20 Great Tweets From All Time Concerning Newborn Bedside Cot
Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a small sleeper that allows newborns to share a space as their parents without the risks of true co-sleeping (which the AAP recommends against due to suffocation and SIDS). It also makes middle-of-the-night nursing sessions and baby care simpler.
This sleeper has a firm mattress that supports babies backs, reducing the chance of SIDS. It can be swiveled over your adult bed so that you can lift your baby to snuggle them at sunrise or for midnight nursing.
Budget
A bedside cot, sometimes referred to as a co-sleeper is a bassinet-style baby cot that clips or attaches to your bed. This lets you easily and safely reach your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeding, comforting or cuddles. These are perfect for moms and babies recovering after a c section as they allow the baby to be easily accessible without needing to get out of bed.
There are a variety of styles available that range from basic models with only a drop-down side, to more sophisticated models that can be adjusted in a variety of ways including height and incline options. Many convert to a standalone crib for napping during the daytime or when your baby is a few months old and sleeping longer at night.
One of our favourites is the Maxi-Cosi Lora, which was shortlisted for 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily noted how stylish and modern the design was. She also appreciated the fact that it could be used as a bassinet, or clipped to your existing bed for safe side-byside sleeping. She also adored its soft mattress that has passed our tests for firmness, and that it has an option to manually tilt it for those who suffer from reflux.
She wasn't a fan of the fact that it had a non-mesh panel at the bottom and she thought it was too heavy to move around from room to room. She also found it to be a little heavy to carry up and down the stairs, especially when folded away into its travel bag.
Size
A bedside cot is the bassinet, which is placed on the bed's side. You can easily reach your baby's mouth to feed them, change nappies or comforting in the middle of the night. It's perfect for mothers recovering from the c-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby separate from you for the first 6 months to reduce the risk of SIDS. A crib that is placed near your bed is a safe way to accomplish this since it is low-sided and allows you to be able to easily access your baby throughout the night.
It is essential that your baby sleeps on a firm and not an extremely soft mattress. A mattress that is soft increases the risk of suffocation among newborns, since they lack the motor control necessary to turn. The mattress is made of skin-friendly and breathable materials. It is comfortable for your baby but sufficient to be secure.
Mum Jasmin was delighted that the crib didn't take up much space in her bedroom and found it to be the ideal size for a baby. She said the mattress was also good quality, unlike those that feel cheap and thin. She also loves the fact that it has a storage area underneath for bedding and clothes - something many other bassinets do not have.
MFM mom home tester Mehack is a big fan of the side wall with a removable design that lets you lower it down for easy access to your newborn. She also appreciates that the legs can be tucked under the bed to look less bulky and occupy less floor space. She's also amazed by the ease of being able to move around the house whenever you want to for ease during late-night feedings and check-ins.
The CoZee Air crib is a favorite among parents. It was awarded the Gold Award in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It features a unique design with four pulleys which can be used to raise or lower your crib. There is also a large bedside crib basket for toys, blankets, and other essentials. It's also light and easy to put together and is ideal for traveling with your baby.
Safety
When choosing a new baby's bedside cot, it is important to keep the safety aspect in mind. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS advise that babies not be placed in parents' beds because of the risk of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome. Bedside bassinets allow parents to keep their babies close to them, facilitating nighttime feedings, comforting, and monitoring without the need to leave their bed.
This close proximity also assists breastfeeding mothers as they can attend to their baby's needs without having to wake up at all times and can help keep milk supply steady and enhance the breastfeeding experience. Some cots with a 4-in-1 bedside crib are equipped with adjustable height features that can help the mother and child to reach the bassinet for feedings or other care at night.
A majority of bassinets come with a mattress that is designed to minimize the risk of suffocation and meets industry standards. It is essential to support the bones of a newborn, because they are still squishy and not fully formed. The mattress should be covered with a fitted sheet in order to reduce the risk that dust mites or other allergens, will cause a child to be suffocated. It should be kept clean and free of irritants.
Some bedside cot wooden cribs can be tilted. This is beneficial for babies who have reflux or digestive issues. However, it should be done slowly and with care. It is also essential to avoid adding pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet since these can pose the risk of suffocation for your baby and should only be used when the cot is placed on a flat surface.
It's also worth considering an adjustable bassinet with an attached system that is secure and can be easily fixed to your bed without the necessity of tools. This can be especially beneficial for parents who struggle to lift their child into and out of the cot or concerned about the possibility of falling asleep. If your bassinet has secured attachments it's a good idea to regularly check that it's securely attached and that there aren't any gaps or loose parts which could cause danger.
Comfort
If you're a parent-to-be, the safety of your baby is surely one of your top priorities. Thankfully, there's an innovative sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close throughout the night without taking on any of the risks associated with sharing beds. The baby bedside cot (Thoughtlanes published a blog post) is essentially a bassinet-style cot which is fixed to the side of your bed, allowing you to safely take them away for night feeding and soothing. It's also a great choice for mothers recovering from a C section as it eliminates the need to get up or sit up.
Modern bedside cots for babies should include a firm, flat mattress to encourage safe sleeping habits and lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The bedding should be kept simple and consist of only the sheets for the cot and a blanket tucked tightly at the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers and pillows because they can fall on your baby and cause danger of suffocation. If your baby has been used to being swaddled during a few weeks, you can use either the swaddle or baby sleep bag. However, this should be removed once they are strong enough to remove them.
Some cribs for bedside use a drop-down or removable side to make it easy for your baby for feedings in the middle of the night and comforting. This is a wonderful feature for parents looking to maintain a strong bond with their child, but still adhere to NHS safe sleep guidelines. However, if you're planning to sleep in the same bed as your baby it's important to know that this practice has been associated with an increased risk of SIDS particularly in the event that a parent is able to roll onto their child 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 especially crucial if you intend to co-sleep with your newborn because the risk of overheating increases when you sleep. The SnuzPod4 has a unique breathable side panel that helps improve the flow of air, keeping your baby comfortable.