Newborn Bedside Cot

A newborn bedside cot is a small sleeper that allows newborns to share a space as their parents without the dangers of co-sleeping (which the AAP advises against due to SIDS and suffocation). It makes it easier to take care of your infant and feed them in the middle of the night.

This sleeper has a mattress that is firm and supports babies backs, reducing the risk of SIDS. It can be rotated over your adult bed so that you can carry your baby to the top to cuddle them at sunrise or during midnight nursing.

Budget

A bedside crib that turns into cot crib, also called a bassinet or co-sleeper, is a bassinet style baby bedside crib cot that clips to your bed. This lets you comfortably and safely reach your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeding or cuddles. These are ideal for new parents and mums recovering from a csection as they allow the baby to be easily accessible without having to get up from bed.

There are a variety of designs available, ranging from basic ones with just the drop-down side, to more sophisticated models with multiple adjustment options, including incline or height. 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 favorites is the Maxi-Cosi Lora which was nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards in the categories of Best Cot Crib, Best Cot or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily noted how stylish and modern the design was. She also appreciated 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 which passed our firmness tests and also that it comes with a manual inclining function for reflux sufferers.

However, she wasn't a fan of the feature of a non-mesh panel at the foot end and thought it was a bit heavy to move from room room regularly. She also found it to be a bit heavy to carry up and down the stairs when folded away into its travel bag.

Size

A bedside cot is a bassinet-style cot that fixes to the side of the bed. It lets you easily reach your baby for mid-night feeding nappies, feeding and comforting. It's perfect for mothers who are recovering from a c-section.

The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby away from you for the first six month, to reduce the risk 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 easily access your newborn throughout the night.

It is crucial that your baby is sleeping on a firm, not an extremely soft mattress. A soft mattress can increase the risk of suffocation for newborns, as they lack the motor control needed to turn. The mattress is made of skin-friendly and breathable materials. It's comfortable for your baby, but sufficient to be secure.

Mum Jasmin was pleased that the crib didn't take up much space in her bedroom and thought it was the ideal size for a newborn. She also said that the mattress was of high-quality and not like other mattresses that feel thin and flimsy. She also likes the fact that it has a storage space beneath for bedding and clothes which many bassinets don't.

Mehack Mehack, an MFM mum who tested the product at home, is thrilled that you can remove the wall on the side to allow easier access to your baby. She also likes the fact that the legs tuck under the bed so that it doesn't appear bulky or take up a lot of floor space. She's also impressed with how easy it is to move around the house as you need to in the middle of the night, which is convenient for feedings and check-ins.

The CoZee Air crib is a favorite among parents. It won the Gold Award in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has a clever design with four pulleys that are built-in to raise or lower the crib. It has a large storage basket to store your baby's toys, blankets and other essentials. It's also easy to assemble and light that is great for travelling with your baby.

Safety

When selecting a newborn bedside cot, you must keep safety in your mind. Official safe sleep advice from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies not sleep in parent's beds due to the dangers of suffocation, overheating and a greater chance of suffering from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bassinets for bedside use allow parents to keep their infants close, facilitating night time feedings as well as monitoring without the need to get out of bed.

This close proximity can also support breastfeeding mothers, as it allows them to be attentive to the baby's needs while still sleeping. This can help maintain the supply of milk and encourage breastfeeding. Some cots with a bedside are equipped with adjustable height features that will help ensure that the bassinet is a comfortable height for both mother and baby, allowing easy access to mid-night feedings or other care.

A majority of bassinets come with a mattress that is designed to minimize the chance of suffocation and conforms to industry standards. It is crucial to support the bones of a newborn as they are still soft and are not fully formed. The mattress should be encased in a fitted cover to reduce the risk of suffocation caused by dust mites and other allergens, and kept clean and free of irritants.

Some cribs for bedside use can be tilted. This is helpful for babies suffering from digestive or reflux issues. But, it should be done with care and with caution. It's also important to avoid adding pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet since they could pose a suffocation risk for your baby and should only be used when the cot is set on a flat surface.

It's also worth looking into an infant bassinet that has an attached system that is secure and can be easily attached to your bed without the necessity of tools. This feature is especially useful for parents who struggle to get their child in and out of the crib or are worried about their baby accidentally falling asleep. If your bassinet does have secured attachments, it's a good idea to regularly ensure that it's securely secured and that there aren't gaps or loose components which could cause danger.

Comfort

If you're expecting your first child, the safety of your child is definitely one of your main concerns. There's a wonderful sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close during the night without taking on any of the dangers that come with bed-sharing. The crib for newborns is a cot that resembles a bassinet that can be attached to the side of the bed. It allows you to safely lift your baby out towards you for feedings and soothing. It also makes the perfect choice for mothers recovering from a csection, since it makes it less necessary to bend too much or even take a step out of bed.

Modern bedside cots for newborns should be fitted with a firm, flat mattress to encourage safe sleep habits and lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Bedding should be easy with just a cot sheet and a blanket tightly tucked at the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys and pillows that could be thrown over your baby, creating the risk of suffocation. If your baby is familiar with being swaddled, you can use a swaddle or baby sleep bag for the initial few weeks, but it is best to remove it as soon as you can once they've gained the strength to pull themselves out of the wrap.

Some cribs for bedside travel crib use an option to remove or drop down the side that allows for easy access to your baby to feed and comfort them during the middle of the night. This is a great option for parents who wish to maintain an intimate relationship with their child, but still adhere to NHS safe sleep guidelines. However, if you're considering sleeping in the same bed as your baby, it's important to understand that this practice has been linked to an increased risk of SIDS, particularly in the event that a parent falls on their infant while they sleep.

A breathable fabric is another important safety feature, as it's designed to keep your baby cool and comfortable throughout the night. This is especially crucial if you intend to co sleeper bedside cot-sleep with your newborn since the chance of overheating is higher during sleep. The SnuzPod4 has a unique, breathable side panel that aids in improving airflow, keeping your baby warm.