Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a tiny sleeper that allows newborns to share a space as their parents without the risk of sleeping together (which the AAP recommends against due to SIDS and suffocation). It makes it easier to take care of your infant and feed them during the night.
This sleeper comes with a firm mattress that supports babies backs, which reduces the risk of SIDS. It can be rotated over your adult bed to raise your baby for sunrise cuddles or nighttime nursing.
Budget
A bedside cot, also known 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 easily and safely for a mid-night feed, comforting, or cuddles. These are great for mothers and new parents recovering after a c section because they provide the baby to be easily accessible without having to get up from the bed.
There are many different designs available 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. The majority of them can be converted to a standalone crib when your baby grows older and has a longer sleep time in the night.
Maxi-Cosi Lora is among our favorites. It was selected in the Best Cot category for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. MFM home tester Emily commented how stylish and modern the design was. She also appreciated the fact that it can be used as a bassinet, or attached to your existing bed, to ensure safe side-by-side sleeping. She also liked its plush mattress which has passed our tests for firmness, and that it has an option to manually tilt it for reflux sufferers.
However, she wasn't a fan of the fact that it had a non-mesh panel at its foot end and felt it was a bit bulky to move from room to room regularly. It also felt a little heavy to carry up and down the stairs when it was folded up into its bag for travel.
Size
A bedside cot is essentially an upholstered bassinet that is fixed to the side of the bed. It lets you easily reach your baby during the night for feeding nappies, comforting and feeding. It's perfect for mothers recovering from a c-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise that you place your baby in the same space as you, but separated from you for the first six months, since this will help decrease the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). The crib that is placed beside your bed, with its low sides is a great option to accomplish this. bedside baby sleeper allows you to be able to easily access your baby during the night.
It is essential that your baby sleeps on a firm, not a soft mattress. baby bedside crib that is soft increases the risk of suffocation for infants as they lack the motor control necessary to turn. The mattress is made of skin-friendly and air-tight materials. It is comfortable for your baby, yet sufficient to be secure.
Mum Jasmin was pleased that the crib didn't occupy too much space in her bedroom and thought it was the perfect size for a newborn. She also noted that the mattress was of good quality and not like other mattresses that seem thin and flimsy. She also appreciates the fact that it has a storage area beneath to store blankets and clothing which she claims most bassinets do not have.
Mehack, a MFM mother who has tested the product at home, loves that you can take off the side wall to allow for easier access to your baby. She also appreciates that legs can be placed under the bed to make it look less bulky and take up less space on the floor. She's also impressed with how easy it is to move around the house whenever you need to, for convenience during middle-of-the-night meals and check-ins.
A winner of a Gold award at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards and the CoZee Air is a popular choice amongst parents. It has a clever design with four pulleys built-in to raise or lower the crib and has a large storage basket for your baby's toys, blankets and other necessities. It is also light and easy to put together which makes it perfect for travel with your baby.
Safety
It is crucial to think about the safety aspect when selecting the crib for your newborn. The official safety sleep guidelines of both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies do not sleep in their parents' beds due to the risk of suffocation, heat exhaustion and a higher risk of suffering from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bedside bassinets enable parents to keep their newborns close, which allows for nighttime feedings, comforting, and monitoring without needing to get up.
This close proximity can also support breastfeeding mothers, as it allows them to attend to the needs of their infant while they sleep. This can help maintain the supply of milk and encourage breastfeeding. Some cots for bedside have adjustable height options, which can ensure that the bassinet is at a comfortable height for both mother and baby for ease of access during feedings or care.
Many bassinets are equipped with a firm mattress, which is designed to minimize suffocation risk and meets the standards of the industry. This is essential because newborn's bones are brittle and not fully developed, and require support to avoid damage. The mattress should be covered with a fitted sheet to reduce the risk that dust mites or other allergens, could cause a child to be suffocated. It must also be kept free of allergens and clean.
Some bedside cots have the ability to be tilted, which is beneficial for babies with reflux or digestive issues, however this should always be done with extreme caution and at a moderate angle. It is also essential to avoid putting pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet, as they could pose an obstructing risk to your baby and should only be used when the cot is on flat surfaces.
It's also worth looking into an adjustable bassinet with an attached system that is secure and can be easily attached to your existing bed without the necessity of tools. This is particularly beneficial for parents who find it difficult to get their child in and out of the crib or are concerned about their child rolling over while sleeping. If your bassinet has a secure attachment, it is a good idea to check it regularly. 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 new sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close to you in the evening, without the risk of sharing a bed. The newborn bedside cot is an essentially a bassinet-style crib that fixes to the side of your bed that allows you to move them towards you for night feeding and soothing. It's also a great choice for mums recovering from a c-section since it makes it less necessary to bend down too far or even get out of bed.
Modern bedside cots for babies should be fitted with a firm, flat mattress to encourage safe sleep practices and reduce the risk Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Bedding should be easy with just a cot sheet and blanket tucked tightly at the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys or pillows since they can be thrown over your baby and pose a danger of suffocation. If your baby is used to being swaddled, you can use a swaddle or baby sleep bag for the initial few weeks, but it should be removed as soon as you can once they've gained the strength to unwrap themselves.
Some bedside cribs have an open or removable side for easy access to your baby's feeds and comforting. This is a great option for parents who wish to keep the bond between them and their child, but still adhere to 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 the case if a parent rolls on their infant while sleeping.
A fabric that breathes will keep your baby cool and cool throughout the night. This is particularly crucial if you plan to sleep with your newborn, because the risk of overheating in the night increases. The SnuzPod4 comes with a unique, breathable side panel, which helps increase airflow, keeping your baby warm.