Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a compact sleeper that allows babies to share the same room as their parents, without the dangers of co-sleeping (which the AAP advises against due to SIDS and suffocation). It makes it easier to care for your baby and give them a bottle during the night.
This sleeper has a sturdy mattress to help babies' backs and reduce the chance of SIDS. It can be swiveled on your adult bed so that you can lift your baby to snuggle them at sunrise or for late night nursing.
Budget
A bedside crib, also called a co-sleeper or bassinet is a bassinet type baby cot that clips to your existing bed. This lets you reach your baby quickly and safely for a late-night feed, comforting, or cuddles. They are a great choice for mums or new parents recovering from a c-section as they offer easy access to baby and do not require you to get up from your bed.
There are lots of different styles available that range from basic models with only a drop-down side, to more sophisticated models that can be adjusted in a variety of 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 at night.
Maxi-Cosi Lora is among our top picks. It was shortlisted 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 liked the fact that it could be used as a bassinet, or a clip to your bed for safe side-byside sleeping. She also appreciated the soft mattress, which has passed our test for firmness and also the fact that it comes with an automatic rocking feature that can be set to a slight tilt for reflux sufferers.
However, she wasn't a fan of the fact that it had a non-mesh panel at the lower end, and felt it was a bit heavy to move from room to room frequently. She also found it to be a bit heavy to carry up and down the stairs, especially when it was folded up into its bag for travel.
Size
A bedside cot is a bassinet that is connected to the side of your bed. It lets you easily reach your baby for mid-night feeding nappies, comforting and feeding. It's ideal for mothers who are recovering from a c-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby away from you during the first six month, to decrease the chance of SIDS. The bedside crib, with its low sides is a great way to accomplish this. It allows you to access your baby easily throughout the night.
It is important that your baby sleeps on a firm, not an extremely soft mattress. Infants don't have the motor control to turn over and a mattress that is soft can increase the chance of suffocation. This mattress is made of skin-friendly and breathe-able materials. It's comfortable for your baby but sufficient to be secure.
Mum Jasmin was pleased that the crib didn't take up much space in her room and found it to be the perfect size for a newborn. She also stated that the mattress was of high-quality unlike other cribs that are thin and fragile. She also loves that it has a storage space underneath for clothes and blankets which she believes many bassinets don't have.
Mehack, a MFM mother who has tested the product at home, is thrilled that you can remove the wall on the side to make it easier to access your baby. She also loves the fact that legs can be placed under the bed to make it appear less bulky and occupy less area on the floor. She's also impressed with how it was easy to move around her house in the event of checks and feedings in the middle of the night.
The CoZee Air crib is a popular choice for parents. It won a Gold Award in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has 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's also simple to put together and light in weight and portable, which is ideal for traveling with your baby.
Safety
When selecting a newborn bedside cot, you must keep safety in your thoughts. The official safe sleep guidelines from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies not sleep in parent's beds due to the dangers of suffocation, heat exhaustion and a greater chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bedside bassinets allow parents to keep their infant close to help with nighttime feedings, comforting and monitoring without having to leave their bed.
This close proximity also supports breastfeeding mothers by allowing them to attend to the needs of their infant without waking up at all times and can help keep the supply of milk steady and help the breastfeeding experience. Some cots for bedside have adjustable height options, which can ensure that the bassinet is at an ideal height for mother and baby, allowing ease of access during feedings or for care.
Many bassinets are equipped with a firm mattress, which is designed to reduce the risk of suffocation, and also meets industry standards. It is crucial to provide support for the bones of a newborn, since they are still fragile and are not fully formed. The mattress should be covered with a fitted sheet in order to reduce the risk that dust mites, or other allergens, can choke a child. It should also be kept free of allergens and clean.
Some cribs on the bed can be tilted. This is beneficial for babies who have digestive or reflux issues. However, it should be done with care and with caution. Avoid putting pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers inside the bassinet. These can pose the risk of suffocation your baby.
It's also worth thinking about an adjustable bassinet with an attachment system that is secure and can be easily attached to your existing bed without the necessity of tools. This feature is especially useful for parents who find it difficult to get their child in and out of the crib or are worried about their baby accidentally rolling over while sleeping. If your bassinet has an attachment that is secure it is a great idea to check it frequently. Check to ensure 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 great sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close during the night without taking on any of the risks associated with sharing beds. The newborn bedside cot is an essentially a bassinet-style crib which is fixed to the side of your bed, allowing you to safely lift them out towards you for night feeding and soothing. It also makes a great choice for mums recovering from a c-section, because it eliminates the need to bend too much or even to get out of the bed.
A modern cot for infants should have a firm flat mattress to promote safe sleeping practices and reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The bedding should be kept simple and consist of only the sheet for the cot and blanket that is tightly tucked into the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys or pillows as these could fall on your baby and create a risk of suffocation. If your baby is familiar with being swaddled, you can use a swaddle or a baby sleep bag for the first few weeks, however it should be removed as soon as possible once they've gained the strength to take off their wraps.
Some cribs with a bedside feature an option to remove or drop down the side that gives you the baby to be easily accessible to feed and comfort them in the middle of the night. This is a good feature for parents looking to keep an intimate relationship with their child while still following NHS safe sleep guidelines. If you are planning to sleep with your child, it's important to be aware that this practice could increase the chance of SIDS. This is particularly when a parent accidentally falls on their child while sleeping.
A breathable fabric is another important safety factor, since 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 as the risk of overheating when sleeping increases. bedside crib that turns into cot , breathable side panel that helps improve the flow of air, keeping your baby comfortable.