15 Shocking Facts About Newborn Bedside Cot
Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a compact sleeper that allows newborns to sleep in the same space as their parents without the dangers of co-sleeping (which the AAP cautions against due SIDS and suffocation). It makes it easier to care for your baby and give them a bottle in the middle of the night.
This sleeper comes with a mattress that is firm and supports babies backs, which reduces the chance of SIDS. It can be swiveled over the bed of your adult to make it easier for you to lift your baby out for midnight nursing or cuddles at sunrise.
Budget
A bedside crib travel cot, sometimes referred to as a co-sleeper, a bassinet-style baby cot that is attached or clipped to your existing bed. This lets you safely and easily reach your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeding or cuddles. These are perfect for moms and babies recovering from a c-section as they allow easy access to the baby without needing to get out of the bed.
There are lots of different styles available, 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. Most can be converted into a standalone crib when your baby gets older and sleeps longer at night.
Maxi-Cosi Lora is one of our top picks. It was nominated in the Best cot bedside category for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. MFM home tester Emily commented on how stylish and modern the design, while she appreciated the fact that you can use it as a regular bassinet, or connect it onto your bed for safe side-by-side sleeping. She also appreciated its luxurious mattress that was able to pass our tests of firmness and also that it comes with an adjustable manual inclining feature for those who suffer from reflux.
She wasn't a fan of the fact that it had a mesh panel at the bottom, and she thought it was too heavy to move from room to room. When folded into its travel bag she found it quite heavy to carry up the stairs.
Size
A bedside cot is similar to a bassinet that is attached to the bed's side. It's easy to reach your baby's mouth to feed, change nappies, or to comfort them in the middle of the night. It's ideal for mothers who are recovering from a c-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby separate from you during the first six month, to decrease the chance of SIDS. The crib that is placed beside your bed, with its low sides, is a great option to accomplish this. It lets you access your baby easily at night.
It is essential that your baby sleeps on a firm, not an extremely soft mattress. Newborns don't have the motor control to rotate and a soft mattress could increase the risk of suffocation. The soft, breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make this mattress comfortable for your baby but also sufficiently firm to be safe for your baby.
Mum Jasmin was pleased that the crib didn't occupy too much space in her bedroom and found it to be the perfect size for a newborn. She also stated that the mattress was of good quality, unlike others which seem thin and flimsy. She also loves the fact that it has a storage compartment beneath to store blankets and clothing which she believes most bassinets do not have.
MFM mum home tester Mehack is a huge fan of the removable side wall that lets you lower it down for easy access to your infant. She also likes the fact that legs can be placed under the bed to make it appear less bulky and take up less space on the floor. She's also amazed by how easy it was to move around her home when she needed to do check-ins and feedings in the middle of the night.
The CoZee Air crib is a popular choice for parents. It won a Gold Award in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards. It is designed with four pulleys built-in to raise or lower the crib. It also includes a large storage basket for toys, blankets and other essentials. It's also easy to assemble and light and portable, which is ideal to travel cot bedside with your baby.
Safety
It is important to think about safety when choosing the crib for your newborn. The official safety sleep guidelines of both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies do not be sleeping in the bed of their parents because of the risks of overheating, suffocation and a greater chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bedside bassinets enable parents to keep their newborns close, facilitating night time feedings, comforting, and monitoring without the need to get out of bed.
This close proximity also assists breastfeeding mothers as they can take care of their infant's needs without having to wake up in the middle of the night and help maintain milk supply and support the breastfeeding experience. Some cots for Bedside Rocking Crib use adjustable height features that aid the mother and child to reach the bassinet for feedings or other activities during the night.
Many bassinets are equipped with mattresses that are firm. This is designed to decrease the risk of suffocation, and also meets the standards of the industry. This is important because a newborn's bones are brittle and aren't fully developed. They need to be supported to prevent damage. The mattress should be covered with an appropriate sheet to reduce the risk that dust mites or other allergens, can suffocate a child. It should be kept free of allergens and clean.
Some cribs on the bed can be tilted. This is helpful for babies with digestive or reflux issues. However, this 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 these can pose a suffocation risk for your baby. They should only be used when the cot is placed on an even surface.
You should also think about a bassinet that has a secure attachment system. It can be connected to your existing bed easily without the use of tools. This feature is especially beneficial for parents who struggle to lift their child into and out of the crib or are worried about their child accidentally falling asleep. If your bassinet is equipped with an attachment system that is secure it's a good idea to regularly ensure that it's securely secured and that there aren't any gaps or loose components that could cause danger.
Comfort
If you're expecting your first child and you're worried about the safety of your infant is undoubtedly one of your main concerns. There's a new solution to sleep that allows you to keep your baby close at night without the risk of bed-sharing. The newborn bedside cot is essentially a bassinet-style cot that is attached to the side of your bed that allows you to move them towards you for feeding at night and calming. It is an excellent option for mothers who are recovering from a C-section as it eliminates the need to stand or bend over.
Modern cots for infants should have a flat, firm mattress to encourage safe sleeping habits and lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Bedding should be simple with just a cot sheet and a blanket tightly tucked on the bottom. Avoid bumpers, toys and pillows that could be thrown over your baby, creating an obstructive risk. If your baby is used to being swaddled, you can use a swaddle or a baby sleep bag for the first few weeks, however it is best to remove it as soon as you can once they've developed the strength to pull themselves out of the wrap.
Some cribs with a bedside crib with changing table feature an option to remove or drop down the side that provides the baby to be easily accessible for feeding and comfort in the middle of the night. This is a great feature for parents looking to maintain a strong bond with their child while still following NHS safe sleep guidelines. If you're considering sleeping in the same bed as your child, it's important to understand that this practice has been linked to a higher risk of SIDS especially when a parent accidentally falls on their child during 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 important if you plan to co-sleep your newborn as the risk of overheating during sleep increases. The SnuzPod4 comes with an exclusive breathable side panel that helps improve airflow, keeping your baby comfortable.