Newborn Bedside Cot

A newborn bedside cot is a small 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 suffocation and SIDS). It also makes nursing sessions and child care simpler.

This sleeper has an extremely firm mattress that can support babies' backs, reducing the risk of SIDS. It can be rotated over your adult bed so that you can carry your baby to the top for sunrise cuddles or late night nursing.

Budget

A bedside crib, also called a bassinet or co-sleeper is a bassinet-style crib that can be attached to your bed. This allows you to reach your baby comfortably and safely for a mid-night feed or cuddles. These are ideal for moms and babies recovering from a c-section because they allow easy access to the baby without having to get up from the bed.

There are a variety of styles available starting with basic models that have only a drop-down side, to more sophisticated models that can be adjusted in multiple ways, including incline and height options. Most can be converted into a separate crib when your baby is older and is sleeping longer in the night.

One of our favourites is the Maxi-Cosi Lora which was nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards, including Best Cot Crib, Best Cot, or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily expressed her delight at how stylish and contemporary the design is, while she appreciated the fact that you can use it as a regular bassinet or connect it onto your bed for safe side-by-side sleeping. She also liked the plush mattress, which has passed our test for firmness, and the fact that it features an automatic rocking feature that can be adjusted to a slight slope for reflux sufferers.

But she wasn't thrilled with the feature of a non-mesh panel at its foot end and felt it was a bit heavy to move from room to room often. When folded into a travel bag, she found it to be somewhat heavy to carry up the stairs.

Size

A bedside cot is similar to a bassinet that is attached to the side of your bed. It is easy to reach your baby's side for feedings, changing nappies, or to comfort them during the night. It's also great for mothers recovering from C-sections.

The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise that you place your baby in the same space 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). The crib at the bedside crib that turns into cot, with its low sides is a great option to do this. It lets you be able to easily access your baby throughout the night.

It is crucial that your baby is sleeping on a firm, not a soft mattress. Babies don't have motor control to rotate and a soft mattress could increase the risk of being suffocated. This mattress is made of skin-friendly and air-tight materials. It's comfortable for your baby, yet firm enough to be safe.

Mum home test Jasmin was pleased with the fact that the crib does not take up a lot of space in her bedroom, and she found the size perfect for a newborn. She also noted that the mattress was of high-quality and not like other mattresses that are thin and fragile. She also appreciates that it has storage space underneath for clothes and bedding which many bassinets don't.

Mehack, a MFM mother who has tested the product at home, is thrilled the ability to remove the side wall to make it easier to access your baby. She also likes the fact that the legs can be tucked under the bed to make it appear less bulky and take up less floor space. She's also impressed with how easy it was to move around her house when she needed to do check-ins and feedings during the night.

A winner of the Gold award in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards, the CoZee Air is a popular choice amongst parents. It is a clever design with four pulleys that can be used to raise or lower your crib. There's also an enormous basket that can be used to store blankets, toys and other items. It is also lightweight and easy to put together and is ideal to travel with your baby.

Safety

It is crucial to think about the safety aspect when selecting the crib for your newborn. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS recommend that babies don't be placed in parents bed due to the risk of suffocation or sudden infant death syndrome. Bassinets for bedside use allow parents to keep their newborn close by to help with feeding at night and monitoring without needing to get out of bed.

This close proximity also helps breastfeeding mothers by allowing them to attend to their baby's needs without waking up in the middle of the night and help maintain milk supply and support the breastfeeding experience. Some cots with a bedside are equipped with adjustable height features that can help to ensure that the bassinet is an appropriate height for mother and baby for ease of access during feedings or care.

Many bassinets have mattresses that are firm and designed to decrease the risk of suffocation and meets industry standards. It is important to provide support for the bones of a newborn, because they are still squishy and aren't fully formed. The mattress should be covered with an appropriate sheet to minimize the chance that dust mites, or other allergens, will cause a child to be suffocated. It should be kept clean and free of allergens.

Some cots with a bedside have the capability of being tilted, which can be beneficial for babies with reflux or digestive issues, but this should always be done with a lot of care and at a moderate angle. It is also important to stay clear of adding pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet since they could pose a suffocation risk for your baby. They should only be used when the cot is placed on flat surfaces.

It's also worth thinking about an infant bassinet that has an attachment system that is secure and can be easily fixed to your bed without the need for tools. This feature can be particularly helpful for parents who may struggle to lift their baby into and out of the cot or concerned about the possibility of rolling over in the night. If your bassinet has an attachment that is secure it is a good idea to check it regularly. Make sure there aren't any gaps and that the system is securely attached.

Comfort

If you're planning to become a parent, the comfort of your child is among your top concerns. There's a new solution to sleep that allows you to keep your baby close to you at night, without the danger of sharing the bed. The baby bedside cot is essentially a bassinet-style cot which is fixed to the side of your bed and allows you to move them towards you to feed them at night and soothe. It is also a great option for mothers who are recovering from a C-section as it will not require you to get up or bend over.

Modern bedside cots for babies should have a flat, firm mattress to encourage safe sleeping practices and reduce the risk Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The bedding should be simple, with only the sheet for the cot and blanket tucked in tightly at the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers and pillows since they can be thrown over your baby and cause risk 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 as soon as you can once they've gained the strength to pull themselves out of the wrap.

Some cribs for bedside cots for newborns use a removable or drop-down side that allows easy access to your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeds and comforting. This feature is ideal for parents who wish 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 be aware that this practice could increase the chance of SIDS. This is particularly the case if a parent is able to roll their infant over while sleeping.

A fabric that is breathable is an essential safety feature, as it's designed to keep your baby cool and comfortable throughout the night. This is particularly crucial if you plan to sleep with your baby as the risk of overheating when sleeping increases. The SnuzPod4 has a unique breathable mesh side panel, which helps to improve airflow and keep your baby comfortable in their bed.