Newborn Bedside Cot

A newborn bedside crib or cot cot is a compact sleeper that allows babies to share the same room as their parents, without the dangers of co-sleeping (which the AAP recommends against due to suffocation and SIDS). It also makes mid-night nursing sessions and child care easier.

This sleeper comes with a firm mattress that supports babies' backs, reducing the chance of SIDS. It can be rotated over your adult bed to allow you to lift your baby to cuddle them at sunrise or during late night nursing.

Budget

A bedside crib, also referred to as a bassinet or co-sleeper is a bassinet type crib that can be attached to your existing bed. This lets you safely and easily reach your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeding, comforting or cuddles. These are great for new parents and mums recovering from a csection because they allow easy access to the baby without needing to get out of bed.

There are a variety of designs on the market starting with basic models that have just a drop-down side to more sophisticated models that can be adjusted in multiple ways with incline and height options. Most convert to an independent crib for daytime naps or when your baby is a few months old and is sleeping more at 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 bedside cot Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily commented on how stylish and modern the design is as well as the fact that you can use it as a regular bassinet or connect it to your existing bed to ensure that you can sleep side-by-side. She also appreciated its luxurious mattress that passed our firmness tests, and that it has an adjustable manual inclining feature for those suffering from reflux.

But she wasn't thrilled with the design of the non-mesh panel at the foot end and felt it was a bit heavy to move from room to room regularly. When it was folded into its travel bag, she found it quite heavy to carry up the stairs.

Size

A bedside cot is basically a bassinet-style cot that fixes to your side of the bed. It is easy to reach your baby's side to feed, change nappies, or to comfort them in the middle of the night. It's ideal for mothers who are recovering from the c-section.

The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise that you keep your baby in the same room as you, but keep them separate from you for the first six months as this can help reduce the chance of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). A crib that is placed near your bed is a safe method to accomplish this since it is low-sided and allows you to be able to easily access your baby at 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 could increase the risk of drowning. This mattress is made from skin-friendly and breathable materials. It is comfortable for your baby, but sufficient to be secure.

Mum Jasmin was pleased that the crib didn't occupy too much space in her bedroom and thought it was the ideal size for a newborn. She also stated that the mattress was of good quality and not like other mattresses that seem thin and flimsy. She also appreciates that it has a storage area beneath for bedding and clothes which many bassinets don't.

MFM mom home tester Mehack is a big fan of the removable side wall that lets you drop it down to give easy access to your newborn. She also likes the fact that the legs tuck under the bed so that it doesn't appear heavy or take up a lot of floor space. She's also amazed by how easy it is to move around the house as you'd like in the middle of the night, which is convenient for meals and check-ins.

The CoZee Air crib is a favorite among parents. It was awarded the Gold Award at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It is a clever design with four pulleys that can be used to raise or lower your crib. It also comes with an ample basket for blankets, toys, and other items. It's also easy to put together and lightweight and portable, which is ideal for traveling with your baby.

Safety

It is crucial to think about safety when choosing the crib for your newborn. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS advise that babies do not sleep in the parents bed due to the risk of suffocation as well as sudden infant death syndrome. bedside cot bed bassinets enable parents to keep their babies close, which allows for nighttime feedings as well as comforting and monitoring without having to leave their bed.

This close proximity also supports breastfeeding mothers by allowing them to attend to the needs of their infant without having to get up completely and can help keep the supply of milk steady and help the breastfeeding experience. Some cots with a bedside are equipped with adjustable height options that can make it easier for the mother and child to reach the bassinet to feed or take care of other needs throughout the night.

Many bassinets are equipped with mattresses that are firm. This is designed to minimize the risk of suffocation, and also meets the standards of the industry. It is important to support the bones of a newborn, because they are still squishy and aren't fully formed. The mattress should be encased with a fitted sheet to reduce the risk of suffocation from dust mites and other allergens. It should also be kept clean and free of allergens.

Some amazon bedside cot cots have the capability of being tilted, which is beneficial for babies with reflux or digestive issues, however this should be done with great caution and at a gentle angle. It's also important to stay clear of adding pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet, as these can pose the risk of suffocation for your baby and should only be used when the cot is set on a flat surface.

You should also consider the bassinet with an attachment system that is secure. It can be attached to your bed without the need of tools. This can be especially useful for parents who struggle to lift their child in and out of the cot or who are worried about accidentally rolling over in the night. If your bassinet does have a secure attachment system, 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 parent-to-be, the comfort of your child is definitely one of your top priorities. There's a new solution to sleep that lets you keep your baby close to you at night without the risk of sharing a bed. The baby bedside cot is basically a bassinet-style cot which is fixed to the bed's side, allowing you to safely lift them out towards you for night feeding and soothing. It is an excellent option for mothers who are recovering from a C section as it will not require you to get up or sit up.

A modern newborn bedside cot should have a firm flat mattress to promote safe sleeping practices and reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The bedding should be simple, comprising a cot sheets and a blanket tightly tucked at the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys or pillows since they can be thrown over your baby and create a suffocation hazard. If your baby is used to being swaddled for several weeks, you can use either the swaddle or baby sleep bag. But, it should be removed when they are strong enough to take them off.

Some cribs for bedside use an open or removable side that allows easy access to your baby's feeds and comforting. This feature is ideal for parents who wish to maintain a close bond with their child but still adhere to NHS sleep guidelines. However, if you're considering sleeping in the same bed as your child it's important to recognize that this practice has been linked to an increased risk of SIDS, particularly when a parent accidentally is able to roll onto their infant during sleep.

A breathable fabric will keep your baby comfortable and cool throughout the night. This is especially important if you intend to co-sleep your newborn as the risk of overheating when sleeping increases. The SnuzPod4 has a unique side panel made of breathable mesh, baby bedside cot which helps to improve the airflow and keeps your baby snug in their bed.