Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a tiny sleeper that allows new babies to share the same space as their parents without the risks of true co-sleeping (which the AAP cautions against due SIDS and suffocation). It also makes mid-night nursing sessions and baby care simpler.
This sleeper features a firm mattress to support babies' backs and decrease the risk of SIDS. It can be rotated over your adult bed so that you can lift your baby for sunrise cuddles or midnight nursing.
Budget
A bedside cot, also referred to as a co-sleeper, a bassinet-style baby cot that is attached or clipped to your bed. This allows you to reach your baby comfortably and safely for a nighttime feed or cuddles. These are ideal for moms and babies recovering after a c section as they allow easy access to the baby without needing to get out of bed.
There are a variety of designs available starting with basic models that have just a drop-down side to more sophisticated ones that can be adjusted in a variety of ways including height and incline options. Many can be converted into an independent crib once your baby gets older and sleeps longer in the night.
One of our favorites is the Maxi-Cosi Lora that was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards in the categories of Best Cot Crib, Best Cot or Moses Basket. large bedside cot noted how stylish and modern the design was. She also appreciated the fact that it could be used as a bassinet, or clipped to your existing bed to ensure safe side-by-side sleeping. She also adored its soft mattress which was able to pass our tests of firmness and also that it comes with a manual inclining function for reflux sufferers.
She didn't like the fact that it had a mesh panel at the bottom, and thought it was too bulky to move from room to room. When folded into its travel bag she found it quite heavy to carry up the stairs.
Size
A bedside cot is a bassinet-style cot that fixes to your side of the bed. It allows you to easily reach your baby during the night for feeding nappies, feeding and comforting. It's ideal for mothers who are recovering from a c-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby away from you for the first 6 months to decrease the chance of SIDS. The crib at the bedside, with its low sides is a great option to do this. It lets you be able to easily access your baby during the night.
It's important that your newborn sleeps on a firm mattress since this is safer than a soft one. Newborns don't have the motor control to rotate and a mattress that is soft can increase the chance of drowning. The breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make the mattress comfortable for your baby but also firm enough for safety.
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 good quality, unlike others which feel thin and flimsy. She also loves the fact that it has a storage area underneath for clothes and bedding which many bassinets don't.
Mehack is an MFM mum who tested the product at home, is thrilled that you can remove the wall on the side to allow easier access to your baby. She also likes the fact that legs fold into the bed so it doesn't appear big or take up a lot of floor space. She's also impressed with the ease of being able to move around the house whenever you'd like in the middle of the night, which is convenient for meals and check-ins.
The CoZee Air crib is a favourite among parents. It won a Gold Award at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has a clever design with four pulleys built-in to raise or lower the crib and comes with a large storage bin to store your baby's toys, blankets and other essentials. It's also simple to put together and light that is great to travel with your baby.
Safety
It is crucial to think about safety when choosing a newborn bedside crib. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS, recommend that babies do not sleep in the parents' beds due to the possibility of suffocation as well as sudden infant death syndrome. Bassinets for bedside use let parents keep their infant close and allow for night-time feedings and monitoring without having to leave their bed.
This close proximity also assists breastfeeding mothers as they can attend to the needs of their infant without having to wake up in the middle of the night and help keep the supply of milk steady and help the breastfeeding experience. Some cots for bedside have adjustable height options, which can help to ensure that the bassinet is at a comfortable height for both mother and baby for ease of access during feedings or for care.
Many bassinets have a firm mattress that is designed to decrease the chance of suffocation and meets industry standards. It is essential to provide support for the bones of a newborn because they are still squishy and are not fully formed. The mattress should be encased with a fitted sheet to decrease the chance of suffocation caused by dust mites and other allergens and kept hygienically clean and free of irritants.
Some cots for bedside use have the capability of being tilted, which can be beneficial for babies suffering from reflux or digestive issues, but this should be done with a lot of care and at a moderate angle. Avoid adding pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers inside the bassinet. These could create the risk of suffocation your baby.
You should also consider a bassinet that has a secure attachment system. This can be attached to your bed without the use of tools. This feature is especially useful for parents who have difficulty get their child in and out of the crib or are concerned about their baby accidentally falling asleep. If your bassinet has an attachment that is secure it is a great idea to check it frequently. Make sure there are no gaps, and that the system is securely attached.
Comfort
If you are a soon-to-be parent, your baby's safety is one of your main concerns. There's a brand new sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close to you at night, without the danger of sharing a bed. The baby bedside cot is essentially a bassinet-style cot that fixes to the bed's side that allows you to lift them out towards you for feeding at night and calming. It's also a great choice for mothers recovering from a C-section as it removes the need to stand or sit up.
A modern cot for infants should have a sturdy flat mattress to ensure a safe sleep and decrease the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Bedding should be easy with a cot sheet and a blanket tightly tucked on the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers or pillows as these can fall on your baby and cause suffocation hazard. If your baby is used to being swaddled for several weeks, you can use either a swaddle, or a baby sleep bag. But, it should be removed after they have the strength to take them off.
Some bedside cribs feature an option to remove or drop down the side that gives you the baby to be easily accessible for comforting and feeding in the middle of the night. This is a great feature for parents who want to maintain a close bond with their child but still adhere to NHS sleep guidelines. If you're 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 falls on their child during sleep.
A breathable fabric is another important safety feature, as it's designed to keep your baby cool and comfortable throughout the night. This is especially important if you intend to co-sleep your newborn because the risk of overheating when sleeping increases. The SnuzPod4 features an exclusive breathable side panel, which helps increase the flow of air, keeping your baby warm.