Newborn Bedside Cot

A newborn bedside cot is a compact sleeper that allows newborns to sleep in the same room as their parents without the risks of true co-sleeping (which the AAP recommends against due to suffocation and SIDS). It also makes nursing sessions and baby care simpler.

This sleeper features a firm mattress to support babies' backs and minimize the chance of SIDS. It can be swiveled over the bed of your adult to make it easier for you to lift your child out for midnight nursing or cuddles at sunrise.

Budget

A bedside crib, also referred to as a bassinet or co-sleeper, is a bassinet style crib that can be attached to your bed. This allows you to reach your baby comfortably and safely for a nighttime feed, comforting, or cuddles. They are a great choice for new parents or mums recovering from a c-section because they allow easy access to baby and do not require you to get up from your bed.

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

One of our favorites is the Maxi-Cosi Lura, which was shortlisted for 2021 Mother&Baby awards, including the categories of Best Cot Crib, Best Cot or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily commented on how stylish and modern the design is as well as the possibility of using it as a regular bassinet, or connect it onto your bed to sleep side-by-side in a safe and secure manner. She also appreciated its luxurious mattress which has passed our tests for firmness, and that it has an adjustable manual inclining feature for reflux sufferers.

She didn't like that it had a non mesh panel at the bottom, and she thought it was too heavy to move around from room to room. When folded into its travel bag, she found it somewhat heavy to carry up the stairs.

Size

A bedside cot resembles the bassinet, which is placed on the bed's side. It is easy to reach your baby's side to feed them, change nappies or comforting in the middle of the night. It's ideal for mothers recovering from the c-section.

The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby away from you during the first six months, to reduce the risk of SIDS. A crib that is placed near your bed is a safe way to accomplish this since it has low sides and lets you be able to easily access your baby during the night.

It is important that your baby sleeps on a firm, not an extremely soft mattress. A soft mattress can increase the risk of suffocation in infants as they lack the motor control needed to turn. The mattress is made of skin-friendly and air-tight materials. It is a comfortable fit for your baby but firm enough to be safe.

Mum Jasmin was happy that the crib didn't take up the entire space in her room and thought it was the perfect size for a newborn. The mattress she rated as also of good quality, as opposed to those that feel cheap and thin. She also loves the fact that it has storage space underneath for bedding and clothes which many bassinets don't.

MFM mom home tester Mehack is a big fan of the side wall that is removable that allows you to drop it down to give easy access to your baby. She also appreciates that the legs can be put under the bed to look less bulky and occupy less space on the floor. She's also impressed by the ease of being able to move around the house when you'd like in the middle of the night, which is convenient for feedings and check-ins.

A recipient of an Gold award in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards, the CoZee Air is a popular choice among parents. It has a clever design with four pulleys built-in to raise or lower the crib and comes with a large bedside Cot storage bin to store your baby's blankets, toys and other essentials. It's also simple to put together and lightweight, which is useful for travelling with your baby.

Safety

When selecting a newborn bedside cot it's important to keep the safety of your baby in your thoughts. Official safe sleep advice from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies should not be sleeping in the bed of their parents because of the risks of suffocation, heat exhaustion and a higher risk of suffering from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bassinets for bedside cot used use allow parents to keep their infant close to help with night-time feedings, comforting and monitoring without the need to leave their bed.

This close proximity can also support breastfeeding mothers, as it allows them to attend to the needs of their infant while still sleeping. This can help maintain milk supply and encourage breastfeeding. Some bedside crib with wheels cots come with adjustable height features that can aid both the mother and baby to get into the bassinet for feedings or other activities throughout the night.

A lot of bassinets have mattresses that are firm, which is designed to minimize the risk of suffocation and is in line with industry standards. This is crucial because a newborn's bones are brittle and not fully developed, and require support to avoid damage. The mattress should be covered in a fitted cover to decrease the chance of suffocation from dust mites or other allergens. It should also be kept clean and free from irritants.

Some cots for bedside use can be tilted, which is beneficial for babies with reflux or digestive issues, however it should be done with extreme caution and at a moderate angle. Avoid adding pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet. These can pose the risk of suffocation your baby.

You should also consider an infant bassinet with an attachment system that is secure. This can be attached to your existing bed easily without the need for tools. This feature is especially beneficial for parents who have difficulty carry their child into and out of the crib or are concerned about their child accidentally rolling over during sleep. If your bassinet has secured attachments it is a great idea for you to regularly check it. Make sure there are no gaps, and that the system is securely connected.

Comfort

If you are a soon-to-be parent, your baby's safety is one of your main concerns. There's a new solution to sleep that lets you keep your baby close to you at night without the risk of sharing the bed. The baby bedside cot is essentially a bassinet-style cot that fixes to the side of your bed and allows you to take them away for night feeding and soothing. It is also a great option for mothers recovering from a C-section as it eliminates the need to stand or bend over.

A modern newborn bedside cot should have a sturdy, flat mattress to help in promoting safe sleeping habits and decrease the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The bedding should be simple, with a cot sheet and blanket tucked tightly at the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys and pillows that can fall onto your baby posing a suffocation risk. If your baby has been used to being swaddled for several weeks then you can use an swaddle or baby sleep bag. However, this should be removed once they have the strength to remove them.

Some cribs with a bedside have a removable or drop-down side that allows easy access to your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeds and comforting. This feature is ideal for parents who wish to maintain a close bond with their child, while adhering to NHS guidelines for sleep. If you're planning to sleep 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 rolls onto their child during 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 important if you plan to sleep with your baby since the chance of overheating is higher during sleep. The SnuzPod4 comes with an exclusive breathable side panel that aids in improving the flow of air, keeping your baby comfortable.