Newborn Bedside Cot

A newborn bedside cot is a compact sleeper that allows newborns to sleep in the same room as their parents without the dangers of co-sleeping (which the AAP cautions against due suffocation and SIDS). It helps you care for your baby and give them a bottle in the middle of the night.

This sleeper features a firm mattress that can help babies' backs and minimize the risk of SIDS. It can be rotated over your adult bed so that you can raise your baby for sunrise cuddles or nighttime nursing.

Budget

A bedside cot, also referred to as a co-sleeper, the bassinet-style baby cot that can be attached to your existing bed. This allows you to reach your baby comfortably and safely for a nighttime feed, comforting, or cuddles. These are ideal for new parents and mums recovering after a c section as they allow the baby to be easily accessible without needing to get out of the bed.

There are lots of different designs on the market, from basic models with just a drop-down option to more sophisticated models that can be adjusted in several ways including height and incline options. Many can be converted into a separate crib when your baby is older and sleeps longer in the night.

Maxi-Cosi Lora is among our favorites. It was shortlisted in the Best Cot category for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. MFM home tester Emily expressed her delight at how stylish and modern the design is as well as the feature that you can use it as a regular bassinet, or connect it to your existing bed to sleep side-by-side in a safe and secure manner. She also liked the plush mattress that passed our firmness test and the fact that it comes with a manual rocking function that can be set to a slight incline for those suffering from reflux.

But she wasn't thrilled with the feature of a non-mesh panel at the lower end, and thought it was a bit heavy to move from room to room regularly. She also found it a bit heavy to carry up and down the stairs, especially when it was folded up into its travel bag.

Size

A bedside cot is basically a bassinet-style cot that fixes to the side of your bed. It is easy to reach your baby's mouth to feed them, change nappies or comforting during the night. It's also great for mothers recovering from a C-section.

The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby away from you for the first six month, to decrease the chance of SIDS. The bedside cot wooden crib with its low sides, is a great option to achieve this. It lets you access your baby easily during the night.

It is essential that your baby sleeps on a firm bed as it is more secure than a mattress that is soft. Newborns don't have the motor control to rotate and a soft mattress could increase the chance of suffocation. The soft, breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make the mattress comfortable for your baby, but sufficient to ensure safety.

Mum home test Jasmin liked that this crib does not take up much space in her bedroom. Also, she found the size perfect for a baby. She also said that the mattress was of good quality, unlike others which feel thin and flimsy. She also loves the fact that it has storage space underneath for clothes and bedding - something many other bassinets don't have.

MFM mum home tester Mehack is a fan of the removable side wall that lets you lower it to make it easier access to your infant. She also appreciates that the legs can be put under the bed to look less bulky and occupy less area on the floor. She's also amazed by how it was easy to move around the house in the event of check-ins and feedings in the middle of the night.

The CoZee Air crib is a favourite among parents. It won a Gold Award in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards. It features a smart design with four built-in pulleys to raise or lower the crib. It also has a large storage basket for your baby's toys, blankets and other necessities. It is also light and easy to assemble and is ideal for travel cot bedside crib 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, Newborn Bedside cot recommend that babies not be placed in parents' beds due to the possibility of suffocation as well as sudden infant death syndrome. Bedside bassinets allow parents to keep their newborn close by and allow for nighttime feedings, comforting and monitoring without the need to get up from their beds.

This close proximity also supports breastfeeding mothers by allowing them to take care of their infant's needs without having to get up in the middle of the night and can help maintain milk supply and support the breastfeeding experience. Some bedside cots have adjustable height features, which can help to ensure that the bassinet is at a comfortable height for both mother and baby, allowing easy access to mid-night feedings or other care.

Many bassinets come with mattresses that are firm, which is designed to decrease suffocation risk and meets industry standards. This is important because a newborn's bones are brittle and not fully developed, and must be supported to avoid damage. The mattress should be covered in a fitted sheet to decrease the chance of suffocation from dust mites or other allergens, and kept clean and free of irritants.

Some cots with a bedside cot crib have the ability to be tilted, which is beneficial for babies suffering from reflux or digestive issues, but it should be done with extreme caution and at a moderate angle. Avoid adding pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers inside the bassinet. These could create a risk of suffocation for your baby.

You should also think about the bassinet with a secure attachment system. It can be connected to your existing bed easily without the need for tools. This is especially helpful for parents who may struggle to get their child into and out of the cot or concerned about the possibility of falling asleep. If your bassinet is equipped with a secure attachment system it's a good idea to regularly check that it's securely attached and that there are no gaps or loose parts that could pose a hazard.

Comfort

If you're expecting your first child and you're worried about the safety of your child is definitely one of your top concerns. There's a great sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close throughout the night - without any of the risks associated with sharing beds. The infant bedside crib is a cot that resembles a bassinet that can be attached to the side of the bed. It lets you safely carry your baby towards you for feedings and soothing. It is also the perfect choice for mothers recovering from a c-section because it eliminates the need to bend too much or even take a step out of bed.

Modern bedside cots for babies should include a firm, flat mattress to encourage safe sleeping practices and reduce the risk Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Bedding should be easy with just a cot sheet and blanket tucked tightly on the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys or pillows because they can be thrown over your baby and cause suffocation hazard. If your baby is familiar with being swaddled, you can use a swaddle or a baby sleep bag for the initial few weeks, but it is best bedside cot to remove it as soon as you can once they've gained the strength and confidence to take off their wraps.

Some cribs for bedside use a drop-down or removable side to make it easy for your baby for feedings in the middle of the night and comforting. This feature is perfect for parents who want to maintain a close relationship with their child, but still adhere to NHS guidelines for sleep. If you're planning to co-sleep in the same bed as your child it's important to know that this practice has been linked to a higher risk of SIDS particularly in the event that a parent is able to roll onto 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 particularly important if you plan to sleep with your newborn, since the risk of being overheated in the night increases. The SnuzPod4 has a unique mesh side panel that is breathable that aids in improving the airflow and keeps your baby warm in their mattress.