Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside crib is a tiny sleeping device that lets babies sleep in the same space as their parents without the risks of co-sleeping. (The AAP warns against this because of the risk of SIDS and suffocation.) It also makes mid-night nursing sessions and baby care easier.
This mattress is a firm mattress that can help babies' backs and minimize the risk of SIDS. It can swivel over your adult bed to make it easier for you to lift your child out for midnight cuddles or a sunrise kiss.
Budget
A bedside crib, also known as a co-sleeper or bassinet is a bassinet type crib that can be attached to your existing bed. This allows you to reach your baby quickly and safely for a late-night feed, comforting, or cuddles. These are ideal for mothers and new parents recovering from a csection because they allow easy access to the baby without having to get up from the bed.
There are lots of different designs on the market starting with basic models that have only a drop-down side, to more sophisticated models that can be adjusted in multiple ways including height and incline options. Many can be converted into an independent crib once your baby gets older and has a longer sleep time at night.
One of our favourites is the Maxi-Cosi Lora, that was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards in the categories of Best Cot Crib, Best Cot, or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily said she was impressed by how chic and contemporary the design is, while she appreciated the possibility of using it as a regular bassinet, or connect it onto your bed to sleep side-by-side in a safe and secure manner. She also admired the soft mattress that passed our firmness test, and the fact that it has a manual rocking function that can be set to a slight incline for reflux sufferers.
However, she wasn't a fan of the design of the non-mesh panel at the bottom and thought it was a bit heavy to move from room room frequently. She also found it to be a little heavy to carry up and down the stairs once folded away into its travel bag.
Size
A bedside cot is essentially a bassinet-style cot that fixes to the side of the bed. It allows you to easily reach your baby during the night for feeding nappies, feeding and comforting. It's also great for moms recovering from a C-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise you to keep your baby in the same room with you but separate from you for the first six months, because this will reduce the chance of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). A bedside crib is a safe method to accomplish this since it is low-sided and allows you to easily reach your baby throughout the night.
It is essential that your baby sleeps on a firm and not an extremely soft mattress. Newborns don't have the motor control to rotate and a mattress that is soft can increase the chance of drowning. The mattress is made of skin-friendly and air-tight materials. It's comfortable for your baby but firm enough to be safe.
Mum Jasmin was pleased that the crib didn't take up the entire space in her room and thought it was the ideal size for a newborn. She also stated that the mattress was of high-quality and not like other mattresses that seem thin and flimsy. She also appreciates that it has a storage space underneath for clothes and bedding - something many other bassinets do not have.
Mehack Mehack, an MFM mom who tried the product at home, loves that you can remove the side wall to allow for easier access to your baby. She also likes the fact that the legs can be tucked under the bed to make it look less bulky and occupy less area on the floor. She is also impressed by how it was easy to move around her house when she needed to do feeds and check-ins in the middle of the night.
A recipient of the Gold award in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards and the CoZee Air is a popular choice among parents. It is a clever design that has four pulleys that can be used to raise or lower your crib. It also comes with an ample basket for blankets, toys, and other items. It's also light and easy to put together which makes it perfect to travel with your baby.
Safety
It's important to consider safety when choosing a newborn bedside crib. The official safe sleep guidelines from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies not sleep in parent's beds because of the risks of overheating, suffocation and a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bassinets that are placed in bed let parents keep their baby close to help with night-time feedings and monitoring without needing to leave their bed.
This close proximity can also help breastfeeding mothers as it lets them attend to the needs of their infant while still sleeping. This can help to maintain milk supply and encourage breastfeeding. Some bedside cots have adjustable height features, which will help ensure that the bassinet is an ideal height for mother and baby for easy access to mid-night feedings or for care.
Many bassinets come with mattresses that are firm and designed to reduce the risk of suffocation and conforms to industry standards. It is important to support the bones of a newborn as they are still soft and are not fully formed. The mattress should be covered in a fitted sheet to minimize the risk of suffocation due to dust mites and other allergens, and kept clean and free of allergens.
Some cots with a bedside have the capability of being tilted. This can be beneficial for babies with reflux or digestive issues, but it should be done with a lot of care and at a gentle angle. It is also essential to stay clear of adding pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet, as they could pose a suffocation risk for your baby. They should only be used when the cot is on a flat surface.
You should also think about an infant bassinet with an attachment system that is secure. It can be attached to your existing bed easily without the need for tools. This is particularly beneficial for parents who find it difficult to lift their child into and out of the crib or are concerned about their child falling asleep. If bedside crib to cot is equipped with a secure attachment it is a great idea for you to check it regularly. Make sure there are no gaps, and that the system is securely connected.
Comfort
If you're a soon-to-be parent, your baby's safety is among your top concerns. Thankfully, there's an innovative 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 crib for newborns is a bassinet style cot that attaches to the side of the bed. It allows you to safely lift your baby out to you for feedings at night and comfort. It is also a great choice for mothers who are recovering from a C-section as it will not require you to get up or to bend over.
Modern bedside cots for babies should be fitted with a firm, flat mattress to encourage safe sleeping habits and lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The bedding should be simple, with a cot sheet and a blanket tightly tucked at the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys or pillows as these could fall on your baby and cause danger of suffocation. If your baby is familiar with being swaddled, you can make use of a swaddle, or a baby sleep bag for the first few weeks, however it is best to remove it when possible after they've gained the strength to unwrap themselves.
Some cribs for bedside use an open or removable side to make it easy for your baby's feeds and comforting. This is a good feature for parents looking to keep an intimate relationship with their child, but still adhere to NHS safe sleep advice. If you are planning to sleep with your child, it is important to know that this practice may increase the chance of SIDS. This is especially when a parent accidentally rolls on their infant during sleep.
A breathable fabric is another 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 baby since the risk of being overheated when sleeping increases. The SnuzPod4 features a unique breathable mesh side panel, which helps to improve airflow and keep your baby warm in their bed.