Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a tiny sleeper that allows newborns to share the same space as their parents without the dangers of co-sleeping (which the AAP recommends against due to SIDS and suffocation). It also makes middle-of-the-night nursing sessions and care much easier.
This mattress is a firm mattress that can support the backs of babies and minimize the chance of SIDS. It can swivel over the bed of your adult to allow you to get your baby out for midnight nursing or sunrise cuddles.
Budget
A bedside cot, sometimes referred to as a co-sleeper, is a bassinet-style baby cot that clips or attaches to your existing bed. This lets you reach your baby easily and safely for a late-night feed, comforting, or cuddles. They are a great choice for mums or new parents recovering from a csection as they allow an easy access to baby and don't require you to get up from your bed.
There are a variety of designs available, from the basic ones with just a drop down side to more sophisticated models that have numerous adjustment options, like the ability to tilt or raise. The majority of them can be converted to an independent crib once your baby grows older and sleeps longer at night.
Maxi-Cosi Lora is one of our top picks. It was nominated in the Best Cot category for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. 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 a clip to your existing bed, to ensure safe side-by-side sleeping. She also liked the plush mattress that was able to pass our test of firmness, and the fact that it has a manual rocking feature that can be adjusted to a slight slope for reflux sufferers.
But she wasn't thrilled with the feature of a non-mesh panel on the foot end and thought it was a bit bulky to move from room room regularly. When folded into a travel bag, she found it to be a bit heavy to carry up the stairs.
Size
A bedside cot is basically the bassinet style cot that can be fixed to the side of your bed. It's easy to reach your baby to feed them, change nappies or comforting during the night. It's ideal for mothers who are recovering from the c-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby separated from you during the first six months, to lower the risk of SIDS. A crib that is placed near your bed is a safe way to achieve this as it has low sides and lets you easily access your newborn throughout the night.
It is important that your baby sleeps on a firm and not an extremely soft mattress. A mattress that is soft increases the risk of suffocation in infants as they lack the motor control needed to turn. The mattress is made of skin-friendly and air-tight materials. It is a comfortable fit for your baby but firm enough to ensure safety.
Mum Jasmin was happy that the crib didn't take up much space in her bedroom and thought it was the ideal size for a baby. She also said that the mattress was excellent quality, in contrast to those that feel cheap and thin. She also appreciates that it has storage space underneath for clothes and bedding which many bassinets don't.
Mehack Mehack, an MFM mom who tried the product at home, is thrilled the ability to remove the wall on the side to make it easier to access your baby. She also likes the fact that legs can be placed under the bed to make it look less bulky and take up less space on the floor. She's also impressed with how easy it is to move around the house as you need to for ease during late-night feedings and check-ins.
A recipient of a Gold award in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards and the CoZee Air is a popular choice for parents. It has a clever design with four pulleys that can be used to raise or lower your crib. There is also an enormous basket that can be used to store toys, blankets, and other items. It is also light and easy to assemble and is ideal for traveling with your baby.
Safety
When selecting a newborn bedside cot it's important to keep the safety aspect in mind. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS recommend that babies not be placed in parents bed due to the risk of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome. Bassinets for bedside use allow parents to keep their babies close, which allows for nighttime feedings as well as monitoring without having to leave their bed.
This close proximity can help breastfeeding mothers as it allows them to attend to the needs of their baby while also sleeping. This can help maintain the supply of milk and encourage breastfeeding. Some cots for bedside use adjustable height features that can make it easier for mother and child to access the bassinet to feed or take care of other needs at night.
Many bassinets have a firm mattress that is designed to decrease the chance of suffocation and conforms to industry standards. This is crucial because a newborn's bones are brittle and aren't fully developed. They require support to prevent injury. The mattress should be encased in a fitted sheet to minimize the risk of suffocation caused by dust mites and other allergens, and kept clean and free of irritants.
Some bedside cribs can be tilted. This is helpful for babies suffering from reflux or digestive problems. However, it should be done slowly and with care. Avoid adding pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers inside the bassinet. These could create the risk of suffocation your baby.
You should also consider a bassinet that has an attachment system that is secure. This can be attached to your existing bed easily without the need of tools. This feature is especially useful for parents who find it difficult to carry their child into and out of the crib or are worried about their baby accidentally rolling over while sleeping. If your bassinet is equipped with an attachment that is secure it is a good idea to check it frequently. Check to ensure there aren't any gaps and that the system is securely connected.
Comfort
If you are a soon-to-be parent, your baby's safety is among your top concerns. There's a wonderful sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close during the night without taking on any of the risks that come with sharing a bed. The infant bedside cot essentially a bassinet-style cot which is fixed to the side of your bed and allows you to take them away for feeding at night and calming. It's also a great option for mothers who are recovering from a C section as it will not require you to stand or to bend over.
Modern cots for infants should include a firm, flat mattress to promote safe sleeping habits and reduce the risk Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The bedding should be kept as simple as possible with just the cot sheet and a blanket that is tightly tucked into the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys or pillows as these could fall on your baby and cause danger of suffocation. If your baby is used to being swaddled for a few weeks, you can use either the swaddle or baby sleep bag. But, it should be removed when they are strong enough to unwrap them.
Some cribs with a bedside have an open or removable side for easy access to your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeds and comforting. This is a good feature for parents who want to keep a strong bond with their child, but still adhere to NHS safe sleep advice. However, if you're planning to co-sleep in the same bed with your child, it's important to understand that this practice has been linked to an increased risk of SIDS, particularly if a parent unintentionally is able to roll onto their infant while they sleep.
A fabric that is breathable is an important safety factor, since 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, as the risk of overheating increases when you sleep. The SnuzPod4 has an exclusive breathable side panel, which helps increase the flow of air, keeping your baby comfortable.