Five Killer Quora Answers To Newborn Bedside Cot
Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a small sleeper that allows new babies to share a space as their parents without the risks of true co-sleeping (which the AAP recommends against due to suffocation and SIDS). It also makes mid-night nursing sessions and child care more convenient.
This sleeper comes with a mattress that is firm and supports babies backs, reducing the chance of SIDS. It can be rotated over your adult bed to allow you to carry your baby to the top for sunrise cuddles or late night nursing.
Budget
A bedside cot, also known as a co-sleeper is the bassinet-style baby cot that clips or attaches to your bed. This allows you to reach your baby quickly and safely for a nighttime feed or cuddles. These are ideal for new parents and mums recovering from a c-section as they allow easy access to the baby bedside sleeper without needing to get out of bed.
There are a variety of styles available, ranging from basic ones with just the drop-down side, to more sophisticated ones with various adjustment options, such as the ability to tilt or raise. Many convert to a standalone crib for daytime naps or when your baby is a few months old and sleeps longer at night.
Maxi-Cosi Lora is one our favorites. It was nominated 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 as well as the feature that you can use it as a regular bassinet, or clip it onto your bed to sleep side-by-side in a safe and secure manner. She also liked its plush mattress which has passed our tests for firmness and also that it comes with an adjustable manual inclining feature for those who suffer from reflux.
She wasn't a fan of the fact that it had a mesh panel at the bottom and she thought it was too heavy to move from room to room. When it was folded into its travel cot bedside crib bag she found it somewhat heavy to carry up the stairs.
Size
A bedside cot is essentially an upholstered bassinet that is fixed to the side of the bed. It allows you to easily reach your baby for mid-night feeding nappies, feeding and comforting. It's ideal for mothers recovering from the c-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby separate from you for the first 6 months to reduce the risk of SIDS. A crib that is placed near your bed is a secure way to achieve this as it has low sides and lets you easily reach your baby throughout the night.
It is essential that your baby is sleeping on a firm and not an extremely soft mattress. A mattress that is soft can increase the risk of suffocation for newborns, as they lack the motor control needed to turn. This mattress is made of skin-friendly and breathable materials. It is a comfortable fit for your baby but firm enough to be safe.
Mum Jasmin was happy that the crib didn't occupy too much space in her bedroom and thought it was the perfect size for a newborn. She also stated that the mattress was of high-quality, unlike others which seem thin and flimsy. She also loves that it has a storage compartment underneath for clothes and blankets - something she says many other bassinets lack.
MFM mum home tester Mehack is a fan of the side wall with a removable design that lets you lower it down for easy access to your newborn. She also likes that the legs tuck under the bed so that it doesn't look big or take up a lot of floor space. She's also impressed by the ease of being able to move around the house as you want to, for convenience during middle-of-the-night feedings and check-ins.
The CoZee Air crib is a favourite among parents. It won the Gold Award in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has a clever design with four pulleys built-in to raise or lower the crib. It also comes with a large storage bin to store your baby's toys, blankets and other necessities. It's also easy to put together and light in weight and portable, which is ideal for traveling with your baby.
Safety
When choosing a baby's bedside cot, it is important to keep the safety aspect in mind. Official safe sleep advice from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies do not be sleeping in the bed of their parents because of the risks of overheating, suffocation and a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bassinets for bedside use let parents keep their infant close to help with night-time feedings and monitoring without needing to get out of bed.
This close proximity also assists breastfeeding mothers as they can take care of their infant's needs without waking 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 make it easier for both the mother and baby to get into the bassinet to feed or take care of other needs throughout the night.
Many bassinets come with mattresses that are firm. This is designed to reduce suffocation risk and meets industry standards. This is crucial because a newborn's bones are brittle and aren't fully developed. They need to be supported to prevent damage. The mattress should be covered with an appropriate sheet to decrease the risk that dust mites or other allergens, could cause a child to be suffocated. It must be kept clean and free of allergens.
Some bedside cribs can be tilted. This is useful for babies with reflux or digestive problems. However, it should be done slowly and with care. Avoid placing pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet. These could create the risk of suffocation your baby.
You should also think about a bassinet that has a secure attachment system. It can be attached to your bed without the use of tools. This is particularly beneficial for parents who find it difficult to get their child in and out of the crib or are concerned about their child rolling over during sleep. If your bassinet is equipped with an attachment system that is secure, it's recommended to regularly ensure that it's securely secured and that there aren't any gaps or loose components that could pose a hazard.
Comfort
If you are a soon-to-be parent, your baby's comfort is among your top concerns. There's a wonderful sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close to you throughout the night - without any of the risks associated with sharing beds. The infant bedside cot basically a bassinet-style cot for bedside that is attached to the bed's side and allows you to move them towards you for feeding at night and calming. It is also a great choice for mums recovering from a c-section, as it reduces the need to bend down too far or even to get out of bed.
Modern bedside cot bed cots for babies should be fitted with a firm, flat mattress to promote safe sleeping habits and reduce the risk Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The bedding should be simple, comprising a cot sheets and blanket tucked tightly on the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers and pillows because they can fall on your baby and create a danger of suffocation. If your baby has been used to being swaddled for a few weeks, you can use either a swaddle, or a baby sleep bag. However, it is recommended that this be removed once they are strong enough to unwrap them.
Some cribs for bedside use a removable or drop-down side that allows for the baby to be easily accessible to feed and comfort them during the middle of the night. This is a great feature for parents who want to maintain a close relationship with their child while adhering to NHS sleep guidelines. However, if you're considering sleeping in the same bed as your child it's important to know that this practice has been linked to an increased risk of SIDS, particularly when a parent accidentally rolls onto their infant during sleep.
A fabric that is breathable will keep your baby comfortable and cool throughout the night. This is particularly crucial if you intend to sleep with your newborn, as the risk of overheating increases when you sleep. The SnuzPod4 features a unique side panel made of breathable mesh, which helps to improve the airflow and keeps your baby snug in their bed.