A Brief History History Of Newborn Bedside Cot
Newborn bedside cot co sleeper Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a tiny sleeper that allows new babies to sleep in the same room 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 baby and nurse them in the middle of the night.
This sleeper comes with a firm mattress that supports babies backs, reducing the chance of SIDS. It can be swiveled over your bed to allow you to get your baby for nighttime cuddles or a sunrise kiss.
Budget
A bedside rocking crib cot, also known as a co-sleeper, a bassinet-style baby cot that clips or attaches to your existing bed. This allows you to safely and easily reach your baby for mid-night feeding, comforting or cuddles. These are ideal for moms and babies recovering after a c section because they allow the baby to be easily accessible without having to get up from the bed.
There are lots of different designs available, from basic models with only a drop-down side, to more sophisticated ones that can be adjusted in multiple ways including height and incline options. Most can be converted into a standalone crib when your baby is older and is sleeping longer in the night.
One of our top picks is the Maxi-Cosi Lura, which was nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the categories of best bedside cot Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily expressed her delight at how stylish and contemporary the design is, while she appreciated the possibility of using it as a regular bassinet or attach it onto your bed to ensure that you can sleep side-by-side. She also admired the soft mattress, which was able to pass our test of firmness and also the fact that it features a manual rocking feature that can be set to a slight tilt for those suffering from reflux.
But she wasn't thrilled with the fact that it had a non-mesh panel at its foot end and felt it was a bit heavy to move from room to room often. She also found it to be a bit heavy to carry up and down the stairs once folded away into its bag for travel.
Size
A bedside crib co sleeper cot resembles an infant bassinet that is connected to the side of your bed. You can easily reach your baby's mouth to feed them, change nappies, or to comfort them during the night. It's great for mothers recovering from an o-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby separated from you in the first six months, to lower the risk of SIDS. A crib for your bed is a secure way to achieve this as it has low sides and lets you easily access your newborn during the night.
It is crucial that your baby is sleeping on a firm and not a soft mattress. A mattress that is soft increases the risk of suffocation among infants as they lack the motor control needed to turn. The breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make this mattress comfortable for your baby, but sufficiently firm to be safe for your baby.
Mum Jasmin was pleased that the crib didn't occupy too the entire space in her room and thought it was the ideal size for a newborn. The mattress she rated as also good quality, unlike those that feel cheap and thin. She also appreciates that it has storage space underneath for bedding and clothes which many bassinets don't.
MFM mom home test Mehack is a huge fan of the side wall that is removable that allows you to drop it down to give easy access to your baby. She also likes that legs slide under the bed so that it doesn't look heavy or take up a lot of floor space. She's also impressed with how it was easy to move around her home in the event of checks and feedings during the night.
A recipient of the Gold award in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards, the CoZee Air is a popular choice among parents. It is designed with four pulleys built-in to raise or lower the crib. It also has a large storage basket to store your baby's toys, blankets and other essentials. It is also light and easy to put together, making it ideal for travel with your baby.
Safety
It's important to consider the safety aspect when selecting the right crib for your baby's bed. Official safe sleep advice from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies should not sleep in parent's beds because of the risks of overheating, suffocation and a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bedside bassinets allow parents to keep their baby close and allow for nighttime feedings, comforting and monitoring without needing to get up from their beds.
This close proximity also assists breastfeeding mothers by allowing them to take care of their infant's needs without having to get up at all times, which can help to keep milk supply steady and enhance the breastfeeding experience. Some cots with a bedside cosleeper are equipped with adjustable height features that will help ensure that the bassinet is at an appropriate height for mother and baby to allow easy access for middle-of-the-night feedings or other care.
Many bassinets have mattresses that are firm and designed to minimize the chance of suffocation and conforms to industry standards. This is essential because baby's bones are fragile and not fully developed, and need to be supported to avoid damage. The mattress should be covered with a fitted sheet in order to minimize the chance that dust mites or other allergens, can suffocate a child. It must be kept free of allergens and clean.
Some cribs on the bed can be tilted. This is beneficial for babies who have reflux or digestive problems. However, it should be done slowly and with care. Avoid adding pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers in the bassinet. These could create the risk of suffocation your baby.
You should also think about a bassinet that has a secure attachment system. This can be connected to your existing bed easily without the need of tools. This is especially useful for parents who struggle to lift their child into and out of the cot, or who are concerned about rolling over in the night. If your bassinet is equipped with a secure attachment system, it's recommended to regularly check that it's securely attached and that there aren't gaps or loose parts that could pose a hazard.
Comfort
If you're expecting your first child, the comfort of your infant is undoubtedly one of your main concerns. There's a wonderful sleep solution that lets you keep your baby close during the night, without any of the risks that come with sharing beds. The baby bedside cot is an essentially a bassinet-style crib that is attached to the bed's side and allows you to take them away for night feeding and soothing. It is an excellent option for mothers who are recovering from a C section as it eliminates the need to stand up or bend over.
A modern cot for infants should have a sturdy flat mattress to ensure a safe sleep and reduce the chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The bedding should be simple, with a cot sheet and a blanket that is tightly tucked on the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers or pillows because they could fall on your baby and create a risk of suffocation. If your baby has been used to being swaddled for several weeks, you can use either a swaddle, or a baby sleep bag. But, it should be removed once they have the strength to remove them.
Some cribs for bedside use an open or removable side for easy access to your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeds and comforting. This is a good option for parents who wish to keep a strong bond with their child while still following NHS safe sleep advice. However, if you're planning to co-sleep in the same bed with your child it's important to recognize that this practice has been linked to a higher risk of SIDS, particularly in the event that a parent is able to roll onto their child during sleep.
A fabric that breathes will keep your baby comfortable and cool throughout the night. This is particularly important if you plan to co-sleep with your newborn since the chance of being overheated increases when you sleep. The SnuzPod4 has a unique, breathable side panel that helps improve the airflow and keeps your baby comfortable.
