Newborn Bedside Cot

A newborn bedside cot is a small sleeper that allows babies to share a room as their parents, without the risk of sleeping together (which the AAP advises against due to SIDS and suffocation). It makes it easier to care for your baby bedside co sleeper and nurse them in the middle of the night.

This sleeper features a firm mattress that is designed to support the backs of babies and reduce the risk of SIDS. It can swivel over the bed of your adult to make it easier for you to lift your child out for midnight cuddles or a sunrise kiss.

Budget

A bedside cot mattress cot, also referred to as a co-sleeper is an infant cot with a bassinet design that clips or attaches to your bed. This allows you to comfortably and safely reach your baby during the night for feeding, comforting or cuddles. They are a great option for mothers or new parents recovering from a c-section because they offer the baby with easy access and don't require you to get up.

There are many different styles available starting with basic models that have just a drop-down side to more sophisticated models that can be adjusted in several ways, including incline and height options. The majority of them can be converted into a separate crib for daytime naps or when your baby is around a few months old and sleeps longer at night.

One of our favourites is the Maxi-Cosi Lora that was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards, including Best cot for bedside Crib, best bedside cot for newborn Cot, or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily noted how stylish and modern the design was. She also appreciated the fact that it could be used as a bassinet, or clipped to your existing bed, to ensure safe side-by-side sleeping. She also appreciated the soft mattress that was able to pass our test of firmness, and the fact that it features a manual rocking bedside crib feature that can be set to a slight incline for reflux sufferers.

She didn't like that it had a mesh panel on the bottom and she thought it was too heavy to move from room to room. When folded into its travel bag she found it to be somewhat heavy to carry up the stairs.

Size

A bedside cot is similar to an infant bassinet that is attached to the side of your bed. It's easy to reach your baby's side for feedings, changing nappies, or to comfort them during the night. It's ideal for mothers who are recovering from the c-section.

The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise that you place your baby in the same room as you, but keep them separate from you for the first six months as this can help reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). A bedside crib is a secure way to achieve this because it has low sides and lets you be able to easily access your baby at night.

It is crucial that your baby sleeps on a firm and not a soft mattress. Newborns don't have the motor control to rotate and a soft mattress could increase the chance of drowning. The soft, breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make this mattress a comfortable one for your baby, but sufficient to ensure safety.

Mum Jasmin was happy that the crib didn't occupy too much space in her bedroom and thought it was the ideal size for a newborn. 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 most bassinets do not have.

Mehack, a MFM mother who has tested the product at home, likes that you can remove the wall on the side to make it easier to access your baby. She also likes the fact that the legs can be put under the bed to look less bulky and occupy less space on the floor. She is also impressed by how it was easy to move around her house in the event of check-ins and feedings during the night.

The CoZee Air crib is a popular choice for parents. It was awarded a Gold Award at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It is designed with four pulleys that are built-in to raise or lower the crib and has a large storage basket for toys, blankets and other necessities. It's also simple to put together and light and portable, which is ideal for traveling with your baby.

Safety

It is important to think about safety when choosing a newborn bedside crib. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS advise that babies not sleep in their parents bed due to the risk of suffocation or sudden infant death syndrome. Bedside bassinets let parents keep their newborn close by, facilitating nighttime feedings as well as monitoring and comforting without having to get out of bed.

This close proximity can support breastfeeding mothers, as it allows them to be attentive to the needs of their baby while also sleeping. This can help to maintain milk supply and encourage breastfeeding. Some bedside cots come with adjustable height features that can aid both the mother and baby to get into the bassinet to feed or take care of other needs at night.

A lot of bassinets have mattresses that are firm, which is designed to reduce the risk of suffocation and is in line with the standards of the industry. It is crucial to provide support for the bones of a newborn as they are still soft and not fully formed. The mattress should be covered with an appropriate sheet to decrease the risk that dust mites or other allergens, can suffocate a child. It should also be kept clean and free of irritants.

Some cots with a bedside have the ability to be tilted. This can be beneficial for babies suffering from reflux or digestive issues, however it should be done with extreme caution and at a gentle angle. It's also important to stay clear of adding pillows, duvets or crib bumpers to the bassinet since they can create a suffocation risk for your baby. They should only be used when the cot is placed on an even surface.

It's also worth looking into a bassinet with an attachment system that is secure and can be easily fixed to your bed without the necessity of tools. This is particularly beneficial for parents who have difficulty carry their child into and out of the crib or are concerned about their baby accidentally rolling over while sleeping. If your bassinet is equipped with a secure attachment 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 a parent-to-be, the safety of your infant is undoubtedly one of your top concerns. There's a wonderful sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close during the night, without any of the risks associated with sharing beds. The infant bedside cot essentially a bassinet-style cot which is fixed to the side of your bed and allows you to lift them out towards you for night feeding and soothing. It is also the perfect choice for mothers recovering from a c-section, as it reduces the need to bend down too far or even get out of the bed.

Modern cots for infants should be fitted with a firm, flat mattress to encourage safe sleep habits and lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Bedding should be simple with just a cot sheet and blanket tucked tightly at the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys or pillows because they can fall on your baby and create a danger of suffocation. If your baby is used to being swaddled, you can use a swaddle or baby sleep bag for the initial few weeks, but it is best to remove it when possible after they've developed the strength to pull themselves out of the wrap.

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 ideal for parents who want to maintain a close bond with their child while still following NHS guidelines on sleep. However, if you're planning to co-sleep in the same bed with your child, it's important to understand that this practice has been linked to a higher risk of SIDS especially in the event that a parent rolls onto their infant during sleep.

A fabric that is breathable will keep your baby comfortable and cool throughout the night. This is especially important if you intend to co-sleep your newborn because the risk of overheating in the night increases. The SnuzPod4 has a unique mesh side panel that is breathable that aids in improving the flow of air and keep your baby snug in their mattress.