Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside crib is a small sleeping device that allows babies to sleep in the same space as their parents without the risks of co-sleeping. (The AAP warns against this due to the risk of SIDS and suffocation.) It also makes mid-night nursing sessions and baby care easier.
This sleeper has a sturdy mattress that can help babies' backs and minimize the chance of SIDS. It can be swiveled over your adult bed to lift your baby to cuddle them at sunrise or during late night nursing.
Budget
A bedside crib, also referred to as a bassinet or co-sleeper is a bassinet-style crib for babies that attaches to your existing bed. This lets you reach your baby quickly and safely for a late-night feed, comforting, or cuddles. bedside crib or cot are a great choice for mothers or new parents recovering from a csection as they offer the baby with easy access and do not require you to get up from your bed.
There are many different designs available, from the basic ones with just an upside-down side to more sophisticated ones that offer numerous adjustment options, like an incline or a height. The majority of them can be converted into a separate crib for napping during the daytime or when your baby is about months old and sleeping longer at night.
One of our favourites is the Maxi-Cosi Lora, that was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards, including the categories of Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily commented on how stylish and modern the design is and she was impressed by the possibility of using it as a regular bassinet or connect it onto your bed for safe side-by-side sleeping. She also appreciated the soft mattress, which was able to pass our test of firmness and the fact that it features a manual rocking feature that can be adjusted to a slight slope for reflux sufferers.
She didn't like that it had a non-mesh panel on the bottom and considered it too bulky to move around from room to room. When folded into its travel bag, she found it a bit heavy to carry up the stairs.
Size
A bedside cot resembles the bassinet, which is attached to the bed's side. You can easily reach your baby's mouth to feed, change nappies or comforting in the middle of the night. It's also great for moms recovering from a C-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise you to keep your baby in the same room as you but separate from you for the first six months as this can help reduce the chance of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). The crib that is placed beside your bed, with its low sides, is a great method to accomplish this. It lets you be able to easily access your baby throughout the night.
It's important that your newborn sleeps on a firm mattress as it is safer than a mattress that is soft. Infants don't have the motor control to turn over and a mattress that is soft can increase the chance of suffocation. The mattress is made of skin-friendly and breathable materials. It's comfortable for your baby, yet firm enough to ensure safety.
Mum Jasmin was delighted that the crib didn't take up the entire space in her room and found it to be the perfect size for a newborn. She also said that the mattress was also of good quality, as opposed to others that feel thin and thin. She also appreciates that it has a storage space underneath for clothes and blankets which she believes most bassinets do not have.
Mehack Mehack, an MFM mum who tested the product at home, likes that you can take off the wall on the side to make it easier to access your baby. She also loves the fact that legs can be placed under the bed to make it look less bulky and take up less space on the floor. She's also amazed by the ease of being able to move around the house whenever you'd like for ease during late-night meals and check-ins.
The CoZee Air crib is a favourite among parents. It was awarded a Gold Award in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards. It has a clever design that has four pulleys that can be used to raise or lower your crib. It also comes with an ample basket for toys, blankets, and other essentials. It is also lightweight and easy to assemble and is ideal for traveling with your baby.
Safety
It's important to consider the safety aspect when selecting the crib for your newborn. The official safety sleep guidelines of both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies should not be sleeping in the bed of their parents due to the dangers of suffocation, heat exhaustion and a greater chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bassinets that are placed in bed allow parents to keep their baby close, facilitating night-time feedings, comforting and monitoring without the need to get up from their beds.
This close proximity also helps breastfeeding mothers as they can take care of their infant's needs without having to wake up completely and can help maintain milk supply and support the breastfeeding experience. Some bedside 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 other care.
Many bassinets are equipped with mattresses that are firm, which is designed to minimize the risk of suffocation, and also meets industry standards. This is crucial because a baby's bones are fragile and not fully developed, and require support to prevent injury. The mattress should be covered with a fitted sheet to decrease the chance of suffocation due to dust mites or other allergens. It should also be kept clean and free of irritants.
Some cots for bedside use have the capability of being tilted, which can be useful for babies with reflux or digestive issues, however it should be done with great caution and at a moderate angle. It's also important to stay clear of adding pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet as these can pose a suffocation risk for your baby and should only be used when the cot is on an even surface.
It's also worth thinking about a bassinet with a secure attachment system that can be easily attached to your bed without the necessity of tools. This can be especially beneficial for parents who struggle to get their child into and out of the crib or who are worried about accidentally falling asleep. If your bassinet has a secure attachment system it's an excellent idea to periodically make sure it's secure and that there aren't gaps or loose parts which could cause danger.
Comfort
If you're expecting your first child, the safety of your infant is undoubtedly one of your main concerns. There's a brand new sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close to you in the evening, without the risk of sharing the bed. The crib for newborns is a bassinet-style cot that can be attached to the side of the bed. It allows you to safely carry your baby to you for night feedings and comfort. It also makes a great choice for mums recovering from a c-section, as it reduces the need to bend too much or even to get out of bed.
A modern bedside cot for newborns should have a firm flat mattress to ensure a safe sleep and reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Bedding should be easy comprising a cot sheets and blanket tucked tightly on the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers or pillows because they could be thrown over your baby and cause suffocation hazard. If your baby is used to being swaddled during a few weeks, you can use either an swaddle or baby sleep bag. However, it is recommended that this be removed when they have the strength to unwrap them.
Some cribs for bedside use an option to remove or drop down the side that allows for an easy access to your baby to feed and comfort them in the middle of the night. This feature is perfect for parents who wish to keep a close relationship with their child while still following NHS guidelines for sleep. If you are planning to sleep with your child, it is important to know that this practice could increase the chance of SIDS. This is particularly when a parent accidentally falls on their child while sleeping.
A fabric that is breathable is an important safety feature, as it's designed to keep your baby cool and comfortable throughout the night. bedside crib or cot is particularly important if you plan to co-sleep your newborn as the risk of overheating when sleeping increases. The SnuzPod4 features a unique mesh side panel that is breathable that aids in improving the flow of air and keep your baby warm in their bed.