Newborn Bedside Cot

A newborn bedside cot is a small sleeper that allows new babies to sleep in the same room as their parents, without the risk of sleeping together (which the AAP recommends against due to suffocation and SIDS). It also makes middle-of-the-night nursing sessions and care much more convenient.

This mattress has a firm mattress that supports babies' backs, reducing the chance of SIDS. It can be swiveled over 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 referred to as a co-sleeper, is the bassinet-style baby cot that is attached or clipped to your existing bed. This allows you to reach your baby quickly and safely for a nighttime feed or cuddles. They are a great option for new parents or mums recovering from a csection as they provide an easy access to baby and do not require you to get up.

There are many different designs available, ranging from simple ones with a drop down side to more sophisticated ones that have multiple adjustment options, including the ability to tilt or raise. The majority of them can be converted into a separate crib for napping during the daytime or when your baby is about months old and is sleeping more at night.

One of our top picks is the Maxi-Cosi Lura, which was nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards, including the categories of Best Cot Crib, Best Cot or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily noted how stylish and modern the design was. She also liked the fact that it can be used as a bassinet or clipped to your bed for safe side-byside sleeping. She also admired the soft mattress, which passed our firmness test, and the fact that it comes with a manual rocking function that can be set to a slight incline for reflux sufferers.

But she wasn't thrilled with the feature of a non-mesh panel at the foot end and thought it was a bit heavy to move from room room frequently. It also felt a little heavy to carry up and down the stairs once it was folded up into its bag for travel.

Size

A bedside cot is basically a bassinet-style cot that fixes to the side of the bed. It is easy to reach your baby to feed, change nappies or just to soothe them during the night. It's great for mothers recovering from a c-section.

The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby separate from you during the first 6 months to lower the risk of SIDS. The crib at the bedside, with its low sides, is a great way to achieve this. It lets you be able to easily access your baby throughout the night.

It is crucial that your infant sleeps on a firm mattress since it is more secure than a mattress that is soft. Babies don't have motor control to turn over and a mattress that is soft could increase the risk of drowning. This mattress is made from skin-friendly and air-tight materials. It is comfortable for your baby but firm enough to ensure safety.

Mum home tester Jasmin liked that this crib does not take up much space in her bedroom and she found the size perfect for a newborn. She also said that the mattress was excellent quality, in contrast to others that feel thin and thin. She also appreciates that it has storage space underneath for bedding and clothes which other bassinets don't have.

Mehack Mehack, an MFM mum who tested the product at home, likes the ability to remove the side wall to make it easier to access your baby. She also likes that the legs tuck into the bed so it does not look big or take up too much floor space. She's also amazed by how easy it is to move around the house when you need to, for convenience during middle-of-the-night feedings and check-ins.

The CoZee Air crib is a popular choice for parents. It won a Gold Award at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards. It is designed with four built-in pulleys to raise or lower the crib and includes a large bedside crib storage basket for your baby's toys, blankets and other necessities. It is also lightweight and easy to assemble which makes it perfect for travel with your baby.

Safety

It's important to consider safety when choosing a newborn bedside crib with changing table crib. The official safe sleep guidelines from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies do not be sleeping in the bed of their parents because of the risks of suffocation, overheating and a higher chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bassinets that are placed in bed let parents keep their newborn close by and allow for nighttime feedings as well as monitoring and comforting without needing to get up from their beds.

This close proximity can support breastfeeding mothers, as it allows them to attend to the baby's needs while also sleeping. This can help maintain milk supply and encourage breastfeeding. Some cots with a bedside are equipped with adjustable height features, which can help to ensure that the bassinet is at an appropriate height for mother and baby, allowing ease of access during feedings or other care.

A majority of bassinets come with a firm mattress that is designed to decrease the risk of suffocation, and conforms to industry standards. It is essential to support the bones of a newborn because they are still squishy and are not fully formed. The mattress should be encased in a fitted cover to minimize the risk of suffocation due to dust mites and other allergens and kept hygienically clean and free of irritants.

Some cribs on the bed can be tilted. This is beneficial for babies with digestive or reflux issues. But, it should only be done gently and with caution. Avoid placing pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet. These could create a risk of suffocation for your baby.

It's also worth thinking about an infant bassinet that has an attached system that is secure and can be easily attached to your bed without the need for tools. This feature is especially beneficial for parents who struggle to carry their child into and out of the crib or are concerned about their baby accidentally rolling over while sleeping. If your bassinet does have secured attachments it's an excellent idea to periodically ensure that it's securely secured and that there aren't any gaps or loose components that could pose a hazard.

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 allows you to keep your baby close to you throughout the night, without any of the risks that come with bed-sharing. The infant bedside cot an essentially a bassinet-style crib which is fixed to the bed's side, allowing you to safely move them towards you for feeding at night and calming. It also makes the perfect choice for mothers recovering from a c-section, because it eliminates the need to bend down too far or even to get out of the bed.

A modern newborn bedside cot should have a sturdy, flat mattress to help ensure a safe sleep and lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The bedding should be simple and consist of only the sheet for the cot and blanket that is tightly tucked into the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys or pillows because they could fall on your baby and create a risk of suffocation. If your baby is used to being swaddled you can make use of a swaddle, or a baby sleep bag for the first few weeks, however this should be removed as soon as possible once they've gained the strength and confidence to take off their wraps.

Some cribs with a bedside feature an adjustable or drop-down side that allows for easy access to your baby for feeding and comfort in the middle of the night. This feature is ideal for parents who want 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's important to know that this practice can increase the chance of SIDS. This is especially true if a parent accidentally falls on 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 particularly important if you plan to sleep with your baby since the chance of overheating is higher when you sleep. The SnuzPod4 has a unique mesh side panel that is breathable that aids in improving airflow and keep your baby warm in their bed.