Newborn bedside cot wooden Cot

A newborn bedside cot is a small sleeper that allows new babies to share a space as their parents without the risks of true co-sleeping (which the AAP recommends against due to SIDS and suffocation). It also makes middle-of-the-night nursing sessions and baby care simpler.

This sleeper has a mattress that is firm and supports babies' backs, reducing the chance of SIDS. It can be swiveled over your adult bed so that you can raise your baby to cuddle them at sunrise or during midnight nursing.

Budget

A bedside crib, also referred to as a bassinet or cosleeper is a bassinet type baby bedside sleeper cot that clips to your bed. This allows you to reach your baby comfortably and safely for a late-night feed or comforting cuddle. They are a great option for mothers or new parents recovering from a c-section because they allow easy access to baby and do not require you to get up.

There are many different styles available that range from basic models with only a drop-down side, to more sophisticated ones that can be adjusted in a variety of ways with incline and height options. Most can be converted into an independent crib once your baby is older and is sleeping longer at night.

One of our top picks is the Maxi-Cosi Lora, which was shortlisted for 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily expressed her delight at how stylish and modern the design is and she was impressed by the fact that you can use it as a regular bassinet, or clip it to your existing bed to ensure that you can sleep side-by-side. She also adored its soft mattress which passed our firmness tests and also that it comes with an option to manually tilt it for those suffering from reflux.

But she wasn't thrilled with the feature of a non-mesh panel at its bottom and thought it was a bit heavy to move from room room regularly. When folded into a travel bag she found it to be a bit heavy to carry up the stairs.

Size

A bedside cot is an infant bassinet that is connected to the side of your bed. It's easy to reach your baby's side for feedings, changing nappies or just to soothe them during the night. It's also great for moms recovering from a C-section.

The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise that you place your baby in the same room with you, but separated from you for the first six months since this will help decrease the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). A crib for your bed is a safe method to achieve this as it has low sides and allows you to easily reach your baby during the night.

It is important that your baby is sleeping on a firm and not an extremely soft mattress. Babies don't have motor control to rotate and a mattress that is soft could increase the risk of suffocation. The soft, breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make the mattress comfortable for your baby but also sufficient to ensure safety.

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 also noted that the mattress was of high-quality and not like other mattresses that feel thin and flimsy. She also loves that it has a storage area underneath for clothes and blankets which she claims most bassinets do not have.

Mehack is an MFM mom who tried the product at home, loves the ability to remove the wall on the side to make it easier to access your baby. She also appreciates that the legs can be tucked under the bed to make it look less bulky and take up less floor space. She's also amazed by how easy it is to move around the house as you need to for ease during late-night meals and check-ins.

The CoZee Air crib is a favorite among parents. It won the Gold Award in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It has a clever design with four pulleys built-in to raise or lower the crib and includes a large storage basket to store your baby's blankets, toys and other necessities. It's also simple to put together and lightweight and portable, which is ideal for travelling with your baby.

Safety

When choosing a baby's bedside cot it's important to keep the safety aspect in your mind. The official safety sleep guidelines of both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies not sleep in their parents' beds because of the risks of suffocation, heat exhaustion and a greater chance of suffering from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bedside bassinets enable parents to keep their babies close, facilitating night time feedings as well as comforting and monitoring without needing to leave their bed.

This close proximity also assists breastfeeding mothers as they can take care of their infant's needs without having to get up at all times and help keep the supply of milk steady and help the breastfeeding experience. Some cots for wooden bedside cot use adjustable height options that can aid mother and child to access the bassinet to feed or take care of other needs throughout the night.

A lot of bassinets have mattresses that are firm, which is designed to minimize the risk of suffocation, and also meets the standards of the industry. It is essential to support the bones of a newborn, because they are still squishy and not fully formed. The mattress should be covered with a fitted sheet to minimize the chance that dust mites, as well as other allergens, will cause a child to be suffocated. It should be kept clean and free of allergens.

Some cribs on the bed can be tilted. This is useful for newborn bedside cot babies with reflux or digestive problems. However, it should be done slowly and with care. It's also important to avoid adding pillows, duvets or newborn bedside cot padded crib bumpers to the bassinet, as they can create an obstructing risk to your baby. They should only be used when the cot is on an even surface.

It's also worth considering an adjustable bassinet with an attachment system that is secure and can be easily fixed to your existing bed without the need for tools. This feature is especially beneficial for parents who struggle to lift their child into and out of the crib or are concerned about their baby accidentally rolling over while sleeping. If your bassinet has an attachment system that is secure it's an excellent idea to periodically ensure that it's securely secured and that there aren't gaps or loose components that could cause danger.

Comfort

If you're a parent-to-be, the safety of your child is definitely one of your top priorities. Thankfully, there's an innovative sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close to you throughout the night, without any of the dangers that come with bed-sharing. The infant bedside cot essentially a bassinet-style cot that fixes to the bed's side that allows you to take them away to feed them at night and soothe. It also makes a great choice for mums recovering from a csection, as it reduces the need to bend over too much or even take a step out of bed.

A modern newborn bedside cot should have a firm flat mattress to promote safe sleeping practices and decrease the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The bedding should be simple, comprising a cot sheets and blanket tucked tightly on 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, you can use a swaddle or baby sleep bag for the initial few weeks, but it should be removed as soon as possible once they've gained the strength and confidence to pull themselves out of the wrap.

Some twin bedside cot cribs feature an option to remove or drop down the side that gives you an easy access to your baby for comforting and feeding in the middle of the night. This is a wonderful option for parents who wish to keep a strong bond with their child, while adhering to NHS safe sleep guidelines. However, if you're planning to co-sleep in the same bed as your child it's important to know that this practice has been linked to a higher risk of SIDS, particularly in the event that a parent falls on their infant during sleep.

A fabric that breathes will keep your baby comfy and cool throughout the night. This is particularly crucial if you intend to sleep with your newborn because the risk of being overheated increases when you sleep. The SnuzPod4 has a unique mesh side panel that is breathable that helps improve the flow of air and keep your baby warm in their mattress.