Newborn Bedside Cot

A newborn bedside cot is a compact sleeper that allows new babies to share a room as their parents, without the risks of true co-sleeping (which the AAP recommends against due to SIDS and suffocation). It also makes nursing sessions and baby care easier.

This sleeper has a firm mattress that supports babies backs, which reduces the chance of SIDS. It can be swiveled over your bed to allow you to carry your baby out for midnight cuddles or a sunrise kiss.

Budget

A bedside crib, also called a co-sleeper or bassinet is a bassinet type baby cot that clips to your bed. This lets you reach your baby quickly and safely for a mid-night feed or cuddles. These are perfect for mothers and new parents recovering from a c-section as they allow easy access to the baby without having to get up from bed.

There are lots of different styles available that range from basic models with just a drop-down option to more sophisticated ones that can be adjusted in several ways with incline and height options. Many convert to an independent crib for daytime naps or when your baby is about months old and sleeping longer at night.

Maxi-Cosi Lora is among our top picks. It was selected 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, while she appreciated the fact that you can use it as a regular bassinet, or clip it to your existing bed to sleep side-by-side in a safe and secure manner. She also adored its soft mattress which has passed our tests for firmness and it also has an option to manually tilt it for reflux sufferers.

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

Size

A bedside cot wooden cot is essentially the bassinet style cot that can be fixed to the side of the bed. It lets you easily reach your baby for mid-night feeding nappies, feeding and comforting. 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 wooden bedside cot crib, with its low sides, is a great method to do this. It allows you to access your baby easily at night.

It is important that your baby is sleeping on a firm, not an extremely soft mattress. Infants 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 a comfortable one for your baby but also sufficiently firm to be safe for your baby.

Mum home tester Jasmin loved that the crib doesn't take up too much space in her bedroom and she found the size perfect for a newborn. She also stated that the mattress was of good quality and not like other mattresses that seem thin and flimsy. Sake care of other needs throughout the night.

Many bassinets come with a mattress that is designed to reduce the risk of suffocation, and is in line with industry standards. This is essential because newborn's bones are soft and not fully developed and must be supported to prevent injury. The mattress should be covered in a fitted sheet to decrease the chance of suffocation from dust mites or other allergens, and kept clean and baby bedside cot free of irritants.

Some cots for bedside use have the capability of being tilted, which is beneficial for babies suffering from reflux or digestive issues, but this should be done with a lot of care and at a gentle angle. It is also essential to avoid adding pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet, as they could pose a suffocation risk for your baby and should only be used when the cot is on flat surfaces.

It's also worth considering a bassinet with an attached system that is secure and can be easily attached to your existing bed without the necessity of tools. This is especially helpful for parents who may struggle to get their child into and out of the cot, or concerned about the possibility of rolling over during sleep. If your bassinet is equipped with secured attachments it's recommended to regularly make sure it's secure and that there aren't gaps or loose components which could cause danger.

Comfort

If you're a soon-to-be parent, your baby's comfort is among your top concerns. There's a new sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close to you at night, without the danger of sharing the bed. The baby bedside cot is essentially a bassinet-style cot which is fixed to the bed's side and allows you to lift them out towards you for night feeding and soothing. It is also a great choice for mums recovering from a c-section since it makes it less necessary to bend down too far or even to get out of the bed.

A modern newborn foldable bedside crib cot should have a sturdy and flat mattress that can ensure a safe sleep and lower the chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The bedding should be kept simple, with only the sheet for the cot and blanket that is tightly tucked into the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers and pillows as these can fall on your baby and cause suffocation hazard. 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 with a bedside feature an adjustable or drop-down side that allows for an easy access to your baby for feeding and comfort in the middle of the night. This is a good feature for parents who want to maintain a strong bond with their child, but still adhere to NHS safe sleep guidelines. If you plan to co-sleep with your child, it is crucial to be aware that this practice may increase the chance of SIDS. This is particularly when a parent accidentally rolls on their infant when they are asleep.

A breathable fabric will keep your baby comfortable and cool throughout the night. This is especially important if you plan to co-sleep with your newborn since the chance of overheating increases when you sleep. The SnuzPod4 comes with a unique, breathable side panel that helps improve the flow of air, keeping your baby cool.