Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a small sleeper that allows babies to share a room as their parents without the risk of sleeping together (which the AAP recommends against due to SIDS and suffocation). It makes it easier to care for your baby and nurse them in the middle of the night.
This mattress is a firm mattress that is designed to support the backs of babies and minimize the chance of SIDS.
bedside travel crib can be rotated over your adult bed to lift your baby to snuggle them at sunrise or for nighttime nursing.
Budget
A bedside crib, also called a bassinet or cosleeper, is a bassinet style baby cot that clips to your existing bed. This lets you reach your baby easily and safely for a late-night feed or cuddles. They are a great option for mums or new parents recovering from a c-section because they offer an easy access to baby and don't require you to get up.
There are lots of different styles available that range from basic models with only a drop-down side, to more advanced ones that can be adjusted in a variety of ways including height and incline options. Most convert to a separate crib for daytime naps or when your baby is about months old and sleeps longer at night.
Maxi-Cosi Lora is among our top picks. It was nominated in the Best Cot category for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. MFM home tester Emily commented 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 a safe side-by-side sleep. She also adored its soft mattress that has passed our tests for firmness, and that it has an adjustable manual inclining feature for those who suffer from reflux.
She didn't like that it had a mesh panel at the bottom, and considered it too bulky to move around from room to room. When folded into its travel bag, she found it to be quite heavy to carry up the stairs.
Size
A bedside cot is an upholstered bassinet that is fixed to your side of the bed. It allows you to reach your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeding nappies, comforting and feeding. It's great for mothers recovering from an o-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise that you place your baby in the same room with you, but separated from you for the first six months since this will help decrease the chance of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). A bedside crib is a safe way to accomplish this since it is low-sided and allows you to easily access your newborn throughout the night.
It is crucial that your infant sleeps on a firm mattress since it is safer than a mattress that is soft. Newborns don't have the motor control needed to turn and a mattress that is soft could increase the risk of drowning. This mattress is made from skin-friendly and breathable materials. It is comfortable for your baby but firm enough to be safe.
Mum home test Jasmin loved that the crib does not take up much space in her bedroom and she found it to be the perfect size for a baby. The mattress she rated as also good quality, unlike some that feel flimsy and thin. She also loves that it has a storage space underneath for clothes and blankets - something she says many bassinets don't have.
MFM mom home tester Mehack is a huge fan of the removable side wall that allows you to drop it down for easy access to your newborn. She also likes that legs slide into the bed so it does not look big or take up a lot of floor space. She is also impressed by how it was simple to move around her house in the event of checks and feedings in the middle of the night.
The CoZee Air crib is a favourite among parents. It was awarded a Gold Award in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It features a smart design with four pulleys built-in to raise or lower the crib and comes with a large storage bin to store your baby's toys, blankets and other necessities. It's also easy to put together and light in weight and portable, which is ideal for travelling with your baby.
Safety
It's important to consider safety when choosing the crib for your newborn. The official safe sleep guidelines from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies should not sleep in parent's beds because of the risks of suffocation, heat exhaustion and a higher risk of suffering from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bassinets for bedside use allow parents to keep their newborns close, facilitating night time feedings, comforting, and monitoring without the need to get out of bed.
This close proximity also supports breastfeeding mothers by allowing them to take care of their infant's needs without having to wake up at all times and help keep milk supply steady and enhance the breastfeeding experience. Some cots with a bedside are equipped with adjustable height features that can help to ensure that the bassinet is at an ideal height for mother and baby, allowing easy access to mid-night feedings or for care.
Many bassinets are equipped with a firm mattress, which is designed to minimize suffocation risk and meets the standards of the industry. It is essential to support the bones of a newborn because they are still squishy and not fully formed. The mattress should be covered in a fitted sheet to decrease the chance of suffocation due to dust mites and other allergens, and kept clean and free of allergens.
Some bedside cribs can be tilted. This is useful for babies who have reflux or digestive problems. However, it should only be done gently and with caution. Avoid adding pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers in the bassinet. These could create the risk of suffocation to your baby.
It's also worth thinking about an adjustable bassinet with a secure attachment system that can be easily fixed to your existing bed without the necessity of tools. This is especially helpful for parents who may struggle to lift their baby in and out of the crib or concerned about the possibility of rolling over during sleep. If your bassinet has secured attachments it's a good idea to regularly check that it's securely attached and that there aren't any gaps or loose components that could pose a hazard.
Comfort
If you are a soon-to-be parent, your baby's comfort is among your top concerns. There's a new sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close to you at night without the risk of sharing the bed. The newborn bedside crib is a bassinet style cot that attaches to the side of the bed. It lets you safely lift your baby out to you for feedings at night and calming. It is also a great choice for mothers who are recovering from a C-section since it will not require you to stand or to bend over.
A modern newborn bedside cot should have a sturdy and flat mattress that can in promoting safe sleeping habits and reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Bedding should be easy comprising a cot sheets and a blanket tightly tucked on the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys, and pillows that can be thrown over your baby, creating the risk of suffocation. If your baby is used to being swaddled, you can make use of a swaddle, or a baby sleep bag for the first few weeks, however this should be removed as soon as possible once 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 great feature for parents who want to maintain a close bond with their child, while adhering to NHS guidelines on sleep. If you plan to co-sleep with your child, it's important to be aware that this practice may increase the chance of SIDS. This is particularly true if a parent accidentally rolls on their infant while sleeping.
A breathable fabric is another important safety feature, as it's designed to keep your baby cool and comfortable throughout the night. This is especially important if you intend to sleep with your newborn, as the risk of overheating in the night increases. The SnuzPod4 features a unique breathable side panel that aids in improving the flow of air, keeping your baby cool.