Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside crib is a small sleeping device that lets babies sleep in the same space as their parents without the dangers of co-sleeping. (The AAP warns against this due to the risk of SIDS and suffocation.) It helps you care for your baby and nurse them throughout the night.
This sleeper comes with an extremely firm mattress that can support babies' backs, reducing the chance of SIDS. It can be swiveled on your adult bed to allow you to carry your baby to the top to cuddle them at sunrise or during midnight nursing.
Budget
A bedside crib, also referred to as a bassinet or co-sleeper is a bassinet-style crib for babies that attaches to your existing bed. This allows you to easily and safely reach your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeding, comforting or cuddles. They are a great option for new parents or mums recovering from a csection as they provide an easy access to baby and don't require you to get up from your bed.
There are lots of different designs on the market, from basic models with just a drop-down side to more sophisticated ones that can be adjusted in multiple ways including height and incline options. The majority of them can be converted to an independent crib once your baby grows older and is sleeping longer in the night.
One of our favourites is the Maxi-Cosi Lura, which was nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Cot Crib, Best Cot, or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily said she was impressed by how chic and modern the design was. She also liked the fact that it could be used as a bassinet or clipped to your existing bed, for a safe side-by-side sleep. She also liked its plush mattress which was able to pass our tests of firmness, and that it has a manual inclining function for those suffering from reflux.
However, she wasn't a fan of the design of the non-mesh panel on the lower end, and thought it was a bit heavy to move from room room often. When folded into its travel bag she found it to be somewhat heavy to carry up the stairs.
Size
bedside crib that turns into cot is basically 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 just to soothe them in the middle of the night. It's also great for mums recovering from the C-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby separate from you for the first six months, to lower the risk of SIDS. The crib that is placed beside your bed, with its low sides, is a great option to achieve this. It lets you access your baby easily at night.
It is essential that your baby sleeps on a firm bed as it is safer than a soft one. A mattress that is soft increases the risk of suffocation in newborns, as they lack the motor control needed to turn. This mattress is made of skin-friendly and air-tight materials. It is a comfortable fit for your baby but firm enough to ensure safety.
Mum home test Jasmin liked that this crib does not take up a lot of space in her bedroom, and she found the size perfect for a newborn. She also stated that the mattress was of good quality unlike other cribs that feel thin and flimsy. She also likes the fact that it has a storage space underneath for bedding and clothes which other bassinets don't have.
MFM mum home test Mehack is a big fan of the removable side wall that lets you lower it down for easy access to your newborn. She also likes that legs slide under the bed so that it doesn't appear big or take up a lot of floor space. She's also amazed by how it was easy to move around her house when she needed to do feeds and check-ins during the night.
The winner 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 that are built-in to raise or lower the crib and comes with a large storage bin for toys, blankets and other essentials. It is also lightweight and easy to assemble which makes it perfect for travel with your baby.
Safety
When choosing a new baby's bedside cot, it is important to keep the safety of your baby in mind. Official safe sleep advice from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies do not sleep in their parents' beds due to the dangers of overheating, suffocation and a higher chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bassinets for bedside use allow parents to keep their infants close, facilitating night time feedings as well as comforting and monitoring without the need to leave their bed.
This close proximity also helps breastfeeding mothers as they can take care of their infant's needs without waking up completely and 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 an appropriate height for mother and baby to allow easy access to mid-night feedings or care.
Many bassinets come with mattresses that are firm, which is designed to decrease suffocation risk and meets industry standards. It is crucial to support the bones of a newborn as they are still soft and aren't fully formed. The mattress should be encased in a fitted cover to decrease the chance of suffocation caused by dust mites or other allergens. It should also be kept clean and free from irritants.
Some cribs on the bed can be tilted. This is helpful for babies suffering from reflux or digestive issues. But, it should be done slowly and with care. Avoid putting pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers in the bassinet. These can pose a risk of suffocation for your baby.
It's also worth considering an adjustable bassinet with a secure attachment system that can be easily fixed to your bed without the need for tools. This can be especially useful for parents who struggle to lift their child into and out of the cot, or who are concerned about falling asleep. If your bassinet is equipped with an attachment that is secure, it is a good idea for you to regularly check it. Check to ensure there aren't any gaps and that the system is securely attached.
Comfort
If you're planning to become a parent, your baby's comfort is one of your primary concerns. There's a wonderful sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close to you throughout the night without taking on any of the dangers that come with sharing beds. The infant bedside cot essentially a bassinet-style cot that is attached to the bed's side, allowing you to safely move them towards you to feed them at night and soothe. It also makes an excellent choice for mothers recovering from a c-section, because it eliminates the need to bend over too much or even get out of the bed.
A modern newborn bedside cot should have a firm flat mattress to promote safe sleeping practices and lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The bedding should be kept simple with just the cot sheet and a blanket tucked tightly at the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys, and pillows that may be thrown over your baby, creating the risk of suffocation. If your baby is used to being swaddled for several weeks, you can use either the swaddle or baby sleep bag. But, it should be removed once they have the strength to unwrap them.
Some cribs for bedside use a drop-down or removable side to make it easy for your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeds and comforting. This is a great feature for parents who want to maintain a close relationship with their child but still adhere to NHS guidelines for sleep. If you're planning to co-sleep in the same bed as your baby it's important to know that this practice has been linked to an increased risk of SIDS especially when a parent accidentally falls on their child during sleep.
A breathable fabric will keep your baby comfy and cool throughout the night. This is particularly important if you intend to co-sleep your newborn because the risk of overheating in the night increases. The SnuzPod4 is a unique, mesh side panel that is breathable, which helps to improve airflow and keep your baby comfortable in their mattress.