Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside crib is a tiny sleeper that lets babies sleep in the same room as their parents without the risks of co-sleeping. (The AAP warns against this because of the dangers of SIDS and inhalation.) It helps you take care of your baby and give them a bottle in the middle of the night.
This sleeper has an extremely firm mattress that can support babies backs, which reduces the risk of SIDS. It can slide over your bed to allow you to lift your child out for midnight nursing or cuddles at sunrise.
Budget
A bedside cot, sometimes referred to as a co-sleeper, is an infant cot with a bassinet design that is attached or clipped to your existing bed. This allows you to comfortably and safely reach your baby for mid-night feeding or cuddles. They are a great option for mothers or new parents recovering from a c-section because they allow easy access to baby and don't require you to get out of bed.
There are a variety of designs available starting with basic models that have just a drop-down option to more advanced ones that can be adjusted in multiple ways with incline and height options. The majority of them can be converted into an independent crib for daytime naps or when your baby is a few months old and sleeps longer at night.
One of our favourites is the Maxi-Cosi Lura, which was shortlisted for 2021 Mother&Baby awards in the categories of Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily commented 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 bed for a safe side-by-side sleep. She also adored its soft mattress, which was able to pass our tests of firmness and it also has an option to manually tilt it for those who suffer from reflux.
But she wasn't thrilled with the feature of a non-mesh panel at the bottom and thought it was a bit heavy to move from room room frequently. She also found it a little heavy to carry up and down the stairs, especially when folded away into its bag for travel.
Size
A bedside cot resembles a bassinet that is attached to the side of your bed. You can easily reach your baby's mouth for feedings, changing nappies or comforting during the night. It's great for mothers who are recovering from a c-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby separate from you in the first six months, to lower the risk of SIDS. The crib at the bedside, with its low sides is a great option to achieve this. It allows you to access your baby easily throughout the night.
It is crucial that your infant sleeps on a firm bed as it is safer than a mattress that is soft. A mattress that is soft increases the risk of suffocation for infants as they lack the motor control needed to turn. The mattress is made of skin-friendly and air-tight materials. It is comfortable for your baby, yet sufficient to be secure.
Mum Jasmin was delighted that the crib didn't occupy too much space in her room and thought it was the ideal size for a newborn. She also said that the mattress was excellent quality, in contrast to those that feel cheap and thin. newborn bedside cot appreciates the fact that it has a storage compartment underneath for clothes and blankets - something she says many other bassinets lack.
Mehack, a MFM mother who has tested the product at home, is thrilled that you can take off the wall on the side to make it easier to access your baby. She also appreciates that legs can be placed under the bed to look less bulky and occupy less space on the floor. She is also impressed by how easy it was to move around the house when she needed to do checks and feedings in the middle of the night.
A winner of a Gold award at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards The CoZee Air is a popular choice for parents. It features a unique design with four pulleys which can be used to raise or lower your crib. There's also a large basket for blankets, toys, and other essentials. It's also simple to put together and light that is great for traveling with your baby.
Safety
It is crucial to think about safety when choosing the right crib for your baby's bed. Official safe sleep advice from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies do not be sleeping in the bed of their parents due to the risk of suffocation, heat exhaustion and a higher risk of suffering from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bedside bassinets let parents keep their infant close and allow for nighttime feedings as well as monitoring and comforting without the need to leave their bed.
This close proximity can support breastfeeding mothers, as it lets them attend to the baby's needs while they sleep. This can help to maintain the supply of milk and encourage breastfeeding. Some cots with a bedside are equipped with adjustable height options that can make it easier for mother and child to access the bassinet for feedings or other care during the night.
Many bassinets come with a mattress that is designed to reduce the chance of suffocation and is in line with industry standards. This is important because a newborn's bones are soft and aren't fully developed. They need to be supported to prevent damage. The mattress should be encased in a fitted sheet to reduce the risk of suffocation due to dust mites and other allergens, and kept clean and free from irritants.
Some bedside cribs can be tilted. This is beneficial for babies who have reflux or digestive problems. However, this should be done with care and with caution. Avoid putting pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers inside the bassinet. These could create the risk of suffocation your baby.
It's also worth considering an adjustable bassinet with a secure attachment system that can be easily fixed to your existing bed without the necessity of tools. This feature is especially beneficial for parents who have difficulty lift their child into and out of the crib or are concerned about their child falling asleep. If your bassinet does have an attachment system that is secure it's an excellent idea to periodically check that it's securely attached and that there are no gaps or loose components that could pose a hazard.
Comfort
If you're a parent-to-be, the comfort of your infant is undoubtedly one of your main concerns. There's a new sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close in the evening, without the risk of sharing a bed. The newborn bedside crib is a bassinet-style cot that attaches to the side of the bed. It lets you safely lift your baby out to you for feedings at night and comfort. It's also an excellent choice for mothers recovering from a c-section because it eliminates the need to bend too much or even get out of bed.
Modern bedside cots for babies should include a firm, flat mattress to encourage safe sleeping practices and reduce the risk Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The bedding should be kept as simple as possible with just the cot sheet and a blanket tucked in tightly at the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys or pillows since they can fall on your baby and pose a suffocation hazard. If your baby is used to being swaddled for several weeks then you can use the swaddle or baby sleep bag. However, it is recommended that this be removed once they have the strength to unwrap them.
Some cribs for bedside use an adjustable or drop-down side that provides the baby to be easily accessible for feeding and comfort during the middle of the night. This feature is ideal for parents who want to maintain a close relationship with their child while still following NHS guidelines on sleep. If you're planning to sleep with your child, it is crucial to be aware that this practice may increase the chance of SIDS. This is especially the case if a parent falls on their child when they are asleep.
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, as the risk of overheating increases when you sleep. The SnuzPod4 features a unique breathable mesh side panel that helps improve airflow and keep your baby warm in their bed.