Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a tiny sleeper that allows babies to sleep in the same room as their parents without the risks of true co-sleeping (which the AAP cautions against due suffocation and SIDS). It helps you take care of your infant and feed them throughout the night.
This sleeper has a mattress that is firm and supports babies backs, reducing the risk of SIDS. It can be swiveled over the bed of your adult to make it easier for you to carry your baby out for midnight nursing or sunrise cuddles.
Budget
A bedside crib, also referred to as a bassinet or co-sleeper, is a bassinet style crib for babies that attaches to your bed. This lets you reach your baby easily and safely for a nighttime feed or comforting cuddle. These are perfect for new parents and mums recovering from a c-section because they provide easy access to the baby without needing to get out of bed.
There are many different designs available starting with basic models that have just a drop-down option to more sophisticated models that can be adjusted in multiple ways with incline and height options. Most convert to a standalone crib for napping during the daytime or when your baby is about months old and sleeps longer at night.
One of our favorites is the Maxi-Cosi Lora which was shortlisted for 2021 Mother&Baby awards, including Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily commented how stylish and modern the design was. She also appreciated the fact that it can be used as a bassinet or attached to your existing bed, for safe side-byside sleeping. She also appreciated its luxurious mattress that has passed our tests for firmness, and that it has an adjustable manual inclining feature for those who suffer from reflux.
resources wasn't a fan of the fact 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 somewhat heavy to carry up the stairs.
Size
A bedside cot is an infant bassinet that is placed on the side of your bed. It lets you easily reach your baby during the night for feeding nappies, feeding and comforting. It's perfect for mothers recovering from an o-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby away from you during the first 6 months to decrease the chance of SIDS. A bedside crib is a secure way to achieve this as it has low sides and lets you easily reach your baby during the night.
It is essential that your baby sleeps on a firm mattress since it is safer than a soft one. Newborns don't have the motor control to rotate and a soft mattress could increase the chance of drowning. The soft, breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make this mattress a comfortable one for your baby, but firm enough for safety.
Mum home tester Jasmin was pleased with the fact that the crib does not take up much space in her bedroom and she found the size perfect for a newborn. She also said that the mattress was of good quality unlike other cribs that are thin and fragile. She also appreciates that it has a storage area underneath for bedding and clothes - something many other bassinets don't have.
MFM mum home tester Mehack is a huge fan of the side wall that is removable that lets you drop it to make it easier access to your newborn. She also loves the fact that the legs can be tucked under the bed to make it look less bulky and take up less area on the floor. She is also impressed by how easy it was to move around her home in the event of checks and feedings in the middle of the night.
The CoZee Air crib is a favorite among parents. It was awarded the Gold Award at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has a clever design with four pulleys that are built-in to raise or lower the crib. It also includes a large storage basket for your baby's blankets, toys and other essentials. It's also light and easy to put together which makes it perfect to travel with your baby.
Safety
It is crucial to think about safety when choosing a newborn bedside crib. Official safe sleep advice from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies do not sleep in their parents' beds due to the risk of suffocation, heat exhaustion and a greater chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bassinets that are placed in bed allow parents to keep their infant close and allow for nighttime feedings as well as monitoring and comforting without the need to get out of bed.
This close proximity can also support breastfeeding mothers, as it allows them to attend to the needs of their baby 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 options, which will help ensure that the bassinet is a comfortable height for both mother and baby to allow easy access for middle-of-the-night feedings or other care.
Many bassinets have a mattress that is designed to decrease the risk of suffocation and conforms to industry standards. This is essential because baby's bones are fragile and not fully developed, and need to be supported to prevent damage. The mattress should be covered in a fitted sheet to reduce the risk of suffocation from dust mites and other allergens and kept hygienically clean and free of irritants.
Some cribs for bedside use can be tilted. This is beneficial for babies suffering from reflux or digestive problems. However, it should only be done gently and with caution. It is also essential to stay clear of adding pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet, as these can pose a suffocation risk for your baby. They should only be used when the cot is placed on a flat surface.
It's also worth considering a bassinet with an attached system that is secure and can be easily attached to your bed without the necessity of tools. This can be especially useful for parents who struggle to lift their baby into and out of the cot, or who are worried about accidentally falling asleep. If your bassinet is equipped with secured attachments it's recommended to regularly make sure it's secure and that there are no gaps or loose parts which could cause danger.
Comfort
If you're a soon-to-be parent, your baby's comfort is one of your main concerns. Thankfully, there's an innovative sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close throughout the night - without any of the dangers that come with bed-sharing. The infant bedside cot essentially a bassinet-style cot that is attached to the side of your bed that allows you to move them towards you for night feeding and soothing. It also makes a great choice for mums recovering from a csection, because it eliminates the need to bend too much or even get out of the bed.
A modern newborn bedside cot should have a firm flat mattress to in promoting safe sleeping habits and decrease the chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The bedding should be simple, with just a cot sheet and blanket tucked tightly on the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers or pillows since they could fall on your baby and pose a risk of suffocation. If your baby is used to being swaddled during a few weeks, you can use either an swaddle or baby sleep bag. However, this should be removed after they have the strength to unwrap them.
Some bedside cribs have a removable or drop-down side that allows easy access to your baby's feeds and comforting. This feature is perfect for parents who want to maintain a close relationship with their child while adhering to NHS guidelines on sleep. If you're planning to sleep with your child, it's crucial to be aware that this practice could increase the chance of SIDS. This is particularly true if a parent accidentally rolls on their infant while sleeping.
A breathable fabric is another essential safety feature, as it's designed to keep your baby cool and comfortable throughout the night. This is particularly crucial if you intend to sleep with your baby because the risk of overheating is higher when you sleep. The SnuzPod4 has an exclusive breathable side panel that helps improve the flow of air, keeping your baby cool.