Newborn Bedside Cot

A newborn bedside cot is a tiny sleeper that allows newborns to share a room as their parents without the risk of sleeping together (which the AAP cautions against due SIDS and suffocation). It makes it easier to care for your baby and nurse them during the night.

This sleeper comes with an extremely firm mattress that can support babies backs, which reduces the risk of SIDS. It can swivel over your adult bed to make it easier for you to lift your baby out for midnight cuddles or a sunrise kiss.

Budget

A bedside cot, sometimes referred to as a co-sleeper is the bassinet-style baby cot that can be attached to your existing bed. This allows you to safely and easily reach your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeding, comforting or cuddles. These are perfect for new parents and mums recovering from a csection because they provide the baby to be easily accessible without needing to get out of the bed.

There are a variety of designs that are available, from the basic ones that have a drop down side to more sophisticated ones that offer numerous adjustment options, like incline or height. Many convert to a separate crib for naps during the day or when your baby is around a few months old and sleeping longer at night.

One of our favorites is the Maxi-Cosi Lora, that was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards, including Best Cot Crib, Best 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 can be used as a bassinet or clipped to your existing bed to ensure safe side-by-side sleeping. She also appreciated its luxurious mattress that was able to pass our tests of firmness and Newborn Bedside Cot it also has a manual inclining function for those who suffer from reflux.

But she wasn't thrilled with the fact that it had a non-mesh panel at its foot end and felt it was a bit heavy to move from room to room frequently. When folded into its travel cot bedside bag, she found it to be somewhat heavy to carry up the stairs.

Size

A bedside cot is essentially an upholstered bassinet that is fixed to the side of your bed. It lets you easily reach your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeding nappies, feeding and comforting. It's ideal for mothers recovering from an o-section.

The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise that you keep your baby in the same room with you, but separated from you for the first six months because this will reduce the chance of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). A crib for your bed is a safe way to achieve this as it has low sides and lets you easily reach your baby throughout the night.

It is crucial that your baby is sleeping on a firm, not a soft mattress. Babies don't have motor control needed to turn and a mattress that is soft can increase the risk of drowning. This mattress is made of skin-friendly and breathable materials. It is a comfortable fit for your baby but sufficient to be secure.

Mum home tester Jasmin was pleased with the fact that the crib does not take up a lot of space in her bedroom. Also, she found it to be the perfect size for a newborn. She said the mattress was also of good quality, as opposed to those that feel cheap and thin. She also loves that it has a storage space beneath to store blankets and clothing - something she says most bassinets do not have.

MFM mom home tester Mehack is a fan of the side wall with a removable design that lets you lower it to make it easier access to your newborn. She also loves that legs slide into the bed so it doesn't appear bulky or take up a lot of floor space. She's also impressed by how easy it is to move around the house whenever you need to, for convenience during middle-of-the-night meals and check-ins.

A winner of the Gold award in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards and the CoZee Air is a popular choice among parents. It features a smart design with four pulleys built-in to raise or lower the crib and includes a large storage basket for toys, blankets and other essentials. It's also simple to put together and light that is great for travelling with your baby.

Safety

When choosing a baby's bedside cot newborn cot it's important to keep the safety of your baby in mind. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS, recommend that babies don't sleep in their parents bed because of the risk of suffocation as well as sudden infant death syndrome. Bassinets for bedside co sleeper use allow parents to keep their baby close and allow for night-time feedings and monitoring without the need to get out of bed.

This close proximity also assists breastfeeding mothers by allowing them to attend to their baby's needs without having to get up at all times and can help keep milk supply steady and enhance the breastfeeding experience. Some bedside cots have adjustable height options, which can help to ensure that the bassinet is at a comfortable height for both mother and baby for easy access to mid-night feedings or care.

Many bassinets are equipped with mattresses that are firm, which is designed to decrease the risk of suffocation and is in line with industry standards. It is crucial to provide support for the bones of a newborn, since they are still fragile and not fully formed. The mattress should be encased in a fitted cover to decrease the chance of suffocation from dust mites or other allergens. It should also be kept clean and free from irritants.

Some cribs for bedside use can be tilted. This is beneficial for babies suffering from reflux or digestive issues. However, this should only be done gently and with care. It is also important to stay clear of adding pillows, duvets or crib bumpers to the bassinet as they can create the risk of suffocation for your baby and should only be used when the cot is on flat surfaces.

It's also worth thinking about an adjustable bassinet with a secure attachment system that can be easily fixed to your bed without the necessity of tools. This feature can be particularly helpful for parents who may struggle to get their child in and out of the cot, or who are concerned about falling asleep. If your bassinet has secured attachments it is a great idea for you to regularly check it. Make sure there are no gaps and that the system is securely attached.

Comfort

If you are a soon-to-be parent, your baby's safety is one of your main concerns. Thankfully, there's an innovative sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close to you throughout the night - without any of the risks associated with sharing beds. The crib for newborns is a bassinet-style cot that is attached to the side of the bed. It allows you to safely lift your baby out to you for night feedings and soothing. It's an excellent option for mothers recovering from a C-section as it removes the need to get up or to bend over.

A modern bedside cot for newborns should have a sturdy and flat mattress that can in promoting safe sleeping habits and reduce the chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Bedding should be simple with a cot sheet and a blanket tightly tucked on the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers and pillows that can be thrown over your baby, creating the risk of suffocation. If your baby is used to being swaddled, you can use a swaddle or a baby sleep bag for the first few weeks, however this should be removed when possible after they've gained the strength to take off their wraps.

Some bedside baby sleeper cribs feature an adjustable or drop-down side that gives you an easy access to your baby to feed and comfort them in the middle of the night. This is a great feature for parents who want to keep a close relationship with their child, while adhering to NHS sleep guidelines. If you plan to co-sleep with your child, it's crucial to be aware that this practice may increase the risk of SIDS. This is particularly the case if a parent is able to roll their infant over during sleep.

A fabric that is breathable is an essential 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 newborn since the chance of being overheated increases during sleep. The SnuzPod4 comes with a unique, breathable side panel that helps improve the flow of air, keeping your baby warm.