Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn crib with a bedside is a tiny sleeping device that allows babies to sleep in the same room with their parents without the dangers of co-sleeping. (The AAP warns against this due to the risk of SIDS and the risk of suffocation.) It makes it easier to care for your infant and feed them in the middle of the night.
This sleeper features a firm mattress to support the backs of babies and decrease the chance of SIDS. It can be swiveled over your adult bed to carry your baby to the top for sunrise cuddles or midnight nursing.
Budget
A bedside cot, also referred to as a co-sleeper, is an infant cot with a bassinet design that can be attached to your bed. This lets you reach your baby quickly and safely for a late-night feed or cuddles. They are a great choice for mothers or new parents recovering from a c-section as they allow the baby with easy access and do not require you to get out of bed.
There are lots of different designs on the market starting with basic models that have just a drop-down side to more sophisticated ones that can be adjusted in several ways, including incline and height options. Many convert to a separate crib for napping during the daytime or when your baby is around a few months old and is sleeping more at night.
One of our top picks is the Maxi-Cosi Lora, which was nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards, including Best Cot, Crib 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 attached to your existing bed to ensure safe side-by-side sleeping. 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 reflux sufferers.
She didn't like that it had a non mesh panel at the bottom and she thought it was too heavy to move from room to room. It also felt a little heavy to carry up and down the stairs once folded away into its travel bag.
Size
A bedside cot is an infant bassinet that is attached to the bed's side. It's easy to reach your baby's side to feed, change nappies or just to soothe them in the middle of the night. It's ideal for mothers recovering from an o-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise you to keep your baby in the same room with you but separate from you for the first six months because this will reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). The crib at the bedside with its low sides is a great option to achieve this. It allows you to be able to easily access your baby throughout the night.
It is crucial that your baby sleeps on a firm and not a soft mattress. A mattress that is soft increases the risk of suffocation among newborns, since they lack the motor control necessary to turn. The soft, breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make this mattress comfortable for your baby but also sufficiently firm to be safe for your baby.
Mum Jasmin was delighted that the crib didn't take up much space in her room and found it to be the ideal size for a baby. She also stated that the mattress was of high-quality unlike other cribs that seem thin and flimsy. She also likes the fact that it has a storage space underneath for clothes and bedding which many bassinets don't have.
Mehack Mehack, an MFM mum who tested the product at home, is thrilled that you can take off 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 when she needed to do feeds and check-ins in the middle of the night.
The CoZee Air crib is a favourite among parents. It was awarded the Gold Award in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards. bedside cot 6 months plus is designed with four built-in pulleys to raise or lower the crib. It also has a large storage basket to store your baby's blankets, toys and other essentials. It's also easy to put together and light in weight and portable, which is ideal for travelling with your baby.
Safety
When choosing a new baby's bedside cot, it is important to keep the safety of your baby in your thoughts. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS advise that babies not sleep in their parents bed due to the possibility of suffocation as well as sudden infant death syndrome. Bassinets that are placed in bed allow parents to keep their baby close to help with night-time feedings and monitoring without the need to get out of bed.
This close proximity also helps breastfeeding mothers as they can attend to their baby's needs without having to get up at all times and can help keep milk supply steady and enhance the breastfeeding experience. Some cots for bedside have adjustable height features that can ensure that the bassinet is at an appropriate height for mother and baby for easy access for middle-of-the-night feedings or other care.
A lot of bassinets have a firm mattress, which is designed to decrease the risk of suffocation, and also meets the standards of the industry. This is important because a baby's bones are fragile and aren't fully developed. They need to be supported to prevent injury. The mattress should be encased in a fitted sheet to decrease the chance of suffocation caused by dust mites or other allergens and kept hygienically clean and free of allergens.
Some cots for bedside use have the ability to be tilted. This can be useful for babies with reflux or digestive issues, however it should be done with great caution and at a moderate angle. 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 and should only be used when the cot is set on a flat surface.
You should also consider the bassinet with an attachment system that is secure. This can be attached to your existing bed easily without the need of tools. This is especially useful for parents who struggle to get their child into and out of the cot or who are concerned about rolling over in the night. If your bassinet is equipped with an attachment that is secure, it is a good idea to check it regularly. 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 one of your main concerns. There's a brand new sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close in the evening, without the risk of sharing a bed. The newborn bedside cot is basically a bassinet-style cot that fixes to the bed's side, allowing you to safely move them towards you for night feeding and soothing. It also makes an excellent choice for mothers recovering from a c-section, since it makes it less necessary to bend over too much or even take a step out of the bed.
A modern bedside cot for newborns should have a sturdy flat mattress to promote safe sleeping practices and decrease the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The bedding should be kept as simple as possible, with only the sheet for the cot and blanket that is tightly tucked into the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers and pillows that may fall on your baby, posing a suffocation risk. If your baby is familiar with being swaddled, you can use a swaddle or baby sleep bag for the first few weeks, although it is best to remove it as soon as possible once they've gained the strength and confidence to unwrap themselves.
Some cribs with a bedside have a drop-down or removable side to make it easy for your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeds and comforting. This is a good feature for parents looking to keep a strong bond with their child, while adhering to NHS safe sleep advice. If you're planning to sleep in the same bed as your baby it's important to recognize that this practice has been associated with an increased risk of SIDS particularly when a parent accidentally falls on their infant while they sleep.
A breathable fabric will keep your baby cool and cool throughout the night. This is particularly important if you plan to sleep with your baby since the chance of being overheated increases during sleep. The SnuzPod4 comes with a unique, breathable side panel, which helps increase the flow of air, keeping your baby comfortable.