Newborn Bedside Cot
A crib for newborns 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 suffocation.) It also makes mid-night nursing sessions and care much simpler.
This sleeper has a sturdy mattress to support babies' backs and minimize the chance of SIDS. It can be swiveled over your adult bed to allow you to carry your baby for nighttime cuddles or a sunrise kiss.
Budget
A bedside crib, also called a bassinet or cosleeper is a bassinet-style crib that can be attached to your bed. This allows you to comfortably and safely reach your baby during the night for feeding, comforting or cuddles. They are a great choice for mums or new parents recovering from a c-section as they offer the baby with easy access and don't require you to get up.
There are many different designs that are available, from the simple ones with the drop-down side, to more sophisticated models that offer numerous adjustment options, like incline or height. The majority of them can be converted to a separate crib when your baby gets older and has a longer sleep time in the night.
One of our top picks is the Maxi-Cosi Lora, which was nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the categories of Best Cot Crib, Best Cot or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily commented how stylish and modern the design was. She also liked the fact that it could be used as a bassinet, or clipped to your existing bed to ensure safe side-by-side sleeping. She also appreciated the soft mattress, which was able to pass our test of firmness and also the fact that it has a manual rocking function that can be set to a slight incline for reflux sufferers.
She wasn't a fan of the fact that it had a non mesh panel at the bottom and she thought it was too heavy to move from room to room. 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 is basically the bassinet style cot that can be fixed to the side of your bed. It allows you to reach your baby during the night for feeding nappies, feeding and comforting. It's also great for mothers recovering from the C-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby separate from you in the first six month, to reduce the risk of SIDS. A bedside crib is a secure way to achieve this because it is low-sided and allows you to easily access your newborn at night.
It is essential that your baby sleeps on a firm, not a soft mattress. A mattress that is soft can increase the risk of suffocation in newborns, since they do not have the motor control required to turn. The mattress is made of skin-friendly and breathable materials. It's comfortable for your baby, yet firm enough to ensure safety.
Mum Jasmin was happy that the crib didn't occupy too the entire space in her room and thought it was the ideal size for a baby. She also stated that the mattress was of good quality, unlike others which feel thin and flimsy. She also likes the fact that it has storage space underneath for bedding and clothes - something many other bassinets don't have.
MFM mum home test Mehack is a huge fan of the side wall that is removable that lets you lower it to make it easier access to your baby. She also likes that legs slide under the bed so it doesn't appear bulky or take up too much floor space. She's also amazed by the ease of being able to move around the house whenever you want to in the middle of the night, which is convenient for feedings and check-ins.
A winner of an Gold award in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards and the CoZee Air is a popular choice among parents. It is a clever design with four pulleys which can be used to raise or lower your crib. It also comes with an ample basket for blankets, toys, and other essentials. It is also light and easy to put together, making it ideal to travel with your baby.
Safety
When choosing a new baby's bedside cot it's important to keep the safety aspect in mind. The official safety sleep guidelines of both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies should not be sleeping in the bed of their parents because of the risks of suffocation, heat exhaustion and a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bedside bassinets allow parents to keep their babies close, facilitating night time feedings as well as comforting and monitoring without needing to get out of bed.
This close proximity can aid breastfeeding mothers since it lets them attend to the needs of their baby while also sleeping. This can help to maintain the supply of milk and encourage breastfeeding. Some cots with a bedside are equipped with adjustable height features that aid both the mother and baby to get into the bassinet to feed or take care of other needs throughout the night.
Many bassinets come with mattresses that are firm, which is designed to reduce suffocation risk and meets industry standards. This is crucial because a newborn's bones are soft and aren't fully developed. They need to be supported to prevent injury. The mattress should be encased in a fitted sheet to decrease the chance of suffocation from dust mites or other allergens. It should also be kept clean and free of allergens.
Some cribs on the bed can be tilted. This is beneficial for babies suffering from reflux or digestive issues. However, it should be done slowly and with care. Avoid adding pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers in the bassinet. rocking bedside crib can pose the risk of suffocation to your baby.
It's also worth considering a bassinet with an attachment system that is secure and can be easily attached to your existing bed without the necessity of tools. This feature is especially beneficial for parents who find it difficult to carry their child into and out of the crib or are concerned about their child rolling over during sleep. If your bassinet is equipped with an attachment that is secure it is a good idea to check it frequently. Make sure there are no gaps, and that the system is securely connected.
Comfort
If you're expecting a child and you're worried about the safety of your child is definitely one of your top concerns. There's a wonderful sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close throughout the night without taking on any of the risks that come with bed-sharing. The newborn bedside cot is basically a bassinet-style cot that is attached to the side of your bed, allowing you to safely move them towards you to feed them at night and soothe. It's also a great option for mothers who are recovering from a C-section as it eliminates the need to get up or bend over.
Modern bedside cots for babies should be fitted with a firm, flat mattress to encourage safe sleeping practices and reduce the risk Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Bedding should be simple comprising a cot sheets and blanket tucked tightly at the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers and pillows as these can fall on your baby and pose a risk of suffocation. If your baby has been used to being swaddled for several weeks and you want to use an swaddle or baby sleep bag. But, it should be removed when they have the strength to unwrap them.
Some cribs for bedside use a removable or drop-down side that allows for easy access to your baby for feeding and comfort in the middle of the night. This is a wonderful feature for parents who want to keep the bond between them and their child, but still adhere to NHS safe sleep guidelines. However, if you're planning to sleep in the same bed as your child it's important to recognize that this practice has been linked to a higher risk of SIDS particularly in the event that a parent falls on their infant during sleep.
A fabric that breathes will keep your baby comfortable and cool throughout the night. This is particularly crucial if you plan to co-sleep your newborn since the risk of being overheated in the night increases. The SnuzPod4 comes with an exclusive breathable side panel, which helps increase airflow, keeping your baby warm.