Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn crib with a bedside is a tiny sleeper that lets babies sleep in the same room with their parents without the dangers of co-sleeping. (The AAP warns against this because of the dangers of SIDS and inhalation.) It also makes nursing sessions and child care simpler.
This sleeper features a firm mattress to help babies' backs and minimize the chance of SIDS. It can be swiveled over your adult bed to allow you to carry your baby out for midnight nursing or sunrise cuddles.
Budget
A bedside cot, also referred to as a co-sleeper is the bassinet-style baby cot that can be attached to your bed. This lets you easily and safely reach your baby during the night for feeding or comforting cuddles. These are perfect for moms and babies recovering from a c-section as they allow easy access to the baby without having to get up from the bed.
There are many different designs that are available, from the basic ones with just the drop-down side, to more sophisticated ones with various adjustment options, such as incline or height. Most can be converted into a separate crib when your baby is older and is sleeping longer in the night.
One of our favourites is the Maxi-Cosi Lora which was nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the categories of Best Cot Crib, Best Cot or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily noted how stylish and modern the design was. She also liked the fact that it could be used as a bassinet or clipped to your bed to ensure safe side-by-side sleeping. She also liked its plush mattress which passed our firmness tests and also that it comes with an option to manually tilt it 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 around from room to room. When folded into a travel bag, she found it to be a bit heavy to carry up the stairs.
Size
A bedside cot is basically the bassinet style cot that can be fixed to the side of your bed. It allows you to easily reach your baby for mid-night feeding nappies, feeding and comforting. It's also great for mothers recovering from C-sections.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise you to keep your baby in the same room with you, but keep them separate from you for the first six months, because this will reduce the chance of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). A crib that is placed near your bed is a safe method to achieve this as it is low-sided and lets you be able to easily access your baby throughout the night.
It is essential that your baby sleeps on a firm, not an extremely soft mattress. Newborns don't have the motor control to turn over and a soft mattress could increase the risk of suffocation. This mattress is made of skin-friendly and breathable materials. It's comfortable for your baby, but sufficient to be secure.
Mum home tester Jasmin was pleased with the fact that the crib does not take up a lot of space in her bedroom, and she found it to be the perfect size for a baby. foldable bedside crib rated as excellent quality, in contrast to others that feel thin and thin. She also loves the fact that it has a storage area underneath for bedding and clothes - something many other bassinets do not have.
Mehack Mehack, an MFM mom who tried the product at home, is thrilled that you can take off the side wall to allow for easier access to your baby. She also appreciates that the legs can be put under the bed to make it look less bulky and occupy less space on the floor. She's also amazed by how it was easy to move around her home when she needed to do checks and feedings in the middle of the night.
A recipient of the Gold award at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards, the CoZee Air is a popular choice amongst parents. It is designed with four pulleys that are built-in to raise or lower the crib. It includes a large storage basket for your baby's toys, blankets and other necessities. It's also easy to assemble and light in weight that is great for traveling with your baby.
Safety
It is important to think about the safety aspect when selecting the right crib for your baby's bed. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS advise that babies don't sleep in their parents' beds due to the risk of suffocation or sudden infant death syndrome. Bedside bassinets allow parents to keep their newborns close, which allows for nighttime feedings as well as comforting and monitoring without needing to get up.
This close proximity can also aid breastfeeding mothers since it allows them to be attentive to the needs of their infant while still sleeping. This can help to maintain the supply of milk and encourage breastfeeding. Some cots with a bedside are equipped with adjustable height features that can make it easier for both the mother and baby to get into the bassinet to feed or take care of other needs at night.
A lot of bassinets have mattresses that are firm, which is designed to decrease the risk of suffocation and is in line with the standards of the industry. It is essential to support the bones of a newborn, since they are still fragile and not fully formed. The mattress should be covered with a fitted sheet in order to decrease the risk that dust mites, as well as other allergens, will suffocate a child. It should be kept clean and free of irritants.
Some cots with a bedside can be tilted, which can be beneficial for babies with reflux or digestive issues, however it should be done with great caution and at a gentle angle. It is also essential to avoid adding 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 placed on a flat surface.
It's also worth considering an adjustable bassinet with an attachment system that is secure and can be easily attached to your bed without the necessity of tools. This can be especially helpful for parents who may struggle to get their child in and out of the cot or concerned about the possibility of rolling over in the night. If your bassinet has secured attachments it is a great idea to regularly check it. Check to ensure there are no gaps, and that the system is securely attached.
Comfort
If you're a parent-to-be, the safety of your infant is undoubtedly one of your top concerns. Thankfully, there's an innovative sleep solution that lets you keep your baby close to you throughout the night, without any of the risks that come with sharing beds. The baby bedside cot is basically a bassinet-style cot that fixes to the bed's side, allowing you to safely lift them out towards you for feeding at night and calming. It is also a great choice for mums recovering from a c-section as it reduces the need to bend over too much or even get out of bed.
A modern bedside cot for newborns should have a sturdy, flat mattress to help in promoting safe sleeping habits and decrease the chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The bedding should be simple, comprising a cot sheets and blanket tucked tightly at the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers and pillows as these could be thrown over your baby and pose a danger of suffocation. If your baby has been used to being swaddled during a few weeks, you can use either the swaddle or baby sleep bag. However, it is recommended that this be removed after they are strong enough to remove them.
Some cribs with a bedside have a drop-down or removable side that allows easy access to your baby's feeds and comforting. This is a great feature for parents who want to maintain an intimate relationship with their child, but still adhere to NHS safe sleep advice. If you're planning to co-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 especially in the event that a parent is able to roll onto their infant during sleep.
A fabric that is breathable is an essential safety feature, as it's designed to keep your baby cool and comfortable throughout the night. This is particularly important if you plan to sleep with your baby because the risk of overheating increases when you sleep. The SnuzPod4 is a unique, breathable mesh side panel that aids in improving the airflow and keeps your baby warm in their bed.