Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a small sleeper that allows newborns to share a room as their parents without the risks of true co-sleeping (which the AAP cautions against due suffocation and SIDS). It makes it easier to care for your infant and feed them during the night.
This mattress has a mattress that is firm and supports babies backs, reducing the chance of SIDS. It can swivel over your bed to make it easier for you to lift your baby for nighttime nursing or sunrise cuddles.
Budget
A bedside cot, also known as a co-sleeper is a bassinet-style baby cot that can be attached to your existing bed. This allows you to reach your baby quickly and safely for a nighttime feed or comforting cuddle. They are a great option for mums or new parents recovering from a csection as they provide an easy access to baby and do not require you to get up from your bed.
There are a variety of designs available, from the basic ones that have an upside-down side to more sophisticated models that offer multiple adjustment options, including incline or height. Many convert to a separate crib for daytime naps or when your baby is around a few months old and sleeps longer at night.
One of our favourites is the Maxi-Cosi Lora which was shortlisted for 2021 Mother&Baby awards in Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily said she was impressed by how chic and contemporary the design is, while she appreciated the possibility of using it as a regular bassinet or connect it to your existing bed to ensure that you can sleep side-by-side. She also admired the soft mattress that has passed our test for firmness and also the fact that it features an automatic rocking feature that can be set to a slight tilt for those suffering from reflux.
She didn't like that it had a non 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 similar to the bassinet, which is placed on the bed's side. It allows you to reach your baby for mid-night feeding nappies, comforting and feeding. It's perfect for mothers recovering from the c-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise you to keep your baby in the same room with you, but separated from you for the first six months, because this will reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). A bedside crib is a safe method to achieve this because it is low-sided and lets you easily reach your baby throughout the night.
It is important that your baby is sleeping on a firm and not an extremely soft mattress. Infants don't have the motor control to rotate and a mattress that is soft can increase the risk of suffocation. The soft, breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make this mattress a comfortable one for your baby but firm enough for safety.
Mum home test Jasmin liked that this crib does not take up much space in her bedroom, and she found it to be the perfect size for a newborn. She also stated that the mattress was of high-quality and not like other mattresses that seem thin and flimsy. She also likes the fact that it has a storage space underneath for bedding and clothes - something many other bassinets do not have.
MFM mum home tester Mehack is a big fan of the side wall with a removable design that allows you to drop it to make it easier access to your baby. She also likes the fact that the legs can be put under the bed to look less bulky and occupy less area on the floor. She's also amazed by how it was simple to move around the house when she needed to for checks and feedings in the middle of the night.
The winner of an Gold award at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards and the CoZee Air is a popular choice among parents. It features a smart design with four pulleys built-in to raise or lower the crib and includes a large storage basket for toys, blankets and other necessities. It is also light and easy to assemble and is ideal to travel with your baby.
Safety
When selecting a newborn bedside cot, you must keep the safety of your baby in your thoughts. The official safety sleep guidelines of 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). Bassinets that are placed in bed let parents keep their baby close to help with night-time feedings and monitoring without needing to get out of bed.
This close proximity can also support breastfeeding mothers, as it lets them attend to the needs of their infant while they sleep. This can help to maintain the supply of milk and also encourage breastfeeding. Some bedside cots come with adjustable height features that can aid both the mother and baby to get into the bassinet for feedings or other activities during the night.
Many bassinets come with a firm mattress, which is designed to decrease the risk of suffocation and is in line with industry standards. This is important because a newborn's bones are soft and not fully developed and require support to avoid damage. The mattress should be encased with a fitted sheet to reduce the risk of suffocation caused by dust mites and other allergens, and kept clean and free of irritants.
Some bedside cots have the ability to be tilted, which can be beneficial for babies suffering from reflux or digestive issues, but this should always be done with extreme caution and at a moderate angle. It's also important to avoid putting pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet since they could pose an obstructing risk to your baby. They should only be used when the cot is on a flat surface.
You should also think about an infant bassinet with a secure attachment system. It 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 falling asleep. If your bassinet does have an attachment system that is secure, it's recommended to regularly ensure that it's securely secured and that there aren't gaps or loose components which could cause danger.
Comfort
If you're a soon-to-be parent, your baby's comfort is one of your primary concerns. bedside cot wooden , there's an innovative sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close to you throughout the night, without any of the risks associated with sharing a bed. The baby bedside cot is an essentially a bassinet-style crib that fixes to the bed's side, allowing you to safely lift them out towards you to feed them at night and soothe. It's also an excellent choice for mothers recovering from a csection, since it makes it less necessary to bend down too far or even to get out of bed.
Modern bedside cots for babies should include a firm, flat mattress to encourage safe sleeping habits and reduce the risk Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Bedding should be easy with just a cot sheet and a blanket that is tightly tucked on the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers and pillows that can fall on your baby, posing a suffocation risk. If your baby has been used to being swaddled for a few weeks, you can use either an swaddle or baby sleep bag. But, it should be removed once they are strong enough to take them off.
Some cribs for bedside use an adjustable or drop-down side that gives you an easy access to your baby for comforting and feeding during the middle of the night. This feature is perfect for parents who want to maintain a close relationship with their child, while still following NHS guidelines for sleep. However, if you're planning to sleep in the same bed with your baby it's important to know that this practice has been linked to a higher risk of SIDS particularly in the event that a parent is able to roll onto their infant while they sleep.
A breathable fabric will keep your baby comfortable and cool throughout the night. This is especially important if you intend to sleep with your baby because the risk of overheating in the night increases. The SnuzPod4 comes with an exclusive breathable side panel, which helps increase the airflow and keeps your baby comfortable.