Newborn Bedside Cot

A newborn bedside cot; Setiathome.berkeley.edu, is a small sleeper that allows newborns to sleep in the same space as their parents without the dangers of co-sleeping (which the AAP cautions against due SIDS and suffocation). It makes it easier to care for your infant and feed them during the night.

This sleeper has an extremely firm mattress that can support babies' backs, reducing the chance 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 co sleeper cot crib, also known as a co-sleeper or bassinet is a bassinet-style crib that can be attached to your existing bed. This lets you easily and safely reach your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeding, comforting or cuddles. These are perfect for new parents and mums recovering after a c section because they provide easy access to the baby without having to get up from bed.

There are many different designs that are available, from the basic ones with just a drop down side to more sophisticated models that offer various adjustment options, such as incline or height. Many can be converted into a separate crib when your baby gets older and sleeps longer in the night.

One of our favourites is the Maxi-Cosi Lura, which was nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the categories of Best Cot Crib, best bedside cot Cot, or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily said she was impressed by how chic and modern the design was. She also appreciated the fact that it could be used as a bassinet or clipped to your bed for safe side-byside sleeping. She also appreciated its luxurious mattress, which passed our firmness tests and also that it comes with an option to manually tilt it for those who suffer from reflux.

However, she didn't like the design of the non-mesh panel on the lower end, and felt it was a bit heavy to move from room to room often. When it was folded into its travel bag she found it a bit heavy to carry up the stairs.

Size

A bedside cot is similar to a bassinet that is connected to the side of your bed. It's easy to reach your baby to feed, change nappies or just to soothe them in the middle of the night. It's perfect for mothers recovering from an o-section.

The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise that you keep your baby in the same space as you, but keep them separate from you for the first six months because this will reduce the chance of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). The crib that is placed beside your bed, with its low sides, is a great option to do this. It allows you to access your baby easily during the night.

It is important that your baby sleeps on a firm, not an extremely soft mattress. Infants don't have the motor control to rotate and a soft mattress could increase the chance of suffocation. This mattress is made from skin-friendly and breathe-able materials. It's comfortable for your baby but firm enough to ensure safety.

Mum Jasmin was happy that the crib didn't take up much space in her room and thought it was the ideal size for a baby. The mattress she rated as also of good quality, as opposed to some that feel flimsy and thin. She also likes the fact that it has storage space beneath for bedding and clothes which other bassinets don't.

Mehack, a MFM mum who tested the product at home, loves that you can take off the side wall to allow easier access to your baby. She also likes the fact that the legs tuck under the bed so it does not look big or take up too much floor space. She is also impressed by how easy it was to move around the house in the event of checks and feedings during the night.

A recipient of a Gold award at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards and the CoZee Air is a popular choice for parents. It has a clever design with four pulleys that are built-in to raise or lower the crib. It comes with a large storage bin for your baby's toys, blankets and other essentials. It's also easy to put together and lightweight, which is useful to travel cot bedside with your baby.

Safety

It is crucial to think about the safety of the right crib for your baby bedside sleeper's bed. The official safety sleep guidelines of both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies 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 to them, facilitating nighttime feedings, comforting, and monitoring without having to get up.

This close proximity also helps breastfeeding mothers by allowing them to attend to the needs of their infant without having to get up in the middle of the night and help maintain milk supply and support the breastfeeding experience. Some cots with a bedside are equipped with adjustable height features, which can ensure that the bassinet is an appropriate height for mother and baby for easy access to mid-night feedings or care.

Many bassinets come with mattresses that are firm. This is designed to decrease the risk of suffocation, and also meets the standards of the industry. It is important to support the bones of a newborn as they are still soft and aren't fully formed. The mattress should be covered with an appropriate sheet to reduce the risk that dust mites, or other allergens, will cause a child to be suffocated. It must also be kept free of allergens and clean.

Some cribs on the bed can be tilted. This is useful for babies who have reflux or digestive issues. However, this should only be done gently and with care. It's also important 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 set on flat surfaces.

It's also worth considering 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 get their child into and out of the cot or concerned about the possibility of rolling over in the night. If your bassinet is equipped with a secure attachment, it is a good idea to regularly check it. Make sure there are no gaps, and that the system is securely connected.

Comfort

If you're a soon-to-be parent, your baby's safety is one of your primary concerns. There's a new solution to sleep that lets you keep your baby close to you at night without the risk of sharing a bed. The infant bedside cot an essentially a bassinet-style crib which is fixed to the bed's side and allows you to lift them out towards you for feeding at night and calming. It's an excellent option for mothers who are recovering from a C-section since it removes the need to stand up or bend over.

A modern cot for infants should have a sturdy and flat mattress that can ensure a safe sleep and decrease the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The bedding should be kept simple, with only the sheet for the cot and blanket tucked tightly at the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers and pillows that can be thrown over your baby, creating a suffocation risk. 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, although it is best bedside cots to remove it as soon as you can once they've gained the strength to unwrap themselves.

Some cribs with a bedside feature an adjustable or drop-down side that allows for the baby to be easily accessible for comforting and feeding during the middle of the night. This feature is ideal for parents who wish to maintain a close bond with their child but still adhere to NHS guidelines on sleep. If you plan to co-sleep with your child, it is important to be aware that this practice can increase the risk of SIDS. This is particularly true if a parent accidentally rolls on their infant while sleeping.

A breathable fabric is another important safety factor, since it's designed to keep your baby cool and comfortable throughout the night. This is particularly important if you intend to sleep with your newborn, since the risk of being overheated in the night increases. The SnuzPod4 comes with a unique breathable side panel, which helps increase the airflow and keeps your baby warm.