Newborn Bedside Cot
A crib for newborns is a small sleeping device that allows babies to sleep in the same room with their parents without the risks of co-sleeping. (The AAP warns against this because of the risk of SIDS and suffocation.) It also makes mid-night nursing sessions and care much simpler.
This sleeper features a firm mattress that is designed to help babies' backs and minimize the chance of SIDS. It can be swiveled over your adult bed so that you can carry your baby to the top to cuddle them at sunrise or during late night nursing.
Budget
A bedside crib, also called a bassinet or co-sleeper is a bassinet-style crib for babies that attaches to your existing bed. This lets you reach your baby quickly and safely for a late-night feed or comforting cuddle. They are a great option for mums or new parents recovering from a c-section because they provide an easy access to baby and don't require you to get out of bed.
There are a variety of styles available, from the basic ones that have a drop down side to more sophisticated models that have numerous adjustment options, like the ability to tilt or raise. Many can be converted into a standalone crib when your baby is older and is sleeping longer at night.
Maxi-Cosi Lora is one of 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 was. She also liked the fact that it can be used as a bassinet or attached to your bed to ensure safe side-by-side sleeping. She also appreciated its luxurious mattress that was able to pass our tests of firmness and also that it comes with a manual inclining function for those who suffer from reflux.
She didn't like the fact that it had a non mesh panel at the bottom, and thought it was too bulky to move around from room to room. When folded into its travel bag she found it somewhat heavy to carry up the stairs.
Size
A bedside cot is a bassinet that is placed on the bed's side. It allows you to reach your baby during the night for feeding nappies, feeding and comforting. It's ideal for mothers who are recovering from an o-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby separated from you for the first six month, to decrease the chance of SIDS. A crib for your bed is a safe way to achieve this because it has low sides and allows you to easily reach your baby during the night.
It's important that your newborn sleeps on a firm mattress as this is safer than a soft one. A mattress that is soft can increase the risk of suffocation among infants as they do not have the motor control required to turn. This mattress is made of skin-friendly and breathe-able materials. It is a comfortable fit for your baby, yet firm enough to ensure safety.
Mum Jasmin was happy that the crib didn't take up the entire space in her room and found it to be the ideal size for a baby. She also said that the mattress was also of good quality, as opposed to some that feel flimsy and thin. She also appreciates that it has a storage space beneath for blankets and clothes which she claims many bassinets don't have.
Mehack Mehack, an MFM mom who tried the product at home, loves the ability to remove the side wall to allow easier access to your baby. She also loves that the legs tuck under the bed so that it doesn't appear bulky or take up a lot of floor space. She's also impressed by the ease of being able to move around the house whenever you want to in the middle of the night, which is convenient for feedings and check-ins.
A recipient of a Gold award at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards, the CoZee Air is a popular choice among parents. It has a clever design with four pulleys that are built-in to raise or lower the crib and includes a large storage basket to store your baby's blankets, toys and other essentials. It is also light and easy to assemble and is ideal for travel with your baby.
Safety
It is important to think about the safety of the right crib for your baby's bed. Official safe sleep advice from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies do not sleep in their parents' beds due to the dangers of overheating, suffocation and a higher risk of suffering from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bassinets for bedside use allow parents to keep their babies close, facilitating night time feedings, comforting, and monitoring without having to get up.
This close proximity can also support breastfeeding mothers, as it allows them to attend to the needs of their baby while they sleep. This can help to maintain milk supply and encourage breastfeeding. Some cots for bedside have adjustable height features that can help to ensure that the bassinet is an ideal height for mother and baby, allowing easy access for middle-of-the-night feedings or other care.
Many bassinets come with mattresses that are firm, which is designed to reduce the risk of suffocation, and also 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 with a fitted sheet in order to decrease the risk that dust mites or other allergens, will cause a child to be suffocated. It should also be kept clean and free of irritants.
Some bedside cots have the capability of being tilted. This can be useful for babies with reflux or digestive issues, but this should be done with great caution and at a moderate angle. Avoid putting pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers inside the bassinet. These could create the risk of suffocation to your baby.
It's also worth considering a bassinet with a secure attachment system that can be easily attached to your bed without the need for tools. This feature is especially beneficial for parents who struggle to lift their child into and out of the crib or are worried about their child falling asleep. If your bassinet is equipped with secured attachments it is a good idea to check it regularly. Make sure there are no gaps and that the system is securely attached.
Comfort
If you're expecting a child and you're worried about the safety of your baby is surely one of your main concerns. There's a great sleep solution that lets you keep your baby close throughout the night, without any of the dangers that come with bed-sharing. The newborn bedside cot is an essentially a bassinet-style crib that fixes to the side of your bed that allows you to lift them out towards you to feed them at night and soothe. It's also a great option for mothers recovering from a C section as it removes the need to stand up or sit up.
A modern newborn bedside cot should have a sturdy flat mattress to ensure a safe sleep and decrease the chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The bedding should be kept as simple as possible and consist of only the sheet for the cot and blanket tucked tightly at the bottom. Avoid bedside crib and cot , toys or pillows as these can be thrown over your baby and cause suffocation hazard. If your baby is used to being swaddled you can use a swaddle or baby sleep bag for the first few weeks, although this should be removed as soon as you can once they've gained the strength to take off their wraps.
Some cribs for bedside use a removable or drop-down side that allows for an easy access to your baby for feeding and comfort during the middle of the night. This feature is ideal for parents who wish to maintain a close relationship with their child while adhering to NHS sleep guidelines. If you're considering sleeping in the same bed with your baby, it's important to understand that this practice has been linked to an increased risk of SIDS, particularly if a parent unintentionally falls on their child during sleep.
A fabric that breathes will keep your baby comfy and cool throughout the night. This is particularly important if you plan to sleep with your newborn, because the risk of overheating when sleeping increases. The SnuzPod4 is a unique, side panel made of breathable mesh, which helps to improve airflow and keep your baby snug in their mattress.