newborn bedside cot (try www.sf2.net)

A newborn bedside cot is a small sleeper that allows newborns to share a room as their parents without the risks of true co-sleeping (which the AAP advises against due to suffocation and SIDS). It makes it easier to take care of your baby and nurse them during the night.

This mattress has a mattress that is firm and supports babies backs, which reduces the risk of SIDS. It can swivel over your bed to allow you to carry your child out for midnight nursing or cuddles at sunrise.

Budget

A bedside crib, also referred to as a bassinet or cosleeper, is a bassinet style baby cot that clips to your bed. This lets you reach your baby comfortably and safely for a mid-night feed or cuddles. These are great for new parents and mums recovering from a csection as they allow easy access to the baby without needing to get out of the bed.

There are many different designs on the market that range from basic models with only a drop-down side, to more sophisticated models that can be adjusted in several ways, including incline and height options. Most convert to a separate crib for daytime naps or when your baby is about months old and is sleeping more at 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 expressed her delight at how stylish and modern the design is and she was impressed by the fact that you can use it as a regular bassinet or clip it to your existing bed to ensure that you can sleep side-by-side. She also appreciated the soft mattress that passed our firmness test and the fact that it comes with an automatic rocking feature that can be set to a slight tilt for those suffering from reflux.

However, she wasn't a fan of the design of the non-mesh panel at the lower end, and thought it was a bit bulky to move from room room regularly. When folded into its travel cot bedside crib bag she found it somewhat heavy to carry up the stairs.

Size

A bedside cot is a bassinet that is attached to the bed's side. It's easy to reach your baby's side for feedings, changing nappies, or to comfort them during the night. It's also great for mothers recovering from the C-section.

The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise you to keep your baby in the same room with you, newborn bedside cot but keep them separate from you for the first six months because this will reduce the chance of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). A crib for your bed is a safe way to achieve this as it is low-sided and allows you to easily reach your baby during the night.

It is essential that your baby is sleeping on a firm, not an extremely soft mattress. Newborns don't have the motor control needed to turn and a mattress that is soft could increase the chance of drowning. The soft, breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make this mattress comfortable for your baby but sufficiently firm to be safe for your baby.

Mum home test Jasmin loved that the crib doesn't take up too much space in her bedroom and she found the size to be perfect for a newborn. She said the mattress was also of good quality, as opposed to those that feel cheap and thin. She also appreciates the fact that it has a storage space beneath to store blankets and clothing - something she says many bassinets don't have.

MFM mum home test Mehack is a fan of the side wall with a removable design that allows you to drop it down for easy access to your newborn. She also likes the fact that the legs can be put under the bed to make it appear less bulky and occupy less area on the floor. She's also impressed with the ease of being able to move around the house when you need to for ease during late-night meals and check-ins.

The CoZee Air crib is a favorite among parents. It won the Gold Award at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It is designed with four pulleys that are built-in to raise or lower the crib. It has a large bedside crib storage basket for your baby's blankets, toys and other essentials. It's also light and easy to put together which makes it perfect to travel with your baby.

Safety

When choosing a new baby bedside sleeper's bedside cot 6 months plus cot, you must keep the safety aspect in mind. The Lullaby Trust, newborn bedside cot as well as the NHS recommend that babies do not be placed in parents bed due to the possibility of suffocation as well as sudden infant death syndrome. Bassinets for bedside use allow parents to keep their infant close to help with night-time feedings as well as monitoring and comforting without needing to get out of bed.

This close proximity can help breastfeeding mothers as it allows them to be attentive to the needs of their baby while they sleep. This can help maintain the supply of milk and encourage breastfeeding. Some bedside cots come with adjustable height features that make it easier for mother and child to access the bassinet for feedings or other activities at night.

Many bassinets come with mattresses that are firm and designed to minimize the risk of suffocation, and conforms to industry standards. It is crucial to support the bones of a newborn, as they are still soft and are not fully formed. The mattress should be covered with an appropriate sheet to minimize the chance that dust mites or other allergens, could suffocate a child. It should be kept clean and free of irritants.

Some cribs for bedside use can be tilted. This is useful for babies suffering from reflux or digestive issues. But, it should be done with care and with care. Avoid placing pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers inside the bassinet. These can pose the risk of suffocation your baby.

It's also worth looking into an infant bassinet that has an attachment system that is secure and can be easily fixed to your existing bed without the need for tools. This feature is especially useful for parents who find it difficult to carry their child into and out of the crib or are worried about their child accidentally rolling over while sleeping. If your bassinet has secured attachments, it's recommended to regularly check that it's securely attached and that there aren't gaps or loose components that could pose a hazard.

Comfort

If you're a soon-to-be parent, the comfort of your child is one of your main concerns. Thankfully, there's an innovative sleep solution that lets you keep your baby close throughout the night without taking on any of the risks associated with bed-sharing. The newborn bedside cot is essentially a bassinet-style cot which is fixed to the side of your bed that allows you to lift them out towards you for feeding at night and calming. It also makes a great choice for mums recovering from a c-section, since it makes it less necessary to bend over too much or even to get out of bed.

Modern bedside cots for babies should have a flat, firm mattress to encourage safe sleep habits and reduce the risk Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The bedding should be simple, comprising a cot sheets and a blanket tightly tucked on the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers and pillows as these could fall on your baby and pose a risk of suffocation. If your baby has been used to being swaddled for a few weeks and you want to use an swaddle or baby sleep bag. However, this should be removed once they have the strength to take them off.

Some bedside sleeper cot cribs feature a removable or drop-down side that allows for the baby to be easily accessible to feed and comfort them in the middle of the night. This is a great feature for parents looking to keep a strong bond with their child, but still adhere to NHS safe sleep guidelines. However, if you're planning to co-sleep in the same bed as your child 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 infant while they 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 sleep with your newborn, as the risk of overheating is higher during sleep. The SnuzPod4 features a unique side panel made of breathable mesh, which helps to improve the airflow and keeps your baby snug in their mattress.