This sleeper has a firm mattress that supports babies backs, which reduces the chance of SIDS. It can be rotated over your adult bed to raise your baby to snuggle them at sunrise or for late night nursing.
Budget
A bedside cot, also known as a co-sleeper, the bassinet-style baby cot that is attached or clipped to your bed. This lets you easily and safely reach your baby for mid-night feeding, comforting or cuddles. They are a great choice for mothers or new parents recovering from a c-section because they allow the baby with easy access and don't require you to get out of bed.
There are many different designs available, ranging from basic ones with just an upside-down side to more sophisticated ones that offer multiple adjustment options, including the ability to tilt or raise. The majority of them can be converted into an independent crib for naps during the day or when your baby is around a few months old and sleeps longer at night.
One of our favorites is the Maxi-Cosi Lora, which was nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards, including Best Cot Crib, Best Cot, or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily expressed her delight at how stylish and contemporary the design is and she was impressed by the fact 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 appreciated the soft mattress that passed our firmness test and also the fact that it features a manual rocking feature that can be set to a slight incline for reflux sufferers.
But she wasn't thrilled with the fact that it had a non-mesh panel at its lower end, and felt it was a bit bulky to move from room room often. When it was folded into its travel cot bedside crib bag she found it to be quite heavy to carry up the stairs.
Size
A bedside crib or cot cot resembles the bassinet, which is placed on the bed's side. You can easily reach your baby's mouth to feed them, change nappies or comforting in the middle of the night. It's also great for moms recovering from a C-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby separate from you for the first six month, to decrease the chance of SIDS. A crib that is placed near your bed is a safe way to achieve this because it has low sides and lets you be able to easily access your baby during the night.
It is crucial that your infant sleeps on a firm bed as this is safer than a soft one. Newborns don't have the motor control to turn over and a mattress that is soft can increase the chance of drowning. The mattress is made of skin-friendly and breathe-able materials. It is comfortable for your baby but firm enough to ensure safety.
Mum home test Jasmin was pleased with the fact that the crib doesn't take up too much space in her bedroom, and she found it to be the perfect size for a newborn. She also noted that the mattress was of good quality unlike other cribs that are thin and fragile. She also likes the fact that it has a storage area beneath for bedding and clothes - something many other bassinets don't have.
MFM mum home tester Mehack is a huge fan of the side wall that is removable that lets you drop it down to give easy access to your newborn. She also likes that legs slide into the bed so it doesn't appear 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 in the middle of the night, which is convenient for feedings and check-ins.
The winner of the Gold award in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards, the CoZee Air is a popular choice for parents. It features a unique design with four pulleys which can be used to raise or lower your crib. It also comes with an ample basket for blankets, toys and other essentials. It's also simple to put together and light that is great for travelling with your baby.
Safety
When choosing a new baby's bedside cot, it is important to keep the safety aspect in your mind. The official safe sleep guidelines from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies do not be sleeping in the bed of their parents due to the risk of overheating, suffocation and a greater chance of suffering from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bassinets for bedside use let parents keep their newborn close by and allow for nighttime feedings and monitoring without the need to get up from their beds.
This close proximity also supports breastfeeding mothers as they can attend to the needs of their infant without having to wake up completely and help maintain milk supply and support the breastfeeding experience. Some cots for bedside have adjustable height features, which will help ensure that the bassinet is a comfortable height for both mother and baby to allow easy access for middle-of-the-night feedings or other care.
Many bassinets are equipped with mattresses that are firm, which is designed to minimize suffocation risk and meets industry standards. It is crucial to support the bones of a newborn, because they are still squishy and not fully formed. The mattress should be encased in a fitted sheet to decrease the chance of suffocation from dust mites and other allergens, and kept clean and free of irritants.
Some bedside crib and travel cot cots have the capability of being tilted, which is beneficial for babies with reflux or digestive issues, but this should be done with a lot of care and at a moderate angle. It is also important to avoid adding pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet, as these can pose an obstructing risk to your baby and should only be used when the cot is placed on an even surface.
It's also worth considering an adjustable bassinet with a secure attachment system that can be easily attached to your existing bed without the need for tools. This can be especially beneficial for parents who struggle to lift their child in and out of the cot or who are worried about accidentally rolling over during sleep. If your bassinet has 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 expecting a child, the comfort of your infant is undoubtedly one of your top concerns. There's a great sleep solution that lets you keep your baby close throughout the night - without any of the risks associated with sharing beds. The baby bedside cot is essentially a bassinet-style cot which is fixed to the side of your bed, allowing you to safely lift them out towards you to feed them at night and soothe. It is also a great choice for mums recovering from a csection, as it reduces the need to bend down too far or even get out of the bed.
A modern cot for infants should have a sturdy flat mattress to ensure a safe sleep and reduce the chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The bedding should be kept simple and consist of only the sheets for the cot and a blanket that is tightly tucked into the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers or pillows since they could be thrown over your baby and create a risk of suffocation. If your baby is used to being swaddled you can use a swaddle or a baby sleep bag for the initial few weeks, but it is best to remove it as soon as you can once they've gained the strength to unwrap themselves.
Some bedside cribs have an open or removable side that allows easy access to your baby for feedings in the middle of the night and comforting. 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 with your child, it's important to be aware that this practice can increase the risk of SIDS. This is especially the case if a parent is able to roll their infant over when they are asleep.
A fabric that is breathable will keep your baby cool and cool throughout the night. This is especially important if you plan to sleep with your baby since the chance of overheating increases when you sleep. The SnuzPod4 comes with a unique breathable side panel that aids in improving the flow of air, keeping your baby cool.