Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a compact sleeper that allows new babies to share a room as their parents, without the risks of true co-sleeping (which the AAP cautions against due suffocation and SIDS). It also makes mid-night nursing sessions and care much simpler.
This mattress has a firm mattress that supports babies backs, which reduces the chance of SIDS. It can slide over your bed to make it easier for you to get your child out for midnight nursing or cuddles at sunrise.
Budget
A bedside crib, also known as a co-sleeper or bassinet, is a bassinet style crib for babies that attaches to your bed. This lets you reach your baby quickly and safely for a late-night feed or cuddles. They are a great choice for mothers or new parents recovering from a c-section because they allow an easy access to baby and don't require you to get up from your bed.
There are a variety of styles available, ranging from simple ones with the drop-down side, to more sophisticated models with various adjustment options, such as incline or height. Most convert to a separate crib for daytime naps or when your baby is around a few months old and sleeps longer at night.
One of our favourites is the Maxi-Cosi Lura, that was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Cot Crib, Best Cot or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily expressed her delight at how stylish and modern the design is and she was impressed by the feature that you can use it as a regular bassinet, or connect it onto your bed to ensure that you can sleep side-by-side. bedside cot used admired the soft mattress, which was able to pass our test of firmness and the fact that it features a manual rocking feature that can be adjusted to a slight slope for reflux sufferers.
However, she wasn't a fan of the fact that it had a non-mesh panel on the lower end, and felt it was a bit bulky to move from room room frequently. She also found it to be a bit heavy to carry up and down the stairs once folded into a travel bag.
Size
A bedside cot is an upholstered bassinet that is fixed to the side of your bed. It allows you to easily reach your baby for mid-night feeding nappies, feeding and comforting. It's also great for mothers recovering from a C-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby separated from you for the first six month, to lower the risk of SIDS. A crib for your bed is a secure way to accomplish this since it has low sides and allows you to be able to easily access your baby during the night.
It is crucial that your infant sleeps on a firm mattress since it is more secure than a soft one. Infants don't have the motor control to rotate and a mattress that is soft can increase the chance of suffocation. This mattress is made from skin-friendly and breathable materials. It is comfortable for your baby but sufficient to be secure.
Mum home tester Jasmin was pleased with the fact that the crib doesn't take up too much space in her bedroom and she found it to be the perfect size for a newborn. The mattress she rated as excellent quality, in contrast to those that feel cheap and thin. She also likes that it has a storage space beneath for blankets and clothes which she claims many bassinets don't have.
Mehack, a MFM mother who has tested the product at home, loves that you can remove the wall on the side to allow easier access to your baby. She also likes the fact that legs fold under the bed so that it does not look bulky or take up a lot of floor space. She's also amazed by how easy it is to move around the house when you need to for ease during late-night meals and check-ins.
The CoZee Air crib is a favourite among parents. It was awarded a Gold Award in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards. It has a clever design that has four pulleys that can be used to raise or lower your crib. There's also an enormous basket that can be used to store blankets, toys, and other essentials. It's also easy to put together and light in weight that is great to travel with your baby.
Safety
It's important to consider the safety aspect when selecting the crib for your newborn. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS, recommend that babies not sleep in their parents' beds because of the risk of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome. Bassinets that are placed in bed allow parents to keep their newborn close by to help with nighttime feedings as well as monitoring and comforting without needing to get out of bed.
This close proximity can also help breastfeeding mothers as it allows them to attend to the needs of their infant while still sleeping. This can help maintain the supply of milk and also encourage breastfeeding. Some bedside cots come with adjustable height features that can aid mother and child to access the bassinet for feedings or other activities throughout the night.
Many bassinets come with mattresses that are firm and designed to decrease the risk of suffocation and meets industry standards. It is essential to provide support for the bones of a newborn as they are still soft and are not fully formed. The mattress should be covered in a fitted cover to reduce the risk of suffocation caused by dust mites or other allergens and kept hygienically clean and free of allergens.
Some cots with a bedside can be tilted, which can be beneficial for babies with reflux or digestive issues, however this should always 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 since they could pose an obstructing risk to your baby. They should only be used when the cot is placed on a flat surface.
You should also consider a bassinet that has a secure attachment system. It can be attached to your existing bed easily without the need of tools. This can be especially useful for parents who struggle to get their child in and out of the cot, or who are worried about accidentally rolling over in the night. If your bassinet is equipped with an attachment system that is secure, it's a good idea to regularly make sure it's secure and that there aren't any gaps or loose parts that could pose a hazard.
Comfort
If you're a soon-to-be parent, the comfort of your child is among your top concerns. Thankfully, there's an innovative sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close during the night - without any of the risks associated with sharing a bed. The infant bedside crib is a cot that resembles a bassinet that can be attached to the side of the bed. It allows you to safely lift your baby out towards you for feedings and calming. It is also the perfect choice for mothers recovering from a c-section, because it eliminates the need to bend over too much or even to get out of bed.
Modern bedside cots for babies should include a firm, flat mattress to encourage safe sleep practices and reduce the risk Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The bedding should be kept simple, with only the sheets for the cot and a blanket tucked tightly at the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers and pillows since they could fall on your baby and cause danger of suffocation. If your baby is used to being swaddled for several weeks, you can use either a swaddle, or a baby sleep bag. But, it should be removed after they have the strength to take them off.
Some cribs with a bedside have a drop-down or removable side to make it easy for your baby for feedings in the middle of the night and comforting. This feature is ideal for parents who want to maintain a close relationship with their child but still adhere to NHS guidelines for sleep. If you are planning to sleep with your child, it is important to be aware that this practice can increase the chance of SIDS. This is especially true if a parent accidentally falls on their child while sleeping.
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 crucial if you intend to sleep with your baby because the risk of being overheated increases when you sleep. The SnuzPod4 has a unique, breathable side panel that aids in improving the flow of air, keeping your baby warm.
