Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a compact 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 simpler.
This sleeper features a firm mattress that is designed to help babies' backs and minimize the risk of SIDS. It can be rotated over your adult bed to raise your baby for sunrise cuddles or midnight nursing.
Budget
A bedside crib and cot crib, also called a co-sleeper or bassinet, is a bassinet style crib for babies that attaches to your existing bed. This allows you to safely and easily reach your baby for mid-night feeding, comforting or cuddles. These are perfect for new parents and mums recovering from a csection as they allow easy access to the baby without having to get up from the bed.
There are lots of different styles available that range from basic models with just a drop-down side to more sophisticated ones that can be adjusted in a variety of ways with incline and height options. The majority of them can be converted to an independent crib once your baby is older and has a longer sleep time at night.
One of our top picks is the Maxi-Cosi Lora that was shortlisted 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 can be used as a bassinet, or attached to your existing bed for a safe side-by-side sleep. She also liked the plush mattress that was able to pass our test of firmness, and the fact that it has a manual rocking function that can be set to a slight incline for those suffering 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. It also felt a bit heavy to carry up and down the stairs when folded away into its bag for travel.
Size
A bedside baby bed cot is an upholstered bassinet that is fixed to the side of your bed. It is easy to reach your baby's mouth to feed, change nappies or just to soothe them in the middle of the night. It's also great for mums recovering from C-sections.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby separate from you during the first six month, to reduce the risk of SIDS. The crib that is placed beside your bed, with its low sides, is a great method to do this. It allows you to be able to easily access your baby throughout the night.
It is essential that your baby sleeps on a firm bed as it is more secure than a soft one. A mattress that is soft can increase the risk of suffocation in newborns, as they lack the motor control necessary to turn. The soft, breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make this mattress comfortable for your baby, but sufficient to ensure safety.
Mum home test Jasmin liked that this crib does not take up much space in her bedroom, and she found the size perfect for a baby. She said the mattress was also of good quality, as opposed to some that feel flimsy and thin. She also likes the fact that it has storage space underneath for clothes and bedding - something many other bassinets do not have.
Mehack is an MFM mum who tested the product at home, is thrilled that you can remove the side wall to allow for easier access to your baby. She also loves that the legs tuck into the bed so it doesn't appear bulky or take up a lot of floor space. She's also impressed with how it was simple to move around her home in the event of feeds and check-ins in the middle of the night.
A winner of a Gold award in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards and the CoZee Air is a popular choice amongst parents. It has a clever design that has four pulleys that can be used to raise or lower your crib. There is also an ample basket for blankets, toys, and other items. It is also lightweight and easy to put together and is ideal to travel with your baby.
Safety
When selecting a newborn wooden bedside cot cot, it is important to keep the safety aspect in mind. The official safe sleep guidelines 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 greater chance of suffering from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bedside bassinets allow parents to keep their babies close, which allows for nighttime feedings, comforting, and monitoring without the need to get out of bed.
This close proximity can help breastfeeding mothers as it allows them to be attentive to the baby's needs while they sleep. This can help to maintain the supply of milk and encourage breastfeeding. Some cots with a bedside are equipped with adjustable height features that will help ensure that the bassinet is an appropriate height for mother and baby to allow easy access to mid-night feedings or for care.
Many bassinets come with mattresses that are firm, which is designed to minimize suffocation risk and meets the standards of the industry. It is crucial to support the bones of a newborn as they are still soft and aren't fully formed. The mattress should be covered in a fitted cover to decrease the chance of suffocation due to dust mites and other allergens. It should also be kept clean and free of allergens.
Some cots with a bedside co sleeper have the ability to be tilted. This can be beneficial for babies with reflux or digestive issues, but this should always be done with extreme caution and at a gentle angle. Avoid placing pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet. They could pose a risk of suffocation for 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 is particularly beneficial for parents who struggle to lift their child into and out of the crib or are concerned about their child accidentally falling asleep. If your bassinet has secured attachments it's an excellent idea to periodically check that it's securely attached and that there are no gaps or loose parts that could cause danger.
Comfort
If you're expecting a child, the comfort of your baby is surely one of your top priorities. There's a new sleep solution that lets you keep your baby close at night without the risk of sharing the bed. The crib for newborns is a bassinet style cot that attaches to the side of the bed. It lets you safely carry your baby to you for feedings at night and comfort. It also makes a great choice for mums recovering from a c-section, as it reduces the need to bend too much or even get out of the bed.
Modern cots for infants should be fitted with a firm, flat mattress to promote safe sleeping practices and reduce the risk Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The bedding should be kept simple with just the cot sheet and a blanket tucked tightly at the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers and pillows since they could be thrown over your baby and cause danger of suffocation. If your baby is familiar with being swaddled, you can make use of a swaddle, or a baby sleep bag for the first few weeks, although this should be removed as soon as possible once they've gained the strength to pull themselves out of the wrap.
Some cribs with a bedside cots for newborns have a drop-down or removable side that allows easy access to your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeds and comforting. This is a wonderful feature for parents looking to maintain a strong bond with their child while still following NHS safe sleep advice. If you're planning to sleep with your child, it is important to know that this practice may increase the chance of SIDS. This is especially when a parent accidentally falls on their child while sleeping.
A fabric that is breathable is an 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 sleep with your newborn because the risk of being overheated increases when you sleep. The SnuzPod4 is a unique, breathable mesh side panel, which helps to improve the flow of air and keep your baby warm in their bed.