Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a compact sleeper that allows new babies to share the same room as their parents, without the risk of sleeping together (which the AAP advises against due to suffocation and SIDS). It makes it easier to care for your baby and give them a bottle in the middle of the night.
This sleeper has a firm mattress that supports babies' backs, reducing the risk of SIDS. It can slide over your bed to allow you to carry your child out for midnight nursing or sunrise cuddles.
bedside crib or cot , sometimes referred to as a co-sleeper, is a bassinet-style baby cot that is attached or clipped to your existing bed. This allows you to easily and safely reach your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeding or comforting cuddles. They are a great choice for new parents or mums recovering from a c-section because they allow the baby with easy access and do not require you to get up from your bed.
There are lots of 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. The majority of them can be converted to a separate crib when your baby gets older and sleeps longer in the night.
One of our top picks is the Maxi-Cosi Lora that was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards, including Best Cot Crib, Best Cot or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily said she was impressed by how chic and modern the design was. She also liked the fact that it can be used as a bassinet, or clipped to your existing bed to ensure safe side-by-side sleeping. She also liked its plush mattress that has passed our tests for firmness and also that it comes with a manual inclining function for those who suffer from reflux.
She didn't like the fact that it had a non-mesh panel at the bottom, and considered it too bulky to move from room to room. She also found it to be a little heavy to carry up and down the stairs, especially when folded away into its travel bag.
Size
A bedside cot is a bassinet-style cot that fixes to your side of the bed. You can easily reach your baby for feedings, changing nappies or just to soothe them in the middle of the night. It's great for mothers who are recovering from the c-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby separate from you during the first six months, to reduce the risk of SIDS. The bedside crib with its low sides is a great method to do this. It allows you to access your baby easily throughout the night.
It's important that your newborn sleeps on a firm bed as this is safer than a mattress that is soft. A mattress that is soft can increase the risk of suffocation in newborns, as they lack the motor control necessary to turn. The breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make this mattress comfortable for your baby but firm enough for safety.
Mum home test Jasmin loved that the crib does not take up a lot of space in her bedroom, and she found the size perfect for a baby. She said the mattress was also of good quality, as opposed to those that feel cheap and thin. She also likes the fact that it has a storage space underneath for bedding and clothes which many bassinets do not have.
MFM mum home tester Mehack is a big fan of the side wall that is removable that lets you drop it down to give easy access to your newborn. She also loves the fact that the legs can be tucked under the bed to look less bulky and occupy less floor space. She is also impressed by how it was simple to move around her home in the event of check-ins and feedings during the night.
The CoZee Air crib is a favourite among parents. It won a Gold Award in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. 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 items. It's also light and easy to assemble and is ideal for travel with your baby.
Safety
It is crucial to think about the safety aspect when selecting the crib for your newborn. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS advise that babies do not be placed in parents' beds due to the risk of suffocation or sudden infant death syndrome. Bedside bassinets let parents keep their newborn close by, facilitating night-time feedings and monitoring without the need to get up from their beds.
This close proximity also supports breastfeeding mothers as they can attend to the needs of their infant without having to get up at all times, which can help to keep milk supply steady and enhance the breastfeeding experience. Some cots with a bedside are equipped with adjustable height features, which will help ensure that the bassinet is at a comfortable height for both mother and baby to allow easy access to mid-night feedings or for care.
A lot of bassinets have mattresses that are firm. This is designed to decrease the risk of suffocation and is in line with industry standards. This is essential because newborn's bones are soft and aren't fully developed. They need to be supported to prevent damage. The mattress should be encased in a fitted cover to reduce the risk of suffocation from dust mites and other allergens. It should also be kept clean and free of irritants.
Some bedside cots can be tilted, which is beneficial for babies with reflux or digestive issues, but it should be done with a lot of care and at a gentle angle. Avoid adding pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers inside the bassinet. These can pose the risk of suffocation to your baby.
You should also think about the bassinet with a secure attachment system. This can be attached to your bed without the need for tools. This feature is especially beneficial for parents who have difficulty get their child in and out of the crib or are worried about their child accidentally rolling over during sleep. If your bassinet is equipped with an attachment that is secure it is a great idea for you to check it regularly. Make sure there are no gaps, and that the system is securely attached.
Comfort
If you're planning to become a parent, the comfort of your child is among your top concerns. There's a new solution to sleep that lets you keep your baby close to you at night without the risk of sharing a bed. The baby bedside cot is basically a bassinet-style cot that fixes to the side of your bed, allowing you to safely lift them out towards you for night feeding and soothing. It is also the perfect choice for mothers recovering from a csection, since it makes it less necessary to bend down too far or even to get out of the bed.
A modern cot for infants should have a sturdy, flat mattress to help promote safe sleeping practices and reduce the chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The bedding should be simple, with a cot sheet and a blanket that is tightly tucked on the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys or pillows because they can fall on your baby and create a danger of suffocation. If your baby is familiar with being swaddled, you can use a swaddle or baby sleep bag for the first few weeks, although it should be removed when possible after they've developed the strength to pull themselves out of the wrap.
Some cribs with a bedside feature an option to remove or drop down the side that allows for the baby to be easily accessible to feed and comfort them during the middle of the night. This is a good feature for parents who want to maintain an intimate relationship with their child, while adhering to NHS safe sleep guidelines. If you are planning to sleep with your child, it's important to be aware that this practice can increase the chance of SIDS. This is especially when a parent accidentally falls on their child during sleep.
A breathable fabric will keep your baby comfy and cool throughout the night. This is particularly crucial if you plan to co-sleep your newborn as the risk of overheating in the night increases. The SnuzPod4 features an exclusive breathable side panel that helps improve the airflow and keeps your baby cool.