Five Killer Quora Answers To Newborn Bedside Cot
Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a tiny sleeper that allows babies to share the same room as their parents without the dangers of co-sleeping (which the AAP cautions against due suffocation and SIDS). It also makes nursing sessions and baby care more convenient.
This sleeper comes with a firm mattress that supports babies' backs, reducing the risk of SIDS. It can be swiveled on your adult bed to lift your baby to cuddle them at sunrise or during late night nursing.
Budget
A bedside cot, sometimes referred to as a co-sleeper, is the bassinet-style baby cot that clips or attaches to your bed. This allows you to reach your baby quickly and safely for a late-night feed, comforting, or cuddles. These are great for mothers and new parents recovering from a csection because they allow easy access to the baby without needing to get out of the bed.
There are many different styles available starting with basic models that have only a drop-down side, to more sophisticated ones that can be adjusted in multiple ways, including incline and height options. The majority of them can be converted into an independent crib for naps during the day or when your baby is a few months old and sleeps longer at night.
One of our top picks is the Maxi-Cosi Lora, which was shortlisted for 2021 Mother&Baby awards, including the categories of best bedside cots Cot Crib, Best Cot, or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily noted how stylish 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 was able to pass our tests of firmness and also that it comes with an option to manually tilt it for reflux sufferers.
She didn't like that it had a mesh panel on the bottom and thought it was too bulky to move from room to room. It also felt a bit heavy to carry up and down the stairs once it was folded up into its travel bag.
Size
A bedside cot is a bassinet-style cot that fixes to the side of the bed. It allows you to easily reach your baby for mid-night feeding nappies, comforting and feeding. It's also great for mums recovering from a C-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise that you keep your baby in the same room as you but separate from you for the first six months because this will reduce the chance of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). A bedside crib is a secure way to accomplish this since it is low-sided and lets you easily access your newborn throughout the night.
It's important that your newborn sleeps on a firm mattress since this is safer than a mattress that is soft. A mattress that is soft can increase the risk of suffocation among newborns, as they lack the motor control needed to turn. The mattress is made of skin-friendly and breathable materials. It's comfortable for your baby, yet firm enough to be safe.
Mum home tester Jasmin loved that the crib does not take up much space in her bedroom, and she found the size perfect for a baby. She also said that the mattress was of high-quality, unlike others which are thin and fragile. She also likes the fact that it has a storage area underneath for clothes and blankets which she believes many bassinets don't have.
MFM mum home test Mehack is a huge fan of the side wall that is removable that lets you lower it down to give easy access to your baby. She also loves that legs slide under the bed so that it does not look heavy or take up a lot of floor space. She's also impressed with how it was simple to move around her home when she needed to do feeds and check-ins in the middle of the night.
A winner of an Gold award in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards The CoZee Air is a popular choice amongst parents. It is designed with four pulleys built-in to raise or lower the crib. It also comes with a large storage bin for toys, blankets and other essentials. It's also light and easy to put together and is ideal to travel cot bedside with your baby.
Safety
When selecting a newborn bedside cot, it is important to keep the safety aspect in your thoughts. The official safety sleep guidelines of both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies should not sleep in their parents' beds due to the dangers of overheating, suffocation and a higher risk of suffering from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bassinets for bedside use let parents keep their infant close and allow for nighttime feedings, comforting and monitoring without having to leave their bed.
This close proximity also helps breastfeeding mothers by allowing them to attend to the needs of their infant without having to wake up at all times, which can help to keep milk supply steady and enhance the breastfeeding experience. Some bedside cot crib cots come with adjustable height features that can aid mother and child to access the bassinet for feedings or other care at night.
Many bassinets come with a firm mattress that is designed to reduce the risk of suffocation, and conforms to industry standards. This is crucial because a newborn's bones are soft and not fully developed, and require support to prevent damage. The mattress should be encased in a fitted sheet to reduce the risk of suffocation from dust mites and other allergens. It should also be kept clean and free of irritants.
Some bedside cots can be tilted, which is beneficial for babies with reflux or digestive issues, but this should always be done with great caution and at a moderate angle. Avoid putting pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet. These could create the risk of suffocation to your baby.
It's also worth looking into an infant bassinet that has a secure attachment system that can be easily fixed to your existing bed without the need for tools. This feature can be particularly helpful for parents who may struggle to get their child into and out of the crib or who are worried about accidentally rolling over during sleep. If your bassinet has a secure attachment, it is a good idea to regularly check it. Make sure there aren't any gaps and that the system is securely attached.
Comfort
If you're a soon-to-be parent, the comfort of your child is one of your main concerns. There's a brand new sleep solution that lets you keep your baby close in the evening, without the risk of bed-sharing. The newborn bedside crib is a cot that resembles a bassinet that attaches to the side of the bed. It allows you to safely carry your baby to you for feedings at night and comfort. It's also a great choice for mothers recovering from a C section as it will not require you to get up or bend over.
Modern bedside cots for newborns should include a firm, flat mattress to promote safe sleeping habits and reduce the risk Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Bedding should be simple comprising a cot sheets and blanket tucked tightly at the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers or pillows because they can fall on your baby and pose a suffocation hazard. If your baby has been used to being swaddled for several weeks, you can use either an swaddle or baby sleep bag. But, it should be removed once they are strong enough to remove them.
Some bedside cribs have an open or removable side for easy access to your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeds and comforting. This feature is ideal for parents who wish to keep a close relationship with their child, while adhering to NHS sleep guidelines. However, if you're planning to sleep in the same bed as your baby it's important to recognize that this practice has been associated with an increased risk of SIDS especially if a parent unintentionally is able to roll onto their child during sleep.
A breathable fabric is another essential safety feature, as it's designed to keep your baby cool and comfortable throughout the night. This is particularly important if you plan to co-sleep with your newborn since the chance of overheating increases when you sleep. The SnuzPod4 comes with an exclusive breathable side panel that aids in improving the flow of air, keeping your baby cool.