Newborn Bedside Cot
A crib for newborns is a small sleeping device that lets babies sleep in the same space as their parents without the risks of co-sleeping. (The AAP warns against this because of the dangers of SIDS and the risk of suffocation.) It also makes middle-of-the-night nursing sessions and care much more convenient.
This sleeper has a sturdy mattress to support babies' backs and reduce the risk of SIDS. It can be swiveled on your adult bed so that you can carry your baby to the top to snuggle them at sunrise or for nighttime nursing.
Budget
A bedside cot, also known as a co-sleeper, a bassinet-style baby cot that clips or attaches to your bed. This allows you to safely and easily reach your baby during the night for feeding or comforting cuddles. These are ideal for moms and babies recovering from a c-section because they provide the baby to be easily accessible without needing to get out of the bed.
There are a variety of styles available, from the basic ones with just a drop down side to more sophisticated models with numerous adjustment options, like the ability to tilt or raise. Most convert to an independent crib for napping during the daytime or when your baby is around a few months old and is sleeping more at night.
One of our favourites is the Maxi-Cosi Lora, which was nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards, including Best Cot Crib, Best Cot, or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily commented on how stylish and modern the design is, while she appreciated the fact that you can use it as a regular bassinet or attach it to your existing bed for safe side-by-side sleeping. She also liked its plush mattress that has passed our tests for firmness and also that it comes with an option to manually tilt it for those who suffer from reflux.
However, she didn't like the fact that it had a non-mesh panel at its foot end and felt it was a bit heavy to move from room to room frequently. She also found it a bit heavy to carry up and down the stairs once folded away into its travel bag.
Size
A bedside cot resembles an infant bassinet that is connected to the bed's side. It lets you easily reach your baby during the night for feeding nappies, comforting and feeding. It's also great for mothers recovering from the C-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby separate from you during the first 6 months to decrease the chance of SIDS. The crib at the bedside, with its low sides, is a great way to accomplish this. It lets you access your baby easily at night.
It is important that your baby is sleeping on a firm and not a soft mattress. A mattress that is soft can increase the risk of suffocation in newborns, since they do not have the motor control required to turn. The soft, breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make this mattress comfortable for your baby, but sufficient to ensure safety.
Mum home tester Jasmin loved that the crib doesn't take up too much space in her bedroom and she found the size perfect for a newborn. She also noted that the mattress was of high-quality, unlike others which are thin and fragile. She also appreciates the fact that it has a storage space beneath to store blankets and clothing which she claims many other bassinets lack.
Mehack is an MFM mum who tested the product at home, likes that you can remove the side wall to allow for easier access to your baby. She also loves that the legs tuck under the bed so that it doesn't look heavy or take up too much floor space. She's also impressed with how easy it is to move around the house as you'd like, for convenience during middle-of-the-night feedings and check-ins.
The winner of a Gold award at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards The CoZee Air is a popular choice for parents. It has a clever design with four built-in pulleys to raise or lower the crib. It also has a large storage basket for toys, blankets and other necessities. It's also easy to assemble and light that is great for travelling with your baby.
Safety
When selecting a newborn bedside cot, you must keep the safety of your baby in your mind. The official safe sleep guidelines from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies should not be sleeping in the bed of their parents due to the dangers of suffocation, overheating and a higher risk of suffering from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bedside bassinets let parents keep their newborn close by and allow for nighttime feedings as well as monitoring and comforting without needing to get out of bed.
This close proximity also helps breastfeeding mothers as they can take care of their infant's needs without having to wake up at all times, which can help to keep the supply of milk steady and help the breastfeeding experience. Some cots for bedside use adjustable height features that help both the mother and baby to get into the bassinet for feedings or other care throughout the night.
Many bassinets come with mattresses that are firm, which is designed to reduce suffocation risk and meets the standards of the industry. It is important to provide support for the bones of a newborn, since they are still fragile and aren't 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 irritants.
Some cots with a bedside have the ability to be tilted, which is useful for babies with reflux or digestive issues, but this should be done with great caution and at a gentle angle. It is also essential to avoid putting pillows, duvets or crib bumpers to the bassinet, as they can create an obstructing risk to your baby and should only be used when the cot is placed on flat surfaces.
You should also consider a bassinet that has an attachment system that is secure. This can be attached to your bed 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 concerned about their child falling asleep. If your bassinet is equipped with an attachment system that is secure it's recommended to regularly ensure that it's securely secured and that there aren't any gaps or loose components that could pose a hazard.
Comfort
If you are a soon-to-be parent, the comfort of your child is one of your primary concerns. There's a wonderful sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close to you throughout the night, without any of the risks that come with bed-sharing. The crib for newborns is a bassinet-style cot that is attached to the side of the bed. It allows you to safely lift your baby out towards you for feedings and soothing. It is also a great choice for mums recovering from a c-section since it makes it less necessary to bend down too far or even take a step out of the bed.
A modern newborn bedside cot should have a firm, flat mattress to help in promoting safe sleeping habits and reduce the chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The bedding should be kept simple, with only the cot sheet and a blanket that is tightly tucked into the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers or pillows because they can be thrown over your baby and pose a danger of suffocation. If bedside cot used 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 when they have the strength to take them off.
Some cribs for bedside use a removable or drop-down side that provides easy access to your baby for comforting and feeding during the middle of the night. This feature is ideal for parents who wish to maintain a close relationship with their child, while still following NHS sleep guidelines. If you are planning to sleep with your child, it is important to know that this practice may increase the risk of SIDS. This is especially true if a parent accidentally rolls on their infant during sleep.
A breathable fabric is another important safety factor, since it's designed to keep your baby cool and comfortable throughout the night. This is especially crucial if you intend to co-sleep with your newborn since the chance of being overheated increases during sleep. The SnuzPod4 comes with a unique breathable side panel that helps improve the flow of air, keeping your baby warm.