20 Things You Need To Be Educated About Newborn Bedside Cot
Newborn rocking bedside crib Cot
A newborn bedside crib is a tiny sleeper that lets babies sleep in the same room as their parents, without the dangers of co-sleeping. (The AAP warns against this because of the risk of SIDS and suffocation.) It also makes nursing sessions and child care easier.
This mattress is a firm mattress that can support the backs of babies and decrease the risk of SIDS. It can be swiveled over your adult bed to allow you to get your child out for midnight nursing or cuddles at sunrise.
Budget
A bedside cot, also referred to as a co-sleeper, is a bassinet-style baby cot for bedside that clips or attaches to your bed. This lets you safely and easily reach your baby during the night for feeding or cuddles. These are great for new parents and mums recovering after a c section because they allow easy access to the baby without having to get up from the bed.
There are a variety of designs available, ranging from basic ones with just an upside-down side to more sophisticated models with multiple adjustment options, including an incline or a height. The majority of them can be converted to a standalone crib when your baby is older and is sleeping longer in the night.
Maxi-Cosi Lora is one our favorites. It was shortlisted in the Best Cot category for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. MFM home tester Emily said she was impressed by how chic and modern the design was. She also liked the fact that it could be used as a bassinet, or a clip to your existing bed, to ensure safe side-by-side sleeping. She also liked its plush mattress that has passed our tests for firmness, and that it has an option to manually tilt it for those who suffer from reflux.
But she wasn't thrilled with the fact that it had a non-mesh panel at its foot end and thought it was a bit bulky to move from room to room regularly. She also found it a bit heavy to carry up and down the stairs, especially when folded into a travel bag.
Size
A large bedside crib cot for bedside resembles an infant bassinet that is placed on the side of your bed. It's easy to reach your baby's side to feed, change nappies or comforting in the middle of the night. It's also great for moms recovering from the C-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby separate from you during the first 6 months to lower the risk of SIDS. A crib that is placed near your bed is a safe method to accomplish this since it is low-sided and allows you to easily access your newborn throughout the night.
It is crucial that your infant sleeps on a firm mattress since it is more secure than a soft one. A mattress that is soft increases the risk of suffocation among newborns, since they lack the motor control needed to turn. The breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make this mattress a comfortable one for your baby but sufficiently firm to be safe for your baby.
Mum home test Jasmin was pleased with the fact that the crib does not take up much space in her bedroom and she found it to be the perfect size for a baby. The mattress she rated as also good quality, unlike others that feel thin and thin. She also appreciates that it has a storage area underneath for clothes and bedding - something many other bassinets don't.
MFM mom home tester Mehack is a huge fan of the removable side wall that allows you to drop it down for easy access to your newborn. 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 her home in the event of feeds and check-ins in the middle of the night.
The CoZee Air crib is a favorite among parents. It was awarded the Gold Award in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards. It is a clever design with four pulleys that can be used to raise or lower your crib. There's also an ample basket for blankets, toys and other essentials. It's also light and easy to assemble, making it ideal to travel with your baby.
Safety
It is crucial to think about 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 do not sleep in their parents' beds because of the risks of suffocation, overheating and a higher chance of suffering from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bassinets for bedside use allow parents to keep their babies close, which allows for nighttime feedings, comforting, and monitoring without the need to leave their bed.
This close proximity can support breastfeeding mothers, as it lets them attend to the needs of their baby while still sleeping. This can help maintain the supply of milk and encourage breastfeeding. Some foldable bedside crib cots have adjustable height features that can help to ensure that the bassinet is a comfortable height for both mother and baby to allow ease of access during feedings or for care.
Many bassinets are equipped with mattresses that are firm, which is designed to decrease the risk of suffocation, and also meets the standards of the industry. 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 encased with a fitted sheet to decrease the chance of suffocation from dust mites and other allergens and kept hygienically clean and free of irritants.
Some cribs for bedside use can be tilted. This is useful for babies with reflux or digestive problems. But, it should only be done gently and with caution. It is also essential to avoid putting pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet as they can create the risk of suffocation for your baby. They should only be used when the cot is placed on a flat surface.
It's also worth considering an adjustable bassinet with an attachment system that is secure and can be easily fixed to your bed without the need for tools. This is particularly beneficial for parents who struggle to get their child in and out of the crib or are concerned about their baby accidentally rolling over while sleeping. If your bassinet has an attachment that is secure it is a good idea to check it frequently. Check to ensure there are no gaps, and that the system is securely attached.
Comfort
If you are a soon-to-be parent, the comfort of your child is one of your main concerns. Thankfully, there's an innovative sleep solution that lets you keep your baby close throughout the night, without any of the risks associated with sharing a bed. The baby bedside cot is an essentially a bassinet-style crib that fixes to the side of your bed that allows you to take them away to feed them at night and soothe. It's also a great choice for mothers recovering from a C-section as it will not require you to get up or to bend over.
Modern cots for infants should be fitted with a firm, flat mattress to promote safe sleeping practices and reduce the risk Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Bedding should be simple with just a cot sheet and a blanket tightly tucked at the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers or pillows as these could be thrown over your baby and create a suffocation hazard. If your baby has been used to being swaddled during a few weeks, you can use either an swaddle or baby sleep bag. However, this should be removed when they have the strength to unwrap them.
Some cribs for bedside use an open or removable side to make it easy for your baby for feedings in the middle of the night and comforting. This is a great feature for parents who want to maintain a close relationship with their child, but still adhere to NHS sleep guidelines. However, if you're planning to co-sleep in the same bed as your baby it's important to know that this practice has been associated with an increased risk of SIDS especially when a parent accidentally is able to roll onto their infant during sleep.
A fabric that is breathable is an important safety factor, since it's designed to keep your baby cool and comfortable throughout the night. This is particularly important if you plan to sleep with your baby because the risk of overheating increases during sleep. The SnuzPod4 has an exclusive breathable side panel that aids in improving the airflow and keeps your baby cool.