7 Things About Newborn Bedside Cot You'll Kick Yourself For Not Knowing
Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a small sleeper that allows new babies to sleep in 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 middle-of-the-night nursing sessions and care much simpler.
This sleeper has a sturdy mattress to support babies' backs and decrease the risk of SIDS. It can be swiveled on your adult bed so that you can raise your baby for sunrise cuddles or nighttime nursing.
Budget
A bedside crib, also called a bassinet or co-sleeper is a bassinet-style baby cot that clips to your bed. This allows you to comfortably and safely reach your baby during the night for feeding or comforting cuddles. They are a great option for mums or new parents recovering from a c-section because they offer easy access to baby and do not require you to get up.
There are many different designs on the market starting with basic models that have just a drop-down side to more sophisticated models that can be adjusted in a variety of ways including height and incline options. Many can be converted into a standalone crib when your baby gets older and sleeps longer in the night.
Maxi-Cosi Lora is one of our top picks. It was selected in the Best Cot category for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. MFM home tester Emily said she was impressed by how chic and modern the design was. She also liked the fact that it can be used as a bassinet or clipped to your existing bed to ensure safe side-by-side sleeping. She also liked its plush mattress, which has passed our tests for firmness, and that it has an option to manually tilt it for those suffering from reflux.
She didn't like that it had a non-mesh panel at the bottom and she thought it was too heavy to move from room to room. When folded into a travel bag she found it quite heavy to carry up the stairs.
Size
A bedside cot is basically a bassinet-style cot that fixes to your side of the bed. It's easy to reach your baby's mouth for feedings, changing nappies, or to comfort them in the middle of the night. It's perfect for mothers who are recovering from the c-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby away from you during the first six month, to reduce the risk of SIDS. bedside cots uk that is placed beside your bed, with its low sides, is a great option to do this. It lets you access your baby easily throughout the night.
It is important that your baby sleeps on a firm and not a soft mattress. Infants don't have the motor control to turn over and a mattress that is soft could increase the risk of suffocation. The soft, breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make this mattress a comfortable one for your baby, but firm enough for safety.
Mum Jasmin was happy that the crib didn't take up much space in her room and thought it was the ideal size for a newborn. She also stated that the mattress was of high-quality, unlike others which feel thin and flimsy. She also loves that it has a storage compartment underneath for clothes and blankets which she claims most bassinets do not have.
MFM mum home test Mehack is a fan of the side wall with a removable design that lets you lower it down for easy access to your baby. She also likes the fact that legs can be placed under the bed to make it appear less bulky and occupy less area on the floor. She's also amazed by how easy it was to move around her home when she needed to for check-ins and feedings in the middle of the night.
The CoZee Air crib is a popular choice for parents. It was awarded a Gold Award at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has a clever design with four pulleys that can be used to raise or lower your crib. There's also a large basket for blankets, toys and other essentials. It's also light and easy to assemble and is ideal to travel with your baby.
Safety
It's important to consider safety when choosing a newborn bedside crib. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS recommend that babies do not be placed in parents bed because of the risk of suffocation or sudden infant death syndrome. Bassinets for bedside use let parents keep their infant close, facilitating nighttime feedings, comforting and monitoring without needing to leave their bed.
This close proximity also helps breastfeeding mothers by allowing them to attend to their baby's needs without waking up completely, which can help to keep the supply of milk steady and help the breastfeeding experience. Some cots with a bedside are equipped with adjustable height features, which will help ensure that the bassinet is an appropriate height for mother and baby for ease of access during feedings or care.
Many bassinets are equipped with mattresses that are firm, which is designed to minimize the risk of suffocation and is in line with the standards of the industry. This is crucial because a newborn's bones are brittle and not fully developed, and require support to avoid damage. The mattress should be covered with an appropriate sheet to decrease the risk that dust mites, or other allergens, could suffocate a child. It should be kept clean and free of allergens.
Some cots with a bedside can be tilted, which is beneficial for babies suffering from reflux or digestive issues, however it should be done with extreme caution and at a gentle angle. Avoid putting pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers in the bassinet. They could pose a risk of suffocation for your baby.
You should also consider a bassinet that has an attachment system that is secure. This can be attached to your existing bed easily without the need of tools. This can be especially beneficial for parents who struggle to get their child into and out of the cot or who are worried about accidentally rolling over during sleep. If your bassinet is equipped with a secure attachment system, it's a good idea to regularly make sure it's secure and that there are no gaps or loose components which could cause danger.
Comfort
If you're a soon-to-be parent, your baby's safety is one of your primary concerns. There's a brand new sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close in the evening, without the risk of sharing the bed. The crib for newborns is a cot that resembles a bassinet that is attached to the side of the bed. It allows you to safely lift your baby out to you for feedings at night and soothing. It also makes an excellent choice for mothers recovering from a csection, as it reduces the need to bend down too far or even to get out of bed.
A modern bedside cot for newborns should have a sturdy and flat mattress that can in promoting safe sleeping habits and decrease the chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The bedding should be simple, with just a cot sheet and a blanket that is tightly tucked on the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys or pillows because they can be thrown over your baby and cause risk of suffocation. If your baby is used to being swaddled, you can make use of a swaddle, or a baby sleep bag for the first few weeks, however this should be removed when possible after they've gained the strength and confidence to take off their wraps.

Some cribs with a bedside feature a removable or drop-down side that gives you the baby to be easily accessible for feeding and comfort during the middle of the night. This feature is perfect 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 in the same bed as your baby it's important to recognize that this practice has been associated with an increased risk of SIDS particularly in the event that a parent rolls onto their child during sleep.
A fabric that breathes will keep your baby comfy and cool throughout the night. This is particularly crucial if you intend to co-sleep with your newborn because the risk of overheating increases when you sleep. The SnuzPod4 is a unique, breathable mesh side panel, which helps to improve the flow of air and keep your baby comfortable in their mattress.