Then You've Found Your Newborn Bedside Cot ... Now What
Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside crib is a tiny sleeping device that lets babies sleep in the same room as their parents without the dangers of co-sleeping. (The AAP warns against this because of the risk of SIDS and the risk of suffocation.) It makes it easier to care for your infant and feed them in the middle of the night.
This sleeper has a sturdy mattress to help babies' backs and minimize the risk of SIDS. It can be rotated over your adult bed so that you can carry your baby to the top to cuddle them at sunrise or during midnight nursing.
Budget
A bedside cot, also known as a co-sleeper, is the bassinet-style baby cot that can be attached to your bed. This allows you to safely and easily reach your baby during the night for feeding or comforting cuddles. They are a great choice for mothers or new parents recovering from a c-section because they allow the baby with easy access and don't require you to get up from your bed.
There are a variety of designs on the market that range from basic models with just a drop-down option to more sophisticated models that can be adjusted in a variety of ways, including incline and height options. Many can be converted into a standalone crib when your baby gets older and is sleeping longer at night.
One of our top picks is the Maxi-Cosi Lora which was nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards in Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily expressed her delight at how stylish and contemporary the design is as well as the feature that you can use it as a regular bassinet or clip it to your existing bed to ensure that you can sleep side-by-side. She also admired the soft mattress that has passed our test for firmness, and the fact that it comes with a manual rocking function that can be set to a slight incline for those suffering from reflux.
However, she wasn't a fan of the fact that it had a non-mesh panel at its lower end, and felt it was a bit heavy to move from room to room often. She also found it a bit heavy to carry up and down the stairs, especially when folded away into its bag for travel.
Size
A bedside cot resembles an infant bassinet that is placed on the side of your bed. It is easy to reach your baby's side for feedings, changing nappies or just to soothe them in the middle of the night. It's perfect for mothers who are recovering from the c-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby away from you for the first six months, to lower the risk of SIDS. A crib for your bed is a safe method to accomplish this since it has low sides and allows you to easily access your newborn during the night.
It is important that your baby is sleeping on a firm, not a soft mattress. A mattress that is soft increases the risk of suffocation among newborns, since they do not have the motor control required to turn. The mattress is made of skin-friendly and breathable materials. It is comfortable for your baby, yet firm enough to be safe.
Mum home test Jasmin loved that the crib does not take up much space in her bedroom. Also, she found the size to be perfect for a baby. She said the mattress was also of good quality, as opposed to others that feel thin and thin. She also appreciates that it has a storage area underneath for clothes and bedding - something many other bassinets don't.
Mehack is an MFM mom who tried the product at home, is thrilled that you can remove the wall on the side to allow easier access to your baby. She also likes the fact that the legs can be put under the bed to make it appear less bulky and occupy less space on the floor. She's also impressed with how easy it is to move around the house when 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 is designed with four built-in pulleys to raise or lower the crib. It also comes with a large storage bin to store your baby's toys, blankets and other necessities. It is also lightweight and easy to assemble and is ideal to travel with your baby.
Safety
When choosing a baby's bedside cot, you must keep the safety aspect in your thoughts. The official safe sleep guidelines from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies do not be sleeping in the bed of their parents because of the risks of suffocation, heat exhaustion and a greater chance of suffering from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bassinets for bedside use let parents keep their infant close, facilitating nighttime feedings as well as monitoring and comforting without the need to leave their bed.
This close proximity also assists breastfeeding mothers by allowing them to attend to their baby's needs without having to wake up completely and help keep the supply of milk steady and help the breastfeeding experience. Some cots for bedside use adjustable height options that can make it easier for both the mother and baby to get into the bassinet to feed or take care of other needs throughout the night.
A lot of bassinets have mattresses that are firm, which is designed to reduce the risk of suffocation, and also meets industry standards. This is essential because newborn's bones are brittle and not fully developed and must be supported to avoid damage. The mattress should be covered with an appropriate sheet to reduce the risk that dust mites, or other allergens, will suffocate a child. It should be kept free of allergens and clean.
Some bedside cribs can be tilted. This is helpful for babies with reflux or digestive issues. However, it should be done with care and with caution. It's also important to avoid adding pillows, duvets or 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 an even surface.
It's also worth considering a bassinet with an attachment system that is secure and can be easily attached to your bed without the need for tools. This is particularly beneficial for parents who have difficulty get their child in and out of the crib or are concerned about their child rolling over during sleep. If your bassinet has a secure attachment system it's a good idea to regularly ensure that it's securely secured and that there aren't any gaps or loose parts which could cause danger.
If you're a parent-to-be, the comfort of your infant is undoubtedly one of your top priorities. Thankfully, there's an innovative sleep solution that lets you keep your baby close throughout the night - without any of the dangers that come with bed-sharing. The crib for newborns is a bassinet-style cot that attaches to the side of the bed. It allows you to safely lift your baby out towards you for feedings and calming. It's also a great choice for mothers recovering from a C-section as it will not require you to stand or bend over.
Modern bedside cots for newborns should be fitted with a firm, flat mattress to encourage safe sleeping habits and lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The bedding should be kept as simple as possible, with only the sheets for the cot and a blanket tucked in tightly at the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers or pillows as these could fall on your baby and pose a suffocation hazard. If your baby is familiar with being swaddled, you can make use of a swaddle, or a baby sleep bag for the first few weeks, however this should be removed when possible after they've developed the strength to take off their wraps.
Some cribs for bedside use a drop-down or removable side that allows easy access to your baby for feedings in the middle of the night and comforting. bedside cot used is a great feature for parents who wish to maintain a close relationship with their child while still following NHS guidelines on sleep. If you're planning to sleep in the same bed with your child it's important to recognize that this practice has been linked to a higher risk of SIDS, particularly if a parent unintentionally rolls onto their infant while they sleep.
A breathable fabric is another important safety feature, as it's designed to keep your baby cool and comfortable throughout the night. This is particularly important if you plan to sleep with your baby since the chance of being overheated increases when you sleep. The SnuzPod4 has a unique, breathable side panel, which helps increase the airflow and keeps your baby cool.