not take up much space in her bedroom. Also, she found the size perfect for a baby. The mattress she rated as also good quality, unlike some that feel flimsy and thin. She also loves that it has a storage space underneath for clothes and blankets which she believes most bassinets do not have.
MFM mom home tester Mehack is a fan of the side wall with a removable design that lets you lower it down to give easy access to your infant. She also loves the fact that the legs can be tucked under the bed to make it appear less bulky and occupy less space on the floor. She's also amazed by how it was simple to move around her house when she needed to do feeds and check-ins during the night.
A winner of an Gold award at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards The CoZee Air is a popular choice amongst parents. It features a smart design with four pulleys built-in to raise or lower the crib. It also has a large storage basket for blankets, toys and other necessities. It is also lightweight and easy to put together and is ideal for traveling with your baby.
Safety
It's important to consider safety when choosing a newborn bedside crib. The official safety sleep guidelines of both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies should not be sleeping in the bed of their parents because of the risks of suffocation, overheating and a greater chance of suffering from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bedside bassinets enable parents to keep their babies close, facilitating night time feedings as well as monitoring without the need to leave their bed.
This close proximity also assists breastfeeding mothers as they can take care of their infant's needs without having to wake up in the middle of the night and help keep the supply of milk steady and help the breastfeeding experience. Some bedside cots have adjustable height features, which can help to ensure that the bassinet is an appropriate height for mother and baby for easy access for middle-of-the-night feedings or other care.
A majority of bassinets come with a firm mattress that is designed to reduce the risk of suffocation and meets industry standards. This is crucial because a newborn's bones are brittle and aren't fully developed. They require support to prevent injury. The mattress should be covered with an appropriate sheet to decrease the risk that dust mites, or other allergens, could suffocate a child. It should be kept clean and free of irritants.
Some cots for bedside use 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 gentle angle. Avoid adding pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers in the bassinet. They could pose a risk of suffocation for your baby.
It is also recommended to consider an infant bassinet with an attachment system that is secure. It can be connected to your existing bed easily without the use of 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 accidentally falling asleep. If your bassinet has secured attachments it is a good idea to check it frequently. Make sure there are no gaps and that the system is securely attached.
Comfort
If you're planning to become a parent, the comfort of your child is among your top concerns. There's a new sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close to you at night, without the danger of bed-sharing. The crib for newborns is a cot that resembles a bassinet that is attached to the side of the bed. It lets you safely lift your baby out to you for feedings at night and soothing. It's also a great option for mothers recovering from a C-section since it will not require you to stand or sit up.
Modern twin bedside cot cots for babies should be fitted with a firm, flat mattress to encourage safe sleep habits and lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The bedding should be kept as simple as possible with just the sheet for the cot and blanket tucked tightly at the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys, and pillows that may fall on your baby, posing the risk of suffocation. If your baby is used to being swaddled for several weeks, you can use either a swaddle, or a baby sleep bag. But, it should be removed when they are strong enough to unwrap them.
Some cribs with a bedside feature an option to remove or drop down the side that allows for the baby to be easily accessible to feed and comfort them in the middle of the night. This is a good option for parents who wish to keep an intimate relationship with their child, while adhering to NHS safe sleep advice. If you're planning to sleep with your child, it is important to be aware that this practice could increase the risk of SIDS. This is particularly the case if a parent falls on their child while sleeping.
A breathable fabric is another essential safety feature, as it's designed to keep your baby cool and comfortable throughout the night. This is particularly important if you intend to sleep with your baby because the risk of overheating during sleep increases. The SnuzPod4 is a unique, side panel made of breathable mesh, which helps to improve the flow of air and keep your baby snug in their mattress.