20 Things You Need To Be Educated About Newborn Bedside Cot
Newborn Bedside Cot
A crib for newborns is a small sleeping device that allows babies to sleep in the same space as their parents, without the dangers of co-sleeping. (The AAP warns against this due to the risk of SIDS and the risk of suffocation.) It also makes middle-of-the-night nursing sessions and care much simpler.
This mattress has an extremely firm mattress that can support babies backs, which reduces the risk of SIDS. It can swivel over your adult bed to make it easier for you to carry your baby out for midnight nursing or sunrise cuddles.
Budget
A bedside cot, sometimes referred to as a co-sleeper, is an infant cot with a bassinet design that is attached or clipped to your bed. This allows you to reach your baby quickly and safely for a nighttime feed or comforting cuddle. These are ideal for mothers and new parents recovering after a c section because they provide easy access to the baby without having to get up from bed.
There are lots of different designs on the market starting with basic models that have only a drop-down side, to more sophisticated ones that can be adjusted in several ways with incline and height options. Most can be converted into an independent crib once your baby grows 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 and she was impressed by the possibility of using it as a regular bassinet or connect it to your existing bed for safe side-by-side sleeping. She also adored its soft mattress that passed our firmness tests, and that it has an option to manually tilt it for those suffering from reflux.
However, she wasn't a fan of the fact that it had a non-mesh panel at its bottom and felt it was a bit heavy to move from room room frequently. When folded into a travel bag she found it to be a bit heavy to carry up the stairs.
Size
A bedside crib and cot cot is similar to an infant bassinet that is connected to the side of your bed. It is easy to reach your baby for feedings, changing nappies or comforting in the middle of the night. It's also great for mums recovering from the C-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise that you place your baby in the same space as you, but keep them separate from you for the first six months, because this will reduce the chance of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). A bedside crib and cot crib is a safe method to achieve this as it has low sides and allows you to be able to easily access your baby throughout the night.
It is crucial that your baby is sleeping on a firm and not an extremely soft mattress. Newborns don't have the motor control to turn over and a mattress that is soft could increase the chance of suffocation. This mattress is made from skin-friendly and air-tight materials. It is a comfortable fit for your baby, but firm enough to be safe.
Mum home tester Jasmin liked that this crib doesn't take up too much space in her bedroom and she found the size perfect for a newborn. She said the mattress was excellent quality, in contrast to others that feel thin and thin. She also loves the fact that it has a storage space beneath to store blankets and clothing which she believes many other bassinets lack.
Mehack Mehack, an MFM mum who tested the product at home, likes the ability to remove the wall on the side to allow easier access to your baby. She also appreciates that the legs can be tucked under the bed to make it appear less bulky and occupy less area on the floor. She's also amazed by how it was easy to move around her house when she needed to do feeds and check-ins in the middle of the night.
The CoZee Air crib is a favourite among parents. It was awarded the Gold Award at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It is designed with four pulleys built-in to raise or lower the crib. It also has a large storage basket for your baby bedside sleeper's toys, blankets and other necessities. It's also light and easy to assemble which makes it perfect to travel with your baby.
Safety
When selecting a newborn bedside rocking crib cot, it is important to keep safety in your thoughts. The official safe sleep guidelines from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies should not sleep in their parents' beds due to the dangers of suffocation, heat exhaustion and a higher chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bedside bassinets allow parents to keep their babies close, which allows for nighttime feedings as well as monitoring without needing to get out of bed.
This close proximity also supports breastfeeding mothers by allowing them to attend to the needs of their infant without having to get up completely and can help maintain milk supply and support the breastfeeding experience. Some bedside cots have adjustable height features that can help to ensure that the bassinet is at a comfortable height for both mother and baby for ease of access during feedings or care.
Many bassinets come with a mattress that is designed to decrease the risk of suffocation, and is in line with industry standards. It is important to support the bones of a newborn, Bedside Cots because they are still squishy and aren't fully formed. The mattress should be covered in a fitted cover to decrease the chance of suffocation due to dust mites or other allergens and kept hygienically clean and free of allergens.
Some bedside cots have the ability to be tilted, which can be useful for babies with reflux or digestive issues, however it should be done with a lot of care and at a gentle angle. It is also essential to stay clear of adding pillows, duvets or crib bumpers to the bassinet, as they can create the risk of suffocation for your baby and should only be used when the cot is on a flat surface.
It's also worth thinking about a bassinet with an attached system that is secure and can be easily fixed to your existing bed without the necessity of tools. This feature can be particularly beneficial for parents who struggle to lift their child into and out of the crib or who are concerned about falling asleep. If your bassinet is equipped with an attachment system that is secure, it's recommended to regularly ensure that it's securely secured and that there are no gaps or loose components which could cause danger.
Comfort
If you are a soon-to-be parent, your baby's comfort is among your top concerns. There's a great sleep solution that lets you keep your baby close to you throughout the night without taking on any of the dangers that come with bed-sharing. The infant bedside cot an essentially a bassinet-style crib that is attached to the side of your bed that allows you to lift them out towards you to feed them at night and soothe. It is also an excellent choice for mothers recovering from a c-section because it eliminates the need to bend down too far or even get out of the bed.
Modern bedside cots for newborns should be fitted with a firm, flat mattress to encourage safe sleeping practices and reduce the risk Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. 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 is used to being swaddled you can make use of 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 gained the strength to pull themselves out of the wrap.
Some cribs with a bedside feature an option to remove or drop down the side that provides easy access to your baby for comforting and feeding during the middle of the night. This is a good option for parents who wish to keep a strong bond with their child, while adhering to NHS safe sleep guidelines. If you're planning to sleep in the same bed with your child it's important to recognize that this practice has been linked to a higher risk of SIDS, particularly if a parent unintentionally rolls onto their infant during sleep.
A fabric that is breathable will keep your baby comfortable and cool throughout the night. This is especially important if you plan to co-sleep with your newborn, as the risk of overheating is higher during sleep. The SnuzPod4 is a unique, mesh side panel that is breathable that helps improve the flow of air and keep your baby comfortable in their bed.