Newborn Bedside Cot

A newborn crib with a bedside is a small sleeping device that lets babies sleep in the same space as their parents, without the dangers of co-sleeping. (The AAP warns against this because of the dangers of SIDS and the risk of suffocation.) It also makes nursing sessions and care much more convenient.

This sleeper comes with an extremely firm mattress that can support babies backs, reducing the risk of SIDS. It can be swiveled on your adult bed to allow you to raise your baby for sunrise cuddles or nighttime nursing.

Budget

A bedside crib, also called a co-sleeper or bassinet is a bassinet type baby cot that clips to your existing bed. This allows you to reach your baby comfortably and safely for a late-night feed or cuddles. They are a great option for new parents or mums recovering from a csection as they allow easy access to baby and do not require you to get up from your bed.

There are many different designs available, ranging from basic ones with just the drop-down side, to more sophisticated ones that have multiple adjustment options, including 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 a few months old and sleeps longer at night.

Maxi-Cosi Lora is one of our top picks. It was selected in the Best Cot category for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. MFM home tester Emily expressed her delight at how stylish and contemporary the design is, while she appreciated the feature that you can use it as a regular bassinet, or clip it onto your bed to ensure that you can sleep side-by-side. She also appreciated its luxurious mattress that passed our firmness tests and also that it comes with an adjustable manual inclining feature for those suffering from reflux.

She wasn't a fan of the fact that it had a mesh panel at the bottom, and considered it too bulky to move from room to room. When it was folded into its travel bag she found it quite heavy to carry up the stairs.

Size

A bedside cot resembles an infant bassinet that is connected to the side of your bed. It lets you easily reach your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeding, nappies and comforting. It's ideal for mothers recovering from a c-section.

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

It is important that your baby sleeps on a firm and not an extremely soft mattress. Newborns don't have the motor control needed to turn and a mattress that is soft could increase the chance of suffocation. This mattress is made from skin-friendly and air-tight materials. It is comfortable for your baby but firm enough to be safe.

Mum Jasmin was delighted that the crib didn't occupy too much space in her bedroom and found it to be the ideal size for a newborn. She said the mattress was also of good quality, as opposed to some that feel flimsy and thin. She also likes the fact that it has storage space beneath for bedding and clothes which many bassinets don't.

MFM mom home test Mehack is a huge fan of the side wall that is removable that lets you lower it down to give easy access to your newborn. She also appreciates that the legs can be tucked under the bed to look less bulky and take up less space on the floor. She's also amazed by how easy it is to move around the house when you need to in the middle of the night, which is convenient for feedings and check-ins.

A recipient of a Gold award at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards, the CoZee Air is a popular choice for parents. It features a smart design with four pulleys built-in to raise or lower the crib. It includes a large bedside crib storage basket to store your baby's toys, blankets and other necessities. It's also easy to assemble and light in weight, which is useful to travel with your baby.

Safety

When choosing a baby's bedside rocking crib cot, it is important to keep safety in your mind. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS, recommend that babies not be placed in parents' beds because of the risk of suffocation or sudden infant death syndrome. Bassinets for bedside use let parents keep their baby close, facilitating nighttime feedings and monitoring without needing to leave their bed.

This close proximity also supports breastfeeding mothers by allowing them to attend to their baby's needs without having to get up at all times and help keep the supply of milk steady and help the breastfeeding experience. Some cots with a bedside crib co sleeper are equipped with adjustable height features that will help ensure that the bassinet is an appropriate height for mother and baby for ease of access during feedings or other care.

Many bassinets come with mattresses that are firm, which is designed to reduce suffocation risk and meets industry standards. It is essential to provide support for the bones of a newborn, as they are still soft and are not fully formed. The mattress should be covered with a fitted sheet to reduce the risk that dust mites, as well as other allergens, can cause a child to be suffocated. It should be kept clean and free of allergens.

Some cribs for bedside use can be tilted. This is useful for babies who have digestive or reflux issues. However, this should be done with care and with caution. It's also important to stay clear of adding pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet as they could pose an obstructing risk to your baby. They should only be used when the cot is set on flat surfaces.

It's also worth considering a bassinet with a secure attachment system that can be easily attached to your bed without the necessity of tools. This is particularly beneficial for parents who find it difficult to lift their child into and out of the crib or are concerned about their child accidentally falling asleep. If your bassinet is equipped with secured attachments it is a good idea for you to check it frequently. Make sure there are no gaps and that the system is securely connected.

Comfort

If you're a parent-to-be, the safety of your child is definitely one of your main concerns. There's a new solution to sleep that lets you keep your baby close in the evening, without the risk of sharing a bed. The baby bedside cot is essentially a bassinet-style cot that fixes to the bed's side and allows you to move them towards you for night feeding and soothing. It is also a great option for mothers recovering from a C section as it removes the need to stand up or sit up.

A modern cot for infants should have a sturdy flat mattress to promote safe sleeping practices and lower the chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The bedding should be simple, with just a cot sheet and a blanket that is tightly tucked on the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys or pillows as these could be thrown over your baby and create a danger of suffocation. If your baby is used to being swaddled for a few weeks, you can use either a swaddle, or a baby sleep bag. However, this should be removed after they have the strength to remove them.

Some cribs for bedside use a removable or drop-down side that allows for easy access to your baby for feeding and comfort during the middle of the night. This is a good option for parents who wish to maintain the bond between them and their child while still following NHS safe sleep guidelines. However, if you're planning to sleep in the same bed as your child it's important to know that this practice has been linked to an increased risk of SIDS especially if a parent unintentionally is able to roll onto their infant while they sleep.

A fabric that breathes will keep your baby cool and cool throughout the night. This is particularly crucial if you intend to sleep with your newborn, as the risk of being overheated increases during sleep. The SnuzPod4 has an exclusive breathable side panel that aids in improving the flow of air, keeping your baby comfortable.