A newborn bedside cot for bedside is a compact sleeper that allows newborns to sleep in the same room as their parents, without the dangers of co-sleeping (which the AAP cautions against due SIDS and suffocation). It makes it easier to take care of your baby and give them a bottle in the middle of the night.
This sleeper comes with an extremely firm mattress that can support babies backs, reducing the chance of SIDS. It can swivel over your bed to allow you to carry your baby out for midnight nursing or cuddles at sunrise.
Budget
A bedside cot, sometimes referred to as a co-sleeper, is an infant cot with a bassinet design that is attached or clipped to your existing bed. This allows you to reach your baby quickly and safely for a mid-night feed or cuddles. These are ideal for moms and babies recovering from a c-section as they allow easy access to the baby without having to get up from the bed.
There are many different designs that are available, from the basic ones with just the drop-down side, to more sophisticated ones that have various adjustment options, such as an incline or a height. The majority of them can be converted to an independent crib once your baby is older and has a longer sleep time in the night.
Maxi-Cosi Lora is one our top picks. It was selected in the Best Cot category for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. MFM home tester Emily commented on how stylish and modern the design is and she was impressed by the feature that you can use it as a regular bassinet, or connect it to your existing bed to sleep side-by-side in a safe and secure manner. She also appreciated its luxurious mattress, which was able to pass our tests of firmness, and that it has an option to manually tilt it for those who suffer from reflux.
However, she wasn’t a fan of the design of the non-mesh panel on the lower end, and thought it was a bit bulky to move from room room often. When folded into a travel bag she found it to be somewhat heavy to carry up the stairs.
Size
A bedside cot is the bassinet, which is placed on the side of your bed. It allows you to easily reach your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeding nappies, comforting and feeding. It’s also great for mums recovering from a C-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby separated from you for the first six month, to lower the risk of SIDS. The crib that is placed beside your bed with its low sides, is a great way to achieve this. It lets you access your baby easily throughout the night.
It is essential that your baby sleeps on a firm mattress since it is safer than a soft one. Newborns don’t have the motor control to turn over and a mattress that is soft could increase the risk of being suffocated. The breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make this mattress comfortable for your baby but also firm enough for safety.
Mum home tester Jasmin liked that this crib does not take up much space in her bedroom, and she found the size to be perfect for a newborn. The mattress she rated as also good quality, unlike others that feel thin and thin. She also loves the fact that it has storage space underneath for clothes and bedding which many bassinets don’t.
Mehack, a MFM mom who tried the product at home, loves the ability to remove the side wall to allow for easier access to your baby. She also likes the fact that legs can be placed under the bed to make it appear less bulky and occupy less area on the floor. She’s also amazed by how easy it is to move around the house when you need to for ease during late-night feedings and check-ins.
The CoZee Air crib is a favorite among parents. It was awarded the Gold Award in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It is designed with four pulleys that are built-in to raise or lower the crib. It also comes with a large storage bin for your baby’s blankets, toys and other essentials. It is also light and easy to assemble, making it ideal for travel with your baby.
Safety
When choosing a new baby’s bedside cot, you must keep the safety of your baby in your thoughts. 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 because of the risks of overheating, suffocation and a higher chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bassinets that are placed in bed let parents keep their newborn close by, facilitating feeding at night and monitoring without needing to get out of bed.
This close proximity also supports breastfeeding mothers as they can take care of their infant’s needs without waking up in the middle of the night 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 aid mother and child to access the bassinet for feedings or other care during the night.
A majority of bassinets come with a firm mattress that is designed to minimize the chance of suffocation and meets industry standards. It is essential to provide support for the bones of a newborn since they are still fragile and are not fully formed. The mattress should be covered in a fitted sheet to decrease the chance of suffocation due to dust mites and other allergens and kept hygienically clean and free of allergens.
Some cribs on the bed can be tilted. This is useful for babies suffering from reflux or digestive issues. However, it should only be done gently and with caution. It’s also important to stay clear of adding pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet, as they can create a suffocation risk for your baby. They should only be used when the cot is placed on an even surface.
It is also recommended to consider a bassinet that has an attachment system that is secure. It can be connected to your bed without the need for tools. This is particularly beneficial for parents who find it difficult to lift their child into and out of the crib or are worried about their child accidentally rolling over during sleep. If your bassinet is equipped with a secure attachment, it is a good idea to check it frequently. Check to ensure there are no gaps and that the system is securely connected.
Comfort
If you’re expecting a child and you’re worried about the safety of your infant is undoubtedly one of your main concerns. There’s a new solution to sleep that lets you keep your baby close at night without the risk of sharing a bed. The crib for newborns is a bassinet-style cot that attaches to the side of the bed. It allows you to safely lift your baby out to you for night feedings and soothing. It’s also a great option for mothers who are recovering from a C-section since it removes the need to stand or sit up.
A modern bedside cot used cot for newborns should have a firm, flat mattress to help promote safe sleeping practices and decrease the chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Bedding should be simple comprising a cot sheets and a blanket that is tightly tucked at the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys, and pillows that may fall onto your baby posing a suffocation risk. If your baby is familiar with being swaddled, you can make use of a swaddle, or a baby sleep bag for the initial few weeks, but this should be removed as soon as possible once they’ve developed the strength to pull themselves out of the wrap.
Some cribs with a bedside cot newborn feature a removable or drop-down side that gives you easy access to your baby for comforting and feeding in the middle of the night. This feature is ideal for parents who wish to maintain a close bond with their child but still adhere to NHS guidelines for sleep. However, if you’re planning to sleep in the same bed with your baby it’s important to recognize that this practice has been associated with an increased risk of SIDS, particularly if a parent unintentionally is able to roll onto their infant while they sleep.
A fabric that is breathable will keep your baby cool and cool throughout the night. This is particularly important if you plan to sleep with your newborn, since the risk of being overheated during sleep increases. The SnuzPod4 has a unique, breathable side panel, which helps increase airflow, keeping your baby cool.