Newborn Bedside Cot

A newborn bedside cot is a small 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 makes it easier to care for your baby and nurse them in the middle of the night.

This sleeper comes with an extremely firm mattress that can support babies' backs, reducing the risk of SIDS. It can slide over your adult bed to make it easier for you to get your baby out for midnight nursing or sunrise cuddles.

Budget

A bedside cot, sometimes referred to as a co-sleeper is a bassinet-style baby cot that is attached or clipped to your existing bed. This lets you comfortably and safely reach your baby for mid-night feeding or cuddles. They are a great option for mothers or new parents recovering from a csection as they provide the baby with easy access and do not require you to get out of bed.

There are a variety of styles available, ranging from simple ones with the drop-down side, to more sophisticated ones that offer multiple adjustment options, including the ability to tilt or raise. Most can be converted into a standalone crib when your baby grows older and sleeps longer in the night.

One of our favorites is the Maxi-Cosi Lura, which was shortlisted for 2021 Mother&Baby awards, including Best Cot, Crib or newborn bedside cot Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily said she was impressed by how chic and modern the design was. She also appreciated the fact that it could be used as a bassinet, or attached to your bed for safe side-byside sleeping. She also liked its plush mattress that has passed our tests for firmness and also that it comes with a manual inclining function for those suffering from reflux.

She didn't like the fact that it had a mesh panel on the bottom and considered it too bulky to move around from room to room. She also found it a bit heavy to carry up and down the stairs once folded into a travel bag.

Size

A bedside cot is a bassinet that is placed on the side of your bed. It allows you to reach your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeding nappies, feeding and comforting. It's ideal for mothers recovering from a c-section.

The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby separate from you in the first six months, to reduce the risk of SIDS. The crib at the bedside with its low sides, is a great option to do this. It allows you to be able to easily access your baby throughout the night.

It is essential that your baby is sleeping on a firm, not an extremely soft mattress. Newborns don't have the motor control needed to turn and a mattress that is soft could increase the chance of drowning. The mattress is made of skin-friendly and breathable materials. It's comfortable for your baby, yet firm enough to be safe.

Mum home test Jasmin liked that this crib does not take up a lot of space in her bedroom. Also, she found it to be the perfect size for a baby. The mattress she rated as excellent quality, in contrast to others that feel thin and thin. She also appreciates that it has a storage space underneath for clothes and blankets which she claims many bassinets don't have.

Mehack is an MFM mother who has tested the product at home, likes that you can remove the side wall to allow for easier access to your baby. She also loves the fact that the legs can be put under the bed to look less bulky and occupy less area on the floor. She's also impressed with the ease of being able to move around the house when you want to, for convenience during middle-of-the-night meals and check-ins.

A recipient of a Gold award in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards The CoZee Air is a popular choice for parents. It features a unique design that has four pulleys that can be used to raise or lower your crib. It also comes with a large basket for toys, blankets, and other essentials. It's also easy to assemble and light, newborn bedside cot which is useful to travel with your baby.

Safety

When selecting a newborn bedside cot bedside it's important to keep safety in your thoughts. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS recommend that babies don't sleep in the parents bed due to the possibility of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome. Bedside bassinets allow parents to keep their newborns close, which allows for nighttime feedings, comforting, and monitoring without the need to get out of bed.

This close proximity also assists breastfeeding mothers by allowing them to take care of their infant's needs without having to wake up at all times, which can help to maintain milk supply and support the breastfeeding experience. Some cots with a bedside crib travel are equipped with adjustable height features that aid both the mother and baby to get into the bassinet to feed or take care of other needs at night.

A majority of bassinets come with mattresses that are firm and designed to reduce the risk of suffocation and is in line with industry standards. This is essential because newborn's bones are brittle and aren't fully developed. They require support to prevent injury. The mattress should be covered with an appropriate sheet to reduce the risk that dust mites, as well as other allergens, will choke a child. It must be kept clean and free of allergens.

Some cots with a bedside sleeper cot have the capability of being tilted. This can be useful for babies with reflux or digestive issues, however this should always be done with a lot of care and at a moderate angle. Avoid placing pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers in the bassinet. These could create the risk of suffocation your baby.

You should also consider the bassinet with a secure attachment system. This can be connected to your existing bed easily without the need for tools. This feature is especially useful for parents who have difficulty lift their child into and out of the crib or are concerned about their baby accidentally rolling over while sleeping. If your bassinet is equipped with an attachment that is secure it is a great idea to check it regularly. Check to ensure there aren't any gaps and that the system is securely attached.

Comfort

If you're planning to become a parent, the comfort of your child is among your top concerns. There's a new sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close at night without the risk of sharing a bed. The newborn bedside cot is basically a bassinet-style cot which is fixed to the side of your bed that allows you to move them towards you for feeding at night and calming. It's also an excellent choice for mothers recovering from a c-section, since it makes it less necessary to bend too much or even take a step out of the bed.

A modern newborn bedside cot should have a firm flat mattress to in promoting safe sleeping habits and lower the chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The bedding should be kept as simple as possible, with only the sheet for the cot and blanket that is tightly tucked into the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers and pillows that could be thrown over your baby, creating a suffocation risk. If your baby is used to being swaddled during a few weeks, you can use either an swaddle or baby sleep bag. But, it should be removed once they have the strength to take them off.

Some cribs for bedside use a removable or drop-down side that allows easy access to your baby's feeds and comforting. This is a great feature for parents who want to keep a close relationship with their child, while still following NHS guidelines on sleep. However, if you're planning to sleep in the same bed with your baby it's important to know that this practice has been linked to a higher risk of SIDS particularly if a parent unintentionally rolls onto their child during sleep.

A fabric that is breathable will keep your baby comfy and cool throughout the night. This is especially important if you plan to sleep with your baby since the chance of overheating increases during sleep. The SnuzPod4 has a unique side panel made of breathable mesh, which helps to improve the flow of air and keep your baby warm in their bed.