Newborn Bedside Cot

A newborn bedside crib is a tiny sleeper that lets babies sleep in the same room with their parents without the risks of co-sleeping. (The AAP warns against this because of the risk of SIDS and suffocation.) It also makes middle-of-the-night nursing sessions and care much more convenient.

This sleeper has an extremely firm mattress that can support babies backs, reducing the chance of SIDS. It can swivel over the bed of your adult to allow you to lift your baby for nighttime cuddles or a sunrise kiss.

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 newborn for middle-of-the-night feeding, comforting or cuddles. They are a great choice for mothers or new parents recovering from a csection as they offer an easy access to baby and don't require you to get up from your bed.

There are a variety of designs that are available, from the basic ones that have the drop-down side, to more sophisticated ones that offer various adjustment options, such as incline or height. Most convert to a standalone crib for daytime naps or when your baby is about months old and sleeps longer at night.

Maxi-Cosi Lora is one our favorites. It was nominated in the Best Cot category for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. MFM home tester Emily expressed her delight at how stylish and modern the design is as well as the feature that you can use it as a regular bassinet, or attach it onto your bed to ensure that you can sleep side-by-side. She also liked the plush mattress that passed our firmness test and the fact that it has a manual Rocking Bedside Crib function that can be adjusted to a slight slope for those suffering from reflux.

She didn't like that it had a mesh panel on the bottom and thought it was too bulky to move from room to room. When folded into a travel bag she found it a bit heavy to carry up the stairs.

Size

A small bedside cot cot is basically a bassinet-style cot that fixes to the side of the bed. You can easily reach your baby's side to feed, change nappies, or to comfort them during the night. It's also great for mothers recovering from C-sections.

The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby separate from you for the first 6 months to decrease the chance of SIDS. A foldable bedside crib crib is a safe way to achieve this because it is low-sided and allows you to easily access your newborn during the night.

It is important that your baby is sleeping on a firm and not a soft mattress. A mattress that is soft can increase the risk of suffocation among newborns, as they do not have the motor control required to turn. This mattress is made of skin-friendly and breathable materials. It is a comfortable fit for your baby, yet firm enough to ensure safety.

Mum Jasmin was pleased that the crib didn't occupy too much space in her bedroom and found it to be the perfect size for a newborn. She also said that the mattress was of high-quality, unlike others which seem thin and flimsy. She also likes that it has a storage space beneath to store blankets and clothing which she claims most bassinets do not have.

Mehack, a MFM mother who has tested the product at home, loves the ability to remove the side wall to make it easier to access your baby. She also likes the fact that legs can be placed under the bed to make it look less bulky and take up less space on the floor. She's also amazed by the ease of being able to move around the house as you need to for ease during late-night meals and check-ins.

The CoZee Air crib is a favorite among parents. It was awarded a Gold Award at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has a clever design with four pulleys which can be used to raise or lower your crib. There's also an ample basket for toys, blankets, and other necessities. It is also lightweight and easy to assemble, making it ideal to travel with your baby.

Safety

When choosing a new baby's bedside crib travel cot, it is important to keep the safety of your baby in mind. The official safety sleep guidelines of both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies should not sleep in parent's beds due to the risk of suffocation, heat exhaustion and a higher chance of suffering from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bassinets for bedside use allow parents to keep their babies close, facilitating night time feedings as well as comforting and monitoring without needing to leave their bed.

This close proximity also supports breastfeeding mothers by allowing them to attend to their baby's needs without waking up completely, which can help to keep milk supply steady and enhance the breastfeeding experience. Some cots with a bedside are equipped with adjustable height features that will help ensure that the bassinet is an appropriate height for mother and baby, allowing easy access for middle-of-the-night feedings or for care.

Many bassinets come with a firm mattress that is designed to decrease the chance of suffocation and conforms to industry standards. It is important to support the bones of a newborn because they are still squishy and not fully formed. The mattress should be covered in a fitted cover to reduce the risk of suffocation from dust mites and other allergens and kept hygienically clean and free of irritants.

Some cribs on the bed can be tilted. This is beneficial for babies who have digestive or reflux issues. However, it should be done slowly and with caution. It is also important to avoid adding pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet, as they could pose a suffocation risk for your baby and should only be used when the cot is on flat surfaces.

You should also consider the bassinet with a secure attachment system. It can be attached to your bed without the need of tools. This is particularly beneficial for parents who have difficulty carry their child into and out of the crib or are concerned about their child accidentally rolling over during sleep. If your bassinet is equipped with an attachment system that is secure it's a good idea to regularly check that it's securely attached and that there are no gaps or loose components which could cause danger.

Comfort

If you are a soon-to-be parent, the comfort of your child is one of your main concerns. There's a brand new sleep solution that lets you keep your baby close in the evening, without the risk of sharing a bed. The infant bedside cot an essentially a bassinet-style crib that fixes to the bed's side, allowing you to safely move them towards you for feeding at night and calming. It is also a great choice for mothers who are recovering from a C-section as it removes the need to stand or to bend over.

A modern cot for infants should have a sturdy flat mattress to ensure a safe sleep and decrease the chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The bedding should be simple, with only the sheet for the cot and blanket tucked in tightly at the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers and pillows that can be thrown over your baby, creating a suffocation risk. If your baby has been used to being swaddled during a few weeks, you can use either a swaddle, or a baby sleep bag. However, it is recommended that this be removed after they are strong enough to take them off.

Some bedside cribs have a removable or drop-down side to make it easy for your baby's feeds and comforting. This is a great option for parents who wish to keep an intimate relationship with their child, but still adhere to NHS safe sleep advice. 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 when a parent accidentally rolls on their infant during sleep.

A fabric that breathes will keep your baby comfy and cool throughout the night. This is particularly crucial if you intend to sleep with your baby since the chance of overheating is higher during sleep. The SnuzPod4 is a unique, mesh side panel that is breathable that aids in improving the airflow and keeps your baby warm in their bed.