Newborn Bedside Cot
A crib for newborns is a tiny sleeper that allows babies to sleep in the same room with their parents, without the dangers of co-sleeping. (The AAP warns against this because of the risk of SIDS and inhalation.) It helps you take care of your baby and nurse them throughout the night.
This sleeper comes with a mattress that is firm and supports babies backs, which reduces the chance of SIDS. It can swivel over your bed to allow you to lift your child out for midnight nursing or cuddles at sunrise.
Budget
A bedside cot, sometimes referred to as a co-sleeper, the bassinet-style baby cot that can be attached to your existing bed. This lets you reach your baby easily and safely for a mid-night feed or cuddles. They are a great option for new parents or mums recovering from a c-section as they offer easy access to baby and do not require you to get out of bed.
There are a variety of styles available starting with basic models that have just a drop-down option to more advanced ones that can be adjusted in multiple ways including height and incline options. The majority of them can be converted into a standalone crib for naps during the day or when your baby is a few months old and sleeping longer at night.
One of our favourites is the Maxi-Cosi Lora, which was shortlisted for 2021 Mother&Baby awards, including the categories of Best Cot, Crib 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 could be used as a bassinet, or attached to your existing bed to ensure safe side-by-side sleeping. She also appreciated the soft mattress that has passed our test for firmness and the fact that it comes with a manual rocking feature that can be set to a slight incline for those suffering from reflux.
She wasn't a fan of the fact that it had a non mesh panel on the bottom and thought it was too bulky to move around from room to room. She also found it a bit heavy to carry up and down the stairs, especially when it was folded up into its bag for travel.
Size
A bedside cot is similar to the bassinet, which is attached to the bed's side. It lets you easily reach your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeding nappies, feeding and comforting. It's perfect for mothers recovering from an o-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby separated from you in the first six month, to reduce the risk of SIDS. The crib that is placed beside your bed with its low sides, is a great way to accomplish this. It allows you to access your baby easily throughout the night.
It is important that your baby is sleeping on a firm, not an extremely soft mattress. A mattress that is soft can increase the risk of suffocation in newborns, since they lack the motor control necessary to turn. 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 take up much space in her room and thought it was the ideal size for a baby. She said the mattress was also good quality, unlike others that feel thin and thin. She also loves the fact that it has a storage space beneath for bedding and clothes which many bassinets don't.
MFM mum home test Mehack is a big fan of the removable side wall that allows you to drop it down for easy access to your newborn. She also loves the fact that the legs can be tucked under the bed to make it appear less bulky and take up less area on the floor. She's also amazed by the ease of being able to move around the house as you need to in the middle of the night, which is convenient for feedings and check-ins.
The CoZee Air crib is a favourite among parents. It was awarded a Gold Award in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It features a smart design with four pulleys built-in to raise or lower the crib. It includes a large storage basket for blankets, toys and other necessities. It's also easy to assemble and lightweight and portable, which is ideal for travelling with your baby.
Safety
When selecting a newborn bedside cot it's important to keep the safety of your baby in mind. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS advise that babies not be placed in parents bed because of the risk of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome. Bassinets that are placed in bed let parents keep their baby close to help with night-time feedings and monitoring without having to get up from their beds.
This close proximity also helps breastfeeding mothers as they can attend to the needs of their infant without having to get up at all times and can help maintain milk supply and support the breastfeeding experience. Some bedside cots come 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 at night.
A lot of bassinets have mattresses that are firm, which is designed to minimize suffocation risk and meets industry standards. This is essential because newborn's bones are soft and not fully developed and require support to prevent damage. The mattress should be covered in a fitted cover to decrease the chance of suffocation from dust mites and other allergens and kept hygienically clean and free from irritants.
Some cribs for bedside use can be tilted. This is helpful for babies with reflux or digestive issues. But, it should be done slowly and with care. It is also essential to avoid adding pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet since these can pose an obstructing risk to your baby. They should only be used when the cot is on a flat surface.
You should also think about an infant bassinet with an attachment system that is secure. This can be connected to your existing bed easily without the use of tools. This can be especially beneficial for parents who struggle to lift their baby in and out of the cot, or who are worried about accidentally falling asleep. If bedside cot 6 months plus has a secure attachment it is a great idea for you to check it frequently. Make sure there aren't any gaps and that the system is securely attached.
Comfort
If you're a parent-to-be and you're worried about the safety of your infant is undoubtedly one of your top priorities. Thankfully, there's an innovative sleep solution that lets you keep your baby close during the night, without any of the dangers that come with sharing a bed. The baby bedside cot is essentially a bassinet-style cot that fixes to the side of your bed, allowing you to safely take them away for feeding at night and calming. It also makes a great choice for mums recovering from a csection, because it eliminates the need to bend down too far or even to get out of bed.
A modern cot for infants should have a firm, flat mattress to help in promoting safe sleeping habits and decrease the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Bedding should be simple with a cot sheet and a blanket that is tightly tucked on the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers and pillows because they can fall on your baby and cause risk of suffocation. If your baby has been used to being swaddled for a few weeks and you want to use an swaddle or baby sleep bag. However, it is recommended that this be removed when they are strong enough to remove them.
Some cribs for bedside use a drop-down or removable side to make it easy for your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeds and comforting. This is a wonderful feature for parents looking to keep the bond between them and their child, while adhering to NHS safe sleep guidelines. If you are planning to sleep with your child, it's important to know that this practice may increase the risk of SIDS. This is especially the case if a parent rolls on their infant when they are asleep.
A breathable fabric is another essential safety feature, as it's designed to keep your baby cool and comfortable throughout the night. This is especially important if you plan to sleep with your baby because the risk of being overheated increases when you sleep. The SnuzPod4 comes with a unique breathable side panel, which helps increase the flow of air, keeping your baby cool.