Newborn Bedside Cot

A crib for newborns is a small sleeping device that lets babies sleep in the same room as their parents without the risks of co-sleeping. (The AAP warns against this because of the dangers of SIDS and the risk of suffocation.) It makes it easier to take care of your infant and feed them throughout the night.

This sleeper has an extremely firm mattress that can support babies' backs, reducing the chance of SIDS. It can be swiveled over the bed of your adult to allow you to lift your baby for nighttime cuddles or a sunrise kiss.

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 allows you to easily and safely reach your baby during the night for feeding, comforting or cuddles. These are great for mothers and new parents recovering from a csection because they provide the baby to be easily accessible without having to get up from the bed.

There are a variety of styles that are available, from the basic ones that have a drop down side to more sophisticated models with multiple adjustment options, including the ability to tilt or raise. Many convert to a separate crib for daytime naps or when your baby is about months old and is sleeping more at night.

One of our favourites is the Maxi-Cosi Lora which was nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards, including the categories of best bedside cots Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily commented on how stylish and modern the design and she was impressed by the feature that you can use it as a regular bassinet or attach it to a bed for safe side-by-side sleeping. She also liked its plush mattress, which has passed our tests for firmness and also that it comes with a manual inclining function for reflux sufferers.

She wasn't a fan of the fact that it had a mesh panel on the bottom and she thought it was too heavy to move from room to room. When folded into a travel bag she found it to be a bit heavy to carry up the stairs.

Size

A bedside cot is the bassinet, which is connected to the side of your bed. It allows you to reach your baby during the night for feeding nappies, comforting and feeding. It's perfect for mothers who are recovering from a c-section.

The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise you to keep your baby in the same room with you, but separated from you for the first six months, because this will reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). A bedside travel cot crib is a safe method to achieve this because it is low-sided and lets you easily access your newborn at night.

It is essential that your baby sleeps on a firm mattress since it is more secure than a soft one. Infants don't have the motor control to turn over and a soft mattress could increase the risk of drowning. The mattress is made of skin-friendly and air-tight materials. It is comfortable for your baby but firm enough to be safe.

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. She also noted that the mattress was of high-quality and not like other mattresses that seem thin and flimsy. She also loves the fact that it has storage space underneath for clothes and bedding - something many other bassinets do not have.

MFM mom home test Mehack is a fan of the removable side wall that allows you to drop it down to give easy access to your newborn. She also likes the fact that the legs can be put under the bed to look less bulky and occupy less floor space. She is also impressed by how it was simple to move around her home when she needed to for checks and feedings during the night.

The CoZee Air crib is a favourite among parents. It won a Gold Award in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It is a clever design with four pulleys that can be used to raise or lower your crib. There is also an enormous basket that can be used to store toys, blankets, and other necessities. It is also lightweight and easy to assemble and is ideal to travel with your baby.

Safety

It's important to consider safety when choosing the crib for your newborn. The official safe sleep guidelines from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies should not sleep in their parents' beds because of the risks of suffocation, overheating and a higher chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bassinets for bedside travel crib use allow parents to keep their infants close to them, facilitating nighttime feedings, comforting, and monitoring without the need to get out of bed.

This close proximity also helps breastfeeding mothers by allowing them to take care of their infant's needs without having to wake up completely and help keep milk supply steady and enhance the breastfeeding experience. Some cots for bedside use adjustable height options that can aid the mother and child to reach the bassinet to feed or take care of other needs at night.

A lot of bassinets have mattresses that are firm, which is designed to minimize suffocation risk and meets the standards of the industry. This is essential because baby's bones are fragile and aren't fully developed. They must be supported to prevent damage. The mattress should be covered with an appropriate sheet to reduce the risk that dust mites or other allergens, will cause a child to be suffocated. It should also be kept free of allergens and clean.

Some cribs for bedside use can be tilted. This is helpful for babies who have digestive or reflux issues. However, this should only be done gently and with caution. Avoid putting pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers inside the bassinet. These can pose a risk of suffocation for your baby.

It is also recommended to consider a bassinet that has an attachment system that is secure. It can be attached to your existing bed easily without the need of tools. This can be especially beneficial for parents who struggle to get their child in and out of the crib or who are worried about accidentally rolling over in the night. If your bassinet is equipped with a secure attachment system it's a good idea to regularly check that it's securely attached and that there are no gaps or loose components that could pose a hazard.

Comfort

If you're expecting a child, the comfort of your baby is surely one of your top concerns. There's a great sleep solution that lets you keep your baby close throughout the night, without any of the dangers that come with bed-sharing. The baby bedside cot is essentially a bassinet-style cot which is fixed to the bed's side, allowing you to safely move them towards you to feed them at night and soothe. It is an excellent option for mothers recovering from a C-section as it eliminates the need to get up or sit up.

Modern bedside cots for newborns (click for info) should include a firm, flat mattress to promote safe sleeping habits and reduce the risk Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Bedding should be simple with a cot sheet and a blanket that is tightly tucked on the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys, and pillows that can fall on your baby, posing a suffocation risk. If your baby has been used to being swaddled for a few weeks, you can use either a swaddle, or a baby sleep bag. But, it should be removed once they have the strength to take them off.

Some cribs for bedside use an adjustable or drop-down side that gives you the baby to be easily accessible for feeding and comfort in the middle of the night. This feature is perfect for parents who want to maintain a close bond with their child but still adhere to NHS sleep guidelines. However, if you're planning to sleep in the same bed with your child it's important to recognize that this practice has been associated with an increased risk of SIDS especially in the event that a parent falls on their infant during sleep.

A breathable fabric is another essential safety feature, as it's designed to keep your baby cool and comfortable throughout the night. This is particularly important if you plan to sleep with your newborn, as the risk of overheating increases during sleep. The SnuzPod4 features an exclusive breathable side panel, which helps increase airflow, keeping your baby warm.