Newborn Bedside Cot

A newborn bedside cot is a compact sleeper that allows new babies to share a room as their parents without the dangers of co-sleeping (which the AAP recommends against due to suffocation and SIDS). It helps you care for your infant and feed them during the night.

This sleeper has a mattress that is firm and supports babies' backs, reducing the chance of SIDS. It can swivel over your bed to allow you to get your child out for midnight cuddles or a sunrise kiss.

Budget

A bedside crib, also called a co-sleeper or bassinet, is a bassinet style baby cot that clips to your bed. This allows you to comfortably and safely reach your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeding, comforting or cuddles. They are a great choice for mums or new parents recovering from a c-section as they provide easy access to baby and do not require you to get out of bed.

There are a variety of styles available that range from basic models with only a drop-down side, to more sophisticated ones that can be adjusted in a variety of ways with incline and height options. The majority of them can be converted to a separate crib when your baby grows older and is sleeping longer in the night.

One of our favourites is the Maxi-Cosi Lura, that was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the categories of best bedside cot uk 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 liked the fact that it could be used as a bassinet, or attached to your existing bed, to ensure safe side-by-side sleeping. She also liked its plush mattress that was able to pass our tests of firmness and also that it comes with an option to manually tilt it for those suffering from reflux.

She didn't like the fact that it had a mesh panel at the bottom and considered it too bulky 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, feeding and comforting. It's also great for mums recovering from C-sections.

The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby away from you during the first six month, to reduce the risk of SIDS. A crib for your bed is a secure way to achieve this because it is low-sided and allows you to be able to easily access your baby during the night.

It is crucial that your baby is sleeping on a firm, not a soft mattress. A mattress that is soft increases the risk of suffocation among newborns, as they do not have the motor control required 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 home test Jasmin was pleased with the fact that the crib does not take up a lot of space in her bedroom, and she found the size to be perfect for a newborn. She also said that the mattress was of good quality, unlike others which seem thin and flimsy. She also loves the fact that it has a storage area underneath for clothes and blankets - something she says many bassinets don't have.

MFM mom home tester Mehack is a fan of the side wall that is removable that lets you lower it down for easy access to your baby. She also loves the fact that the legs can be put under the bed to look less bulky and take up less area on the floor. She's also impressed with how it was easy to move around her house when she needed to for checks and feedings during the night.

A recipient of an Gold award in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards, the CoZee Air is a popular choice among parents. It is designed with four built-in pulleys to raise or lower the crib. It includes a large bedside cot storage basket for toys, blankets and other necessities. It's also easy to put together and light, which is useful for travelling with your baby.

Safety

It is important to think about safety when choosing the right crib for your baby's bed. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS, recommend that babies do not sleep in the parents' beds due to the risk of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome. Bassinets that are placed in bed allow parents to keep their baby close to help with nighttime feedings and monitoring without needing to get up from their beds.

This close proximity can aid breastfeeding mothers since it lets them attend to the needs of their baby while also sleeping. This can help maintain the supply of milk and encourage breastfeeding. Some cots for bedside use adjustable height options that can make it easier for the mother and child to reach the bassinet for feedings or other activities throughout the night.

Many bassinets are equipped with mattresses that are firm, which is designed to minimize the risk of suffocation and is in line with the standards of the industry. It is essential to provide support for the bones of a newborn since they are still fragile and aren't fully formed. The mattress should be covered with a fitted sheet in order to decrease the risk that dust mites or other allergens, could choke a child. It must be kept clean and free of irritants.

Some bedside cribs can be tilted. This is useful for babies suffering from digestive or reflux issues. However, this should be done slowly and with caution. Avoid putting pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers in the bassinet. These could create a risk of suffocation for your baby.

It is also recommended to consider an infant bassinet with a secure attachment system. It can be attached to your existing bed easily without the need of tools. This can be especially beneficial for parents who struggle to lift their child in and out of the crib or who are concerned about falling asleep. If your bassinet has an attachment that is secure it is a great idea to check it frequently. Make sure there aren't any gaps and that the system is securely connected.

Comfort

If you're a soon-to-be parent, the comfort of your child is one of your primary concerns. There's a new solution to sleep that lets you keep your baby bedside cot close to you in the evening, without the risk of sharing the bed. The newborn bedside cot is an essentially a bassinet-style crib that fixes to the bed's side and allows you to take them away to feed them at night and soothe. It's also the perfect choice for mothers recovering from a c-section, as it reduces the need to bend too much or even to get out of bed.

Modern cots for infants should be fitted with a firm, flat mattress to promote safe sleeping habits and lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The bedding should be simple, with only the sheet for the cot and blanket that is tightly tucked into the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers and pillows that may fall on your baby, posing a suffocation risk. If your baby is used to being swaddled, you can use a swaddle or baby sleep bag for the first few weeks, however it is best to remove it as soon as possible once they've gained the strength to pull themselves out of the wrap.

Some cribs with a bedside feature an option to remove or drop down the side that gives you easy access to your baby for comforting and feeding in the middle of the night. This is a great feature for parents who want to keep a close relationship with their child while adhering to NHS sleep guidelines. However, if you're considering sleeping in the same bed with your baby it's important to recognize that this practice has been associated with an increased risk of SIDS, particularly in the event that a parent falls on their infant while they sleep.

A fabric that is breathable is an essential safety feature, as it's designed to keep your baby cool and comfortable throughout the night. This is particularly crucial if you intend to sleep with your baby because the risk of overheating increases when you sleep. The SnuzPod4 has a unique side panel made of breathable mesh that aids in improving airflow and keep your baby snug in their bed.