Newborn Bedside Cot

A newborn bedside cot is a small sleeper that allows new babies to sleep in the same space as their parents without the risk of sleeping together (which the AAP recommends against due to suffocation and SIDS). It also makes nursing sessions and baby care simpler.

This mattress has an extremely firm mattress that can support babies backs, reducing the risk of SIDS. It can be swiveled over your adult bed so that you can raise your baby to cuddle them at sunrise or during late night nursing.

Budget

A bedside cot, sometimes referred to as a co-sleeper, is a bassinet-style baby cot that can be attached to your existing bed. This lets you reach your baby easily and safely for a mid-night feed or cuddles. They are a great choice for mums or new parents recovering from a csection as they provide easy access to baby and don't require you to get out of bed.

There are many different designs available, from the basic ones with just a drop down side to more sophisticated ones that offer multiple adjustment options, including incline or height. The majority of them can be converted into an independent crib for daytime naps or when your baby is a few months old and sleeps longer at night.

One of our top picks is the Maxi-Cosi Lora, which was nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards, including Best Cot Crib, Best Cot or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily said she was impressed by how chic and modern the design was. She also appreciated 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 admired the soft mattress, which was able to pass our test of firmness and also the fact that it has a manual rocking feature that can be set to a slight incline for reflux sufferers.

However, she didn't like the feature of a non-mesh panel on the foot end and thought it was a bit heavy to move from room to room often. She also found it a bit heavy to carry up and down the stairs once it was folded up into its bag for travel cot bedside.

Size

A bedside cot is basically the bassinet style cot that can be fixed to the side of the bed. It allows you to easily reach your baby for mid-night feeding, nappies and comforting. It's also great for moms recovering from the C-section.

The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby away from you in the first six month, to decrease the chance of SIDS. A crib that is placed near your bed is a safe method to achieve this as it is low-sided and lets you be able to easily access your baby during the night.

It is crucial that your baby sleeps on a firm, not an extremely soft mattress. A mattress that is soft increases the risk of suffocation among newborns, since they lack the motor control necessary to turn. The soft, breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make the mattress comfortable for your baby, but firm enough for safety.

Mum Jasmin was happy that the crib didn't take up the entire space in her room and found it to be the ideal size for a newborn. She also noted that the mattress was of high-quality unlike other cribs that feel thin and flimsy. She also likes the fact that it has a storage space underneath for clothes and bedding which other bassinets do not have.

MFM mom home test Mehack is a big fan of the side wall that is removable that allows you to drop it to make it easier access to your newborn. She also likes the fact that legs slide under the bed so that it doesn't appear heavy or take up a lot of floor space. She's also impressed with how easy it is to move around the house when you need to in the middle of the night, which is convenient for feedings and check-ins.

A recipient of an Gold award in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards The CoZee Air is a popular choice amongst parents. It has a clever design with four pulleys which can be used to raise or lower your crib. There is also a large basket for blankets, toys and other items. It is also lightweight and easy to put together and is ideal to travel with your baby.

Safety

When choosing a new baby's bedside cot it's important to keep the safety aspect in your thoughts. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS recommend that babies don't be placed in parents' beds because of the risk of suffocation as well as sudden infant death syndrome. Bassinets that are placed in bed allow parents to keep their infant close and allow for night-time feedings and monitoring without the need to leave their bed.

This close proximity also helps breastfeeding mothers as they can take care of their infant's needs without having to wake up in the middle of the night and help keep the supply of milk steady and help the breastfeeding experience. Some cots for bedside crib use adjustable height features that help the mother and child to reach the bassinet for feedings or other care at night.

A majority of bassinets come with a mattress that is designed to decrease the risk of suffocation, and conforms to industry standards. It is important to provide support for the bones of a newborn, since they are still fragile and are not fully formed. The mattress should be encased with a fitted sheet to reduce the risk of suffocation caused by dust mites or other allergens. It should also be kept clean and free from irritants.

Some bedside cots have the capability of being tilted, which can be beneficial for babies suffering from reflux or digestive issues, however this should be done with great caution and at a moderate angle. Avoid adding pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet. They could pose the risk of suffocation to your baby.

It's also worth looking into a bassinet with an attachment system that is secure and can be easily fixed to your existing bed without the need for tools. This can be especially beneficial for parents who struggle to get their child in and out of the cot or concerned about the possibility of falling asleep. If your bassinet is equipped with a secure attachment, it is a good idea for you to regularly check it. Make sure there aren't any gaps and that the system is securely attached.

Comfort

If you are a soon-to-be parent, your baby's safety is among your top concerns. There's a new sleep solution that lets you keep your baby close to you in the evening, without the risk of sharing a bed. The baby bedside cot is basically a bassinet-style cot which is fixed to the bed's side that allows you to take them away to feed them at night and soothe. It is also the perfect choice for mothers recovering from a csection, since it makes it less necessary to bend over too much or even to get out of bed.

Modern cots for infants should have a flat, firm mattress to encourage safe sleep practices and reduce the risk Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The bedding should be kept as simple as possible with just the sheets for the cot and a blanket tucked tightly at the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers and pillows since they can be thrown over your baby and create a danger of suffocation. If your baby has been used to being swaddled for a few weeks then you can use an swaddle or baby sleep bag. However, it is recommended that this be removed once they have the strength to take them off.

Some cribs with a bedside baby sleeper feature a removable or drop-down side that allows for the baby to be easily accessible for feeding and comfort in the middle of the night. This is a wonderful feature for parents looking to maintain a strong bond with their child, while adhering to NHS safe sleep advice. If you plan to co-sleep with your child, it is important to be aware that this practice may increase the risk of SIDS. This is particularly when a parent accidentally is able to roll their infant over during sleep.

A breathable fabric is another important safety factor, since it's designed to keep your baby cool and comfortable throughout the night. This is especially crucial if you intend to co-sleep with your newborn since the chance of overheating is higher during sleep. The SnuzPod4 comes with a unique breathable side panel that helps improve airflow, keeping your baby cool.