Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a compact sleeper that allows new babies to sleep in the same room as their parents, without the dangers of co-sleeping (which the AAP recommends against due to suffocation and SIDS). It helps you take care of your baby and nurse them during the night.
This sleeper features a firm mattress that can support the backs of babies and reduce the risk of SIDS. It can be rotated over your adult bed so that you can carry your baby to the top to snuggle them at sunrise or for midnight nursing.
Budget
A bedside cot, also referred to as a co-sleeper, an infant cot with a bassinet design that is attached or clipped to your existing bed. This lets you reach your baby quickly and safely for a late-night feed, comforting, or cuddles. These are great for new parents and mums recovering from a c-section because they allow the baby to be easily accessible without needing to get out of the bed.
There are many different designs available that range from basic models with only a drop-down side, to more sophisticated models that can be adjusted in a variety of ways including height and incline options. The majority of them can be converted to an independent crib once your baby gets older and is sleeping longer in the 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 expressed her delight at how stylish and modern the design is and she was impressed by the possibility of using it as a regular bassinet, or attach it to a bed to sleep side-by-side in a safe and secure manner. She also adored its soft mattress, which passed our firmness tests and it also has a manual inclining function for reflux sufferers.
However, she didn't like the fact that it had a non-mesh panel at the lower end, and felt it was a bit heavy to move from room to room regularly. It also felt a little heavy to carry up and down the stairs, especially when it was folded up into its bag for travel.
Size
A bedside cot is essentially a bassinet-style cot that fixes to the side of your bed. You can easily reach your baby's side for feedings, changing nappies, or to comfort them during the night. It's ideal for mothers who are recovering from the c-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby away from you in the first six month, to reduce the risk of SIDS. A bedside crib is a safe way to achieve this because it has low sides and lets you easily reach your baby at night.
It's important that your newborn sleeps on a firm mattress since it is more secure than a mattress that is soft. A mattress that is soft can increase the risk of suffocation for infants as they do not have the motor control required to turn. The breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make the mattress comfortable for your baby, but sufficiently firm to be safe for your baby.
Mum Jasmin was delighted that the crib didn't occupy too the entire space in her room and found it to be the ideal size for a baby. She also noted that the mattress was of high-quality and not like other mattresses that feel thin and flimsy. She also likes that it has a storage compartment beneath for blankets and clothes which she claims most bassinets do not have.
Mehack, a MFM mom who tried the product at home, likes that you can take off the wall on the side to allow for easier access to your baby. She also likes the fact that the legs tuck under the bed so it doesn't look big or take up a lot of floor space. She's also amazed by how easy it was to move around the house when she needed to for feeds and check-ins in the middle of the night.
A recipient of a Gold award in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards and the CoZee Air is a popular choice amongst 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 toys, blankets, and other essentials. It's also easy to put together and light in weight, which is useful for traveling with your baby.
Safety
It's important to consider the safety of a newborn bedside crib. The official safe sleep guidelines from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies do not sleep in parent's beds due to the risk of overheating, suffocation and a higher chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bedside bassinets allow parents to keep their baby close and allow for nighttime feedings as well as monitoring and comforting without the need to get out of bed.
This close proximity can support 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 also encourage breastfeeding. Some cots with a bedside are equipped with adjustable height features, which can ensure that the bassinet is an appropriate height for mother and baby for ease of access during feedings or for care.
A lot of bassinets have mattresses that are firm. This is designed to decrease the risk of suffocation and is in line with the standards of the industry. This is crucial because a baby's bones are fragile and not fully developed and require support to prevent injury. The mattress should be covered with an appropriate sheet to decrease the risk that dust mites or other allergens, will suffocate a child. foldable bedside crib should be kept clean and free of irritants.
Some cribs for bedside use can be tilted. This is beneficial for babies who have reflux or digestive problems. But, it should only be done gently and with care. Avoid placing pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers in the bassinet. These can pose the risk of suffocation to your baby.
You should also consider an infant bassinet with an attachment system that is secure. This can be connected to your bed without the need of tools. This feature can be particularly beneficial for parents who struggle to lift their child in and out of the cot or who are concerned about rolling over in the night. If your bassinet has an attachment system that is secure, it's a good idea to regularly 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 safety is one of your primary concerns. There's a new solution to sleep that lets you keep your baby close in the evening, without the risk of bed-sharing. The infant bedside cot an essentially a bassinet-style crib that fixes to the side of your bed that allows you to take them away to feed them at night and soothe. It is an excellent option for mothers recovering from a C-section since it removes the need to get up or sit up.
Modern bedside cots for babies should have a flat, firm mattress to encourage safe sleeping habits and lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Bedding should be simple with a cot sheet and a blanket that is tightly tucked at the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys and pillows that could fall onto your baby posing a suffocation risk. If your baby has been used to being swaddled for a few weeks and you want to use a swaddle, or a baby sleep bag. However, it is recommended that this be removed after they are strong enough to unwrap them.
Some cribs with a bedside have an open or removable side for easy access to your baby for feedings in the middle of the night and comforting. This is a great feature for parents looking to maintain the bond between them and their child while still following NHS safe sleep advice. If you are planning to sleep with your child, it's important to be aware that this practice may increase the chance of SIDS. This is especially true if a parent accidentally falls on their child during sleep.
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 particularly important if you plan to co-sleep with your newborn because the risk of overheating is higher when you sleep. The SnuzPod4 features a unique breathable side panel, which helps increase the flow of air, keeping your baby warm.