Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a small sleeper that allows babies to sleep in the same room as their parents, without the dangers of co-sleeping (which the AAP advises against due to SIDS and suffocation). It makes it easier to care for your baby and nurse them throughout the night.
This mattress has an extremely firm mattress that can support babies' backs, reducing the risk of SIDS. It can be swiveled over your adult bed to lift your baby to cuddle them at sunrise or during nighttime nursing.
Budget
A bedside crib, also known as a co-sleeper or bassinet is a bassinet-style crib that can be attached to your existing bed. This allows you to comfortably and safely reach your baby for mid-night feeding or cuddles. These are great for moms and babies recovering from a csection because they allow easy access to the baby without having to get up from the 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 incline and height options. Most convert to an independent crib for napping during the daytime or when your baby is around a few months old and sleeps 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 noted how stylish and modern the design was. She also appreciated the fact that it can be used as a bassinet or a clip to your existing bed, for a safe side-by-side sleep. She also appreciated the soft mattress, which was able to pass our test of firmness and the fact that it features an automatic rocking feature that can be set to a slight incline for those suffering from reflux.
But she wasn't thrilled with the feature of a non-mesh panel on the foot end and felt it was a bit bulky to move from room room often. When folded into its travel bag she found it to be quite heavy to carry up the stairs.
Size
A bedside cot is a bassinet-style cot that fixes to the side of the bed. You can easily reach your baby's mouth for feedings, changing nappies, or to comfort them during the night. It's also great for moms recovering from a C-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby separate from you in the first 6 months to reduce the risk of SIDS. A bedside crib is a secure way to achieve this because it is low-sided and lets you easily reach your baby throughout the night.
It is crucial that your infant sleeps on a firm mattress since this is safer than a soft one. A soft mattress can increase the risk of suffocation for infants as they lack the motor control necessary to turn. The breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make this mattress comfortable for your baby, but sufficiently firm to be safe for your baby.
Mum home tester Jasmin loved that the crib doesn't take up too much space in her bedroom and she found it to be the perfect size for a baby. She also noted that the mattress was of good quality, unlike others which seem thin and flimsy. She also appreciates that it has a storage area underneath for clothes and blankets - something she says many bassinets don't have.
MFM mum home test Mehack is a big fan of the side wall that is removable that allows you to drop it to make it easier access to your newborn. She also likes the fact that legs fold under the bed so that it does not look bulky or take up too much floor space. She's also impressed by how easy it is to move around the house as you want to, for convenience during middle-of-the-night feedings and check-ins.
A winner of a Gold award in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards The CoZee Air is a popular choice for parents. It is designed with four built-in pulleys to raise or lower the crib and includes a large storage basket for toys, blankets and other necessities. It is also light and easy to put together which makes it perfect for traveling with your baby.
Safety
It is crucial to think about the safety aspect when selecting a newborn bedside crib. The official safety sleep guidelines of both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies do not sleep in parent's beds because of the risks of overheating, suffocation and a greater chance of suffering from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bedside bassinets allow parents to keep their infants close, facilitating night time feedings as well as monitoring without having to get out of bed.
This close proximity can also help breastfeeding mothers as it allows them to be attentive to the needs of their infant while they sleep. This can help maintain the supply of milk and also encourage breastfeeding. Some bedside cots have adjustable height features that will help ensure that the bassinet is a comfortable height for both mother and baby, allowing ease of access during feedings or other care.
Many bassinets are equipped with mattresses that are firm, which is designed to decrease the risk of suffocation and is in line with industry standards. It is essential to support the bones of a newborn since they are still fragile and not fully formed. The mattress should be covered with a fitted sheet in order to decrease the risk that dust mites or other allergens, could choke a child. It must be kept clean and free of irritants.
Some cots with a bedside have the capability of being tilted, which is useful for babies with reflux or digestive issues, however it should be done with a lot of care and at a gentle angle. It's also important to avoid putting pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet, as they can create an obstructing risk to your baby and should only be used when the cot is placed on flat surfaces.
You should also think about the bassinet with a secure attachment system. cheap bedside cot can be attached to your bed without the use of tools. This can be especially beneficial for parents who struggle to lift their child into and out of the cot, or who are worried about accidentally rolling over in the night. If your bassinet is equipped with secured attachments, it is a good idea for you to check it regularly. Make sure there are no gaps and that the system is securely connected.
Comfort
If you are a soon-to-be parent, your baby's safety is one of your main concerns. There's a new sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close to you at night without the risk of sharing a bed. The infant bedside cot essentially a bassinet-style cot that is attached to the bed's side, allowing you to safely take them away to feed them at night and soothe. It's also a great choice for mothers who are recovering from a C section as it will not require you to stand up or to bend over.
A modern bedside cot for newborns should have a sturdy flat mattress to ensure a safe sleep and lower the chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The bedding should be simple with just the cot sheet and a blanket tucked in tightly at the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys, and pillows that could fall onto your baby posing a suffocation risk. If your baby has been used to being swaddled during a few weeks, you can use either an swaddle or baby sleep bag. However, this should be removed once they are strong enough to remove them.
Some bedside cribs feature a removable or drop-down side that allows for the baby to be easily accessible to feed and comfort them in the middle of the night. This is a great feature for parents who wish to keep a close relationship with their child, while adhering to NHS guidelines for sleep. If you're planning to sleep in the same bed as your child, it's important to understand that this practice has been linked to a higher risk of SIDS, particularly in the event that a parent 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 intend to sleep with your baby as the risk of overheating during sleep increases. cheap bedside cot is a unique, mesh side panel that is breathable that helps improve the airflow and keeps your baby warm in their mattress.