20 Fun Details About Newborn Bedside Cot
Newborn 4-in-1 bedside crib Cot
A newborn bedside crib is a tiny sleeper that allows babies to sleep in the same room with their parents without the dangers 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 simpler.
This sleeper comes with a firm mattress that supports babies backs, which reduces the risk of SIDS. It can be swiveled over your bed to make it easier for you to carry your child out for midnight nursing or cuddles at sunrise.
Budget
A bedside crib, also called a bassinet or co-sleeper, is a bassinet style baby cot that clips to your existing bed. This lets you easily and safely reach your baby for mid-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 out of bed.
There are a variety of designs that are available, from the basic ones with just a drop down side to more sophisticated ones with numerous adjustment options, like an incline or a height. Many can be converted into a separate crib when your baby gets older and has a longer sleep time in the night.
Maxi-Cosi Lora is one our favorites. It was nominated in the best bedside cot uk Cot category for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. MFM home tester Emily said she was impressed by how chic and modern the design and she was impressed by the fact that you can use it as a regular bassinet or connect it to a bed for safe side-by-side sleeping. She also adored its soft mattress that passed our firmness tests, and that it has an adjustable manual inclining feature for those suffering from reflux.
However, she didn't like the fact that it had a non-mesh panel on the foot end and felt it was a bit bulky to move from room to room regularly. It also felt a bit heavy to carry up and down the stairs when it was folded up into its travel bag.
Size
A bedside cot is an infant bassinet that is connected to the side of your bed. It allows you to easily reach your baby for mid-night feeding nappies, comforting and feeding. 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 keep them separate from you for the first six months as this can help reduce the chance of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). The bedside crib with its low sides is a great option to achieve this. It lets you access your baby easily throughout the night.
It is essential that your baby sleeps on a firm and not an extremely soft mattress. Newborns don't have the motor control needed to turn and a mattress that is soft can increase the chance of drowning. The breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make this mattress a comfortable one for your baby, but firm enough for safety.
Mum Jasmin was delighted that the crib didn't occupy too much space in her bedroom and found it to be the perfect size for a newborn. The mattress she rated as excellent quality, in contrast to some that feel flimsy and thin. She also likes the fact that it has storage space beneath for bedding and clothes which many bassinets don't.
Mehack Mehack, an MFM mom who tried the product at home, likes the ability to remove the wall on the side to allow easier access to your baby. She also appreciates that the legs can be tucked under the bed to look less bulky and take up less space on the floor. She's also impressed with how easy it is to move around the house as you'd like for ease during late-night meals and check-ins.
A recipient of an Gold award in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards The CoZee Air is a popular choice amongst parents. It has a clever design with four pulleys that are built-in to raise or lower the crib. It also comes with a large storage bin for blankets, toys and other necessities. It is also light and easy to put together which makes it perfect for travel with your baby.
Safety
When choosing a baby's bedside cot, you must keep safety in your mind. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS, recommend that babies not sleep in their parents' beds due to the possibility of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome. Bedside bassinets let parents keep their newborn close by and allow for nighttime feedings as well as monitoring and comforting without needing to get up from their beds.
This close proximity can also support breastfeeding mothers, as it allows them to attend to the needs of their baby while also sleeping. This can help to maintain the supply of milk and encourage breastfeeding. Some bedside cots have adjustable height options, which will help ensure that the bassinet is a comfortable height for both mother and baby bedside crib for easy access to mid-night feedings or for care.
A majority of bassinets come with a firm mattress that is designed to decrease the risk of suffocation and is in line with industry standards. It is important to provide support for the bones of a newborn, since they are still fragile and aren't fully formed. The mattress should be covered with an appropriate sheet to minimize the chance that dust mites, as well as other allergens, will suffocate a child. It should be kept free of allergens and clean.
Some cots for bedside use have the capability of being tilted, which is useful for babies with reflux or digestive issues, however this should always be done with a lot of care and at a moderate angle. It's also important to stay clear of adding pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet since they could pose the risk of suffocation for your baby and should only be used when the cot is set on an even surface.
It is also recommended to consider a bassinet that has a secure attachment system. It can be connected to your existing bed easily without the need for tools. This feature is especially useful for parents who have difficulty lift their child into and out of the crib or are worried about their child accidentally rolling over while sleeping. If your bassinet has a secure attachment system it's recommended to regularly make sure it's secure and that there aren't any gaps or loose parts which could cause danger.
Comfort
If you are a soon-to-be parent, your baby's safety is among your top concerns. There's a new solution to sleep that lets you keep your baby close at night, without the danger of bed-sharing. The infant bedside cot an essentially a bassinet-style crib that is attached to the bed's side, allowing you to safely lift them out towards you for feeding at night and calming. It's also an excellent choice for mothers recovering from a c-section since it makes it less necessary to bend too much or even get out of bed.
Modern bedside cots for babies should be fitted with a firm, flat mattress to encourage safe sleep habits and lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The bedding should be kept as simple as possible with just the sheet for the cot and blanket tucked in tightly at the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers and pillows that could fall onto 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 initial few weeks, but this should be removed as soon as possible once they've developed the strength to unwrap themselves.
Some cribs with a bedside feature an adjustable or drop-down side that allows for an easy access to your baby to feed and comfort them during the middle of the night. This feature is ideal for parents who wish to keep a close relationship with their child but still adhere to NHS sleep guidelines. If you're planning to sleep with your child, it's important to know that this practice may increase the risk of SIDS. This is especially true if a parent accidentally falls on their child while sleeping.
A breathable fabric is another essential safety feature, as it's designed to keep your baby cool and comfortable throughout the night. This is particularly important if you plan to co-sleep with your newborn, as the risk of overheating is higher during sleep. The SnuzPod4 comes with an exclusive breathable side panel, which helps increase the flow of air, keeping your baby warm.
