Newborn bedside crib and cot cot bedsideA newborn bedside cot is a compact sleeper that allows new babies to share the same room as their parents, without the risk of sleeping together (which the AAP advises against due to SIDS and suffocation). It also makes middle-of-the-night nursing sessions and child care more convenient.
This sleeper has a sturdy mattress that is designed to support babies' backs and reduce the chance of SIDS. It can slide over your adult bed to make it easier for you to lift your child out for midnight nursing or cuddles at sunrise.
Budget
A bedside crib, also called a bassinet or cosleeper, is a bassinet style crib that can be attached to your bed. This allows you to reach your baby quickly and safely for a mid-night feed or cuddles. They are a great choice for new parents or mums recovering from a c-section because they provide an easy access to baby and do not require you to get up.
There are a variety of styles available starting with basic models that have just a drop-down option to more advanced ones that can be adjusted in a variety of ways including height and incline options. Many convert to a standalone crib for daytime naps 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 shortlisted for 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily said she was impressed by how chic and modern the design is, while she appreciated the fact that you can use it as a regular bassinet, or connect it to a bed to ensure that you can sleep side-by-side. 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 fact that it had a non-mesh panel at its foot end and felt it was a bit bulky to move from room to room often. She also found it to be a bit heavy to carry up and down the stairs when folded into a bag for travel.
Size
A bedside cot newborn cot is basically the bassinet style cot that can be fixed to your side of the bed. It allows you to easily reach your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeding, nappies and comforting. It's perfect for mothers recovering from an o-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby separated from you for the first six months, to lower the risk of SIDS. A crib for your bed is a safe method to achieve this as it has low sides and allows you to be able to easily access your baby at night.
It is important that your baby is sleeping on a firm and not a soft mattress. A soft mattress can increase the risk of suffocation for 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 firm enough for safety.
Mum Jasmin was delighted that the crib didn't occupy too much space in her room and found it to be the ideal size for a baby. She also stated that the mattress was of high-quality unlike other cribs that are thin and fragile. She also appreciates that it has a storage space underneath for clothes and blankets - something she says many bassinets don't have.
MFM mom home test Mehack is a fan of the removable side wall that allows you to drop it down for easy access to your baby. She also appreciates that legs can be placed under the bed to make it appear less bulky and occupy less floor space. She's also impressed with how easy it is to move around the house as you'd like for ease during late-night feedings and check-ins.
A winner of the Gold award at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards, the CoZee Air is a popular choice among parents. It has a clever design with four built-in pulleys to raise or lower the crib and has a large storage basket for your baby's blankets, toys and other essentials. It is also lightweight and easy to assemble and is ideal for traveling with your baby.
Safety
It is important to think about the safety aspect when selecting a newborn bedside crib. The official safe sleep guidelines from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies do not sleep in parent's beds because of the risks of suffocation, overheating and a greater chance of suffering from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). bedside cot newborn bassinets enable parents to keep their infants close, which allows for nighttime feedings as well as comforting and monitoring without having to get up.
This close proximity also supports breastfeeding mothers by allowing them to attend to their baby's needs without waking up at all times and help keep milk supply steady and enhance the breastfeeding experience. Some cots for bedside have adjustable height options, which will help ensure that the bassinet is at an ideal height for mother and baby for easy access for middle-of-the-night feedings or for care.
A majority of bassinets come with a mattress that is designed to minimize the risk of suffocation and conforms to industry standards. It is important to support the bones of a newborn, since they are still fragile and aren't fully formed. The mattress should be covered with a fitted sheet to reduce the risk that dust mites, as well as other allergens, could suffocate a child. It must also be kept clean and free of allergens.
Some bedside cribs can be tilted. This is useful for babies who have reflux or digestive problems. However, it should only be done gently and with care. It's also important to stay clear of adding pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet, as these can pose the risk of suffocation for your baby and should only be used when the cot is on an even surface.
It is also recommended to consider a bassinet that has a secure attachment system. It can be attached to your existing bed easily without the need of 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 during sleep. If your bassinet has a secure attachment system, it's an excellent idea to periodically make sure it's secure and that there are no gaps or loose parts that could pose a hazard.
Comfort
If you're a parent-to-be and you're worried about the safety of your infant is undoubtedly one of your top concerns. There's a new solution to sleep that lets you keep your baby close at night without the risk of bed-sharing. The newborn bedside crib is a bassinet-style cot that attaches to the side of the bed. It lets you safely lift your baby bedside sleeper out towards you for feedings and soothing. It also makes an excellent choice for mothers recovering from a c-section as it reduces the need to bend too much or even get out of the bed.
A modern newborn bedside cot should have a sturdy flat mattress to ensure a safe sleep and decrease the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The bedding should be simple, comprising a cot sheets and a blanket that is tightly tucked at the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys, and pillows that can fall on your baby, posing the risk of suffocation. If your baby has been used to being swaddled for a few weeks and you want to use a swaddle, or a baby sleep bag. However, it is recommended that this be removed when they have the strength to unwrap them.
Some cribs for bedside use an open or removable side for easy access to your baby's feeds and comforting. This feature is perfect for parents who want to maintain a close bond with their child, but still adhere to NHS sleep guidelines. If you're planning to sleep with your child, it is important to know that this practice can increase the chance of SIDS. This is particularly true if a parent accidentally rolls on their infant during sleep.
A fabric that is breathable is an important safety factor, since it's designed to keep your baby cool and comfortable throughout the night. This is especially crucial if you plan to sleep with your baby because the risk of overheating during sleep increases. The SnuzPod4 has an exclusive breathable side panel, which helps increase the airflow and keeps your baby warm.