Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a small sleeper that allows newborns to share the same space as their parents without the risk of sleeping together (which the AAP advises against due to SIDS and suffocation). It helps you take care of your infant and feed them in the middle of the night.
This sleeper has a mattress that is firm and supports babies backs, reducing the risk of SIDS. It can be swiveled over your adult bed to raise your baby to snuggle them at sunrise or for midnight nursing.
Budget
A bedside baby sleeper crib, also referred to as a bassinet or cosleeper is a bassinet type baby cot that clips to your bed. This allows you to reach your baby quickly and safely for a mid-night feed or cuddles. They are a great choice for mums or new parents recovering from a c-section because they allow an easy access to baby and don't require you to get out of bed.
There are many different designs available, ranging from basic ones with just the drop-down side, to more sophisticated ones with multiple adjustment options, including the ability to tilt or raise. Most convert to an independent crib for daytime naps or when your baby is around a few months old and sleeps longer at night.
Maxi-Cosi Lora is one of our favorites. It was nominated in the Best Cot category for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. MFM home tester Emily commented on how stylish and contemporary the design is as well as the fact that you can use it as a regular bassinet or connect it to your existing bed to ensure that you can sleep side-by-side. She also liked the plush mattress, which has passed our test for firmness and also the fact that it has a manual rocking feature that can be set to a slight tilt for reflux sufferers.
But she wasn't thrilled with the feature of a non-mesh panel at its foot end and thought it was a bit heavy to move from room to room often. She also found it a little heavy to carry up and down the stairs, especially when it was folded up into its travel bag.
Size
A bedside cot is essentially an upholstered bassinet that is fixed to the side of the bed. You can easily reach your baby's mouth to feed, change nappies or comforting in the middle of the night. It's also great for mothers recovering from the C-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise you to keep your baby in the same room with you, but separated from you for the first six months since this will help decrease the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). The crib that is placed beside your bed with its low sides is a great option to do this. It allows you to access your baby easily during the night.
It is crucial that your infant sleeps on a firm mattress as it is safer than a mattress that is soft. A mattress that is soft can increase the risk of suffocation in newborns, as they do not have the motor control required to turn. The breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make this mattress a comfortable one for your baby, but firm enough for safety.
Mum home test Jasmin liked that this crib does not take up a lot of space in her bedroom, and she found the size to be perfect for a newborn. She also said that the mattress was of good quality, unlike others which feel thin and flimsy. She also likes the fact that it has storage space underneath for clothes and bedding which other bassinets don't.
Mehack, a MFM mum who tested the product at home, likes that you can take off the side wall to make it easier to access your baby. She also loves that legs slide under the bed so it doesn't appear heavy or take up a lot of floor space. She's also amazed by how it was easy to move around the house when she needed to for feeds and check-ins during the night.
A recipient of a Gold award in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards The CoZee Air is a popular choice among parents. It has a clever design with four pulleys that are built-in to raise or lower the crib. It also has a large storage basket for your baby's toys, blankets and other necessities. It's also simple to put together and lightweight and portable, which is ideal to travel with your baby.
Safety
It is important to think about safety when choosing the crib for your newborn. Official safe sleep advice from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies should not be sleeping in the bed of their parents due to the risk of overheating, suffocation and a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bassinets for bedside use allow parents to keep their newborns close, facilitating night time feedings as well as monitoring without needing to leave their bed.
This close proximity also supports breastfeeding mothers by allowing them to attend to the needs of their infant without waking up at all times and can help keep milk supply steady and enhance the breastfeeding experience. Some cots for bedside use adjustable height features that make it easier for both the mother and baby to get into the bassinet to feed or take care of other needs at night.
Many bassinets come with mattresses that are firm, which is designed to reduce suffocation risk and meets industry standards. This is crucial because a baby's bones are fragile and not fully developed, and require support to avoid damage. The mattress should be covered with a fitted sheet to minimize the chance that dust mites, or other allergens, can choke a child. It should also be kept clean and free of allergens.
Some cots with a bedside have the ability to be tilted, which can be useful for babies with reflux or digestive issues, but it should be done with great caution and at a moderate angle. It is also essential to stay clear of adding pillows, duvets or crib bumpers to the bassinet, as these can pose the risk of suffocation for your baby and should only be used when the cot is placed on flat surfaces.
You should also think about an infant bassinet with a secure attachment system. This can be connected to your bed without the use of tools. This feature is especially beneficial for parents who find it difficult to carry their child into and out of the crib or are concerned about their baby accidentally rolling over while sleeping. If your bassinet does have a secure attachment system it's recommended to regularly make sure it's secure and that there aren't gaps or loose components that could cause danger.
Comfort
If you're a soon-to-be parent, your baby's safety is among your top concerns. There's a new sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close at night without the risk of sharing the bed. The infant bedside crib is a cot that resembles a bassinet 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 calming. It is also the perfect choice for mothers recovering from a c-section because it eliminates the need to bend down too far or even take a step out of bed.
A modern newborn bedside co sleeper cot should have a sturdy flat mattress to promote safe sleeping practices and reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The bedding should be simple with just the sheets for the cot and a blanket that is tightly tucked into the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys, and pillows that may fall onto your baby posing a suffocation risk. If your baby has been used to being swaddled for a few weeks, you can use either an swaddle or baby sleep bag. However, this should be removed once they are strong enough to unwrap them.
Some cribs with a bedside crib that turns into cot have an open or removable side for easy access to your baby's feeds and comforting. This is a good option for parents who wish to maintain an intimate relationship with their child while still following NHS safe sleep advice. However, if you're considering sleeping in the same bed with your child, it's important to understand that this practice has been linked to a higher risk of SIDS particularly when a parent accidentally is able to roll onto their infant while they sleep.
A breathable fabric will keep your baby cool and cool throughout the night. This is especially important if you plan to co-sleep with your newborn, as the risk of being overheated increases during sleep. The SnuzPod4 has a unique breathable side panel that helps improve the flow of air, keeping your baby cool.