So You ve Purchased Newborn Bedside Cot ... Now What
Newborn Bedside Cot
A crib for newborns is a tiny sleeping device that allows babies to sleep in the same room with their parents without the dangers of co-sleeping. (The AAP warns against this due to the risk of SIDS and suffocation.) It helps you take care of your infant and feed them throughout the night.
This mattress is a firm mattress that is designed to support babies' backs and minimize the risk of SIDS. It can be swiveled over your adult bed to lift your baby to cuddle them at sunrise or during late night nursing.
Budget
A bedside cot, sometimes referred to as a co-sleeper is the bassinet-style baby cot that is attached or clipped to your bed. This allows you to reach your baby comfortably and safely for a late-night feed, comforting, or cuddles. They are a great option for mothers or new parents recovering from a c-section because they offer easy access to baby and don't require you to get up.
There are lots of different designs on the market that range from basic models with only a drop-down side, to more sophisticated models that can be adjusted in multiple ways, including incline and height options. Many convert to a separate crib for napping during the daytime or when your baby is about months old and sleeps longer at night.
Maxi-Cosi Lora is one of our top picks. It was nominated in the Best Cot category for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. MFM home tester Emily commented on how stylish and modern the design is as well as the possibility of using it as a regular bassinet, or connect it onto your bed to sleep side-by-side in a safe and secure manner. She also liked the plush mattress that has passed our test for firmness and the fact that it comes with a manual rocking function that can be set to a slight tilt for reflux sufferers.
However, she wasn't a fan of the fact that it had a non-mesh panel on the bottom and thought it was a bit bulky to move from room to room frequently. She also found it a little heavy to carry up and down the stairs once folded away into its bag for travel.
Size
A bedside cot is similar to a bassinet that is connected to the side of your bed. It lets you easily reach your baby during the night for feeding, nappies and comforting. It's great for mothers who are recovering from the c-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise you to keep your baby in the same room with you, but keep them separate from you for the first six months, since this will help decrease the chance of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). A crib for your bed is a safe method to accomplish this since it is low-sided and lets you easily access your newborn throughout the night.
It is important that your baby sleeps on a firm, not a soft mattress. A soft mattress can increase the risk of suffocation for newborns, as they do not have the motor control required to turn. The breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make the mattress comfortable for your baby but sufficiently firm to be safe for your baby.
Mum home tester Jasmin was pleased with the fact that the crib does not take up much space in her bedroom. Also, she found the size to be perfect for a newborn. The mattress she rated as also good quality, unlike those that feel cheap and thin. She also loves the fact that it has storage space underneath for bedding and clothes which other bassinets don't.
Mehack is an MFM mom who tried the product at home, likes that you can 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 appear less bulky and occupy less area on the floor. She is also impressed by how easy it was to move around the house when she needed to do feeds and check-ins in the middle of the night.
A recipient of a Gold award in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards The CoZee Air is a popular choice for parents. It is a clever design with four pulleys that can be used to raise or lower your crib. There is also a large basket for blankets, toys, and other essentials. It is also light and easy to put together which makes it perfect to travel with your baby.
Safety
It's important to consider the safety aspect when selecting a newborn bedside cot co sleeper crib. Official safe sleep advice from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies not sleep in their parents' beds due to the dangers of suffocation, heat exhaustion and a greater chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bassinets for bedside use allow parents to keep their newborns close, facilitating night time feedings as well as monitoring without needing to get up.
This close proximity also supports breastfeeding mothers by allowing them to attend to the needs of their infant without waking up at all times and can help keep the supply of milk steady and help the breastfeeding experience. Some cots for bedside cots for newborns have adjustable height features that will help ensure that the bassinet is an ideal height for mother and baby to allow easy access for middle-of-the-night feedings or for care.
Many bassinets come with mattresses that are firm and designed to decrease the risk of suffocation, and is in line with industry standards. This is important because a baby's bones are fragile and not fully developed and must be supported to prevent damage. The mattress should be covered with an appropriate sheet to decrease the risk that dust mites, or other allergens, could choke a child. It must also be kept free of allergens and clean.
Some cots for bedside use can be tilted. This can be useful for babies with reflux or digestive issues, but this should always be done with great caution and at a moderate angle. Avoid placing pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers inside the bassinet. They could pose a risk of suffocation for 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 bed without the necessity of tools. This feature is especially beneficial for parents who have difficulty get their child in and out of the crib or are concerned about their baby accidentally rolling over while sleeping. If your bassinet is equipped with secured attachments, it's a good idea to regularly check that it's securely attached and that there aren't any gaps or loose components which could cause danger.
Comfort
If you are a soon-to-be parent, your baby's safety is one of your primary concerns. There's a brand new sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close in the evening, without the risk of sharing a bed. The baby bedside cot is essentially a bassinet-style cot which is fixed to the side of your bed, allowing you to safely 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 over too much or even get out of bed.
Modern bedside cots for babies should be fitted with a firm, flat mattress to promote safe sleeping practices and reduce the risk Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The bedding should be simple and consist of only the sheet for the cot and blanket tucked tightly at the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers and pillows that could fall on your baby, posing an obstructive risk. If your baby is used to being swaddled during a few weeks, you can use either the swaddle or baby sleep bag. However, it is recommended that this be removed after they have the strength to unwrap them.
Some cribs with a bedside have a removable or drop-down side that allows easy access to your baby's feeds and comforting. This is a wonderful feature for parents looking to keep the bond between them and their child, but still adhere to NHS safe sleep advice. If you're planning to sleep in the same bed with your baby it's important to recognize that this practice has been linked to an increased risk of SIDS especially if a parent unintentionally is able to roll onto their infant while they sleep.
A breathable fabric will keep your baby comfortable and cool throughout the night. This is particularly crucial if you intend to sleep with your baby because the risk of overheating is higher when you sleep. The SnuzPod4 has a unique breathable mesh side panel that helps improve the airflow and keeps your baby warm in their mattress.