Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a small sleeper that allows newborns to share a space as their parents without the dangers of co-sleeping (which the AAP cautions against due SIDS and suffocation). It also makes middle-of-the-night nursing sessions and child care simpler.
This sleeper has a mattress that is firm and supports babies backs, reducing the chance of SIDS. It can be rotated over your adult bed so that you can raise your baby for sunrise cuddles or midnight nursing.
Budget
A bedside cot, also referred to as a co-sleeper is the bassinet-style baby cot that clips or attaches to your existing bed. This allows you to reach your baby comfortably and safely for a mid-night feed, comforting, or cuddles. These are ideal for new parents and mums recovering from a c-section because they allow easy access to the baby without having to get up from bed.
There are many different designs available, from the simple ones with the drop-down side, to more sophisticated ones with various adjustment options, such as an incline or a height. bedside cots for newborns to a separate crib for daytime naps or when your baby is a few months old and sleeping longer at night.
Maxi-Cosi Lora is among our top picks. It was nominated 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 fact that you can use it as a regular bassinet, or connect it to a bed to ensure that you can sleep side-by-side. She also liked the plush mattress that passed our firmness test and the fact that it has a manual rocking feature that can be set to a slight incline for reflux sufferers.
However, she wasn't a fan of the feature of a non-mesh panel on the foot end and felt it was a bit bulky to move from room room frequently. She also found it to be a bit heavy to carry up and down the stairs when folded into a travel bag.
Size
A bedside cot is essentially a bassinet-style cot that fixes to the side of the bed. You can easily reach your baby for feedings, changing nappies or comforting in the middle of the night. It's also great for mothers recovering from C-sections.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise that you keep your baby in the same room with you, but separated from you for the first six months since this will help decrease the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). A crib for your bed is a secure way to achieve this because it has low sides and allows you to easily reach your baby at night.
It is essential that your baby sleeps on a firm mattress since it is safer than a soft one. Babies don't have motor control to rotate and a soft mattress could increase the chance of suffocation. This mattress is made of skin-friendly and breathable materials. It's comfortable for your baby, yet firm enough to ensure safety.
Mum Jasmin was delighted that the crib didn't occupy too much space in her bedroom and found it to be the ideal size for a baby. The mattress she rated as also good quality, unlike others that feel thin and thin. She also loves the fact that it has a storage space underneath for bedding and clothes which other bassinets do not have.
Mehack is an MFM mother who has 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 the fact that the legs can be put under the bed to make it look less bulky and occupy less space on the floor. She is also impressed by how it was simple to move around the house when she needed to for feeds and check-ins in the middle of the night.
The winner of the Gold award at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards, the CoZee Air is a popular choice among parents. It is a clever design with four pulleys that can be used to raise or lower your crib. There's also an enormous basket that can be used to store blankets, toys and other necessities. It's also simple to put together and light in weight and portable, which is ideal for travelling with your baby.
Safety
It's important to consider safety when choosing the right crib for your baby's bed. The official safe sleep guidelines from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies do not be sleeping in the bed of their parents due to the dangers of suffocation, heat exhaustion and a higher chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bassinets for bedside use allow parents to keep their newborns close to them, facilitating nighttime feedings as well as comforting and monitoring without the need to leave their bed.
This close proximity also assists breastfeeding mothers as they can attend to their baby's needs without having to wake up completely and can help maintain milk supply and support the breastfeeding experience. Some cots with a bedside are equipped with adjustable height features that can ensure that the bassinet is an ideal height for mother and baby for ease of access during feedings or for care.
Many bassinets have a mattress that is designed to minimize the risk of suffocation and meets industry standards. It is crucial to provide support for the bones of a newborn, because they are still squishy and not fully formed. The mattress should be covered with an appropriate sheet to minimize the chance that dust mites, as well as other allergens, could cause a child to be suffocated. It should also be kept free of allergens and clean.
Some cots with a bedside have the capability of being tilted, which can be useful for babies with reflux or digestive issues, however it should be done with extreme caution and at a gentle angle. Avoid putting pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers in the bassinet. These could create the risk of suffocation your baby.
It's also worth looking into a bassinet with an attached system that is secure and can be easily attached to your existing bed without the need for tools. This is particularly beneficial for parents who have difficulty get their child in and out of the crib or are concerned about their child rolling over while sleeping. If your bassinet has secured attachments, it's a good idea to regularly check that it's securely attached and that there are no gaps or loose parts which could cause danger.
Comfort
If you're expecting your first child, the comfort of your child is definitely one of your top concerns. There's a new solution to sleep that lets you keep your baby close in the evening, without the risk of sharing a bed. The crib for newborns is a cot that resembles a bassinet that attaches to the side of the bed. It lets you safely lift your baby out to you for feedings at night and comfort. It is also a great choice for mothers recovering from a C-section since it eliminates the need to stand up or to bend over.
A modern newborn bedside cot should have a sturdy flat mattress to promote safe sleeping practices and reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Bedding should be easy comprising a cot sheets and a blanket tightly tucked at the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys or pillows because they can be thrown over your baby and pose a risk of suffocation. If your baby is used to being swaddled, you can make use of a swaddle, or a baby sleep bag for the initial few weeks, but it should be removed as soon as possible once they've gained the strength to pull themselves out of the wrap.
Some cribs for bedside use an option to remove or drop down the side that gives you the baby to be easily accessible for feeding and comfort during the middle of the night. This is a wonderful option for parents who wish to maintain the bond between them and their child while still following NHS safe sleep advice. If you're planning to co-sleep in the same bed as your child, it's important to understand that this practice has been linked to an increased risk of SIDS particularly in the event that a parent rolls onto their infant during sleep.
A fabric that is breathable will keep your baby comfy and cool throughout the night. This is particularly important if you plan to co-sleep your newborn because the risk of overheating during sleep increases. The SnuzPod4 has a unique breathable mesh side panel that aids in improving the flow of air and keep your baby comfortable in their bed.