Newborn Bedside Cot

A newborn bedside cot is a small sleeper that allows newborns to share a room as their parents without the risk of sleeping together (which the AAP advises against due to SIDS and suffocation). It also makes mid-night nursing sessions and care much easier.

This mattress is a firm mattress that can support the backs of babies and minimize the risk of SIDS. It can slide over your adult bed to allow you to lift your child out for midnight nursing or cuddles at sunrise.

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 lets you safely and easily reach your baby during the night for feeding or cuddles. They are a great option for new parents or mums recovering from a c-section because they allow an easy access to baby and do not require you to get out of bed.

There are many different designs available, from basic models with just a drop-down option to more advanced ones that can be adjusted in several ways with incline and height options. The majority of them can be converted to a separate crib when your baby gets older 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 noted how stylish 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 safe side-byside sleeping. She also admired the soft mattress, which was able to pass our test of firmness and the fact that it features an automatic rocking feature that can be adjusted to a slight slope for those suffering from reflux.

She wasn't a fan of the fact that it had a mesh panel at the bottom and she thought it was too heavy to move around from room to room. When folded into a travel bag she found it to be a bit heavy to carry up the stairs.

Size

A bedside crib travel cot is basically a bassinet-style cot that fixes to your side of the bed. It is easy to reach your baby to feed them, change nappies, or to comfort them in the middle of the night. It's also great for mothers recovering from C-sections.

The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby separated from you in the first six months, to decrease the chance of SIDS. A crib that is placed near your bed is a safe method to achieve this as it has low sides and lets you be able to easily access your baby at night.

It is essential that your baby sleeps on a firm mattress as it is more secure than a soft one. Infants don't have the motor control needed to turn and a soft mattress could increase the risk of suffocation. The breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make this mattress a comfortable one for your baby but also sufficiently firm to be safe for your baby.

Mum Jasmin was delighted that the crib didn't take up the entire space in her room and found it to be the ideal size for a newborn. The mattress she rated as also of good quality, as opposed to some that feel flimsy and thin. She also appreciates that it has a storage area underneath for clothes and blankets which she claims many other bassinets lack.

MFM mom home test Mehack is a fan of the removable side wall that lets you lower it down for easy access to your newborn. She also loves the fact that legs can be placed under the bed to look less bulky and take up less space on the floor. She's also impressed by how easy it is to move around the house when you want to in the middle of the night, which is convenient for feedings and check-ins.

A winner of the Gold award in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards The CoZee Air is a popular choice among parents. It features a unique design that has four pulleys that can be used to raise or lower your crib. There's also a large basket for blankets, toys and other items. It's also easy to put together and lightweight and portable, which is ideal to travel with your baby.

Safety

It's important to consider the safety of the crib for your newborn. 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 risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bassinets that are placed in bed let parents keep their newborn close by, facilitating nighttime feedings as well as monitoring and comforting without needing to get out of bed.

This close proximity also assists breastfeeding mothers by allowing them to attend to their baby's needs without having to get up completely and help keep the supply of milk steady and help the breastfeeding experience. Some bedside cots have adjustable height options, which will help ensure that the bassinet is an appropriate height for mother and baby to allow ease of access during feedings or other care.

Many bassinets have a mattress that is designed to reduce the risk of suffocation and is in line with industry standards. This is crucial because a newborn's bones are soft and not fully developed and require support to avoid damage. The mattress should be covered with a fitted sheet to minimize the chance that dust mites, or other allergens, can choke a child. It must also be kept free of allergens and clean.

Some cribs for bedside use can be tilted. This is helpful for babies with reflux or digestive issues. However, it should only be done gently and with caution. Avoid adding pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers inside the bassinet. They could pose the risk of suffocation your baby.

It's also worth considering an infant bassinet that has an attachment system that is secure and can be easily fixed to your existing bed without the necessity of tools. This feature is especially useful for parents who struggle to carry their child into and out of the crib or are concerned about their child accidentally falling asleep. If your bassinet is equipped with a secure attachment it is a great idea for you to check it regularly. Make sure there are no gaps, and that the system is securely connected.

Comfort

If you're a soon-to-be parent, your baby's comfort is one of your main concerns. There's a great sleep solution that lets you keep your baby close to you throughout the night without taking on any of the risks associated with bed-sharing. The infant bedside travel cot cot basically a bassinet-style cot that is attached to the side of your bed and allows you to move them towards you for night feeding and soothing. It also makes an excellent choice for mothers recovering from a c-section as it reduces the need to bend down too far or even get out of the bed.

A modern newborn bedside cot should have a firm flat mattress to promote safe sleeping practices and reduce the chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The bedding should be kept simple with just the cot sheet and a blanket that is tightly tucked into the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys, and pillows that could fall onto your baby posing a suffocation 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 when possible after they've gained the strength to unwrap themselves.

Some bedside cribs feature an adjustable or drop-down side that gives you an easy access to your baby for comforting and feeding during the middle of the night. This is a good feature for parents who want to maintain an intimate relationship with their child while still following NHS safe sleep guidelines. If you're planning to sleep with your child, it's important to be aware that this practice may increase the risk of SIDS. This is especially the case if a parent rolls on their infant when they are asleep.

A breathable fabric will keep your baby comfortable and cool throughout the night. This is especially important if you intend to co-sleep your newborn as the risk of overheating in the night increases. The SnuzPod4 features a unique mesh side panel that is breathable, which helps to improve the flow of air and keep your baby warm in their bed.