Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside crib is a tiny sleeper that allows babies to sleep in the same space as their parents without the risks 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 in the middle of the night.
This sleeper has a firm mattress that supports babies' backs, reducing the risk of SIDS. It can be swiveled over your adult bed to allow you to carry your baby to the top to snuggle them at sunrise or for nighttime nursing.
Budget
A bedside crib, also called a bassinet or co-sleeper, is a bassinet style crib that can be attached to your existing bed. This lets you comfortably and safely reach your baby during the night for feeding, comforting or cuddles. These are ideal for new parents and mums recovering from a csection because they provide the baby to be easily accessible without having to get up from the bed.
There are a variety of designs available, from basic models with just a drop-down option to more advanced ones that can be adjusted in a variety of ways with incline and height options. Most can be converted into an independent crib once your baby is older and is sleeping longer in the night.
Maxi-Cosi Lora is one of our favorites. It was shortlisted in the Best Cot category for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. MFM home tester Emily noted how stylish and modern the design was. She also appreciated the fact that it could be used as a bassinet, or attached to your existing bed, for a safe side-by-side sleep. She also admired the soft mattress that has passed our test for firmness and the fact that it has a manual rocking feature that can be adjusted to a slight slope for those suffering from reflux.
But she wasn't thrilled with the fact that it had a non-mesh panel at its bottom and felt it was a bit heavy to move from room to room frequently. She also found it a little heavy to carry up and down the stairs when it was folded up into its bag for travel.
Size
A bedside cot resembles the bassinet, which is placed on the bed's side. You can easily reach your baby to feed, change nappies or comforting in the middle of the night. It's perfect for mothers who are recovering from a c-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise that you keep your baby in the same room with you, but keep them separate from you for the first six months since this will help decrease the chance of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). The bedside crib, with its low sides, is a great way to achieve this. It allows you to be able to easily access your baby at night.
It is important that your baby sleeps on a firm, not a soft mattress. A mattress that is soft can increase the risk of suffocation among newborns, since they lack the motor control necessary to turn. This mattress is made from skin-friendly and air-tight materials. It is a comfortable fit for your baby, but firm enough to ensure safety.
Mum Jasmin was happy that the crib didn't occupy too much space in her room and found it to be the ideal size for a baby. She also said that the mattress was excellent quality, in contrast to those that feel cheap and thin. She also likes that it has a storage space underneath for clothes and blankets which she claims most bassinets do not have.
Mehack Mehack, an MFM mom who tried the product at home, loves that you can remove the side wall to allow for easier access to your baby. She also likes the fact that legs can be placed under the bed to look less bulky and occupy less space on the floor. She's also impressed with how easy it is to move around the house whenever you want to, for convenience during middle-of-the-night feedings and check-ins.
The CoZee Air crib is a favourite among parents. It won the Gold Award in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It is designed with four pulleys built-in to raise or lower the crib. It comes with a large storage bin for toys, blankets and other necessities. It's also easy to assemble and light in weight and portable, which is ideal for traveling with your baby.
Safety
When selecting a newborn bedside cot, it is important to keep safety in your thoughts. The official safety sleep guidelines of both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies should not sleep in their parents' beds because of the risks of suffocation, overheating and a higher chance of suffering from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bassinets for bedside use allow parents to keep their infants close, facilitating night time feedings as well as monitoring without the need to get up.
This close proximity also helps breastfeeding mothers by allowing them to take care of their infant's needs without waking up completely, which can help to keep milk supply steady and enhance the breastfeeding experience. Some cots with a bedside are equipped with adjustable height options, which will help ensure that the bassinet is an ideal height for mother and baby to allow easy access to mid-night feedings or other care.
Many bassinets have a mattress that is designed to minimize the risk of suffocation and is in line with industry standards. bedside cot newborn is important because a baby's bones are fragile and not fully developed and need to be supported to prevent injury. The mattress should be encased in a fitted cover to minimize the risk of suffocation due to dust mites and other allergens. It should also be kept clean and free from irritants.
Some bedside cots have the capability of being tilted, which can be beneficial for babies with reflux or digestive issues, however this should be done with a lot of care and at a moderate angle. It's also important to stay clear of adding pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet as these can pose a suffocation risk for your baby and should only be used when the cot is set on flat surfaces.
It is also recommended to consider an infant bassinet with an attachment system that is secure. It can be attached to your existing bed easily without the need of tools. This can be especially beneficial for parents who struggle to lift their baby in and out of the cot, or who are worried about accidentally falling asleep. If your bassinet has an attachment that is secure it is a good idea to check it frequently. Check to ensure there are no gaps, and that the system is securely connected.
Comfort
If you are a soon-to-be parent, your baby's comfort is among your top concerns. There's a new solution to sleep that allows you to keep your baby close in the evening, without the risk of sharing the bed. The infant bedside cot essentially a bassinet-style cot which is fixed to the side of your bed and allows you to take them away for feeding at night and calming. It's also the perfect choice for mothers recovering from a c-section, because it eliminates the need to bend too much or even get out of bed.
Modern bedside cots for newborns should be fitted with a firm, flat mattress to encourage safe sleeping habits and lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The bedding should be kept simple, with only the sheets for the cot and a blanket that is tightly tucked into the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers and pillows that can be thrown over your baby, creating an obstructive risk. If your baby is familiar with being swaddled, you can use a swaddle or a baby sleep bag for the first few weeks, although it is best to remove it when possible after they've gained the strength to pull themselves out of the wrap.
Some cribs with a bedside have a removable or drop-down side to make it easy for your baby for feedings in the middle of the night and comforting. This is a wonderful feature for parents looking to keep the bond between them and their child while still following NHS safe sleep advice. However, if you're considering sleeping in the same bed with your child, it's important to understand that this practice has been associated with an increased risk of SIDS, particularly if a parent unintentionally is able to roll onto their infant during sleep.
A breathable fabric will keep your baby comfortable and cool throughout the night. This is especially crucial if you plan to sleep with your baby as the risk of overheating in the night increases. The SnuzPod4 is a unique, mesh side panel that is breathable that helps improve airflow and keep your baby snug in their mattress.