Five Killer Quora Answers On Newborn Bedside Cot
Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a tiny sleeper that allows babies to sleep in the same room as their parents without the risk of sleeping together (which the AAP recommends against due to SIDS and suffocation). It also makes nursing sessions and care much easier.
This sleeper has a mattress that is firm and supports babies' backs, reducing the risk of SIDS. It can slide over your adult bed to make it easier for you to get your baby out for midnight nursing or cuddles at sunrise.
Budget
A bedside crib, also called a bassinet or cosleeper is a bassinet-style crib for babies that attaches to your bed. This lets you reach your baby quickly and safely for a mid-night feed or comforting cuddle. These are perfect for new parents and mums recovering from a csection because they provide easy access to the baby without having to get up from bed.
There are a variety of styles that are available, from the basic ones with just a drop down side to more sophisticated ones with various adjustment options, such as an incline or a height. Many can be converted into a separate crib when your baby gets older and has a longer sleep time in the night.
One of our favourites is the Maxi-Cosi Lora, that was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards, including Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily noted how stylish and modern the design was. She also liked the fact that it can be used as a bassinet or attached to your existing bed, to ensure safe side-by-side sleeping. She also liked the plush mattress, which passed our firmness test and also the fact that it features a manual rocking function that can be set to a slight incline for those suffering from reflux.
However, she wasn't a fan of the fact that it had a non-mesh panel at the lower end, and thought it was a bit heavy to move from room to room often. When folded into a travel cot bedside bag, she found it to be quite heavy to carry up the stairs.
Size
A bedside cot newborn cot resembles the bassinet, which is connected to the bed's side. It lets you easily reach your baby for mid-night feeding nappies, feeding and comforting. It's also great for mums recovering from the C-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby separate from you for the first six month, to reduce the risk of SIDS. The crib at the bedside with its low sides, is a great way to do this. It lets you be able to easily access your baby throughout the night.
It is crucial that your infant sleeps on a firm bed as this is safer than a soft one. Infants don't have the motor control needed to turn and a mattress that is soft could increase the chance of suffocation. The soft, breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make the mattress comfortable for your baby but also firm enough for safety.
Mum Jasmin was pleased that the crib didn't occupy too much space in her bedroom and thought it was the perfect size for a newborn. The mattress she rated as also of good quality, as opposed to others that feel thin and thin. She also loves the fact that it has a storage space beneath for blankets and clothes which she claims most bassinets do not have.
Mehack is an MFM mum who tested the product at home, likes that you can take off the wall on the side to make it easier to access your baby. She also likes that legs fold into the bed so it doesn't look big or take up too much floor space. She's also amazed by how easy it was to move around her house when she needed to for check-ins and feedings during the night.
The CoZee Air crib is a popular choice for parents. It won the Gold Award in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It features a unique design with four pulleys that can be used to raise or lower your crib. There's also an enormous basket that can be used to store blankets, toys, and other necessities. It's also simple to put together and light in weight that is great to travel bedside crib with your baby.
Safety
It is crucial to think about the safety aspect when selecting a newborn bedside crib. The official safe sleep guidelines from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies do not be sleeping in the bed of their parents due to the dangers of suffocation, heat exhaustion and a greater chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bassinets for bedside use let parents keep their newborn close by to help with feeding at night, comforting and monitoring without needing to get out of bed.
This close proximity also helps breastfeeding mothers as they can attend to their baby's needs without having to get up at all times and help maintain milk supply and support the breastfeeding experience. Some bedside cots come with adjustable height options that can help both the mother and baby to get into the bassinet to feed or take care of other needs throughout the night.
A majority of bassinets come with a mattress that is designed to reduce the risk of suffocation, and conforms to industry standards. This is crucial because a newborn's bones are brittle and not fully developed, and need to be supported to prevent injury. The mattress should be encased with a fitted sheet to decrease the chance of suffocation caused by dust mites or other allergens and kept hygienically clean and free of irritants.
Some bedside cots can be tilted, which can be beneficial for babies suffering from reflux or digestive issues, but it should be done with extreme caution and at a moderate angle. It is also important to avoid putting pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet, as they could pose the risk of suffocation for your baby and should only be used when the cot is on an even surface.
It is also recommended to consider a bassinet that has an attachment system that is secure. It can be attached to your existing bed easily without the need of tools. This is especially useful for parents who struggle to lift their baby into and out of the cot, or concerned about the possibility of falling asleep. If your bassinet is equipped with secured attachments it is a good idea to regularly check it. Check to ensure there are no gaps, and that the system is securely attached.
Comfort
If you are a soon-to-be parent, your baby's comfort is one of your main concerns. Thankfully, there's an innovative sleep solution that lets you keep your baby close throughout the night - without any of the dangers that come with sharing a bed. The infant bedside cot essentially a bassinet-style cot which is fixed to the side of your bed that allows you to take them away for night feeding and soothing. It is an excellent option for mothers who are recovering from a C-section since it removes the need to get up or bend over.
Modern bedside cots for babies should have a flat, firm mattress to encourage safe sleep habits and lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The bedding should be simple, comprising a cot sheets and blanket tucked tightly at the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys and pillows that could be thrown over your baby, creating the risk of suffocation. If your baby is used to being swaddled, you can use a swaddle or a baby sleep bag for the initial few weeks, but it is best to remove it as soon as you can once they've gained the strength to unwrap themselves.
Some cribs for bedside cot used use an option to remove or drop down the side that allows for easy access to your baby for feeding and comfort during the middle of the night. This is a great feature for parents who wish to maintain a close relationship with their child, but still adhere to NHS sleep guidelines. 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 rolls on their infant while sleeping.
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 especially important if you intend to sleep with your newborn, because the risk of overheating in the night increases. The SnuzPod4 has a unique breathable mesh side panel that helps improve airflow and keep your baby snug in their bed.