20 Things You Must Be Educated About Newborn Bedside Cot
Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a compact sleeper that allows new babies to share a space as their parents without the risk of sleeping together (which the AAP recommends against due to SIDS and suffocation). It helps you care for your baby and nurse them throughout the night.
This sleeper comes with a mattress that is firm and supports babies' backs, reducing the risk of SIDS. It can be rotated over your adult bed to allow you to raise your baby for sunrise cuddles or midnight nursing.
Budget
A bedside crib, also known as a co-sleeper or bassinet is a bassinet-style crib for babies that attaches to your bed. This lets you comfortably and safely reach your baby for mid-night feeding, comforting or cuddles. These are great for moms and babies recovering from a csection as they allow the baby to be easily accessible without needing to get out of the bed.
There are many different styles available that range 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. The majority of them can be converted into a standalone crib for daytime naps or when your baby is about months old and sleeps longer at night.
One of our favourites is the Maxi-Cosi Lura, that was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards in the categories of Best Cot Crib, Best Cot or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily expressed her delight at how stylish and contemporary the design is, while she appreciated the fact that you can use it as a regular bassinet, or connect it to a bed for safe side-by-side sleeping. She also admired the soft mattress that passed our firmness test and the fact that it has a manual rocking feature that can be set to a slight tilt for reflux sufferers.
She didn't like that it had a non mesh panel on the bottom and thought it was too bulky 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 is the bassinet, which is placed on the side of your bed. It is easy to reach your baby to feed them, change nappies, or to comfort them during the night. It's also great for mothers recovering from the C-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise you to keep your baby in the same space as you but separate from you for the first six months since this will help decrease the chance of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). The crib at the bedside cot newborn, with its low sides is a great option to do this. It lets you be able to easily access your baby during the night.
It is crucial that your baby is sleeping on a firm, not an extremely soft mattress. A soft mattress can increase the risk of suffocation in newborns, as they lack the motor control necessary to turn. The mattress is made of skin-friendly and breathe-able materials. It's comfortable for your baby, but firm enough to ensure safety.
Mum home tester Jasmin was pleased with the fact that the crib does not take up much space in her bedroom, and she found it to be the perfect size for a baby. The mattress she rated as also of good quality, as opposed to some that feel flimsy and thin. She also appreciates that it has a storage space beneath to store blankets and clothing which she believes many other bassinets lack.
MFM mom home tester Mehack is a big fan of the side wall that is removable that lets you drop it down to give easy access to your infant. She also likes the fact that legs slide into the bed so it doesn't appear heavy or take up a lot of floor space. She's also impressed by the ease of being able to move around the house when you want to for ease during late-night feedings and check-ins.
A winner of the Gold award in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards The CoZee Air is a popular choice amongst parents. It is a clever design with four pulleys which 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 items. It is also light and easy to put together, making it ideal for traveling with your baby.
Safety
It is crucial to think about safety when choosing the right crib for your baby's bed. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS, recommend that babies don't sleep in their parents bed because of the risk of suffocation or sudden infant death syndrome. Bassinets for bedside use allow parents to keep their newborn close by to help with nighttime feedings and monitoring without having to leave their bed.
This close proximity also helps breastfeeding mothers by allowing them to take care of their infant's needs without having to get up at all times, which can help to keep the supply of milk steady and help the breastfeeding experience. Some cots with a bedside are equipped with adjustable height features that will help ensure that the bassinet is an appropriate height for mother and baby to allow easy access to mid-night feedings or for care.
Many bassinets are equipped with mattresses that are firm. This is designed to reduce the risk of suffocation, and also meets the standards of the industry. This is essential because newborn's bones are soft and not fully developed, and need to be supported to prevent damage. The mattress should be covered in a fitted sheet to decrease the chance of suffocation due to dust mites and other allergens. It should also be kept clean and free from irritants.
Some bedside cots have the capability of being tilted. This can be useful for babies with reflux or digestive issues, however this should always be done with a lot of care and at a moderate angle. It is also essential to avoid adding pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet, as these can pose a suffocation risk for your baby. They should only be used when the cot is set on a flat surface.
It's also worth looking into an adjustable bassinet with an attached system that is secure and can be easily attached to your bed without the necessity of tools. This feature is especially useful for parents who struggle to lift their child into and out of the crib or are worried about their child accidentally rolling over while sleeping. If your bassinet does have a secure attachment system, it's an excellent idea to periodically ensure that it's securely secured and that there aren't any gaps or loose components that could pose a hazard.
Comfort
If you are a soon-to-be parent, your baby bedside crib's comfort is one of your main concerns. There's a wonderful sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close to you throughout the night - without any of the risks that come with bed-sharing. The baby bedside cot is basically a bassinet-style cot that fixes to the side of your bed, allowing you to safely move them towards you for feeding at night and calming. It is also a great option for mothers who are recovering from a C-section as it removes the need to get up or bend over.
A modern bedside cot for newborns should have a firm and flat mattress that can ensure a safe sleep and lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The bedding should be kept as simple as possible and consist of only the sheets for the cot and a blanket that is tightly tucked into the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers and pillows as these could be thrown over your baby and cause danger of suffocation. If your baby has been used to being swaddled for a few weeks, you can use either a swaddle, or a baby sleep bag. However, this should be removed once they are strong enough to unwrap them.
Some cribs for bedside use a removable or drop-down side that provides an easy access to your baby for feeding and comfort during the middle of the night. This feature is ideal for parents who wish to keep a close relationship with their child, but still adhere to NHS guidelines on sleep. If you are planning to sleep with your child, it's crucial to be aware 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 factor, since it's designed to keep your baby cool and comfortable throughout the night. This is particularly important if you plan to co-sleep your newborn since the risk of being overheated when sleeping increases. The SnuzPod4 has an exclusive breathable side panel, which helps increase the airflow and keeps your baby warm.