15 Reasons Not To Ignore Newborn Bedside Cot
Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a tiny sleeper that allows new babies to share 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 simpler.
This mattress is a firm mattress that can support babies' backs and reduce the chance of SIDS. It can be rotated 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 can be attached to your bed. This lets you comfortably and safely reach your baby during the night for feeding, comforting or cuddles. These are great for new parents and mums recovering after a c section because they allow easy access to the baby without needing to get out of the bed.
There are a variety of styles available, from the basic ones with just a drop down side to more sophisticated models with multiple adjustment options, including the ability to tilt or raise. Many convert to an independent crib for napping during the daytime or when your baby is a few months old and sleeps longer at night.
Maxi-Cosi Lora is one our top picks. It was selected in the Best Cot category for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. MFM home tester Emily said she was impressed by how chic and modern the design and she was impressed by the possibility of using it as a regular bassinet or connect it to a bed for safe side-by-side sleeping. She also liked the plush mattress, which passed our firmness test, and the fact that it has a manual rocking function that can be adjusted to a slight slope for those suffering from reflux.
However, she wasn't a fan of the feature of a non-mesh panel on the bottom and felt it was a bit heavy to move from room room regularly. She also found it a little heavy to carry up and down the stairs, especially when it was folded up into its bag for travel.
Size
A bedside cot is essentially the bassinet style cot that can be fixed to the side of the bed. It lets you 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 room with you, but separated from you for the first six months, because this will reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). The bedside crib with its low sides is a great method to do this. It lets you be able to easily access your baby at night.
It is essential that your baby sleeps on a firm bed as this is safer than a mattress that is soft. Newborns don't have the motor control to turn over and a mattress that is soft could increase the chance of drowning. This mattress is made from skin-friendly and breathe-able materials. It's comfortable for your baby, but firm enough to ensure safety.
Mum Jasmin was happy that the crib didn't occupy too the entire space in her room and found it to be the ideal size for a baby. She also noted that the mattress was of high-quality, unlike others which feel thin and flimsy. She also appreciates that it has a storage space beneath for bedding and clothes - something many other bassinets don't.
MFM mom home test Mehack is a huge fan of the side wall that is removable that lets you lower it down to give easy access to your newborn. She also loves that legs fold into the bed so it does not look big or take up too much floor space. She's also impressed by how easy it is to move around the house when you need to for ease during late-night 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 has a clever design with four pulleys built-in to raise or lower the crib. It comes with a large storage bin for your baby's blankets, toys and other essentials. It's also light and easy to assemble, making it ideal for traveling with your baby.
Safety
When selecting a newborn bedside cot, you must keep safety in mind. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS, recommend that babies not sleep in their parents' beds due to the possibility of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome. Bassinets for bedside use allow parents to keep their infants close, facilitating night time feedings as well as monitoring without having to get up.
This close proximity also supports breastfeeding mothers as they can attend to the needs of their infant without waking up at all times and can help maintain milk supply and support the breastfeeding experience. Some cots for bedside use adjustable height features that can aid mother and child to access the bassinet for feedings or other care during the night.
bedside cot bed come with a 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 not fully developed, and need to be supported to prevent damage. The mattress should be covered with a fitted sheet to reduce the risk that dust mites or other allergens, can cause a child to be suffocated. It must also be kept clean and free of allergens.
Some bedside cots have the capability of being tilted, which can be beneficial for babies with reflux or digestive issues, however it should be done with great caution and at a moderate angle. Avoid adding pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers inside the bassinet. These can pose the risk of suffocation to your baby.
It's also worth thinking about an infant bassinet that has a secure attachment system that can be easily attached to your existing bed without the need for tools. This feature is especially useful for parents who have difficulty get their child in and out of the crib or are concerned about their child falling asleep. If your bassinet does have a secure attachment system it's an excellent idea to periodically check that it's securely attached and that there aren't gaps or loose parts that could pose a hazard.
Comfort
If you're a parent-to-be, the safety of your child is definitely one of your top priorities. There's a new sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close to you at night, without the danger of sharing a bed. The infant bedside cot basically a bassinet-style cot which is fixed to the side of your bed and allows you to move them towards you to feed them at night and soothe. It's an excellent option for mothers recovering from a C-section as it will not require you to stand or bend over.
Modern bedside cots for babies should include a firm, flat mattress to promote safe sleeping habits and reduce the risk Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The bedding should be simple, with a cot sheet and blanket tucked tightly on the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys, and pillows that could fall on your baby, posing a suffocation risk. If your baby is familiar with being swaddled, you can use a swaddle or a baby sleep bag for the first few weeks, however it should be removed as soon as possible once they've gained the strength to unwrap themselves.
Some bedside cribs feature a removable or drop-down side that gives you easy access to your baby for feeding and comfort in the middle of the night. This is a great feature for parents who wish to maintain a close bond with their child, while adhering to NHS guidelines on sleep. If you plan to co-sleep with your child, it is important to be aware that this practice may increase the chance of SIDS. This is especially when a parent accidentally rolls on their infant while sleeping.
A fabric that is breathable will keep your baby cool and cool throughout the night. This is especially important if you plan to co-sleep with your newborn because the risk of being overheated increases when you sleep. The SnuzPod4 is a unique, breathable mesh side panel that aids in improving airflow and keep your baby snug in their bed.