Newborn
bedside cot 6 months plus Cot
A
newborn bedside cot is a tiny sleeper that allows new babies to sleep in the same space as their parents without the dangers of co-sleeping (which the AAP recommends against due to SIDS and suffocation). It helps you care for your baby and nurse them during the night.
This sleeper has a sturdy mattress that can support babies' backs and minimize the risk of SIDS. It can slide over your adult bed to allow you to lift your baby for nighttime nursing or sunrise cuddles.
Budget
A bedside cot, also referred to as a co-sleeper is a bassinet-style baby cot that can be attached to your bed. This lets you comfortably and safely reach your baby during the night for feeding or cuddles. They are a great choice for mums or new parents recovering from a c-section as they allow easy access to baby and do not require you to get up.
There are lots of different styles available starting with basic models that have just a drop-down side to more sophisticated ones that can be adjusted in several ways, including incline and height options. Many convert to a standalone crib for daytime naps or when your baby is around a few months old and sleeps longer at night.
Maxi-Cosi Lora is among our top picks. It was nominated in the
best bedside cot 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 a clip to your existing bed, for a safe side-by-side sleep. She also liked its plush mattress, which passed our firmness tests, and that it has an option to manually tilt it for those who suffer from reflux.
However, she wasn't a fan of the fact that it had a non-mesh panel on the foot end and felt it was a bit bulky to move from room to room frequently. She also found it 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 a bassinet-style cot that fixes to your side of the bed. You can easily reach your baby to feed, change nappies or just to soothe them during the night. It's great for mothers recovering from an o-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise you to keep your baby in the same room as you but separate from you for the first six months, because this will reduce the chance of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). The crib at the bedside, with its low sides is a great way to achieve this. It allows you to be able to easily access your baby at night.
It is crucial that your infant sleeps on a firm bed as it is safer than a soft one. A mattress that is soft increases the risk of suffocation among infants as they do not have the motor control required to turn. The breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make this mattress comfortable for your baby, but sufficiently firm to be safe for your baby.
Mum Jasmin was happy that the crib didn't take up the entire space in her room and thought it was the ideal size for a baby. The mattress she rated as also good quality, unlike others that feel thin and thin. She also appreciates that it has a storage area underneath for bedding and clothes which other bassinets do not have.
Mehack, a MFM mom who tried the product at home, loves the ability to remove the side wall to allow for easier access to your baby. She also loves that legs fold under the bed so that it doesn't appear bulky or take up too much floor space. She's also amazed by the ease of being able to move around the house whenever you'd like in the middle of the night, which is convenient for meals and check-ins.
The CoZee Air crib is a favourite among parents. It was awarded the Gold Award at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards. It features a unique design with four pulleys that can be used to raise or lower your crib. There is also a large basket for blankets, toys and other necessities. It is also lightweight and easy to put together which makes it perfect for traveling with your baby.
Safety
It's important to consider the safety of a newborn
bedside crib or cot crib. Official safe sleep advice from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies should not be sleeping in the bed of their parents due to the risk of suffocation, heat exhaustion and a higher risk of suffering from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bassinets for bedside use allow parents to keep their baby close to help with night-time feedings and monitoring without having to leave their bed.
This close proximity can support breastfeeding mothers, as it allows them to be attentive to the baby's needs while also sleeping. This can help to maintain the supply of milk and encourage breastfeeding. Some cots for bedside use adjustable height features that make it easier for mother and child to access the bassinet for feedings or other care at night.
Many bassinets come with mattresses that are firm. This is designed to decrease the risk of suffocation and is in line with industry standards. This is crucial because a newborn's bones are brittle and aren't fully developed. They must be supported to avoid damage. The mattress should be covered in a fitted sheet to reduce the risk of suffocation due to dust mites and other allergens and kept hygienically clean and free from irritants.
Some cots for bedside use have the ability to be tilted, which is beneficial for babies with reflux or digestive issues, however this should be done with great caution and at a gentle angle. It is also important to avoid putting pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet since these can pose the risk of suffocation for your baby and should only be used when the cot is on an even surface.
It's also worth looking into a bassinet with an attachment system that is secure and can be easily attached to your existing bed without the necessity of tools. This feature is especially useful for parents who find it difficult to get their child in and out of the crib or are worried about their child accidentally rolling over while sleeping. If your bassinet has a secure attachment it is a great idea to check it frequently. Make sure there aren't any gaps and that the system is securely attached.
Comfort
If you're a soon-to-be parent, the comfort of your child is one of your primary concerns. Thankfully, there's an innovative sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close during the night - without any of the risks associated with bed-sharing. The newborn bedside crib is a bassinet style cot that attaches to the side of the bed. It allows you to safely carry your baby to you for night feedings and comfort. It is also a great choice for mothers recovering from a C-section as it removes the need to stand up or to bend over.
Modern bedside cots for babies should have a flat, firm mattress to encourage safe sleep habits and reduce the risk Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The bedding should be simple, comprising a cot sheets and a blanket tightly tucked on the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys or pillows as these can fall on 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, however it is best to remove it as soon as possible once they've gained the strength and confidence to take off their wraps.
Some cribs for
bedside cot newborn use an option to remove or drop down the side that allows for an easy access to your baby to feed and comfort them during the middle of the night. This is a great feature for parents who want to keep a close relationship with their child, while still following NHS guidelines for sleep. However, if you're planning to
co sleeper bedside cot-sleep in the same bed with your child it's important to know that this practice has been associated with an increased risk of SIDS especially when a parent accidentally falls on their infant 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 increases during sleep. The SnuzPod4 features a unique breathable side panel that aids in improving the airflow and keeps your baby cool.