15 Reasons To Not Overlook Newborn Bedside Cot
Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a tiny sleeper that allows babies to share the same space as their parents without the risk of sleeping together (which the AAP cautions against due SIDS and suffocation). It makes it easier to care for your infant and feed them during the night.
This sleeper has a sturdy mattress that can support the backs of babies and reduce the chance of SIDS. It can swivel over your bed to allow you to lift your child out for midnight nursing or sunrise cuddles.
Budget
A bedside crib, also known as a co-sleeper or bassinet, is a bassinet style crib for babies that attaches to your existing bed. This allows you to reach your baby comfortably and safely for a mid-night feed, comforting, or cuddles. These are ideal for mothers and new parents recovering from a csection because they allow the baby to be easily accessible without needing to get out of the bed.
There are many different designs available starting with basic models that have only a drop-down side, to more advanced ones that can be adjusted in multiple ways including height and incline options. Most convert to a separate crib for naps during the day or when your baby is a few months old and sleeping longer at night.
One of our top picks is the Maxi-Cosi Lura, which was nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards in the categories of best bedside cot uk Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily noted how stylish and modern the design was. She also liked the fact that it can be used as a bassinet or clipped to your bed to ensure safe side-by-side sleeping. She also admired the soft mattress that was able to pass our test of firmness and also the fact that it features a manual rocking feature that can be adjusted to a slight slope for reflux sufferers.
She didn't like that it had a mesh panel on the bottom and she thought it was too heavy to move from room to room. She also found it a little heavy to carry up and down the stairs when folded into a travel cot bedside crib bag.
Size
A Bedside Rocking Crib cot is similar to the bassinet, which is connected to the side of your bed. It allows you to easily reach your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeding nappies, feeding and comforting. It's also great for moms recovering from the C-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby separate from you in the first six month, to reduce the risk of SIDS. A bedside crib is a safe method to achieve this because it has low sides and lets you easily reach your baby at night.
It is important that your baby sleeps on a firm, not an extremely soft mattress. A mattress that is soft increases the risk of suffocation for newborns, as they lack the motor control needed to turn. This mattress is made from skin-friendly and breathe-able materials. It's comfortable for your baby, but firm enough to be safe.
Mum home test Jasmin loved that the crib doesn't take up too much space in her bedroom, and she found the size perfect for a baby. The mattress she rated as also good quality, unlike others that feel thin and thin. She also appreciates the fact that it has a storage compartment beneath to store blankets and clothing - something she says most bassinets do not have.
MFM mum home test Mehack is a big fan of the removable side wall that allows you to drop it down to give easy access to your newborn. She also likes that legs slide under the bed so it does not look big or take up too much floor space. She's also impressed with how easy it is to move around the house when you need to in the middle of the night, which is convenient for meals and check-ins.
A recipient of an Gold award in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards, the CoZee Air is a popular choice for parents. It is designed with four pulleys built-in to raise or lower the crib. It has a large storage basket for your baby's blankets, toys and other necessities. It's also light and easy to put together, making it ideal to travel with your baby.
Safety
When selecting a newborn bedside cot mattress cot, it is important to keep the safety of your baby in your mind. Official safe sleep advice from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies not be sleeping in the bed of their parents because of the risks of suffocation, heat exhaustion and a greater chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bedside bassinets allow parents to keep their babies close to them, facilitating nighttime feedings, comforting, and monitoring without needing to get up.
This close proximity also helps breastfeeding mothers by allowing them to attend to the needs of their infant without having to get up completely and can help keep milk supply steady and enhance the breastfeeding experience. Some cots for bedside have adjustable height options, which can help to ensure that the bassinet is at a comfortable height for both mother and baby to allow ease of access during feedings or care.
A lot of bassinets have mattresses that are firm. This is designed to reduce suffocation risk and meets the standards of the industry. This is crucial because a baby's bones are fragile and aren't fully developed. They must be supported to prevent injury. The mattress should be covered with an appropriate sheet to reduce the risk that dust mites, or other allergens, will suffocate a child. It must be kept clean and free of allergens.
Some cribs for bedside use can be tilted. This is beneficial for babies who have digestive or reflux issues. But, it should be done slowly and with caution. Avoid adding pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet. These could create the risk of suffocation to your baby.
It's also worth thinking about an infant bassinet that has an attached system that is secure and can be easily fixed to your bed without the necessity of tools. This feature is especially useful for parents who struggle to carry their child into and out of the crib or are worried about their baby accidentally rolling over during sleep. If your bassinet has secured attachments, it is a good idea to check it frequently. Make sure there aren't any gaps and that the system is securely attached.
Comfort
If you're expecting a child, the safety of your infant is undoubtedly one of your top priorities. There's a brand new sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close at night without the risk of sharing the bed. The baby bedside cot is basically a bassinet-style cot that fixes to the bed's side, allowing you to safely take them away for feeding at night and calming. It is also an excellent choice for mothers recovering from a c-section because it eliminates the need to bend down too far or even get out of bed.
A modern newborn bedside cot should have a sturdy flat mattress to promote safe sleeping practices and reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Bedding should be easy with just a cot sheet and blanket tucked tightly at the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers and pillows that could fall onto 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 an swaddle or baby sleep bag. However, this should be removed when they are strong enough to unwrap them.
Some cribs for bedside use a removable or drop-down side that allows for an easy access to your baby to feed and comfort them in the middle of the night. This is a great feature for parents who wish to keep a close relationship with their child while adhering to NHS guidelines for sleep. However, if you're planning to sleep in the same bed as your child it's important to recognize that this practice has been linked to an increased risk of SIDS particularly when a parent accidentally rolls onto their infant while they sleep.
A fabric that is breathable will keep your baby cool and cool throughout the night. This is especially crucial if you intend to co sleeper bedside cot-sleep with your newborn, as the risk of overheating increases when you sleep. The SnuzPod4 has a unique, breathable side panel that helps improve the flow of air, keeping your baby warm.