Newborn Bedside Cot
A crib for newborns is a small sleeping device that allows babies to sleep in the same room as their parents without the dangers of co-sleeping. (The AAP warns against this due to the risk of SIDS and suffocation.) It also makes mid-night nursing sessions and baby care easier.
This sleeper has a sturdy mattress that can support babies' backs and reduce the risk of SIDS. It can be rotated over your adult bed to raise your baby to cuddle them at sunrise or during late night nursing.
Budget
A bedside cot, also referred to as a co-sleeper, an infant cot with a bassinet design that clips or attaches to your bed. This allows you to reach your baby quickly and safely for a late-night feed or comforting cuddle. These are great for new parents and mums recovering after a c section because they provide the baby to be easily accessible without having to get up from the bed.
There are lots of different styles available that range from basic models with just a drop-down option to more advanced ones that can be adjusted in a variety of ways, including incline and height options. Many convert to a standalone crib for naps during the day or when your baby is around a few months old and is sleeping more at night.
Maxi-Cosi Lora is one our favorites. It was shortlisted 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, while she appreciated the feature that you can use it as a regular bassinet or clip it onto your bed to ensure that you can sleep side-by-side. She also admired the soft mattress, which was able to pass our test of firmness, and the fact that it comes with 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 mesh panel on the bottom and she thought it was too heavy to move from room to room. She also found it a bit heavy to carry up and down the stairs once folded away into its bag for travel.
Size
A bedside cot is similar to an infant bassinet that is placed on the side of your bed. It is easy to reach your baby's side to feed them, change nappies, or to comfort them in the middle of the night. It's great for mothers who are recovering from an o-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise that you place your baby in the same room with you but separate from you for the first six months as this can help reduce the chance of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). A crib for your bed is a safe method to achieve this because it is low-sided and lets you easily access your newborn at night.
It's important that your newborn sleeps on a firm bed as it is safer than a soft one. Newborns don't have the motor control needed to turn and a mattress that is soft could increase the chance of being suffocated. This mattress is made from skin-friendly and breathable materials. It is comfortable for your baby but firm enough to be safe.
Mum home tester Jasmin liked that this crib does not take up much space in her bedroom, and she found it to be the perfect size for a baby. She also said that the mattress was of good quality unlike other cribs that are thin and fragile. She also likes the fact that it has storage space underneath for bedding and clothes - something many other bassinets don't.
Mehack, a MFM mother who has tested the product at home, loves that you can remove the side wall to make it easier to access your baby. She also loves the fact that the legs can be put under the bed to make it look less bulky and take up less floor space. She's also impressed with the ease of being able to move around the house as you need to for ease during late-night meals 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 is designed with four built-in pulleys to raise or lower the crib and includes a large storage basket to store your baby's blankets, toys and other necessities. It's also easy to assemble and lightweight that is great for travelling with your baby.
Safety
When choosing a baby's bedside cot it's important to keep safety in mind. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS recommend that babies do not sleep in their parents' beds due to the possibility of suffocation as well as sudden infant death syndrome. Bassinets that are placed in bed let parents keep their newborn close by and allow for night-time feedings, comforting and monitoring without needing to leave their bed.
This close proximity can help breastfeeding mothers as it allows them to be attentive to the needs of their infant while still sleeping. This can help maintain the supply of milk and encourage breastfeeding. Some cots with a bedside are equipped with adjustable height options, which will help ensure that the bassinet is at an appropriate height for mother and baby to allow easy access to mid-night feedings or for care.
Many bassinets are equipped with a firm mattress, which is designed to minimize the risk of suffocation, and also meets industry standards. This is crucial because a newborn's bones are brittle and not fully developed and require support to avoid damage. The mattress should be covered with an appropriate sheet to minimize the chance that dust mites, or other allergens, could choke a child. It should also be kept free of allergens and clean.
Some cots for bedside use have the ability to be tilted, which is beneficial for babies suffering from reflux or digestive issues, but it should be done with extreme caution and at a moderate angle. Avoid putting pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet. These can pose a risk of suffocation for your baby.
You should also think about a bassinet that has a secure attachment system. This can be connected to your bed without the need for tools. This feature can be particularly helpful for parents who may struggle to get their child into and out of the cot, or who are worried about accidentally rolling over in the night. If your bassinet has an attachment that is secure it is a great idea for you to check it regularly. Check to ensure there aren't any gaps and that the system is securely connected.
Comfort
If you're expecting your first child, the comfort of your child is definitely one of your top priorities. There's resources that lets you keep your baby close to you throughout the night without taking on any of the dangers that come with sharing a bed. The crib for newborns is a bassinet-style cot that is attached to the side of the bed. It lets you safely carry your baby to you for night feedings and soothing. It also makes the perfect choice for mothers recovering from a csection, since it makes it less necessary to bend down too far or even take a step out of the bed.
Modern bedside cots for babies should be fitted with a firm, flat mattress to encourage safe sleep practices and reduce the risk Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Bedding should be simple with a cot sheet and a blanket tightly tucked on the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys or pillows as these could be thrown over your baby and pose a suffocation hazard. If your baby is used to being swaddled you can use a swaddle or a baby sleep bag for the first few weeks, although it should be removed as soon as possible once they've developed the strength to take off their wraps.
Some cribs for bedside use an option to remove or drop down the side that gives you an easy access to your baby for comforting and feeding in the middle of the night. This feature is ideal for parents who wish to keep a close relationship with their child, but still adhere to NHS guidelines on sleep. If you're planning to sleep with your child, it is important to know that this practice can increase the chance of SIDS. This is especially the case if a parent falls on their child during sleep.
A fabric that is breathable will keep your baby comfortable and cool throughout the night. This is especially crucial if you intend to sleep with your newborn, as the risk of being overheated increases when you sleep. The SnuzPod4 has an exclusive breathable side panel that helps improve airflow, keeping your baby cool.