Newborn Bedside Cot

A newborn bedside cot is a small sleeper that allows babies to sleep in the same space as their parents without the risk of sleeping together (which the AAP recommends against due to suffocation and SIDS). It also makes nursing sessions and baby care simpler.

This mattress is a firm mattress to support babies' backs and reduce the chance of SIDS. It can be swiveled on your adult bed to raise your baby to cuddle them at sunrise or during late night nursing.

Budget

A bedside crib, also referred to as a bassinet or co-sleeper is a bassinet-style crib for babies that attaches to your existing bed. This allows you to easily and safely reach your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeding or comforting cuddles. These are perfect for new parents and mums recovering from a c-section because they allow easy access to the baby without having to get up from the bed.

There are many different designs available, from the simple ones with the drop-down side, to more sophisticated ones with numerous adjustment options, like incline or height. Many convert to a standalone crib for daytime naps or when your baby is a few months old and sleeping longer at night.

One of our favourites is the Maxi-Cosi Lora that was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the categories of best bedside cots Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily noted how stylish and modern the design was. She also liked the fact that it can be used as a bassinet, or attached to your existing bed to ensure safe side-by-side sleeping. She also admired the soft mattress that passed our firmness test and the fact that it comes with a manual rocking function that can be set to a slight tilt for those suffering from reflux.

She didn't like that it had a non-mesh panel at the bottom, and considered it too bulky to move around from room to room. It also felt a bit heavy to carry up and down the stairs, especially when it was folded up into its bag for travel.

Size

A bedside cot is basically a bassinet-style cot that fixes to your side of the bed. It is easy to reach your baby's side to feed them, change nappies or just to soothe them during the night. It's also great for mothers recovering from a C-section.

The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby separated from you in the first 6 months to decrease the chance of SIDS. The bedside crib, with its low sides, is a great method to achieve this. It allows you to be able to easily access your baby during the night.

It is crucial that your infant sleeps on a firm mattress as it is more secure than a soft one. Babies don't have motor control needed to turn and a mattress that is soft can increase the chance of being suffocated. The soft, breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make this mattress a comfortable one for your baby but also sufficient to ensure safety.

Mum home test Jasmin loved that the crib does not take up much space in her bedroom, and she found it to be the perfect size for a newborn. She also said that the mattress was excellent quality, in contrast to others that feel thin and thin. She also appreciates that it has a storage space beneath for blankets and clothes which she believes most bassinets do not have.

Mehack Mehack, an MFM mum who tested the product at home, loves that you can remove the wall on the side to make it easier to access your baby. She also loves the fact that the legs can be tucked under the bed to make it look less bulky and take up less area on the floor. 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.

The CoZee Air crib is a favourite among parents. It was awarded the Gold Award in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It features a smart design with four pulleys that are built-in to raise or lower the crib. It has a large storage basket for blankets, toys and other necessities. It's also easy to assemble and lightweight, which is useful to travel with your baby.

Safety

When choosing a baby's bedside cot, you must keep the safety of your baby in your thoughts. The official safe sleep guidelines from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies do not sleep in their parents' beds due to the risk of suffocation, heat exhaustion and a greater chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bassinets that are placed in bed let parents keep their baby close, facilitating nighttime feedings and monitoring without having to leave their bed.

This close proximity can also help breastfeeding mothers as it lets them attend to the baby's needs while they sleep. This can help to maintain the supply of milk and also encourage breastfeeding. Some cots with a bedside are equipped with adjustable height features, which can ensure that the bassinet is an appropriate height for mother and baby to allow easy access to mid-night feedings or care.

A lot of bassinets have a firm mattress, which is designed to decrease the risk of suffocation and is in line with industry standards. It is crucial to provide support for the bones of a newborn, since they are still fragile and are not fully formed. The mattress should be covered in a fitted sheet to minimize the risk of suffocation from dust mites or other allergens, and kept clean and free from irritants.

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

It's also worth considering an infant bassinet that has a secure attachment system that can be easily fixed to your bed without the necessity of tools. This can be especially useful for parents who struggle to lift their child in and out of the crib or who are concerned about rolling over in the night. If your bassinet has secured attachments it is a great idea to check it regularly. Check to ensure there aren't any gaps and that the system is securely connected.

Comfort

If you're a parent-to-be, the comfort of your baby is surely one of your main concerns. There's a great sleep solution that lets you keep your baby close during the night, without any of the risks that come with sharing beds. The newborn bedside cot is essentially a bassinet-style cot which is fixed to the bed's side and allows you to take them away for night feeding and soothing. It is also the perfect 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 bed.

A modern bedside cot for newborns should have a sturdy, flat mattress to help in promoting safe sleeping habits and lower the chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The bedding should be simple, with only the cot sheet and a blanket that is tightly tucked into the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers or pillows because they can fall on your baby and create a suffocation hazard. If your baby has been used to being swaddled for several weeks, you can use either a swaddle, or a baby sleep bag. However, this should be removed after they have the strength to unwrap them.

Some bedside cot co sleeper cribs have a removable or drop-down side that allows easy access to your baby's feeds and comforting. This feature is ideal for parents who want to maintain a close bond with their child while still following NHS guidelines on sleep. However, if you're planning to co-sleep in the same bed with your baby it's important to know that this practice has been linked to an increased risk of SIDS especially when a parent accidentally is able to roll onto their infant while they sleep.

A fabric that breathes will keep your baby comfortable and cool throughout the night. This is especially important if you plan to sleep with your newborn, Newborn Bedside Cot because the risk of overheating in the night increases. The SnuzPod4 is a unique, mesh side panel that is breathable, which helps to improve the airflow and keeps your baby warm in their bed.