Newborn Bedside CotA newborn
bedside crib or cot cot is a tiny sleeper that allows newborns to share a space as their parents without the dangers of
co sleeper bedside cot-sleeping (which the AAP recommends against due to SIDS and suffocation). It makes it easier to take care of your infant and feed them in the middle of the night.
This mattress is a firm mattress that can support babies' backs and reduce the chance of SIDS. It can be swiveled over your adult bed so that you can lift your baby to snuggle them at sunrise or for late night nursing.
Budget
A bedside crib, also called a bassinet or cosleeper is a bassinet type baby cot that clips to your existing bed. This allows you to reach your baby easily and safely for a mid-night feed or cuddles. These are great for mothers and new parents recovering from a csection because they provide the baby to be easily accessible without having to get up from the bed.
There are a variety of designs on the market starting with basic models that have just a drop-down side to more advanced ones that can be adjusted in several ways, including incline and height options. Many can be converted into a standalone crib when your baby gets older and has a longer sleep time at night.
Maxi-Cosi Lora is among our favorites. 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 and she was impressed by the possibility of using it as a regular bassinet or clip it to a bed for safe side-by-side sleeping. She also liked its plush mattress which was able to pass our tests of firmness, and that it has a manual inclining function for those suffering from reflux.
However, she didn't like the design of the non-mesh panel at its lower end, and thought it was a bit bulky to move from room to room regularly. It also felt a little heavy to carry up and down the stairs, especially when it was folded up into its bag for
travel cot bedside.
Size
A
bedside crib travel cot is basically the bassinet style cot that can be fixed to the side of your bed. It allows you to easily reach your baby for mid-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 during 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 achieve this. It allows you to be able to easily access your baby throughout the night.
It is crucial that your baby is sleeping on a firm and not an extremely soft mattress. Newborns don't have the motor control to turn over and a mattress that is soft can increase the risk of drowning. The breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make this mattress comfortable for your baby but sufficient to ensure safety.
Mum home test Jasmin was pleased with the fact that the crib does not take up a lot of space in her bedroom, and she found the size to be perfect for a baby. She said the mattress was also good quality, unlike those that feel cheap and thin. She also likes that it has a storage space beneath for blankets and clothes which she believes most bassinets do not have.
Mehack Mehack, an MFM mum who tested the product at home, likes the ability to remove the wall on the side to allow for easier access to your baby. She also loves the fact that the legs can be tucked under the bed to make it look less bulky and occupy less floor space. She's also impressed by the ease of being able to move around the house whenever you want to, for convenience during middle-of-the-night meals and check-ins.
A winner of an Gold award at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards and the CoZee Air is a popular choice amongst parents. It is a clever design with four pulleys which can be used to raise or lower your crib. There's also a large basket for blankets, toys and other necessities. It's also easy to assemble and light in weight and portable, which is ideal for traveling with your baby.
Safety
When choosing a baby's bedside cot it's important to keep safety in your thoughts. The official safe sleep guidelines from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies do not sleep in parent's beds because of the risks of overheating, suffocation and a higher chance of suffering from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bedside bassinets enable parents to keep their infants close to them, facilitating nighttime feedings, comforting, and monitoring without the need to leave their bed.
This close proximity also helps breastfeeding mothers by allowing them to attend to the needs of their infant without having to wake up in the middle of the night and help maintain milk supply and support the breastfeeding experience. Some cots with a
bedside co sleeper cot are equipped with adjustable height options, which can help to ensure that the bassinet is an ideal height for mother and baby, allowing easy access to mid-night feedings or for care.
Many bassinets have a mattress that is designed to minimize the risk of suffocation, and meets industry standards. It is essential to provide support for the bones of a newborn, as they are still soft and not fully formed. The mattress should be covered in a fitted sheet to reduce the risk of suffocation from dust mites and other allergens and kept hygienically clean and free of allergens.
Some cots with a bedside can be tilted, which is beneficial for babies suffering from reflux or digestive issues, however it should be done with extreme caution and at a gentle angle. Avoid adding pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers in the bassinet. They could pose a risk of suffocation for your baby.
It's also worth thinking about an infant bassinet that has a secure attachment system that can be easily attached to your existing bed without the necessity of tools. This is especially useful for parents who struggle to lift their baby in and out of the cot, or who are concerned about falling asleep. If your bassinet does have secured attachments it's a good idea to regularly check that it's securely attached and that there aren't gaps or loose parts which could cause danger.
Comfort
If you're a parent-to-be, the comfort of your infant is undoubtedly one of your top priorities. There's a wonderful sleep solution that lets you keep your baby close throughout the night, without any of the risks associated with sharing beds. The newborn bedside cot is essentially a bassinet-style cot that is attached to the bed's side that allows you to lift them out towards you for feeding at night and calming. It is also a great option for mothers recovering from a C-section as it removes the need to stand up or bend over.
A modern bedside cot for newborns should have a firm, flat mattress to help promote safe sleeping practices and reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The bedding should be kept simple and consist of only the sheets for the cot and a blanket that is tightly tucked into the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys, and pillows that can fall on your baby, posing the risk of suffocation. If your baby has been used to being swaddled for a few weeks then you can use a swaddle, or a baby sleep bag. However, this should be removed after they have the strength to unwrap them.
Some bedside cribs have an open or removable side for easy access to your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeds and comforting. This feature is perfect for parents who want to keep a close relationship with their child, while adhering to NHS guidelines for sleep. However, if you're planning to co-sleep in the same bed with your child it's important to recognize that this practice has been linked to a higher risk of SIDS particularly in the event that a parent is able to roll onto their child during sleep.
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 crucial if you intend to sleep with your newborn because the risk of overheating increases during sleep. The SnuzPod4 is a unique, mesh side panel that is breathable that aids in improving airflow and keep your baby snug in their mattress.