Why We Love Newborn Bedside Cot And You Should Also
Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a small sleeper that allows newborns to share the same space as their parents without the risks of true co-sleeping (which the AAP advises against due to suffocation and SIDS). It makes it easier to take care of your infant and feed them throughout the night.
This mattress is a firm mattress that is designed to support the backs of babies and decrease the chance of SIDS. It can swivel over your adult bed to allow you to get your baby for nighttime nursing or cuddles at sunrise.
Budget
A bedside cot, also known as a co-sleeper is an infant cot with a bassinet design that is attached or clipped to your bed. This lets you comfortably and safely reach your baby during the night for feeding or cuddles. They are a great choice for new parents or mums recovering from a csection as they allow easy access to baby and don't require you to get out of bed.
There are lots of different designs available starting with basic models that have just a drop-down option to more sophisticated models that can be adjusted in a variety of ways, including incline and height options. The majority of them can be converted into an independent crib for napping during the daytime or when your baby is about months old and sleeping longer at night.
One of our top picks is the Maxi-Cosi Lora which was nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the categories of best bedside cots Cot Crib, Best Cot or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily commented how stylish and modern the design was. She also appreciated the fact that it could be used as a bassinet, or clipped to your bed for safe side-byside sleeping. She also admired the soft mattress, which was able to pass our test of firmness and also the fact that it features an automatic rocking feature that can be set to a slight incline for those suffering from reflux.
She wasn't a fan of the fact that it had a non-mesh panel on the bottom and she thought it was too heavy to move from room to room. When folded into its travel bag, she found it a bit heavy to carry up the stairs.
Size
A bedside cot is the bassinet style cot that can be fixed to the side of your bed. It is easy to reach your baby's mouth for feedings, changing nappies, or to comfort them during the night. It's also great for mothers recovering from a C-section.
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. The crib that is placed beside your bed with its low sides is a great method to do this. It lets you be able to easily access your baby at night.
It's important that your newborn sleeps on a firm mattress as this is safer than a soft one. A mattress that is soft increases the risk of suffocation among newborns, as they lack the motor control necessary to turn. This mattress is made of skin-friendly and breathable materials. It is a comfortable fit for your baby, but sufficient to be secure.
Mum Jasmin was delighted that the crib didn't take up the entire space in her room and thought it was the perfect size for a newborn. She also noted that the mattress was of high-quality, unlike others which seem thin and flimsy. She also appreciates that it has a storage space beneath for bedding and clothes which other bassinets don't.
Mehack Mehack, an MFM mum who tested the product at home, is thrilled that you can take off the wall on the side to make it easier to access your baby. She also likes the fact that legs fold under the bed so that it doesn't appear bulky or take up a lot of floor space. She's also impressed by how easy it is to move around the house whenever you'd like, for convenience during middle-of-the-night meals and check-ins.
The CoZee Air crib is a popular choice for parents. It was awarded a Gold Award at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has a clever design that has four pulleys that can be used to raise or lower your crib. It also comes with a large basket for toys, blankets, and other items. It's also light and easy to put together and is ideal to travel with your baby.
Safety
It is important to think about safety when choosing a newborn bedside crib. The official safety sleep guidelines of both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies should not sleep in parent's beds because of the risks of suffocation, heat exhaustion and a greater chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bassinets for bedside crib co sleeper use allow parents to keep their infant close, facilitating nighttime feedings and monitoring without needing to get up from their beds.
This close proximity also helps breastfeeding mothers by allowing them to attend to their baby's needs without having to wake up completely, which can help to keep milk supply steady and enhance the breastfeeding experience. Some cots for bedside use adjustable height features that can help mother and child to access the bassinet for feedings or other care during the night.
A lot of bassinets have a firm mattress, which is designed to reduce suffocation risk and meets the standards of the industry. This is essential because newborn's bones are soft and aren't fully developed. They must be supported to prevent injury. The mattress should be encased in a fitted sheet to reduce the risk of suffocation caused by dust mites or other allergens, and kept clean and free from irritants.
Some cots for bedside use have the ability to be tilted, which is beneficial for babies with reflux or digestive issues, but this should be done with great caution and at a gentle angle. Avoid placing pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet. These could create the risk of suffocation to your baby.
You should also consider a bassinet that has an attachment system that is secure. It can be connected to your bed without the use of tools. This feature is especially beneficial for parents who struggle to lift their child into and out of the crib or are concerned about their baby accidentally rolling over during sleep. If your bassinet has an attachment that is secure it is a great idea for you to check it regularly. Check to ensure there are no 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 throughout the night without taking on any of the risks that come with sharing beds. The baby bedside cot is essentially 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's also a great option for mothers recovering from a C-section since it removes the need to stand up or to bend over.
A modern cot for infants should have a sturdy and flat mattress that can ensure a safe sleep and decrease the chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Bedding should be easy with just a cot sheet and a blanket tightly tucked on the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers and pillows that may fall onto your baby posing a suffocation risk. If your baby is used to being swaddled during a few weeks, you can use either an swaddle or baby sleep bag. However, it is recommended that this be removed after they are strong enough to unwrap them.
Some bedside cot for twins cribs feature an adjustable or drop-down side that provides the baby to be easily accessible for comforting and feeding in the middle of the night. This feature is ideal for parents who wish to maintain a close bond with their child while adhering to NHS guidelines for sleep. If you're planning to sleep with your child, it's important to know that this practice could increase the chance of SIDS. This is especially true if a parent accidentally falls on their child while sleeping.
A fabric that breathes will keep your baby cool and cool throughout the night. This is especially important if you plan to co-sleep your newborn since the risk of being overheated in the night increases. The SnuzPod4 has a unique breathable side panel, which helps increase the airflow and keeps your baby comfortable.
