Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a tiny sleeper that allows newborns to share a space as their parents without the risk of sleeping together (which the AAP cautions against due SIDS and suffocation). It also makes mid-night nursing sessions and care much more convenient.
This sleeper features a firm mattress that is designed to support the backs of babies and minimize the risk of SIDS. It can be swiveled over the bed of your adult to allow you to carry your baby out for midnight nursing or sunrise cuddles.
Budget
A bedside cots for newborns cot, sometimes referred to as a co-sleeper, the bassinet-style baby cot that can be attached to your existing bed. This lets you reach your baby quickly and safely for a late-night feed or comforting cuddle. 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 up.
There are a variety of designs available, from the basic ones that have a drop down side to more sophisticated ones that have numerous adjustment options, like incline or height. Many convert to a standalone crib for napping during the daytime or when your baby is around a few months old and sleeping longer at night.
Maxi-Cosi Lora is one of our top picks. It was nominated in the Best Cot category for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. MFM home tester Emily expressed her delight at how stylish and modern the design is as well as the possibility of using it as a regular bassinet or attach it to your existing bed to sleep side-by-side in a safe and secure manner. She also liked the plush mattress that passed our firmness test and also the fact that it comes with a manual rocking function that can be set to a slight incline for reflux sufferers.
She didn't like that it had a mesh panel on the bottom and considered it too bulky to move around from room to room. It also felt a little heavy to carry up and down the stairs when folded away into its bag for travel.
Size
A bedside cot crib cot resembles a bassinet that is placed on the bed's side. It lets you easily reach your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeding, nappies and comforting. It's great for mothers recovering from an o-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise you to keep your baby in the same room as you, but separated from you for the first six months, because this will reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). A crib that is placed near your bed is a secure way to accomplish this since it has low sides and allows you to be able to easily access your baby during the night.
It is essential that your baby sleeps on a firm mattress as it is safer than a mattress that is soft. 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 breathe-able materials. It is a comfortable fit for your baby but firm enough to be safe.
Mum Jasmin was pleased that the crib didn't take up much space in her bedroom and thought it was the perfect size for a newborn. She also noted that the mattress was of high-quality, unlike others which feel thin and flimsy. She also likes the fact that it has a storage compartment beneath to store blankets and clothing - something she says many bassinets don't have.
Mehack, a MFM mom who tried the product at home, likes that you can remove the side wall to make it easier to access your baby. She also likes that the legs tuck under the bed so that it doesn't look bulky or take up a lot of floor space. She's also amazed by how easy it was to move around her home in the event of checks and feedings in the middle of the night.
A recipient of an Gold award at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards The CoZee Air is a popular choice for parents. It has a clever design with four pulleys that can be used to raise or lower your crib. It also comes with an enormous basket that can be used to store blankets, toys, and other items. It's also easy to assemble and light in weight that is great to travel with your baby.
Safety
When selecting a newborn bedside cot, it is important to keep the safety aspect in your thoughts. The official safety sleep guidelines of both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies not sleep in parent's beds because of the risks of suffocation, heat exhaustion and a higher chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bassinets that are placed in bed let parents keep their newborn close by to help with feeding at night and monitoring without the need to get up from their beds.
This close proximity also assists breastfeeding mothers by allowing them to attend to their baby's needs without having to get up completely, which can help to keep the supply of milk steady and help the breastfeeding experience. Some cots with a bedside are equipped with adjustable height options that can aid both the mother and baby to get into the bassinet for feedings or other activities during the night.
Many bassinets have a firm mattress that is designed to reduce the risk of suffocation, and conforms to industry standards. It is crucial to provide support for the bones of a newborn, since they are still fragile and not fully formed. The mattress should be covered with an appropriate sheet to decrease the risk that dust mites or other allergens, could suffocate a child. It must also be kept free of allergens and clean.
Some bedside cribs can be tilted. This is useful for babies with reflux or digestive problems. However, it should be done with care and with caution. Avoid placing pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers in the bassinet. These can pose the risk of suffocation to your baby.
It's also worth thinking about 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 helpful for parents who may struggle to lift their child in and out of the cot for bedside, or who are concerned about rolling over during sleep. If your bassinet is equipped with a secure attachment system, it's an excellent idea to periodically make sure it's secure and that there are no gaps or loose parts that could pose a hazard.
Comfort
If you're planning to become a parent, your baby's comfort is one of your primary concerns. Thankfully, there's an innovative sleep solution that lets you keep your baby close throughout the night without taking on any of the risks that come with bed-sharing. The baby bedside cot is essentially a bassinet-style cot that fixes to the bed's side, allowing you to safely move them towards you for night feeding and soothing. It is also a great choice for mothers recovering from a C-section since it eliminates the need to get up or to bend over.
A modern cot for infants should have a firm flat mattress to ensure a safe sleep and reduce the chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The bedding should be simple, with only the sheets for the cot and a blanket tucked in tightly at the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers or pillows as these can be thrown over your baby and create a danger of suffocation. If your baby has been used to being swaddled during a few weeks then you can use the swaddle or baby sleep bag. However, this should be removed after they have the strength to remove them.
Some cribs with a bedside have a drop-down or removable side for easy access to your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeds and comforting. This is a wonderful feature for parents looking to keep the bond between them and their child, but still adhere to NHS safe sleep advice. However, if you're considering sleeping in the same bed with your baby it's important to know that this practice has been linked to a higher risk of SIDS particularly if a parent unintentionally rolls onto their infant while they sleep.
A fabric that is breathable will keep your baby comfy and cool throughout the night. This is particularly important if you intend to sleep with your newborn, because the risk of overheating in the night increases. The SnuzPod4 has a unique, breathable side panel that aids in improving the flow of air, keeping your baby warm.