15 Reasons You Shouldn't Ignore Newborn Bedside Cot
Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a compact sleeper that allows newborns to sleep in the same space as their parents without the risks of true co-sleeping (which the AAP advises against due to SIDS and suffocation). It makes it easier to take care of your baby and nurse them throughout the night.
This sleeper has a sturdy mattress to support babies' backs and minimize the risk of SIDS. It can be swiveled over your adult bed so that you can carry your baby to the top to cuddle them at sunrise or during 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 baby during the night for feeding, comforting or cuddles. These are perfect for mothers and new parents recovering after a c section because they provide easy access to the baby without having to get up from the bed.
There are many different styles available, from basic models with just a drop-down side to more sophisticated ones that can be adjusted in multiple ways with incline and height options. The majority of them can be converted to a separate crib when your baby gets older 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 noted how stylish and modern the design was. She also appreciated the fact that it could be used as a bassinet or attached to your bed to ensure safe side-by-side sleeping. She also admired the soft mattress, which was able to pass our test of firmness and the fact that it has a manual rocking function that can be set to a slight tilt for reflux sufferers.
However, she didn't like the design of the non-mesh panel on the foot end and felt it was a bit heavy to move from room to room regularly. She also found it to be a little heavy to carry up and down the stairs once it was folded up into its bag for travel.
Size
A bedside cot is essentially a bassinet-style cot that fixes to the side of the bed. It allows you to easily reach your baby during the night for feeding, nappies and comforting. It's also great for mothers recovering from C-sections.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise you to keep your baby in the same space as you, but keep them separate from you for the first six months since this will help decrease the chance of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). A crib that is placed near your bed is a safe method to accomplish this since it is low-sided and lets you easily reach your baby throughout the night.
It is crucial that your infant sleeps on a firm mattress as it is safer than a soft one. 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 air-tight materials. It is 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 a lot of space in her bedroom and she found it to be the perfect size for a baby. She said the mattress was also of good quality, as opposed to those that feel cheap and thin. She also likes the fact that it has a storage area beneath to store blankets and clothing which she believes many other bassinets lack.
Mehack is an MFM mum who tested the product at home, is thrilled the ability to remove the side wall to allow easier access to your baby. She also appreciates that the legs can be tucked under the bed to make it look less bulky and occupy less area on the floor. She's also impressed with how easy it is to move around the house whenever you need to in the middle of the night, which is convenient for meals and check-ins.
The CoZee Air crib is a favourite among parents. It won the Gold Award in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards. It is designed with four pulleys that are built-in to raise or lower the crib. It includes a large storage basket for toys, blankets and other essentials. It's also light and easy to assemble and is ideal to travel with your baby.
Safety
When choosing a baby's bedside cot, you must keep the safety of your baby in your mind. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS advise that babies do not sleep in their parents bed due to the risk of suffocation as well as sudden infant death syndrome. Bassinets that are placed in bed allow parents to keep their infant close to help with night-time feedings, comforting and monitoring without having to leave their bed.
This close proximity also assists breastfeeding mothers as they can attend to the needs of their infant without having to wake up completely and can help keep the supply of milk steady and help the breastfeeding experience. Some cots for bedside have 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 care.
Many bassinets come with mattresses that are firm. This is designed to decrease the risk of suffocation, and also meets industry standards. It is important to support the bones of a newborn because they are still squishy and aren't fully formed. The mattress should be covered in a fitted sheet to minimize the risk of suffocation due to dust mites or other allergens and kept hygienically clean and free from irritants.
Some cribs on the bed can be tilted. This is beneficial for babies suffering from reflux or digestive issues. However, this should be done slowly and with caution. It is also important to avoid adding pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet as these can pose the risk of suffocation for your baby and should only be used when the cot is set on a flat surface.
It's also worth looking into an infant bassinet that has an attached system that is secure and can be easily attached to your bed without the need for tools. This feature is especially beneficial for parents who find it difficult to get their child in and out of the crib or are concerned about their child rolling over while sleeping. If bedside travel crib is equipped with an attachment system that is secure it's an excellent idea to periodically make sure it's secure and that there are no gaps or loose components which could cause danger.
Comfort
If you're a soon-to-be parent, your baby's comfort is one of your main concerns. There's a wonderful sleep solution that lets you keep your baby close to you throughout the night - without any of the dangers that come with bed-sharing. The crib for newborns is a bassinet style cot that can be attached to the side of the bed. It allows you to safely lift your baby out towards you for feedings and calming. It's also an excellent choice for mothers recovering from a c-section since it makes it less necessary to bend over too much or even get out of bed.
Modern bedside cots for babies should be fitted with a firm, flat mattress to encourage safe sleep habits and lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Bedding should be simple with a cot sheet and blanket tucked tightly on the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys and pillows that may be thrown over your baby, creating the risk of suffocation. If your baby is used to being swaddled, you can make use of a swaddle, or a baby sleep bag for the initial few weeks, but this should be removed as soon as possible once they've gained the strength and confidence to unwrap themselves.
Some cribs for bedside use an open or removable side to make it easy for your baby for feedings in the middle of the night and comforting. This is a wonderful option for parents who wish to maintain the bond between them and their child while still following NHS safe sleep advice. However, if you're planning to co-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 particularly in the event that a parent is able to roll onto their child during sleep.
A breathable fabric is another important safety factor, since it's designed to keep your baby cool and comfortable throughout the night. This is especially important if you plan to sleep with your newborn, as the risk of overheating is higher when you sleep. bedside travel crib made of breathable mesh, which helps to improve the airflow and keeps your baby warm in their mattress.