Why We Love Newborn Bedside Cot (And You Should Also!)

· 6 min read
Why We Love Newborn Bedside Cot (And You Should Also!)

Newborn Bedside Cot

A newborn crib with a bedside is a tiny sleeping device that allows babies to sleep in the same room as their parents without the risks of co-sleeping. (The AAP warns against this because of the risk of SIDS and inhalation.) It makes it easier to take care of your baby and give them a bottle in the middle of the night.

This mattress is a firm mattress that is designed to help babies' backs and decrease the chance of SIDS. It can be swiveled over your adult bed so that you can carry your baby to the top to snuggle them at sunrise or for nighttime nursing.

Budget

A bedside crib, also called a bassinet or cosleeper, is a bassinet style crib that can be attached to your bed. This lets you reach your baby quickly and safely for a nighttime feed or comforting cuddle. These are ideal for moms and babies recovering after a c section as they allow the baby to be easily accessible without needing to get out of the bed.

There are a variety of designs available, from the basic ones with just the drop-down side, to more sophisticated ones that have various adjustment options, such as 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 sleeping longer at night.

One of our favourites is the Maxi-Cosi Lora, which was nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards, including the categories of Best Cot Crib, Best Cot, or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily said she was impressed by how chic and contemporary the design is as well as the feature that you can use it as a regular bassinet or clip it onto your bed for safe side-by-side sleeping. She also liked the plush mattress that was able to pass our test of firmness and also the fact that it has a manual rocking function that can be adjusted to a slight slope for reflux sufferers.


But she wasn't thrilled with the design of the non-mesh panel on the bottom and felt it was a bit bulky to move from room to room regularly. When folded into its travel bag, she found it quite heavy to carry up the stairs.

Size

A bedside cot resembles the bassinet, which is attached to the side of your bed. It lets you easily reach your baby for mid-night feeding nappies, feeding and comforting. It's also great for moms recovering from C-sections.

The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise you to keep your baby in the same room with you, but keep them separate from you for the first six months because this will reduce the chance of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). The crib that is placed beside your bed with its low sides is a great way to do this. It lets you access your baby easily throughout the night.

It is essential that your baby is sleeping on a firm, not an extremely soft mattress. Infants don't have the motor control needed to turn and a mattress that is soft could increase the chance of suffocation. The breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make this mattress a comfortable one for your baby, but sufficiently firm to be safe for your baby.

Mum Jasmin was delighted that the crib didn't occupy too much space in her room and found it to be the perfect size for a newborn. She said the mattress was excellent quality, in contrast to those that feel cheap and thin. She also likes the fact that it has a storage area underneath for clothes and bedding which many bassinets don't.

MFM mom home tester Mehack is a big fan of the removable side wall that lets you drop it down to give easy access to your infant. She also likes the fact that legs slide under the bed so that it doesn't look heavy or take up a lot of floor space. She's also impressed by the ease of being able to move around the house whenever you need to for ease during late-night feedings and check-ins.

A recipient of an Gold award in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards and the CoZee Air is a popular choice among parents. It is designed with four pulleys built-in to raise or lower the crib. It has a large storage basket for your baby's toys, blankets and other necessities. It's also light and easy to assemble and is ideal for travel with your baby.

Safety

When choosing a new baby's bedside cot, you must keep safety in mind. The official safe sleep guidelines from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies do not be sleeping in the bed of their parents due to the dangers of suffocation, overheating and a greater chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bedside bassinets allow parents to keep their newborns close to them, facilitating nighttime feedings, comforting, and monitoring without having to get out of bed.

This close proximity also supports breastfeeding mothers by allowing them to take care of their infant's needs without having to wake up at all times and help maintain milk supply and support the breastfeeding experience. Some cots for bedside use adjustable height features that make it easier for mother and child to access the bassinet for feedings or other care throughout the night.

A lot of bassinets have mattresses that are firm. This is designed to decrease suffocation risk and meets the standards of the industry. It is essential to provide support for the bones of a newborn, since they are still fragile and are not fully formed. The mattress should be encased in a fitted sheet to minimize the risk of suffocation due to dust mites or other allergens and kept hygienically clean and free of allergens.

Some cribs for bedside use can be tilted. This is beneficial for babies with reflux or digestive problems. However, it should only be done gently and with care. It's also important to avoid putting pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet since these can pose the risk of suffocation for your baby. They should only be used when the cot is set on flat surfaces.

It's also worth looking into an adjustable bassinet with an attachment system that is secure and can be easily fixed to your bed without the necessity of tools. This can be especially useful for parents who struggle to get their child into and out of the cot or who are worried about accidentally rolling over in the night. If your bassinet is equipped with a secure attachment it is a great idea to check it frequently. Make sure there are no gaps, and that the system is securely connected.

Comfort

If you're a soon-to-be parent, your baby's safety is among your top concerns. 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 that come with sharing a bed. The infant bedside cot basically a bassinet-style cot which is fixed to the bed's side, allowing you to safely move them towards you for night feeding and soothing. It is also the perfect choice for mothers recovering from a c-section as it reduces the need to bend over too much or even take a step out of bed.

Modern cots for infants should include a firm, flat mattress to encourage safe sleep habits and lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The bedding should be simple, comprising a cot sheets and a blanket tightly tucked at the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers and pillows since they could fall on your baby and create a danger of suffocation. If your baby has been used to being swaddled during a few weeks then you can use the swaddle or baby sleep bag. However, this should be removed once they have the strength to remove them.

Some bedside cribs have a drop-down or removable side to make it easy for your baby's feeds and comforting. This is a great feature for parents who want to maintain a close bond with their child, while adhering to NHS guidelines for sleep. If you plan to co-sleep with your child, it is important to be aware that this practice could increase the chance of SIDS. This is especially the case if a parent rolls on their infant during sleep.

A breathable fabric will keep your baby comfy and cool throughout the night. This is especially important if you plan to sleep with your newborn, as the risk of overheating is higher during sleep.  foldable bedside crib , breathable side panel, which helps increase the flow of air, keeping your baby cool.