Newborn Bedside Cot
A crib for newborns is a tiny sleeper that lets babies sleep in the same room with their parents, without the dangers of co-sleeping. (The AAP warns against this due to the risk of SIDS and suffocation.) It helps you take care of your baby and give them a bottle during the night.
This sleeper has a firm mattress that supports babies' backs, reducing the risk of SIDS. It can swivel 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 cot, also known as a co-sleeper is the bassinet-style baby cot that clips or attaches to your bed. This lets you reach your baby easily and safely for a mid-night feed or comforting cuddle. These are ideal for mothers and new parents recovering from a csection as they allow the baby to be easily accessible without having to get up from the bed.
There are many different designs available, ranging from simple ones with an upside-down side to more sophisticated models with multiple adjustment options, including an incline or a height. The majority of them can be converted to an independent crib once your baby is older and has a longer sleep time in the 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 a safe side-by-side sleep. She also liked its plush mattress that passed our firmness tests and also that it comes with an option to manually tilt it for those suffering from reflux.
However, she didn't like the fact that it had a non-mesh panel at the bottom and felt it was a bit bulky to move from room room often. It also felt a bit heavy to carry up and down the stairs, especially when folded away into its travel bag.
Size
A bedside cot is the bassinet, which is connected to the side of your bed. It is easy to reach your baby for feedings, changing nappies or comforting during the night. It's also great for mums recovering from a C-section.
bedside travel cot and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby separated from you for the first 6 months to reduce the risk of SIDS. A bedside crib is a safe method to accomplish this since it has low sides and lets you easily reach your baby throughout the night.
It is crucial that your baby sleeps on a firm, not a soft mattress. A mattress that is soft can increase the risk of suffocation for newborns, as they lack the motor control necessary to turn. The breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make the mattress comfortable for your baby but also firm enough for safety.
Mum Jasmin was happy that the crib didn't take up much space in her room and thought it was the perfect size for a newborn. She said the mattress was also of good quality, as opposed to some that feel flimsy and thin. She also loves that it has a storage space beneath for blankets and clothes which she believes many bassinets don't have.
Mehack, a MFM mum who 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 loves that the legs tuck under the bed so it doesn't look bulky or take up too much floor space. She's also impressed with how easy it is to move around the house when you'd like for ease during late-night meals and check-ins.
The CoZee Air crib is a favorite among parents. It was awarded the Gold Award in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has a clever design with four pulleys which can be used to raise or lower your crib. It also comes with an enormous basket that can be used to store blankets, toys, and other essentials. It's also easy to put together and light in weight that is great to travel with your baby.
Safety
It is crucial to think about the safety of a newborn bedside crib. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS advise that babies not be placed in parents bed due to the possibility of suffocation or sudden infant death syndrome. Bassinets for bedside use allow parents to keep their newborns close to them, facilitating nighttime feedings, comforting, and monitoring without having to get out of bed.
This close proximity also supports breastfeeding mothers by allowing them to attend to their baby's needs without having to get up at all times, which can help to keep milk supply steady and enhance the breastfeeding experience. Some cots with a bedside are equipped with adjustable height options that can aid the mother and child to reach the bassinet for feedings or other activities throughout 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. It is crucial to support the bones of a newborn as they are still soft and not fully formed. The mattress should be covered with an appropriate sheet to minimize the chance that dust mites, as well as other allergens, can choke a child. It should also be kept clean and free of irritants.
Some bedside cribs can be tilted. This is useful for babies suffering from digestive or reflux issues. However, this should be done slowly and with caution. Avoid putting pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers inside the bassinet. These could create a risk of suffocation for your baby.
You should also consider an infant bassinet with an attachment system that is secure. It can be attached to your existing bed easily without the use of tools. This feature is especially useful for parents who struggle to get their child in and out of the crib or are concerned about their child rolling over while sleeping. If your bassinet has an attachment that is secure, 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 expecting your first child and you're worried about the safety of your baby is surely one of your top priorities. Thankfully, there's an innovative sleep solution that lets you keep your baby close to you throughout the night - without any of the risks that come with sharing beds. The infant bedside crib is a bassinet style cot that is attached to the side of the bed. It lets you safely carry your baby towards you for feedings and calming. It is also a great choice for mums recovering from a c-section because it eliminates the need to bend too much or even to get out of the bed.
Modern bedside cots for newborns should have a flat, firm mattress to encourage safe sleep habits and lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The bedding should be kept as simple as possible and consist of only the sheets for the cot and a blanket tucked in tightly at the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers and pillows as these 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 first few weeks, however it should be removed as soon as possible once they've gained the strength and confidence to unwrap themselves.
Some cribs for bedside use an option to remove or drop down the side that gives you easy access to your baby for feeding and comfort during the middle of the night. This is a great feature for parents looking to keep an intimate relationship with their child while still following NHS safe sleep advice. However, if you're planning to co-sleep in the same bed with your baby it's important to know that this practice has been linked to a higher risk of SIDS particularly if a parent unintentionally is able to roll onto their child during sleep.
A breathable fabric is another important safety feature, as it's designed to keep your baby cool and comfortable throughout the night. This is especially crucial if you intend to sleep with your newborn because the risk of overheating is higher during sleep. The SnuzPod4 comes with a unique breathable side panel that helps improve the airflow and keeps your baby warm.