Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside crib is a tiny sleeper that allows babies to 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 inhalation.) It helps you care for your infant and feed them throughout the night.
This mattress is a firm mattress to support babies' backs and decrease the chance of SIDS. It can swivel over your adult bed to allow you to get your baby for nighttime nursing or cuddles at sunrise.
Budget
A bedside crib, also called a bassinet or co-sleeper is a bassinet type baby cot that clips to your bed. This allows you to easily and safely reach your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeding or cuddles. They are a great choice for mums or new parents recovering from a csection as they offer easy access to baby and do not require you to get out of bed.
There are many different styles available that range from basic models with just a drop-down side to more advanced ones that can be adjusted in multiple ways with incline and height options. Many convert to a separate crib for naps during the day or when your baby is a few months old and sleeping longer at night.
One of our favorites is the Maxi-Cosi Lora that was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards, including Best Cot Crib, Best Cot, or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily commented how stylish and modern the design was. She also liked the fact that it could be used as a bassinet, or clipped to your bed for safe side-byside sleeping. She also liked its plush mattress which was able to pass our tests of firmness, and that it has a manual inclining function for those suffering from reflux.
However, she wasn't a fan of the feature of a non-mesh panel at its lower end, and thought it was a bit bulky to move from room room regularly. When folded into a travel bag she found it a bit 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 newborn for middle-of-the-night feeding nappies, feeding and comforting. It's also great for mums recovering from the C-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise that you place your baby in the same space as you, but separated from you for the first six months because this will reduce the chance of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). The bedside crib with its low sides, is a great method to accomplish this. It lets you access your baby easily during the 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 for newborns, as they lack the motor control necessary to turn. This mattress is made of skin-friendly and air-tight materials. It is a comfortable fit for your baby, yet firm enough to ensure safety.
Mum Jasmin was pleased that the crib didn't occupy too the entire space in her room and found it to be the ideal size for a newborn. She said the mattress was also of good quality, as opposed to others that feel thin and thin. She also appreciates that it has a storage space underneath for bedding and clothes - something many other bassinets don't.
Mehack, a MFM mother who has tested the product at home, loves that you can remove the side wall to allow easier access to your baby. She also appreciates that the legs can be tucked under the bed to make it look less bulky and take up less floor space. She's also impressed with how it was easy to move around her home in the event of checks and feedings in the middle of the night.
The CoZee Air crib is a popular choice for parents. It was awarded the Gold Award in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It is a clever design with four pulleys that can be used to raise or lower your crib. There is also a large basket for blankets, toys and other necessities. It's also easy to put together and light in weight, which is useful for travelling with your baby.
Safety
When choosing a new baby's bedside cot, it is important to keep safety in your thoughts. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS recommend that babies do not sleep in the parents' beds because of the risk of suffocation as well as sudden infant death syndrome. Bassinets that are placed in bed let parents keep their newborn close by and allow for feeding at night and monitoring without having to get out of bed.
This close proximity also supports breastfeeding mothers as they can attend to their baby's needs without waking up in the middle of the night and can help keep milk supply steady and enhance the breastfeeding experience. Some cots with a bedside are equipped with adjustable height features that can aid mother and child to access the bassinet to feed or take care of other needs throughout the night.
A majority of bassinets come with a mattress that is designed to reduce the chance of suffocation and conforms to industry standards. It is crucial to support the bones of a newborn since they are still fragile and are not fully formed. The mattress should be encased in a fitted sheet to reduce the risk of suffocation from dust mites and other allergens, and kept clean and free from irritants.
Some cots for bedside use can be tilted. This can be useful for babies with reflux or digestive issues, but it should be done with extreme caution and at a gentle angle. It is also essential to avoid putting pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet, as they could pose the risk of suffocation for your baby and should only be used when the cot is set on an even surface.
It's also worth thinking about a bassinet with a secure attachment system that can be easily attached to your bed without the need for tools. This is especially beneficial for parents who struggle to lift their child into and out of the crib or who are worried about accidentally falling asleep. If your bassinet is equipped with secured attachments it is a good idea to check it frequently. Make sure there aren't any gaps and that the system is securely attached.
Comfort
If you are a soon-to-be parent, your baby's safety is among your top concerns. There's a wonderful sleep solution that lets you keep your baby close throughout the night, without any of the risks associated with bed-sharing. The crib for newborns is a bassinet-style cot that can be attached to the side of the bed. It lets you safely lift your baby out towards you for feedings and comfort. It also makes an excellent choice for mothers recovering from a c-section, as it reduces the need to bend down too far or even take a step out of bed.
A modern newborn bedside cot should have a firm and flat mattress that can promote safe sleeping practices and lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Bedding should be simple comprising a cot sheets and a blanket that is tightly tucked on the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys or pillows since they can fall on your baby and cause danger of suffocation. If your baby has been used to being swaddled for several weeks and you want to use a swaddle, or a baby sleep bag. However, it is recommended that this be removed when they have the strength to unwrap them.
Some cribs for bedside use an option to remove or drop down the side that gives you easy access to your baby for comforting and feeding in the middle of the night. This is a wonderful feature for parents looking to keep a strong bond with their child, but still adhere to NHS safe sleep advice. However, if best bedside cot for newborn planning to sleep in the same bed with your baby it's important to recognize that this practice has been linked to a higher risk of SIDS, particularly if a parent unintentionally falls on their infant while they sleep.
A fabric that is breathable is an important safety factor, since it's designed to keep your baby cool and comfortable throughout the night. This is particularly important if you plan to co-sleep your newborn since the risk of being overheated in the night increases. The SnuzPod4 comes with an exclusive breathable side panel that helps improve airflow, keeping your baby comfortable.