Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a small sleeper that allows new babies to share a space as their parents without the risks of true co-sleeping (which the AAP cautions against due suffocation and SIDS). It also makes nursing sessions and child care more convenient.
This mattress is a firm mattress that can support the backs of babies and reduce the risk of SIDS. It can be rotated over your adult bed so that you can lift your baby to cuddle them at sunrise or during nighttime nursing.
Budget
A bedside crib, also known as a bassinet or cosleeper is a bassinet-style crib that can be attached to your existing bed. This allows you to reach your baby easily and safely for a nighttime feed or comforting cuddle. These are perfect for moms and babies recovering from a csection because they provide the baby to be easily accessible without needing to get out of bed.
There are a variety of designs available starting with basic models that have only a drop-down side, to more sophisticated models that can be adjusted in multiple ways including height and incline options. Many convert to an independent crib for napping during the daytime or when your baby is about months old and is sleeping more at night.
One of our top picks is the Maxi-Cosi Lura, that was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the categories of Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily expressed her delight at how stylish and modern the design is and she was impressed by the fact that you can use it as a regular bassinet, or clip it to your existing bed for safe side-by-side sleeping. She also appreciated the soft mattress, which passed our firmness test, and the fact that it comes with a manual rocking function that can be adjusted to a slight slope for reflux sufferers.
She didn't like the fact that it had a mesh panel at the bottom, and she thought it was too heavy to move from room to room. She also found it to be a bit heavy to carry up and down the stairs when folded away into its travel bag.
Size
bedside crib and travel cot is the bassinet, which is attached to the bed's side. It's easy to reach your baby to feed, change nappies or comforting during the night. It's also great for moms recovering from the C-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby separated from you in the first six month, to reduce the risk of SIDS. A crib that is placed near your bed is a safe way to achieve this because it has low sides and allows you to easily reach your baby throughout the night.
It is essential that your baby sleeps on a firm, not an extremely soft mattress. Infants don't have the motor control needed to turn and a mattress that is soft could increase the chance of drowning. The soft, breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make this mattress comfortable for your baby but also sufficient to ensure safety.
Mum Jasmin was delighted that the crib didn't take up the entire space in her room and found it to be the perfect size for a newborn. She said the mattress was also of good quality, as opposed to those that feel cheap and thin. She also likes the fact that it has a storage space underneath for clothes and bedding which other bassinets don't have.
Mehack is an MFM mum who tested the product at home, loves that you can take off the side wall to allow for easier access to your baby. She also loves the fact that the legs can be put under the bed to make it look less bulky and occupy less floor space. She's also impressed with the ease of being able to move around the house as you want to for ease during late-night feedings and check-ins.
The CoZee Air crib is a popular choice for parents. It was awarded a Gold Award at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It is designed with four built-in pulleys to raise or lower the crib and includes a large storage basket for your baby's toys, blankets and other necessities. It's also light and easy to put together which makes it perfect for travel with your baby.
Safety
It's important to consider the safety aspect when selecting a newborn bedside crib. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS advise that babies do not sleep in their parents bed due to the risk of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome. Bedside bassinets let parents keep their newborn close by and allow for night-time feedings and monitoring without having to get out of bed.
This close proximity also assists breastfeeding mothers as they can attend to their baby's needs without having to get up in the middle of the night and can help keep milk supply steady and enhance the breastfeeding experience. Some cots for bedside use adjustable height features that can aid the mother and child to reach the bassinet for feedings or other care throughout the night.
A lot of bassinets have mattresses that are firm, which is designed to reduce the risk of suffocation and is in line with the standards of the industry. It is important to support the bones of a newborn as they are still soft and not fully formed. 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 irritants.
Some bedside cribs can be tilted. This is helpful for babies who have digestive or reflux issues. But, it should only be done gently and with caution. It is also essential to avoid putting pillows, duvets or crib bumpers to the bassinet as these can pose a suffocation risk for your baby. They should only be used when the cot is on flat surfaces.
It is also recommended to consider the bassinet with a secure attachment system. It can be attached to your existing bed easily without the need for tools. This feature can be particularly useful for parents who struggle to get their child in and out of the cot or who are concerned about rolling over during sleep. If your bassinet does have secured attachments, it's a good idea to regularly make sure it's secure and that there aren't gaps or loose components that could cause danger.
Comfort
If you're expecting your first child and you're worried about the safety of your child is definitely one of your top priorities. There's a brand new sleep solution that lets you keep your baby close to you at night without the risk of sharing a bed. The newborn bedside cot is basically a bassinet-style cot that is attached to the side of your bed that allows you to lift them out towards you for night feeding and soothing. It's an excellent option for mothers recovering from a C section as it eliminates the need to stand up or sit up.
A modern bedside cot for newborns should have a firm, flat mattress to help promote safe sleeping practices and reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The bedding should be simple, with a cot sheet and a blanket tightly tucked on the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers or pillows as these can fall on your baby and cause risk of suffocation. If your baby is used to being swaddled you can use a swaddle or a baby sleep bag for the first few weeks, although this should be removed as soon as you can once they've gained the strength to take off their wraps.
Some cribs for bedside use an open or removable side that allows easy access to your baby's feeds and comforting. This feature is ideal for parents who wish to maintain a close bond with their child while still following NHS guidelines for sleep. If you are planning to sleep with your child, it is important to be aware that this practice may increase the chance of SIDS. This is especially true if a parent accidentally falls on their child during sleep.
A fabric that breathes will keep your baby comfy and cool throughout the night. This is especially important if you plan to sleep with your newborn since the chance of overheating increases when you sleep. The SnuzPod4 features a unique breathable side panel that helps improve the flow of air, keeping your baby warm.