Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside crib is a small sleeping device that lets babies sleep in the same room as their parents, without the dangers of co-sleeping. (The AAP warns against this because of the risk of SIDS and suffocation.) It helps you care for your baby and nurse them throughout the night.
This mattress is a firm mattress that can support the backs of babies and reduce the risk of SIDS. It can be rotated over your adult bed to allow you to lift your baby to cuddle them at sunrise or during midnight nursing.
Budget
A bedside crib, also known as a bassinet or co-sleeper is a bassinet type baby cot that clips to your bed. This lets you safely and easily reach your baby for mid-night feeding or cuddles. These are great for moms and babies recovering from a csection because they provide the baby to be easily accessible without needing to get out of the bed.
There are a variety of designs available that range from basic models with only a drop-down side, to more advanced ones that can be adjusted in a variety of ways, including incline and height options. The majority of them can be converted into a separate crib for daytime naps or when your baby is about months old and sleeps longer at night.
Maxi-Cosi Lora is one of our favorites. It was selected in the Best Cot category for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. MFM home tester Emily said she was impressed by how chic and modern the design was. She also appreciated the fact that it could be used as a bassinet or a clip to your bed for a safe side-by-side sleep. She also liked the plush mattress that was able to pass our test of firmness and the fact that it features an automatic rocking feature that can be set to a slight tilt for reflux sufferers.
She didn't like the fact that it had a non mesh panel at the bottom and she thought it was too heavy to move from room to room. When it was folded into its travel bag, she found it to be quite heavy to carry up the stairs.
Size
A bedside cot resembles the bassinet, which is placed on the side of your bed. It's easy to reach your baby's mouth for feedings, changing nappies or comforting during the night. It's also great for mothers recovering from C-sections.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise you to keep your baby in the same space as you but separate from you for the first six months, as this can help reduce the chance of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). The crib that is placed beside your bed with its low sides, is a great way 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 as this is safer than a soft one. Newborns don't have the motor control to turn over and a soft mattress could increase the risk of being suffocated. This mattress is made from skin-friendly and breathe-able materials. It is a comfortable fit for your baby, but firm enough to ensure safety.
Mum home test Jasmin loved that the crib doesn't take up too much space in her bedroom, and she found the size perfect for a newborn. She also noted that the mattress was of high-quality unlike other cribs that seem thin and flimsy. She also loves the fact that it has a storage space beneath for bedding and clothes which other bassinets don't have.
MFM mom home tester Mehack is a huge fan of the side wall with a removable design that allows you to drop it down for easy access to your baby. She also loves that the legs tuck under the bed so that it doesn't appear big or take up a lot of floor space. She's also impressed with how it was easy to move around her house when she needed to do feeds and check-ins during the night.
The CoZee Air crib is a favourite among parents. It was awarded a Gold Award at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It is a clever design that has four pulleys that can be used to raise or lower your crib. There is also an enormous basket that can be used to store blankets, toys and other items. It is also light and easy to put together and is ideal for travel with your baby.
Safety
When selecting a newborn bedside cot, it is important to keep safety in mind. Official safe sleep advice from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies not sleep in parent's beds because of the risks of suffocation, overheating and a greater chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bedside bassinets allow parents to keep their newborns close to them, facilitating nighttime feedings, comforting, and monitoring without having to get up.
This close proximity also assists breastfeeding mothers by allowing them to attend to their baby's needs without having to wake up in the middle of the night and can help keep the supply of milk steady and help the breastfeeding experience. Some cots with a bedside are equipped with adjustable height features that make it easier for mother and child to access the bassinet for feedings or other activities at night.
Many bassinets come with a mattress that is designed to reduce the risk of suffocation and is in line with industry standards. It is essential to support the bones of a newborn, because they are still squishy and not fully formed. The mattress should be covered with an appropriate sheet to decrease the risk that dust mites, as well as other allergens, can cause a child to be suffocated. resources should also be kept free of allergens and clean.
Some bedside cribs can be tilted. This is helpful for babies who have digestive or reflux issues. But, it should be done slowly and with caution. It is also essential to stay clear of adding pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet as they could pose an obstructing risk to your baby. They should only be used when the cot is set on a flat surface.
It's also worth thinking about an infant bassinet that has a secure attachment system that can be easily fixed to your bed without the necessity of tools. This is particularly beneficial for parents who struggle to carry their child into and out of the crib or are concerned about their baby accidentally rolling over while sleeping. If your bassinet has an attachment system that is secure it's a good idea to regularly check that it's securely attached and that there aren't gaps or loose components which could cause danger.
Comfort
If you're a parent-to-be, the safety of your child is definitely one of your top concerns. 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 beds. The baby bedside cot is basically a bassinet-style cot which is fixed to the side of your bed that allows you to lift them out towards you to feed them at night and soothe. It's also a great option for mothers who are recovering from a C-section since it will not require you to get up or to bend over.
A modern cot for infants should have a sturdy and flat mattress that can ensure a safe sleep and reduce the chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The bedding should be simple and consist of only the sheet for the cot and blanket tucked in tightly at the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys, and pillows that may fall on your baby, posing a suffocation risk. If your baby is familiar with being swaddled, you can use a swaddle or baby sleep bag for the initial few weeks, but this should be removed as soon as possible once they've gained the strength to pull themselves out of the wrap.
Some bedside cribs feature an adjustable or drop-down side that provides an easy access to your baby to feed and comfort them during the middle of the night. This is a wonderful feature for parents looking to maintain a strong bond with their child while still following NHS safe sleep advice. If you're planning to sleep in the same bed as your child, it's important to understand that this practice has been linked to an increased risk of SIDS especially if a parent unintentionally rolls onto their infant while they sleep.
A fabric that is breathable is an important safety factor, since it's designed to keep your baby cool and comfortable throughout the night. This is particularly crucial if you intend to co-sleep with your newborn because the risk of overheating increases when you sleep. The SnuzPod4 has a unique breathable mesh side panel that aids in improving the flow of air and keep your baby snug in their bed.