20 Things You Should Know About Newborn Bedside Cot
Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside crib is a tiny sleeper that allows babies to sleep in the same space as their parents without the dangers of co sleeper bedside cot-sleeping. (The AAP warns against this due to the risk of SIDS and suffocation.) It makes it easier to take care of your infant and feed them in the middle of the night.
This sleeper features a firm mattress to support babies' backs and minimize the risk of SIDS. It can be swiveled over your adult bed to make it easier for you to lift your baby out for midnight nursing or cuddles at sunrise.
Budget
A bedside cot, sometimes referred to as a co-sleeper, is the bassinet-style baby cot that clips or attaches to your existing bed. This allows you to reach your baby easily and safely for a nighttime feed, comforting, or cuddles. They are a great option for mothers or new parents recovering from a c-section because they provide easy access to baby and do not require you to get out of bed.
There are a variety of designs available starting with basic models that have just a drop-down option to more advanced ones that can be adjusted in multiple ways including height and incline options. Most can be converted into a separate crib when your baby is older and has a longer sleep time at night.
Maxi-Cosi Lora is among our favorites. It was nominated in the Best Cot category for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. MFM home tester Emily commented how stylish and modern the design was. She also liked the fact that it can be used as a bassinet or a clip to your bed for safe side-byside sleeping. She also appreciated its luxurious mattress which was able to pass our tests of firmness and it also has an adjustable manual inclining feature for those suffering from reflux.
She didn't like the fact that it had a non mesh panel on the bottom and she thought it was too heavy to move around from room to room. It also felt a bit heavy to carry up and down the stairs, especially when folded into a travel bag.
Size
A bedside cot is similar to an infant bassinet that is placed on the bed's side. It allows you to easily reach your baby for mid-night feeding nappies, comforting and feeding. It's ideal for mothers recovering from the c-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise that you keep your baby in the same room with you, but keep them separate from you for the first six months, since this will help decrease the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). A bedside crib is a safe way to achieve this as it has low sides and allows you to easily access your newborn during the night.
It is crucial that your infant sleeps on a firm bed as it is safer than a mattress that is soft. Babies don't have motor control needed to turn and a mattress that is soft could increase the chance of drowning. The breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make the mattress comfortable for your baby but sufficient to ensure safety.
Mum home tester Jasmin liked that this crib doesn't take up too much space in her bedroom, and she found it to be the perfect size for a baby. She said the mattress was also good quality, unlike others that feel thin and thin. She also likes the fact that it has storage space underneath for clothes and bedding which other bassinets don't.
MFM mum home test Mehack is a huge fan of the side wall that is removable that allows you to drop it down to give easy access to your newborn. She also likes that legs fold into the bed so it does not look heavy or take up a lot of floor space. She's also impressed with how easy it is to move around the house whenever you need to, for convenience during middle-of-the-night meals and check-ins.
The CoZee Air crib is a favorite among parents. It was awarded a Gold Award in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards. It features a unique design with four pulleys which can be used to raise or lower your crib. It also comes with a large basket for blankets, toys and other necessities. It's also light and easy to assemble, making it ideal to travel with your baby.
Safety
When selecting a newborn small bedside cot cot, it is important to keep safety in your thoughts. The official safe sleep guidelines from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies not sleep in parent's beds because of the risks of suffocation, heat exhaustion and a higher chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bassinets for bedside cot for twins use let parents keep their newborn close by and allow for nighttime feedings as well as monitoring and comforting without having to get out of bed.
This close proximity also supports breastfeeding mothers by allowing them to attend to their baby's needs without having to get up completely and help maintain milk supply and support the breastfeeding experience. Some bedside crib travel cots have adjustable height features that can ensure that the bassinet is a comfortable height for both mother and baby, allowing easy access to mid-night feedings or other care.
A majority of bassinets come with a firm mattress that is designed to minimize the risk of suffocation, and meets industry standards. This is crucial because a newborn's bones are brittle and aren't fully developed. They need to be supported to prevent injury. The mattress should be encased in a fitted sheet to decrease the chance of suffocation caused by dust mites and other allergens, and kept clean and free of irritants.
Some bedside cribs can be tilted. This is useful for babies suffering from digestive or reflux issues. But, it should only be done gently and with caution. Avoid adding pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet. These could create a risk of suffocation for your baby.
It is also recommended to consider the bassinet with a secure attachment system. This can be connected to your existing bed easily without the use of tools. This is especially beneficial for parents who struggle to get their child in 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 for you to check it regularly. Make sure there aren't any gaps and that the system is securely connected.
Comfort
If you're expecting a child, the comfort of your baby is surely one of your top priorities. There's a new solution to sleep that allows you to keep your baby close to you at night, without the danger of sharing the bed. The baby bedside cot is essentially a bassinet-style cot for bedside that is attached to the bed's side, allowing you to safely take them away for feeding at night and calming. It's also a great option for mothers recovering from a C section as it will not require you to stand or to bend over.
A modern cot for infants should have a sturdy flat mattress to promote safe sleeping practices and decrease the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The bedding should be simple, with only the sheet for the cot and blanket tucked tightly at the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers or pillows since they could fall on your baby and cause suffocation hazard. If your baby is familiar with being swaddled, you can use a swaddle or a baby sleep bag for the first few weeks, although it is best to remove it as soon as possible once they've gained the strength and confidence to unwrap themselves.
Some bedside cribs feature a removable or drop-down side that provides easy access to your baby to feed and comfort them in the middle of the night. This is a great option for parents who wish to maintain an intimate relationship with their child while still following NHS safe sleep guidelines. However, if you're considering sleeping in the same bed with your baby it's important to know that this practice has been linked to an increased risk of SIDS particularly in the event that a parent falls on their child during sleep.
A breathable fabric is another essential safety feature, as it's designed to keep your baby cool and comfortable throughout the night. This is particularly important if you plan to co-sleep with your newborn since the chance of being overheated increases when you sleep. The SnuzPod4 features an exclusive breathable side panel that aids in improving the airflow and keeps your baby cool.