Newborn Bedside Cot

A newborn bedside cot is a compact sleeper that allows new babies to share the same room as their parents without the risks of true co-sleeping (which the AAP advises against due to SIDS and suffocation). It helps you care for your infant and feed them in the middle of the night.

This sleeper has a sturdy mattress that is designed to support babies' backs and decrease the risk of SIDS. It can slide over your bed to make it easier for you to lift your baby for nighttime nursing or sunrise cuddles.

Budget

A bedside crib with wheels cot, also known as a co-sleeper, an infant cot with a bassinet design that is attached or clipped to your bed. This lets you safely and easily reach your baby for mid-night feeding, comforting or cuddles. They are a great choice for mums or new parents recovering from a csection as they offer an easy access to baby and do not require you to get out of bed.

There are lots of different designs on the market, from basic models with just a drop-down side to more advanced ones that can be adjusted in multiple ways, including incline and height options. Many can be converted into a separate crib when your baby is older and is sleeping longer in the night.

Maxi-Cosi Lora is one our favorites. It was shortlisted in the Best Cot category for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. 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 clipped to your existing bed to ensure safe side-by-side sleeping. She also admired the soft mattress, which was able to pass our test of firmness and the fact that it has an automatic rocking feature that can be set to a slight tilt for reflux sufferers.

However, she didn't like the fact that it had a non-mesh panel at its lower end, and felt it was a bit heavy to move from room room often. She also found it a little heavy to carry up and down the stairs when folded away into its bag for travel.

Size

A bedside cot is essentially an upholstered bassinet that is fixed to your side of the bed. It allows you to easily reach your baby for mid-night feeding, nappies and comforting. It's also great for mothers recovering from C-sections.

The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby separate from you for the first six month, to decrease the chance of SIDS. A crib that is placed near your bed is a safe way to achieve this as it is low-sided and allows you to easily access your newborn throughout the night.

It's important that your newborn sleeps on a firm mattress as it is more secure than a mattress that is soft. Babies don't have motor control to rotate and a mattress that is soft can increase the risk of drowning. The breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make this mattress comfortable for your baby, but firm enough for safting and monitoring without having to get up.

This close proximity also helps breastfeeding mothers by allowing them to attend to their baby's needs without having to get up completely and can help keep milk supply steady and enhance the breastfeeding experience. Some cots for bedside use adjustable height features that can make it easier for mother and child to access the bassinet for feedings or other activities throughout the night.

Many bassinets come with mattresses that are firm and designed to minimize the risk of suffocation and conforms to industry standards. This is essential because newborn's bones are soft and aren't fully developed. They require support to prevent injury. The mattress should be covered in a fitted cover to decrease the chance of suffocation caused by dust mites and other allergens, and kept clean and free of irritants.

Some cribs on the bed can be tilted. This is useful for babies with reflux or digestive problems. But, it should only be done gently and with caution. It's also important to avoid adding pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet as they could pose an obstructing risk to your baby. They should only be used when the cot is on flat surfaces.

It is also recommended to consider an infant bassinet with a secure attachment system. This can be connected to your existing bed easily without the need of tools. This feature is especially beneficial for parents who have difficulty lift their child into and out of the crib or are worried about their child rolling over while sleeping. If your bassinet has a secure attachment, it is a good idea to regularly check it. Check to ensure there are no gaps, and that the system is securely attached.

Comfort

If you're expecting a child, the comfort of your child is definitely one of your top priorities. There's a wonderful sleep solution that lets you keep your baby close to you throughout the night, without any of the risks that come with sharing beds. The newborn bedside cot is basically a bassinet-style cot that fixes to the bed's side and allows you to take them away for night feeding and soothing. It's also a great choice for mums recovering from a c-section because it eliminates the need to bend too much or even to get out of bed.

A modern bedside cot for newborns should have a sturdy, flat mattress to help promote safe sleeping practices and reduce the chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The bedding should be kept as simple as possible, with only the cot sheet and a blanket tucked tightly at the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys and pillows that could fall on your baby, posing the risk of suffocation. If your baby is familiar with being swaddled, you can make use of a swaddle, or a 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 to pull themselves out of the wrap.

Some cribs for bedside use a removable or drop-down side that allows for the baby to be easily accessible to feed and comfort them during the middle of the night. This is a wonderful feature for parents who want to maintain a strong bond with their child, but still adhere to NHS safe sleep advice. If you plan to co-sleep with your child, it is important to know that this practice can increase the chance of SIDS. This is especially when a parent accidentally is able to roll their infant over while sleeping.

A fabric that is breathable is an essential safety feature, as it's designed to keep your baby cool and comfortable throughout the night. This is particularly crucial if you intend to co-sleep with your newborn since the chance of overheating is higher during sleep. The SnuzPod4 has a unique mesh side panel that is breathable that helps improve the airflow and keeps your baby comfortable in their mattress.