5 Killer Quora Answers To Newborn Bedside Cot
Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a small 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 makes it easier to take care of your baby and nurse them throughout the night.
This sleeper has a mattress that is firm and supports babies backs, which reduces the chance of SIDS. It can slide over your adult bed to allow you to carry your baby out for midnight nursing or sunrise cuddles.
Budget
A bedside cot, sometimes referred to as a co-sleeper, a bassinet-style baby cot that can be attached to your bed. This lets you reach your baby quickly and safely for a late-night feed or comforting cuddle. These are great for moms and babies recovering after a c section as they allow the baby to be easily accessible without having to get up from bed.
There are lots of different designs on the market that range from basic models with only a drop-down side, to more advanced ones that can be adjusted in several ways, including incline and height options. Many can be converted into a separate crib when your baby is older and has a longer sleep time at night.
One of our favorites is the Maxi-Cosi Lora that was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the categories of Best 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 a clip to your existing bed, for safe side-byside sleeping. She also appreciated its luxurious mattress that has passed our tests for firmness, and that it has an option to manually tilt it for those suffering from reflux.
However, she didn't like the feature of a non-mesh panel on the bottom and felt it was a bit bulky to move from room to room frequently. It also felt a little heavy to carry up and down the stairs when folded into a bag for travel.
Size
A bedside cot is basically the bassinet style cot that can be fixed to your side of the bed. It is easy to reach your baby for feedings, changing nappies, or to comfort them during the night. It's perfect for mothers who are recovering from an o-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise you to keep your baby in the same space as you but separate from you for the first six months, as this can help reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). A bedside crib is a safe method to achieve this as it is low-sided and lets you easily reach your baby during the night.
It is crucial that your baby is sleeping on a firm and not an extremely soft mattress. Infants don't have the motor control needed to turn and a soft mattress could increase the risk of drowning. The soft, breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make this mattress a comfortable one for your baby but sufficiently firm to be safe for your baby.
Mum home test Jasmin liked that this crib doesn't take up too much space in her bedroom, and she found the size perfect for a baby. The mattress she rated as excellent quality, in contrast to others that feel thin and thin. She also appreciates the fact that it has a storage compartment beneath for blankets and clothes which she claims most bassinets do not have.
MFM mom home test Mehack is a huge fan of the side wall that is removable that lets you drop it to make it easier access to your baby. She also likes the fact that legs fold under the bed so that it does not look big or take up too much floor space. She's also amazed by the ease of being able to move around the house as you'd like for ease during late-night meals and check-ins.
The CoZee Air crib is a favorite among parents. It was awarded a Gold Award in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It is designed with four pulleys built-in to raise or lower the crib. It has a large storage basket to store your baby's blankets, toys and other necessities. It's also simple to put together and light, which is useful to travel with your baby.
Safety
When choosing a baby's bedside cot, you must keep safety in your thoughts. 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 dangers of suffocation, overheating and a greater chance of suffering from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bassinets for bedside use allow parents to keep their infants close, facilitating night time feedings as well as comforting and monitoring without needing to get out of bed.
This close proximity also assists breastfeeding mothers as they can attend to the needs of their infant without waking up completely and can help keep the supply of milk steady and help the breastfeeding experience. Some cots with a bedside crib and cot are equipped with adjustable height options, which can help to ensure that the bassinet is an ideal height for mother and baby to allow ease of access during feedings or other care.
A lot of bassinets have mattresses that are firm. This is designed to decrease the risk of suffocation and is in line with industry standards. This is important because a newborn's bones are soft and not fully developed and must be supported to avoid damage. The mattress should be encased in a fitted sheet to minimize the risk of suffocation caused by dust mites and other allergens and kept hygienically clean and free of allergens.
Some cots with a bedside have the capability of being tilted, which is beneficial for babies suffering from reflux or digestive issues, but this should always be done with a lot of care and at a moderate angle. It is also essential to avoid adding pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet since these can pose the risk of suffocation for your baby and should only be used when the cot is on a flat surface.
You should also think about an infant bassinet with a secure attachment system. It can be attached to your existing bed easily without the need for 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 rolling over while sleeping. If your bassinet is equipped with secured attachments it's a good idea to regularly make sure it's secure and that there aren't gaps or loose parts that could cause danger.
Comfort
If you are a soon-to-be parent, the comfort of your child is one of your primary concerns. There's a new solution to sleep that allows you to keep your baby close at night, without the danger of sharing a bed. The baby bedside cot is essentially a bassinet-style cot that is attached to the side of your bed, allowing you to safely move them towards you to feed them at night and soothe. It is also a great choice for mums recovering from a csection, since it makes it less necessary to bend too much or even to get out of bed.
A modern bedside cot for newborns should have a sturdy flat mattress to in promoting safe sleeping habits and lower the chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The bedding should be kept as simple as possible and consist of only the cot sheet and a blanket tucked tightly at the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys and pillows that can fall on your baby, posing an obstructive risk. If your baby has been used to being swaddled during a few weeks then you can use an swaddle or baby sleep bag. However, it is recommended that this be removed when they are strong enough to remove them.
Some cribs with a bedside crib and cot have a removable or drop-down side for easy access to your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeds and comforting. This is a great feature for parents who want to keep the bond between them and their child, but still adhere to NHS safe sleep advice. If you're planning to co-sleep in the same bed with your baby it's important to recognize that this practice has been linked to a higher risk of SIDS particularly when a parent accidentally is able to roll onto their infant while they sleep.
A fabric that is breathable is an important safety feature, as it's designed to keep your baby cool and comfortable throughout the night. This is especially crucial if you plan to co-sleep your newborn as the risk of overheating when sleeping increases. The SnuzPod4 features a unique breathable side panel that aids in improving the airflow and keeps your baby cool.