Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a small sleeper that allows newborns to share the same space as their parents without the risks of true co-sleeping (which the AAP cautions against due suffocation and SIDS). It helps you take care of your baby and nurse them in the middle of the night.
This sleeper comes with a mattress that is firm and supports babies backs, reducing the risk of SIDS. It can be swiveled on your adult bed so that you can lift your baby for sunrise cuddles or nighttime nursing.
Budget
A bedside crib, also referred to as a bassinet or co-sleeper, is a bassinet style crib that can be attached to your bed. This allows you to reach your baby quickly and safely for a nighttime feed or comforting cuddle. They are a great choice for mothers or new parents recovering from a c-section as they provide the baby with easy access and do not require you to get up.
There are many different designs available, ranging from basic ones that have the drop-down side, to more sophisticated ones that offer numerous adjustment options, like incline or height. The majority of them can be converted to a standalone crib when your baby gets older and has a longer sleep time at night.
One of our favourites is the Maxi-Cosi Lora, which was nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards, including Best Cot Crib, Best Cot or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily commented on how stylish and modern the design as well as the possibility of using it as a regular bassinet, or attach it to a bed to ensure that you can sleep side-by-side. She also liked its plush mattress that has passed our tests for firmness, and that it has a manual inclining function for those suffering from reflux.
She didn't like the fact that it had a non-mesh panel at the bottom, and she thought it was too heavy to move from room to room. When folded into its travel bag she found it to be quite heavy to carry up the stairs.
Size
A bedside cot is an upholstered bassinet that is fixed to the side of the bed. You can easily reach your baby's side to feed them, change nappies or comforting in the middle of the night. It's also great for moms recovering from a C-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise that you place your baby in the same space as you but separate from you for the first six months, because this will reduce the chance of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). A crib for your bed is a safe way to achieve this as it has low sides and allows you to easily reach your baby at night.
It is essential that your baby is sleeping on a firm and not an extremely soft mattress. A soft mattress can increase the risk of suffocation for newborns, since they lack the motor control necessary to turn. This mattress is made of skin-friendly and breathe-able materials. It is comfortable for your baby, but firm enough to ensure 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. She also stated that the mattress was of good quality, unlike others which seem thin and flimsy. She also loves the fact that it has storage space underneath for bedding and clothes which many bassinets don't.
Mehack is an MFM mother who has tested the product at home, loves the ability to remove the side wall to allow easier access to your baby. She also likes the fact that the legs can be tucked under the bed to make it look less bulky and take up less area on the floor. She's also impressed with how it was easy to move around her house in the event of checks and feedings 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 that has four pulleys that can be used to raise or lower your crib. It also comes with an ample basket for toys, blankets, and other necessities. It is also lightweight and easy to put together which makes it perfect to travel with your baby.
Safety
It is crucial to think about the safety aspect when selecting the crib for your newborn. The official safe sleep guidelines from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies not sleep in their parents' beds due to the risk of suffocation, overheating and a higher risk of suffering from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bedside bassinets allow parents to keep their newborn close by to help with nighttime feedings and monitoring without having to get out of bed.
This close proximity also supports breastfeeding mothers as they can attend to the needs of their infant without having to get up in the middle of the night and help maintain milk supply and support the breastfeeding experience. Some cots for bedside have adjustable height features that can help to ensure that the bassinet is an ideal height for mother and baby to allow easy access to mid-night feedings or for care.
A majority of bassinets come with a firm mattress that is designed to decrease the risk of suffocation and meets industry standards. It is crucial to provide support for the bones of a newborn, since they are still fragile and not fully formed. The mattress should be covered in a fitted cover to reduce the risk of suffocation caused by dust mites or other allergens. It should also be kept clean and free of irritants.
Some cots for bedside use have the capability of being tilted. This can be beneficial for babies suffering from reflux or digestive issues, however it should be done with great caution and at a gentle angle. Avoid placing pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers in the bassinet. These could create a risk of suffocation for your baby.
It's also worth considering an infant bassinet that has an attached system that is secure and can be easily fixed to your bed without the need for tools. This is particularly beneficial for parents who have difficulty lift their child into and out of the crib or are worried about their child rolling over while sleeping. If your bassinet is equipped with a secure attachment it is a good idea to check it frequently. Make sure there aren't any gaps and that the system is securely connected.
Comfort
If you're a parent-to-be, the comfort of your child is definitely one of your main concerns. cots4tots.co.uk , there's an innovative sleep solution that lets you keep your baby close during the night, without any of the risks that come with sharing a bed. The newborn bedside crib is a bassinet-style cot that can be attached to the side of the bed. It allows you to safely carry your baby to you for night feedings and comfort. It's also a great choice for mothers recovering from a C-section since it removes the need to get up or bend over.
Modern bedside cots for newborns should have a flat, firm mattress to promote safe sleeping practices and reduce the risk Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Bedding should be simple comprising a cot sheets and a blanket tightly tucked at the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys or pillows since they can fall on your baby and create a suffocation hazard. If your baby has been used to being swaddled for several weeks, you can use either an swaddle or baby sleep bag. However, it is recommended that this be removed after they have the strength to take them off.
Some cribs for bedside use an open or removable side to make it easy for your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeds and comforting. This is a good feature for parents who want to keep the bond between them and their child while still following NHS safe sleep advice. If you are planning to sleep with your child, it is important to know that this practice can increase the chance of SIDS. This is particularly true if a parent accidentally is able to roll their infant over when they are asleep.
A fabric that is breathable will keep your baby comfy and cool throughout the night. This is particularly important if you intend to sleep with your newborn, because the risk of overheating when sleeping increases. The SnuzPod4 comes with an exclusive breathable side panel that helps improve the airflow and keeps your baby cool.