Newborn Bedside Cot

A newborn bedside cot is a small sleeper that allows babies 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 child care simpler.

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

Budget

A bedside crib co sleeper cot, sometimes referred to as a co-sleeper, an infant cot with a bassinet design that can be attached to your bed. This lets you reach your baby quickly and safely for a nighttime feed or comforting cuddle. They are a great option for mums or new parents recovering from a c-section because they allow an easy access to baby and don't require you to get out of bed.

There are a variety of designs available, from basic models with only a drop-down side, to more advanced ones that can be adjusted in several ways, including incline and height options. Most can be converted into a separate crib when your baby is older and has a longer sleep time at night.

One of our favorites is the Maxi-Cosi Lora which was nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the categories of Best Cot Crib, Best Cot or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily expressed her delight at how stylish and modern the design as well as the feature that you can use it as a regular bassinet or attach it to a bed to sleep side-by-side in a safe and secure manner. She also liked its plush mattress which was able to pass our tests of firmness and it also has an option to manually tilt it for reflux sufferers.

She didn't like that it had a non mesh panel on the bottom and considered it too bulky to move from room to room. She also found it a little heavy to carry up and down the stairs, especially when folded into a bag for travel.

Size

A bedside crib to cot cot is a bassinet that is attached to the bed's side. It's easy to reach your baby's mouth to feed them, change nappies or comforting during the night. It's also great for moms recovering from C-sections.

The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise you to keep your baby in the same room as you, but separated from you for the first six months as this can help reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). A crib for your bed is a secure way to achieve this because it is low-sided and lets you easily reach your baby throughout the night.

It is important that your baby sleeps on a firm and not an extremely soft mattress. A mattress that is soft can increase the risk of suffocation in infants as they lack the motor control necessary to turn. The breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make the mattress comfortable for your baby but sufficiently firm to be safe for your baby.

Mum Jasmin was pleased that the crib didn't take up much space in her room and thought it was the ideal size for a baby. The mattress she rated as also good quality, unlike those that feel cheap and thin. She also loves the fact that it has a storage area underneath for clothes and bedding which many bassinets do not have.

MFM mum home tester Mehack is a huge fan of the side wall that is removable that allows you to drop it to make it easier access to your newborn. She also loves the fact that the legs can be tucked under the bed to make it appear less bulky and take up less area on the floor. She's also impressed with how easy it was to move around the house when she needed to for feeds and check-ins in the middle of the night.

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 that has four pulleys that can be used to raise or lower your crib. It also comes with an enormous basket that can be used to store blankets, toys and other necessities. It's also easy to assemble and light in weight that is great to travel with your baby.

Safety

When selecting a newborn bedside cot, you must keep the safety aspect in your mind. 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 overheating, suffocation and a greater chance of suffering from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bassinets that are placed in bed allow parents to keep their baby close and allow for feeding at night as well as monitoring and comforting without having to get up from their beds.

This close proximity also assists breastfeeding mothers as they can attend to their baby's needs without having to get up in the middle of the night and help keep the supply of milk steady and help the breastfeeding experience. Some cots for bedside have adjustable height features that can help to ensure that the bassinet is an appropriate height for mother and baby for easy access for middle-of-the-night feedings or care.

Many bassinets are equipped with a firm mattress, which is designed to reduce the risk of suffocation, and also meets industry standards. This is crucial because a newborn's bones are brittle and aren't fully developed. They must be supported to avoid 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 travel cot use can be tilted. This is helpful for babies suffering from reflux or digestive issues. But, it should be done slowly and with care. Avoid putting pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet. These can pose the risk of suffocation your baby.

It is also recommended to consider the bassinet with an attachment system that is secure. This can be attached to your existing bed easily without the need for tools. This feature can be particularly helpful for parents who may struggle to lift their child in and out of the crib or who are concerned about falling asleep. If your bassinet does have a secure attachment system it's a good idea to regularly make sure it's secure and that there are no gaps or loose parts that could pose a hazard.

Comfort

If you're planning to become a parent, the comfort of your child is among your top concerns. There's a new solution to sleep that allows you to keep your baby close at night, without the danger of bed-sharing. The newborn bedside cot is essentially a bassinet-style cot which is fixed to the side of your bed, allowing you to safely lift them out towards you to feed them at night and soothe. It is also a great choice for mums recovering from a c-section, because it eliminates the need to bend over too much or even take a step out of the 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 simple with just a cot sheet and a blanket that is tightly tucked on the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys and pillows that may fall on your baby, posing the risk of suffocation. If your baby is used to being swaddled you can use a swaddle or baby sleep bag for the first few weeks, although it should be removed as soon as possible once they've developed the strength to take off their wraps.

Some cribs for bedside use an adjustable or drop-down side that gives you easy access to your baby for feeding and comfort in the middle of the night. This is a great feature for parents who wish to maintain a close relationship with their child while adhering to NHS guidelines on sleep. However, 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 a higher risk of SIDS, particularly when a parent accidentally is able to roll onto their infant 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 co-sleep with your newborn, as the risk of overheating increases when you sleep. The SnuzPod4 features a unique breathable mesh side panel that helps improve the flow of air and keep your baby warm in their mattress.