A newborn bedside cot is a tiny sleeper that allows newborns to share the same space as their parents without the risk of sleeping together (which the AAP advises against due to suffocation and SIDS). It makes it easier to care for your baby and nurse them throughout the night.
This sleeper features a firm mattress that is designed to support babies' backs and decrease the risk of SIDS. It can be rotated over your adult bed to raise your baby for sunrise cuddles or midnight nursing.
Budget
A bedside crib, also referred to as a co-sleeper or bassinet is a bassinet-style crib for babies that attaches to your existing bed. This lets you safely and easily reach your baby during the night for feeding, comforting or cuddles. They are a great option for new parents or mums recovering from a csection as they allow an easy access to baby and do not require you to get up from your bed.
There are lots of 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 multiple ways, including incline and height options. The majority of them can be converted to a standalone crib when your baby gets older and has a longer sleep time at night.
One of our favorites is the Maxi-Cosi Lora which was shortlisted for 2021 Mother&Baby awards, including the categories of best bedside cot Cot Crib, Best Cot, or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily expressed her delight at how stylish and modern the design and she was impressed by the possibility of using it as a regular bassinet or attach it to a bed to sleep side-by-side in a safe and secure manner. She also liked its plush mattress which passed our firmness tests and also that it comes with an adjustable manual inclining feature for those who suffer from reflux.
She didn't like that it had a non mesh panel at the bottom and considered it too bulky to move around from room to room. When folded into a travel bag, she found it somewhat heavy to carry up the stairs.
Size
A bedside cot is essentially a bassinet-style cot that fixes to your side of the bed. It is easy to reach your baby's mouth to feed them, change nappies or comforting during the night. It's also great for moms recovering from the C-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise that you keep your baby in the same space as you, but separated from you for the first six months, as this can help reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). The bedside crib, with its low sides, is a great method to do this. It allows you to be able to easily access your baby at night.
It is crucial 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 chance of suffocation. This mattress is made from skin-friendly and air-tight materials. It is comfortable for your baby but firm enough to ensure safety.
Mum Jasmin was pleased that the crib didn't take up much space in her bedroom and found it to be the perfect size for a newborn. She said the mattress was also good quality, unlike some that feel flimsy and thin. She also loves that it has a storage compartment beneath to store blankets and clothing - something she says many other bassinets lack.
Mehack is an MFM mum who tested the product at home, likes that you can remove the wall on the side to allow for easier access to your baby. She also loves that legs fold under the bed so that it doesn't appear big or take up too much floor space. She's also amazed by the ease of being able to move around the house when you need to for ease during late-night feedings and check-ins.
The CoZee Air crib is a favourite among parents. It was awarded a Gold Award in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It is a clever design with four pulleys that can be used to raise or lower your crib. There is also a large basket for toys, blankets, and other necessities. It is also lightweight and easy to put together which makes it perfect to travel with your baby.
Safety
When choosing a baby's bedside cot it's important to keep the safety aspect in your thoughts. Official safe sleep advice from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies do not sleep in parent's beds because of the risks of suffocation, heat exhaustion and a greater chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bedside bassinets enable parents to keep their infants close, facilitating night time feedings as well as monitoring without the need to get up.
This close proximity can also support breastfeeding mothers, as it allows them to attend to the baby's needs while they sleep. This can help to maintain the supply of milk and encourage breastfeeding. Some bedside travel crib cots come with adjustable height options that can aid mother and child to access the bassinet for feedings or other activities throughout the night.
Many bassinets are equipped with mattresses that are firm, which is designed to decrease 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 must be supported to avoid damage. The mattress should be encased in a fitted cover to reduce the risk of suffocation from dust mites or other allergens, and kept clean and free from irritants.
Some bedside cribs can be tilted. This is beneficial for babies with reflux or digestive issues. However, it should be done slowly and with care. It is also important to avoid putting pillows, duvets or crib bumpers to the bassinet since these can pose the risk of suffocation for your baby. They should only be used when the cot is set on flat surfaces.
It is also recommended to consider an infant bassinet with a secure attachment system. It can be attached to your existing bed easily without the need for tools. This is especially beneficial for parents who struggle to lift their child into and out of the crib or concerned about the possibility of falling asleep. If your bassinet does have an attachment system that is secure, it's an excellent idea to periodically ensure that it's securely secured and that there are no gaps or loose parts that could pose a hazard.
Comfort
If you're expecting a child, the comfort of your child is definitely one of your main concerns. There's a great sleep solution that lets you keep your baby close during the night without taking on any of the risks that come with bed-sharing. The infant bedside cot basically a bassinet-style cot which is fixed to the bed's side and allows you to lift them out towards you for night feeding and soothing. It's also a great option for mothers recovering from a C section as it eliminates the need to stand up or bend over.
Modern cots for infants should have a flat, firm mattress to encourage safe sleeping habits and reduce the risk Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The bedding should be kept simple, with only the sheet for the cot and blanket that is tightly tucked into the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys and pillows that could fall on your baby, posing an obstructive risk. If your baby is used to being swaddled you can use a swaddle or baby sleep bag for the first few weeks, although it is best to remove it as soon as you can once they've developed the strength to unwrap themselves.
Some cribs with a small bedside cot feature a removable or drop-down side that gives you an easy access to your baby for feeding and comfort during the middle of the night. This is a wonderful feature for parents who want to maintain a strong bond with their child, while adhering to NHS safe sleep guidelines. If you're planning to sleep with your child, it's crucial to be aware that this practice could increase the chance of SIDS. This is especially true if a parent accidentally rolls on their infant while sleeping.
A breathable fabric is another important safety feature, as it's designed to keep your baby cool and comfortable throughout the night. This is particularly important if you intend to sleep with your newborn, because the risk of overheating when sleeping increases. The SnuzPod4 features a unique mesh side panel that is breathable that helps improve the airflow and keeps your baby comfortable in their bed.
This sleeper features a firm mattress that is designed to support babies' backs and decrease the risk of SIDS. It can be rotated over your adult bed to raise your baby for sunrise cuddles or midnight nursing.
