Newborn Bedside Cot

A newborn bedside cot is a tiny sleeper that allows new babies to share a room as their parents without the dangers of co-sleeping (which the AAP cautions against due suffocation and SIDS). It makes it easier to care for your infant and feed them during the night.

This sleeper features a firm mattress to help babies' backs and minimize the chance of SIDS. It can swivel over your adult bed to make it easier for you to get your baby out for midnight cuddles or a sunrise kiss.

Budget

A bedside cot, also referred to as a co-sleeper, is an infant cot with a bassinet design that clips or attaches to your existing bed. This lets you easily and safely reach your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeding or cuddles. They are a great option for mothers or new parents recovering from a csection as they provide an easy access to baby and do not require you to get up from your bed.

There are a variety of designs available, ranging from simple ones with the drop-down side, to more sophisticated ones that offer various adjustment options, such as the ability to tilt or raise. Many convert to an independent crib for daytime naps or when your baby is about months old and sleeps longer at night.

Maxi-Cosi Lora is one our top picks. It was shortlisted in the Best Cot category for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. MFM home tester Emily commented how stylish and modern the design was. She also appreciated the fact that it can be used as a bassinet or attached to your existing bed for safe side-byside sleeping. She also liked its plush mattress which passed our firmness tests and it also has a manual inclining function for reflux sufferers.

However, she wasn't a fan of the feature of a non-mesh panel at the foot end and thought it was a bit bulky to move from room to room regularly. She also found it to be a little heavy to carry up and down the stairs once it was folded up into its travel bag.

Size

A bedside cot is a bassinet-style cot that fixes to the side of your bed. It allows you to easily reach your baby for mid-night feeding, nappies and comforting. It's also great for moms recovering from C-sections.

The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby separate from you during the first six months, to decrease the chance of SIDS. A crib for your bed is a safe method to achieve this as it has low sides and allows you to easily reach your baby throughout the night.

It's important that your newborn sleeps on a firm mattress since this is safer than a soft one. A soft mattress can increase the risk of suffocation for infants as they lack the motor control necessary to turn. This mattress is made from skin-friendly and breathable materials. It is a comfortable fit for your baby but firm enough to ensure safety.

Mum home tester Jasmin liked that this crib does not take up a lot of space in her bedroom, and she found the size to be perfect for a baby. She also said that the mattress was excellent quality, in contrast to some that feel flimsy and thin. She also appreciates that it has storage space underneath for bedding and clothes - something many other bassinets don't have.

Mehack Mehack, an MFM mum who tested the product at home, likes that you can take off the wall on the side to make it easier to access your baby. She also loves the fact that the legs can be tucked under the bed to look less bulky and occupy less area on the floor. She's also impressed by how easy it is to move around the house as you want to for ease during late-night meals and check-ins.

The winner of an Gold award at the 2021 Mother and baby bedside co sleeper Awards The CoZee Air is a popular choice for parents. It features a unique design that has four pulleys that can be used to raise or lower your crib. It also comes with an enormous basket that can be used to store toys, blankets, and other necessities. It's also easy to assemble and light and portable, which is ideal for travelling with your baby.

Safety

When choosing a baby bedside co sleeper's bedside cot, you must keep the safety of your baby in mind. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS advise that babies not sleep in the parents bed because of the risk of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome. Bassinets for bedside use allow parents to keep their newborn close by and allow for feeding at night and monitoring without needing to leave their bed.

This close proximity can also help breastfeeding mothers as it lets them attend to the baby's needs while still sleeping. This can help to maintain milk supply and encourage breastfeeding. Some bedside cots come with adjustable height features that can make it easier for both the mother and baby to get into the bassinet to feed or take care of other needs during the night.

A majority of bassinets come with a firm mattress that is designed to decrease the risk of suffocation, and is in line with industry standards. This is important because a newborn's bones are brittle and not fully developed, and must be supported to prevent damage. The mattress should be covered in a fitted sheet to minimize the risk of suffocation due to dust mites or other allergens. It should also be kept clean and free from irritants.

Some cribs for bedside crib to cot use can be tilted. This is helpful for babies suffering from digestive or reflux issues. However, this should be done slowly and with caution. It is also important to avoid putting pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet as they can create an obstructing risk to your baby. They should only be used when the cot is set on flat surfaces.

You should also think about the bassinet with an attachment system that is secure. It can be connected to your bed without the need of tools. This can be especially beneficial for parents who struggle to lift their child into and out of the cot, or who are concerned about rolling over in the night. If your bassinet has secured attachments it's an excellent idea to periodically make sure it's secure and that there aren't any gaps or loose components that could pose a hazard.

Comfort

If you're expecting your first child, the safety of your infant is undoubtedly one of your top concerns. There's a great sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close to you throughout the night without taking on any of the risks that come with bed-sharing. The crib for newborns is a cot that resembles a bassinet that can be attached to the side of the bed. It lets you safely carry your baby to you for night feedings and comfort. It's also a great option for mothers recovering from a C-section since it removes the need to stand or to bend over.

A modern newborn bedside cot should have a firm and flat mattress that can ensure a safe sleep and decrease the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The bedding should be simple, with a cot sheet and a blanket tightly tucked at the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys and pillows that could be thrown over your baby, creating an obstructive risk. If your baby is familiar with being swaddled, you can use a swaddle or baby sleep bag for the first few weeks, although this should be removed when possible after they've developed the strength to take off their wraps.

Some cribs with a bedside feature an adjustable or drop-down side that allows for the baby to be easily accessible for feeding and comfort during the middle of the night. This is a good option for parents who wish to keep a strong bond with their child, while adhering to NHS safe sleep guidelines. If you're planning to co-sleep in the same bed as your baby it's important to recognize that this practice has been associated with an increased risk of SIDS especially when a parent accidentally is able to roll onto their infant while they sleep.

A fabric that breathes will keep your baby comfortable and cool throughout the night. This is particularly important if you plan to sleep with your baby since the chance of overheating is higher during sleep. The SnuzPod4 has an exclusive breathable side panel, which helps increase the airflow and keeps your baby comfortable.