Newborn Bedside Cot

A newborn bedside cot is a compact sleeper that allows new babies to sleep in 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 care for your baby and give them a bottle during the night.

This sleeper comes with a mattress that is firm and supports babies' backs, reducing the risk of SIDS. It can be swiveled on your adult bed to raise your baby for sunrise cuddles or 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 existing bed. This allows you to reach your baby comfortably and safely for a late-night feed or cuddles. These are perfect for moms and babies recovering from a csection because they allow easy access to the baby without having to get up from the bed.

There are a variety of styles available, from the basic ones that have a drop down side to more sophisticated ones that offer multiple adjustment options, including an incline or a height. The majority of them can be converted into 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 top picks is the Maxi-Cosi Lora, which was shortlisted for 2021 Mother&Baby awards in the categories of Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily expressed her delight at how stylish and modern the design is as well as the fact that you can use it as a regular bassinet or attach it to your existing bed to sleep side-by-side in a safe and secure manner. She also liked the plush mattress, which was able to pass our test of firmness and also the fact that it comes with an automatic rocking feature that can be set to a slight incline for reflux sufferers.

But she wasn't thrilled with the fact that it had a non-mesh panel at its bottom and thought it was a bit bulky to move from room to room often. It also felt a little heavy to carry up and down the stairs when folded into a travel bag.

Size

A bedside cot is similar to a bassinet that is attached to the side of your bed. It's easy to reach your baby's side to feed, change nappies, or to comfort them during the night. It's also great for mums recovering from the C-section.

The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby separate from you for the first 6 months to reduce the risk of SIDS. A crib that is placed near your bed is a secure way to achieve this as it has low sides and lets you be able to easily access your baby at night.

It is essential that your baby sleeps on a firm bed as it is safer than a soft one. A mattress that is soft increases the risk of suffocation among infants as they lack the motor control necessary to turn. This mattress is made of skin-friendly and breathe-able materials. It is comfortable for your baby, but sufficient to be secure.

Mum home tester Jasmin loved that the crib doesn't take up too much space in her bedroom and she found the size to be perfect for a baby. She also noted that the mattress was of good quality and not like other mattresses that feel thin and flimsy. She also loves the fact that it has a storage space underneath for bedding and clothes which other bassinets don't have.

Mehack, a MFM mother who has tested the product at home, is thrilled the ability to remove the wall on the side to allow for easier access to your baby. She also likes the fact that legs can be placed under the bed to make it appear less bulky and occupy less floor space. She's also impressed with how it was easy to move around her home when she needed to for checks and feedings during the night.

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

Safety

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

This close proximity can help breastfeeding mothers as it allows them to be attentive to the needs of their baby while also sleeping. This can help maintain milk supply and encourage breastfeeding. Some bedside rocking crib cots come with adjustable height options that can help mother and child to access the bassinet to feed or take care of other needs during the night.

Many bassinets come with a firm mattress, which is designed to decrease the risk of suffocation, and also meets industry standards. This is important because a newborn's bones are brittle and not fully developed and newborn bedside cot require support to prevent damage. The mattress should be covered with a fitted sheet to reduce the risk that dust mites, as well as other allergens, could cause a child to be suffocated. It must also be kept free of allergens and clean.

Some bedside cots have the ability to be tilted, which can be beneficial for babies suffering from reflux or digestive issues, but this should be done with a lot of care and at a moderate angle. Avoid adding pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers in the bassinet. These could create a risk of suffocation for your baby.

It's also worth looking into an infant bassinet that has an attachment system that is secure and can be easily fixed to your existing bed without the necessity of tools. This is particularly beneficial for parents who find it difficult to lift their child into and out of the crib or are concerned about their child accidentally falling asleep. If your bassinet has an attachment that is secure it is a good idea for you to check it frequently. Make sure there aren't any gaps and that the system is securely attached.

Comfort

If you are a soon-to-be parent, the comfort of your child is one of your main concerns. There's a new sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close to you at night, without the danger of bed-sharing. The crib for newborns is a bassinet style cot that can be attached to the side of the bed. It lets you safely carry your baby to you for night feedings and calming. It also makes a great choice for mums recovering from a csection, as it reduces the need to bend too much or even take a step out of bed.

A modern cot for newborn bedside cot infants should have a firm, flat mattress to help in promoting safe sleeping habits and reduce the chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Bedding should be easy with a cot sheet and blanket tucked tightly at the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers or pillows because they could fall on your baby and cause danger of suffocation. If your baby is used to being swaddled, you can use a swaddle or baby sleep bag for the first few weeks, although it is best to remove it as soon as you can once they've gained the strength and confidence to pull themselves out of the wrap.

Some bedside cribs feature an option to remove or drop down the side that gives you the baby to be easily accessible to feed and comfort them in the middle of the night. This is a wonderful feature for parents who want to keep the bond between them and their child, while adhering to NHS safe sleep guidelines. If you're planning to co-sleep in the same bed with your child, it's important to understand that this practice has been linked to a higher risk of SIDS particularly if a parent unintentionally falls on their infant during sleep.

A breathable fabric is another important safety feature, as it's designed to keep your baby cool and comfortable throughout the night. This is especially important if you intend to sleep with your baby as the risk of overheating during sleep increases. The SnuzPod4 has an exclusive breathable side panel that aids in improving the flow of air, keeping your baby comfortable.