Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a compact sleeper that allows new babies to share the same room as their parents, without the risks of true co-sleeping (which the AAP recommends against due to SIDS and suffocation). It also makes nursing sessions and child care easier.
This sleeper has a sturdy mattress that can support the backs of babies and decrease the risk of SIDS. It can swivel over the bed of your adult to allow you to carry your child out for midnight cuddles or a sunrise kiss.
Budget
A bedside cot, also known as a co-sleeper, is the bassinet-style baby cot that is attached or clipped to your bed. This lets you comfortably and safely reach your baby for mid-night feeding, comforting or cuddles. These are ideal for mothers and new parents recovering after a c section because they provide the baby to be easily accessible without needing to get out of the bed.
There are lots of different styles available that range from basic models with just a drop-down side to more sophisticated models that can be adjusted in multiple ways, including incline and height options. Most convert to an independent crib for naps during the day or when your baby is a few months old and sleeping longer at night.
Maxi-Cosi Lora is one of our top picks. It was selected in the Best Cot category for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. MFM home tester Emily commented how stylish and modern the design was. She also liked the fact that it can be used as a bassinet, or clipped to your existing bed, to ensure safe side-by-side sleeping. She also liked its plush mattress which was able to pass our tests of firmness 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 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 away 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 them, change nappies or just to soothe them in the middle of the night. click here for mothers recovering from a c-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby separate from you during the first six months, to reduce the risk of SIDS. The crib that is placed beside your bed, with its low sides, is a great option to do this. It allows you to be able to easily access your baby at night.
It is essential that your baby is sleeping on a firm and not an extremely soft mattress. Infants don't have the motor control to rotate and a soft mattress could increase the risk of drowning. This mattress is made of skin-friendly and breathable materials. It's comfortable for your baby, but sufficient to be secure.
Mum Jasmin was happy that the crib didn't take up much space in her room and found it to be the perfect size for a newborn. Discover More said the mattress was also good quality, unlike those that feel cheap and thin. She also appreciates that it has a storage space underneath for clothes and bedding - something many other bassinets don't.
Mehack is an MFM mother who has tested the product at home, likes the ability to remove the side wall to allow for easier access to your baby. She also likes the fact that the legs can be put under the bed to make it look less bulky and take up less space on the floor. She's also amazed by the ease of being able to move around the house as you want to in the middle of the night, which is convenient for feedings and check-ins.
The winner of a Gold award in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards The CoZee Air is a popular choice amongst parents. It is a clever design that has four pulleys that can be used to raise or lower your crib. There's also an ample basket for blankets, toys and other necessities. It is also lightweight and easy to assemble which makes it perfect to travel with your baby.
Safety
When choosing a baby's bedside cot, it is important to keep the safety of your baby in mind. The official safety sleep guidelines of both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies should not sleep in their parents' beds due to the dangers of overheating, suffocation and a greater chance of suffering from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bassinets for bedside use allow parents to keep their infant close, facilitating night-time feedings, comforting and monitoring without the need to get up from their beds.
This close proximity also helps breastfeeding mothers by allowing them to attend to their baby's needs without waking up completely and can help keep the supply of milk steady and help the breastfeeding experience. Some cots with a bedside are equipped with adjustable height features that can ensure that the bassinet is at an appropriate height for mother and baby for ease of access during feedings or care.
Many bassinets are equipped with a firm mattress, which is designed to decrease the risk of suffocation and is in line with industry standards. This is crucial because a newborn's bones are soft and aren't fully developed. They must be supported to prevent damage. The mattress should be covered with a fitted sheet to decrease the chance of suffocation caused by dust mites or other allergens and kept hygienically clean and free of irritants.
Some cribs on the bed can be tilted. This is beneficial for babies suffering from digestive or reflux issues. However, this should only be done gently and with care. It's also important to avoid putting pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet as they can create a suffocation risk for your baby and should only be used when the cot is on flat surfaces.
You should also think about a bassinet that has a secure attachment system. It can be attached to your bed without the use of tools. This feature can be particularly useful for parents who struggle to get their child in and out of the crib or concerned about the possibility of rolling over in the night. If your bassinet does have a secure attachment system, it's an excellent idea to periodically ensure that it's securely secured and that there aren't gaps or loose parts that could pose a hazard.
Comfort
If you're a soon-to-be parent, your baby's comfort is one of your primary concerns. There's a new solution to sleep that lets you keep your baby close to you in the evening, without the risk of sharing the bed. The infant bedside crib is a bassinet style cot that is 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 also makes a great choice for mums recovering from a c-section, since it makes it less necessary to bend too much or even take a step out of the bed.
Modern bedside cots for newborns should be fitted with a firm, flat mattress to encourage safe sleep practices and reduce the risk Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The bedding should be simple, comprising a cot sheets and a blanket tightly tucked at the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers and pillows since they can be thrown over your baby and pose a risk of suffocation. If your baby is used to being swaddled, you can use a swaddle or a baby sleep bag for the first few weeks, although it is best to remove it as soon as you can once they've gained the strength to take off their wraps.
Some bedside cribs feature a removable or drop-down side that gives you an easy access to your baby to feed and comfort them during the middle of the night. This is a good option for parents who wish to maintain the bond between them and their child, but still adhere to NHS safe sleep guidelines. If you're planning to sleep in the same bed as your child it's important to know that this practice has been associated with an increased risk of SIDS particularly if a parent unintentionally is able to roll onto their child during sleep.
A fabric that is breathable is an important safety factor, since it's designed to keep your baby cool and comfortable throughout the night. This is particularly important if you plan to co-sleep with your newborn, as the risk of being overheated increases when you sleep. The SnuzPod4 has a unique side panel made of breathable mesh, which helps to improve the flow of air and keep your baby warm in their bed.