Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside crib is a small sleeping device that allows babies to sleep in the same space as their parents without the dangers of co-sleeping. (The AAP warns against this because of the dangers of SIDS and inhalation.) It also makes nursing sessions and baby care simpler.
This mattress is a firm mattress that is designed to support the backs of babies and minimize the chance of SIDS. It can be swiveled on your adult bed to lift your baby to cuddle them at sunrise or during nighttime nursing.
Budget
A bedside cot, also referred to as a co-sleeper, is a bassinet-style baby cot that clips or attaches to your bed. This allows you to reach your baby easily and safely for a mid-night feed or comforting cuddle. These are great for moms and babies recovering after a c section because they allow easy access to the baby without needing to get out of bed.
There are many different designs available that range from basic models with just a drop-down option to more sophisticated ones that can be adjusted in a variety of ways including height and incline options. Many can be converted into a standalone crib when your baby is older and has a longer sleep time at night.
Maxi-Cosi Lora is one our favorites. It was shortlisted in the Best Cot category for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. MFM home tester Emily said she was impressed by how chic and contemporary the design is as well as the fact that you can use it as a regular bassinet, or attach it onto your bed to ensure that you can sleep side-by-side. She also admired the soft mattress, which has passed our test for firmness and also the fact that it has a manual rocking function that can be set to a slight tilt for reflux sufferers.
She wasn't a fan of the fact that it had a mesh panel at the bottom and she thought it was too heavy to move around from room to room. She also found it a bit heavy to carry up and down the stairs once folded away into its bag for travel.
Size
A bedside cot resembles the bassinet, which is connected to the side of your bed. It allows you to reach your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeding nappies, comforting and feeding. 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 room as you, but keep them separate from you for the first six months, because this will reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). A bedside crib is a safe way to accomplish this since it has low sides and lets you easily access your newborn during the night.
It is essential that your baby sleeps on a firm and not an extremely soft mattress. A soft mattress can increase the risk of suffocation for newborns, as they do not have the motor control required to turn. This mattress is made of skin-friendly and breathable materials. It is a comfortable fit for your baby but firm enough to be safe.
Mum Jasmin was pleased that the crib didn't occupy too much space in her bedroom and found it to be the ideal size for a newborn. The mattress she rated as also good quality, unlike those that feel cheap and thin. She also appreciates the fact that it has a storage area beneath to store blankets and clothing which she claims many bassinets don't have.
Mehack, a MFM mum who tested the product at home, loves that you can take off the wall on the side to allow easier access to your baby. She also loves the fact that the legs can be tucked under the bed to make it appear less bulky and take up less area on the floor. She's also impressed by the ease of being able to move around the house whenever you'd like for ease during late-night feedings and check-ins.
The CoZee Air crib is a favorite among parents. It won a Gold Award in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has a clever design with four pulleys that are built-in to raise or lower the crib and includes a large storage basket for your baby's blankets, toys and other necessities. It's also light and easy to put together which makes it perfect for traveling with your baby.
Safety
It's important to consider the safety aspect when selecting the right crib for your baby's bed. The official safe sleep guidelines from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies not sleep in their parents' beds due to the risk of suffocation, overheating and a greater chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bedside bassinets allow parents to keep their baby close and allow for night-time feedings as well as monitoring and comforting without having to leave their bed.
This close proximity can also support breastfeeding mothers, as it allows them to be attentive to the baby's needs while they sleep. This can help to maintain milk supply and encourage breastfeeding. Some cots for bedside use adjustable height options that can help the mother and child to reach the bassinet to feed or take care of other needs during the night.
Many bassinets come with mattresses that are firm, which is designed to reduce suffocation risk and meets the standards of the industry. It is crucial to support the bones of a newborn as they are still soft and are not fully formed. bedside sleeper cot should be covered with a fitted sheet to decrease the risk that dust mites or other allergens, can choke a child. It must be kept clean and free of allergens.
Some cots for bedside use have the capability of being tilted. This can be beneficial for babies suffering from reflux or digestive issues, but this should be done with extreme caution and at a gentle angle. It's also important to avoid putting pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet since they could pose a suffocation risk for your baby. They should only be used when the cot is on flat surfaces.
It's also worth considering an infant bassinet that has a secure attachment system that can be easily attached to your existing bed without the need for tools. This feature can be particularly beneficial for parents who struggle to get their child into and out of the cot, or who are worried about accidentally falling asleep. If your bassinet is equipped with a secure attachment, it is a good idea for you to check it frequently. Make sure there are no gaps and that the system is securely attached.
Comfort
If you're a soon-to-be parent, your baby's safety is among your top concerns. There's a great sleep solution that lets you keep your baby close to you throughout the night - without any of the dangers that come with sharing a bed. The newborn bedside cot is basically a bassinet-style cot that is attached to the side of your bed and allows you to take them away for night feeding and soothing. It is also a great choice for mothers who are recovering from a C section as it will not require you to stand up or sit up.
A modern newborn bedside cot should have a sturdy, flat mattress to help in promoting safe sleeping habits and reduce the chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The bedding should be simple, with a cot sheet and a blanket that is tightly tucked on the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers and pillows that can be thrown over your baby, creating the risk of suffocation. If your baby has been used to being swaddled for several weeks then you can use an swaddle or baby sleep bag. But, it should be removed when they have the strength to unwrap them.
Some cribs with a bedside feature an adjustable or drop-down side that allows for an easy access to your baby for comforting and feeding during the middle of the night. This is a great feature for parents who want to keep a close relationship with their child while still following NHS guidelines on sleep. If you're planning to sleep with your child, it's crucial to be aware that this practice could increase the risk of SIDS. This is especially true if a parent accidentally is able to roll their infant over during sleep.
A fabric that is breathable is an essential safety feature, as it's designed to keep your baby cool and comfortable throughout the night. This is particularly crucial if you intend to sleep with your newborn because the risk of overheating increases when you sleep. The SnuzPod4 features a unique mesh side panel that is breathable, which helps to improve the flow of air and keep your baby warm in their mattress.