Newborn Bedside Cot

A newborn bedside cot is a small sleeper that allows 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 also makes middle-of-the-night nursing sessions and care much simpler.

This sleeper has a sturdy mattress that is designed to support the backs of babies and minimize the risk of SIDS. It can slide over your bed to allow you to lift your baby for nighttime nursing or cuddles at sunrise.

Budget

A twin bedside cot cot, sometimes referred to as a co-sleeper, an infant cot with a bassinet design that clips or attaches to your bed. This lets you reach your baby comfortably and safely for a late-night feed or comforting cuddle. They are a great choice for mothers or new parents recovering from a csection as they allow the baby with easy access and do not require you to get out of bed.

There are a variety of styles available, from the simple ones with the drop-down side, to more sophisticated models with numerous adjustment options, like incline or height. The majority of them can be converted into a standalone crib for napping during the daytime or when your baby is a few months old and sleeps longer at night.

Maxi-Cosi Lora is among our favorites. It was shortlisted in the Best Cot category for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. 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 clipped to your bed to ensure safe side-by-side sleeping. She also appreciated the soft mattress, which has passed our test for firmness and also the fact that it features an automatic rocking feature that can be adjusted to a slight slope for reflux sufferers.

But she wasn't thrilled with the design of the non-mesh panel on the bottom and felt it was a bit bulky to move from room room frequently. When folded into a travel bag she found it a bit heavy to carry up the stairs.

Size

A bedside crib with wheels cot is basically a bassinet-style cot that fixes to the side of the bed. It allows you to reach your baby during the night for feeding, nappies and comforting. It's great for mothers who are recovering from an o-section.

The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby away from you in the first six months, to decrease the chance of SIDS. The crib at the bedside with its low sides is a great way to achieve this. It allows you to access your baby easily during the night.

It is crucial that your baby sleeps on a firm and not a soft mattress. Infants don't have the motor control to turn over and a mattress that is soft can increase the risk of being suffocated. This mattress is made from skin-friendly and breathe-able materials. It is comfortable for your baby but sufficient to be secure.

Mum Jasmin was happy that the crib didn't take up much space in her bedroom and found it to be the perfect size for a newborn. The mattress she rated as excellent quality, in contrast to some that feel flimsy and thin. She also likes the fact that it has a storage space beneath for bedding and clothes which many bassinets do not have.

Mehack Mehack, an MFM mum who tested the product at home, loves that you can remove the wall on the side to allow easier access to your baby. She also likes the fact that legs can be placed under the bed to look less bulky and occupy less area on the floor. She is also impressed by how easy it was to move around her home when she needed to for checks and feedings in the middle of the night.

The CoZee Air crib is a favourite among parents. It won the Gold Award at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards. It features a smart design with four pulleys built-in to raise or lower the crib and comes with a large bedside crib storage bin for blankets, toys and other necessities. It's also easy to assemble and lightweight that is great to travel with your baby.

Safety

When choosing a new baby's bedside cot, you must keep safety in mind. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS, recommend that babies do not sleep in their parents' beds due to the risk of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome. Bassinets for bedside use allow parents to keep their baby close, facilitating night-time feedings, comforting and monitoring without the need to leave their bed.

This close proximity also helps breastfeeding mothers as they can attend to their baby's needs without waking up in the middle of the night and can help keep the supply of milk steady and help the breastfeeding experience. Some bedside cots come with adjustable height features that can make it easier for mother and child to access the bassinet for feedings or other care during the night.

Many bassinets have mattresses that are firm and designed to minimize the chance of suffocation and conforms to industry standards. This is important because a baby's bones are fragile and not fully developed and need to be supported to prevent injury. The mattress should be encased in a fitted sheet to decrease the chance of suffocation from dust mites or other allergens. It should also be kept clean and free of allergens.

Some cots with a bedside have the ability to be tilted, which is beneficial for babies suffering from reflux or digestive issues, however this should be done with extreme caution and at a gentle angle. It's also important to avoid adding pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet, as they could pose a suffocation risk for your baby and should only be used when the cot is placed on an even surface.

It's also worth thinking about an infant bassinet that has a secure attachment system that can be easily fixed to your existing bed without the necessity of tools. This is particularly beneficial for parents who find it difficult to carry their child into and out of the crib or are concerned about their baby accidentally rolling over while sleeping. If your bassinet has secured attachments, it is a good idea to check it regularly. Check to ensure there aren't any gaps and that the system is securely attached.

Comfort

If you're planning to become a parent, the comfort of your child is among your top concerns. There's a brand new sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close to you at night without the risk of sharing the bed. The newborn bedside cot is an essentially a bassinet-style crib that is attached to the bed's side and allows you to move them towards you for night feeding and soothing. It's also the perfect choice for mothers recovering from a csection, as it reduces the need to bend down too far or even take a step out of bed.

Modern cots for infants should include a firm, flat mattress to encourage safe sleep practices and reduce the risk Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The bedding should be kept as simple as possible with just the sheets for the cot and a blanket tucked tightly at the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys and pillows that may fall on your baby, posing a suffocation risk. If your baby has been used to being swaddled during a few weeks then you can use an swaddle or baby sleep bag. But, it should be removed after they are strong enough to remove them.

Some cribs with a bedside travel crib feature an option to remove or drop down the side that gives you an easy access to your baby for feeding and comfort in the middle of the night. This feature is ideal for parents who wish to maintain a close relationship with their child while adhering to NHS guidelines for sleep. If you plan to co-sleep with your child, it is crucial to be aware that this practice can increase the chance of SIDS. This is particularly true if a parent accidentally is able to roll their infant over while sleeping.

A fabric that breathes will keep your baby comfy and cool throughout the night. This is particularly crucial if you plan to co-sleep your newborn since the risk of being overheated when sleeping increases. The SnuzPod4 features a unique breathable mesh side panel that aids in improving the flow of air and keep your baby snug in their bed.