Why You Should Focus On Improving Newborn Bedside Cot
Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a tiny sleeper that allows new babies to share the same space as their parents without the risks of true co-sleeping (which the AAP advises against due to suffocation and SIDS). It helps you take care of your baby and nurse them throughout the night.
This sleeper has a firm mattress that supports babies backs, reducing the risk of SIDS. It can be swiveled over your adult bed to lift your baby to cuddle them at sunrise or during nighttime nursing.
Budget
A bedside cot, also known as a co-sleeper, an infant cot with a bassinet design that can be attached to your bed. This lets you easily and safely reach your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeding or cuddles. These are great for moms and babies recovering from a csection because they provide the baby to be easily accessible without needing to get out of bed.
There are many different designs available, from the simple ones with an upside-down side to more sophisticated ones with numerous adjustment options, like an incline or a height. The majority of them can be converted into a standalone crib for daytime naps or when your baby is about months old and sleeping longer at night.
One of our favorites is the Maxi-Cosi Lura, which was shortlisted for 2021 Mother&Baby awards in 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 a clip to your existing bed for a safe side-by-side sleep. She also appreciated its luxurious mattress which passed our firmness tests and also that it comes with an adjustable manual inclining feature for those suffering from reflux.
She didn't like that it had a mesh panel at the bottom, and she thought it was too heavy to move from room to room. She also found it a bit heavy to carry up and down the stairs when folded away into its travel bag.
Size
A bedside cot is the bassinet style cot that can be fixed to the side of your bed. You can easily reach your baby's side to feed, change nappies or comforting in the middle of the night. It's also great for mums recovering from C-sections.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby away from you during the first 6 months to reduce the risk of SIDS. The crib that is placed beside your bed, with its low sides, is a great method to achieve this. It allows you to be able to easily access your baby throughout the night.
It is crucial that your baby sleeps on a firm and not an extremely soft mattress. A mattress that is soft can increase the risk of suffocation in newborns, as they lack the motor control needed to turn. The soft, breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make this mattress a comfortable one for your baby but also sufficient to ensure safety.
Mum home tester Jasmin liked that this 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 good quality, unlike some that feel flimsy and thin. She also loves the fact that it has a storage area underneath for clothes and bedding - something many other bassinets don't have.
Mehack Mehack, an MFM mom who tried 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 put under the bed to make it look less bulky and occupy less space on the floor. She's also impressed with how it was simple to move around her house when she needed to for check-ins and feedings in the middle of the night.
The CoZee Air crib is a favourite among parents. It won a Gold Award at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards. It is designed with four built-in pulleys to raise or lower the crib and has a large storage basket for your baby's blankets, toys and other essentials. It's also easy to put together and lightweight, which is useful to travel with your baby.
Safety
When choosing a new baby's bedside cot it's important to keep safety in mind. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS, recommend that babies do not sleep in the parents' beds because of the risk of suffocation as well as sudden infant death syndrome. Bassinets that are placed in bed let parents keep their newborn close by to help with feeding at night as well as monitoring and comforting without having to get out of bed.
This close proximity can also aid breastfeeding mothers since it lets them attend to the baby's needs while still sleeping. This can help to maintain the supply of milk and also encourage breastfeeding. Some cots for bedside have adjustable height features that will help ensure that the bassinet is a comfortable height for both mother and baby to allow easy access for middle-of-the-night feedings or other care.
A lot of bassinets have mattresses that are firm. This is designed to decrease the risk of suffocation, and also meets industry standards. This is important because a newborn's bones are soft and not fully developed and need to be supported to prevent injury. The mattress should be covered with a fitted sheet to minimize the chance that dust mites, as well as other allergens, can choke a child. It should be kept clean and free of irritants.
Some bedside cribs can be tilted. This is beneficial for babies with digestive or reflux issues. However, it should be done slowly and with care. It's also important to avoid putting pillows, duvets or crib bumpers to the bassinet since these can pose an obstructing risk to your baby and should only be used when the cot is on flat surfaces.
It is also recommended to consider the bassinet with a secure attachment system. It can be connected to your existing bed easily without the need for tools. discover this is especially helpful for parents who may struggle to get their child into and out of the cot, or who are concerned about rolling over during sleep. If your bassinet has secured attachments, it's recommended to regularly check that it's securely attached and that there aren't 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 primary concerns. There's a great sleep solution that lets you keep your baby close throughout the night - without any of the risks associated with sharing a bed. The newborn bedside cot is basically a bassinet-style cot which is fixed to the side of your bed and allows you to move them towards you for feeding at night and calming. It's an excellent option for mothers who are recovering from a C section as it eliminates the need to get up or bend over.
Modern bedside cots for babies should have a flat, firm mattress to promote safe sleeping habits and lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The bedding should be kept as simple as possible and consist of only the sheets for the cot and a blanket tucked tightly at the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers and pillows since they could fall on your baby and create a suffocation hazard. If your baby is used to being swaddled for several weeks then you can use an swaddle or baby sleep bag. However, it is recommended that this be removed once they have the strength to take them off.

Some cribs for bedside use an option to remove or drop down the side that gives you the baby to be easily accessible for feeding and comfort in the middle of the night. This feature is ideal for parents who wish to maintain a close bond with their child, while adhering to NHS guidelines on sleep. However, if you're planning to co-sleep in the same bed with your child it's important to know that this practice has been associated with an increased risk of SIDS, particularly in the event that a parent rolls onto their child during sleep.
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 sleep with your newborn since the chance of overheating increases during sleep. The SnuzPod4 features a unique, breathable side panel that helps improve the airflow and keeps your baby warm.