Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside crib is a small sleeping device that allows babies to sleep in the same room with their parents, without the dangers of co-sleeping. (The AAP warns against this because of the dangers of SIDS and the risk of suffocation.) It also makes middle-of-the-night nursing sessions and baby care simpler.
This mattress is a firm mattress to help babies' backs and minimize the chance of SIDS. It can be swiveled on your adult bed to allow you to lift your baby to cuddle them at sunrise or during midnight nursing.
Budget
A bedside crib, also referred to as a bassinet or co-sleeper is a bassinet type crib that can be attached to your existing bed. This lets you safely and easily reach your baby for mid-night feeding or comforting cuddles. These are great for mothers and new parents recovering from a csection as they allow the baby to be easily accessible without having to get up from bed.
There are many different designs on the market that range from basic models with just a drop-down option to more sophisticated ones that can be adjusted in several ways with incline and height options. Most can be converted into a standalone crib when your baby grows older and has a longer sleep time at night.
One of our top picks 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 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 clip it to your existing bed to sleep side-by-side in a safe and secure manner. She also liked its plush mattress that was able to pass our tests of firmness, and that it has an option to manually tilt it for those suffering from reflux.
However, she didn't like the fact that it had a non-mesh panel at its bottom and felt it was a bit bulky to move from room room often. When folded into a travel bag, she found it somewhat heavy to carry up the stairs.
Size
A bedside cot is essentially a bassinet-style cot that fixes to the side of the bed. It's easy to reach your baby for feedings, changing nappies or comforting 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 during the first six months, to decrease the chance of SIDS. A bedside crib is a secure way to achieve this because it is low-sided and allows you to easily reach your baby during the night.
It is important that your baby is sleeping on a firm, not a soft mattress. Newborns don't have the motor control to turn over and a mattress that is soft can increase the chance of suffocation. The mattress is made of skin-friendly and breathe-able materials. It's comfortable for your baby, yet sufficient to be secure.
Mum Jasmin was happy that the crib didn't occupy too much space in her bedroom and thought it was the ideal size for a newborn. She also said that the mattress was of high-quality and not like other mattresses that are thin and fragile. She also appreciates that it has a storage compartment beneath for blankets and clothes which she believes many other bassinets lack.
MFM mum home test Mehack is a fan of the side wall that is removable that lets you lower it to make it easier access to your infant. She also loves that legs slide into the bed so it doesn't appear bulky or take up too much floor space. She's also amazed by the ease of being able to move around the house as you need to for ease during late-night feedings and check-ins.
A winner of a Gold award in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards, the CoZee Air is a popular choice for parents. It has a clever design with four built-in pulleys to raise or lower the crib. It includes a large storage basket for toys, blankets and other necessities. It is also light and easy to put together, making it ideal to travel with your baby.
Safety
When choosing a new baby's bedside cot, it is important to keep the safety of your baby in your mind. The official safety sleep guidelines of both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies should not sleep in parent's beds due to the risk of suffocation, heat exhaustion and a greater chance of suffering from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bedside bassinets enable parents to keep their infants close, facilitating night time feedings as well as comforting and monitoring without having to leave their bed.
This close proximity can also help breastfeeding mothers as it allows them to attend to the baby's needs while still sleeping. This can help maintain milk supply and encourage breastfeeding. Some cots with a bedside are equipped with adjustable height options, which will help ensure that the bassinet is at an appropriate height for mother and baby, allowing ease of access during feedings or care.
Many bassinets are equipped with mattresses that are firm. This is designed to minimize the risk of suffocation and is in line with industry standards. It is important to support the bones of a newborn since they are still fragile and aren't fully formed. The mattress should be covered with an appropriate sheet to decrease the risk that dust mites or other allergens, will choke a child. It must be kept free of allergens and clean.
Some cots with a bedside have the ability to be tilted. This can be beneficial for babies with reflux or digestive issues, but this should always be done with a lot of care and at a moderate angle. Avoid placing pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet. They could pose the risk of suffocation to your baby.
It is also recommended to consider an infant bassinet with a secure attachment system. It can be connected to your bed without the need of tools. bedside sleeper cot is particularly beneficial for parents who have difficulty get their child in and out of the crib or are worried about their baby accidentally rolling over while sleeping. If your bassinet does have secured attachments, it's a good idea to regularly ensure that it's securely secured and that there aren't any gaps or loose components which could cause danger.
Comfort
If you're expecting a child, the comfort of your infant is undoubtedly one of your top priorities. There's a great 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 towards you for feedings and soothing. It also makes an excellent choice for mothers recovering from a csection, because it eliminates the need to bend over too much or even to get out of the bed.
A modern bedside cot for newborns should have a sturdy and flat mattress that can ensure a safe sleep and lower the chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The bedding should be kept simple, with only the sheets for the cot and a blanket tucked in tightly at the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys, and pillows that could fall onto your baby posing the risk of suffocation. If your baby has been used to being swaddled for a few weeks, you can use either the swaddle or baby sleep bag. However, this should be removed once they are strong enough to remove them.
Some bedside cribs have an open or removable side that allows easy access to your baby for feedings in the middle of the night and comforting. This is a great feature for parents who want to maintain an intimate relationship with their child, while adhering to NHS safe sleep advice. If you plan to co-sleep with your child, it's crucial to be aware that this practice can increase the risk of SIDS. This is especially when a parent accidentally rolls on their infant during sleep.
A fabric that is breathable is an essential safety feature, as it's designed to keep your baby cool and comfortable throughout the night. This is particularly important if you plan to sleep with your newborn because the risk of being overheated increases during sleep. The SnuzPod4 features a unique mesh side panel that is breathable that aids in improving airflow and keep your baby snug in their bed.