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 risks of co-sleeping. (The AAP warns against this because of the risk of SIDS and the risk of suffocation.) It helps you care for your baby and give them a bottle throughout the night.
This mattress is a firm mattress that can support the backs of babies and decrease the risk of SIDS. It can slide over your adult bed to allow you to carry your child out for midnight cuddles or a sunrise kiss.
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 safely and easily reach your baby for mid-night feeding or cuddles. They are a great choice for mothers or new parents recovering from a c-section because they allow the baby with easy access and don't require you to get up.
There are many different designs available, from the basic ones that have the drop-down side, to more sophisticated models that offer numerous adjustment options, like incline or height. Most can be converted into a standalone crib when your baby gets older and is sleeping longer in the night.
One of our top picks is the Maxi-Cosi Lura, that was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards, including 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 can be used as a bassinet, or attached to your bed for safe side-byside sleeping. She also admired the soft mattress, which passed our firmness test, and the fact that it features an automatic rocking feature that can be adjusted to a slight slope for reflux sufferers.
She didn't like that it had a non-mesh panel at the bottom, and considered it too bulky to move around from room to room. She also found it to be a bit heavy to carry up and down the stairs once folded away into its travel bag.
Size
A bedside cot is similar to a bassinet that is placed on the bed's side. bedside cot wooden allows you to easily reach your baby for mid-night feeding nappies, comforting and feeding. It's great for mothers who are recovering from an o-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise you to keep your baby in the same room as you but separate from you for the first six months, as this can help reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). A crib that is placed near your bed is a safe method to achieve this as it has low sides and allows you to be able to easily access your baby during the night.
It is essential that your baby sleeps on a firm bed as this is safer than a mattress that is soft. A soft mattress can increase the risk of suffocation in infants as they lack the motor control needed to turn. The soft, breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make the mattress comfortable for your baby but also sufficiently firm to be safe for your baby.
Mum Jasmin was delighted that the crib didn't occupy too much space in her bedroom and thought it was the ideal size for a newborn. She also stated that the mattress was of good quality unlike other cribs that seem thin and flimsy. She also appreciates the fact that it has a storage compartment beneath for blankets and clothes - something she says many bassinets don't have.
MFM mum home tester Mehack is a huge fan of the removable side wall that allows you to drop it down for easy access to your infant. She also likes the fact that legs slide under the bed so it doesn't appear bulky or take up a lot of floor space. She's also impressed with the ease of being able to move around the house as you'd like for ease during late-night feedings and check-ins.
The winner of a Gold award in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards and the CoZee Air is a popular choice among parents. It is a clever design that has four pulleys that can be used to raise or lower your crib. There's also an enormous basket that can be used to store toys, blankets, and other necessities. It is also light and easy to assemble, making it ideal for travel with your baby.
Safety
When selecting a newborn bedside cot it's important to keep the safety aspect in your thoughts. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS advise that babies do not sleep in their parents' beds because of the risk of suffocation as well as sudden infant death syndrome. Bassinets for bedside use allow parents to keep their babies close to them, facilitating nighttime feedings as well as comforting and monitoring without the need to get out of bed.
This close proximity also helps breastfeeding mothers by allowing them to take care of their infant's needs without waking up completely and help keep the supply of milk steady and help the breastfeeding experience. Some bedside cots come with adjustable height features that can make it easier for both the mother and baby to get into the bassinet for feedings or other activities during the night.
Many bassinets have mattresses that are firm and designed to reduce the risk of suffocation, and conforms to industry standards. This is important because a newborn's bones are soft and not fully developed, and require support to prevent injury. The mattress should be covered with a fitted sheet to decrease the risk that dust mites, as well as other allergens, will choke a child. It should also be kept free of allergens and clean.
Some cots with a bedside have the ability to be tilted, which can be beneficial for babies with reflux or digestive issues, however it should be done with a lot of care and at a gentle angle. It is also essential to avoid adding pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet, as they could pose a suffocation risk for your baby and should only be used when the cot is on a flat surface.
It's also worth thinking about a bassinet with a secure attachment system that can be easily attached to your bed without the necessity of tools. This is especially helpful for parents who may struggle to get their child into and out of the cot or who are worried about accidentally rolling over in the night. If your bassinet has an attachment system that is secure it's an excellent idea to periodically ensure that it's securely secured and that there aren't any gaps or loose components that could pose a hazard.
Comfort
If you're a parent-to-be and you're worried about the safety of your baby is surely one of your main concerns. There's a brand new sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close at night without the risk of sharing the bed. The infant bedside cot an essentially a bassinet-style crib which is fixed to the side of your bed and allows you to lift them out towards you for feeding at night and calming. It also makes a great choice for mums recovering from a c-section, as it reduces the need to bend down too far or even take a step out of bed.
Modern bedside cots for babies should be fitted with a firm, flat mattress to encourage safe sleeping practices and reduce the risk Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The bedding should be kept as simple as possible with just the cot sheet and a blanket tucked in tightly at the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers or pillows as these can fall on your baby and pose a danger of suffocation. If your baby is familiar with being swaddled, you can use a swaddle or baby sleep bag for the initial few weeks, but it is best to remove it when possible after they've developed the strength to pull themselves out of the wrap.
Some cribs for bedside use an adjustable or drop-down side that allows for easy access to your baby for comforting and feeding 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. However, if you're considering sleeping in the same bed with your child, it's important to understand that this practice has been linked to a higher risk of SIDS especially if a parent unintentionally is able to roll onto their infant during sleep.
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 important if you plan to co-sleep with your newborn since the chance of being overheated increases when you sleep. The SnuzPod4 has a unique, breathable side panel that aids in improving the flow of air, keeping your baby comfortable.