Newborn Bedside Cot

A newborn bedside cot is a tiny sleeper that allows newborns to share the same space as their parents without the risks of true co-sleeping (which the AAP recommends against due to SIDS and suffocation). It helps you care for your infant and feed them throughout the night.

This sleeper has a firm mattress that supports babies' backs, reducing the risk of SIDS. It can swivel over the bed of your adult to allow you to lift your child out for midnight nursing or sunrise cuddles.

Budget

A bedside cot, sometimes referred to as a co-sleeper, an infant cot with a bassinet design that clips or attaches to your existing bed. This allows you to reach your baby quickly and safely for a mid-night feed or cuddles. They are a great choice for mothers or new parents recovering from a c-section because they allow an easy access to baby and don't require you to get out of bed.

There are a variety of designs available starting with basic models that have only a drop-down side, to more sophisticated ones that can be adjusted in multiple ways, including incline and height options. Many convert to an independent crib for daytime naps or when your baby is around a few months old and sleeps longer at night.

Maxi-Cosi Lora is one of our top picks. 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, while she appreciated the fact that you can use it as a regular bassinet or attach it onto your bed to ensure that you can sleep side-by-side. She also appreciated its luxurious mattress, which was able to pass our tests of firmness and also that it comes with an adjustable manual inclining feature for reflux sufferers.

But she wasn't thrilled with the fact that it had a non-mesh panel on the lower end, and felt it was a bit heavy to move from room to room frequently. It also felt a little heavy to carry up and down the stairs once it was folded up into its bag for travel.

Size

A bedside cot resembles an infant bassinet that is attached to the side of your bed. It's easy to reach your baby to feed them, change nappies or comforting in the middle of the night. It's great for mothers recovering from an o-section.

The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise that you place your baby in the same space as you, but separated from you for the first six months, as this can help reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). A crib for your bed is a secure way to accomplish this since it is low-sided and allows you to be able to easily access your baby during the night.

It is essential that your baby sleeps on a firm bed as it is safer than a mattress that is soft. Infants don't have the motor control needed to turn and a soft mattress could increase the chance of being suffocated. This mattress is made from skin-friendly and breathable materials. It is comfortable for your baby, yet sufficient to be secure.

Mum Jasmin was pleased that the crib didn't occupy too much space in her bedroom and thought it was the ideal size for a newborn. The mattress she rated as also good quality, unlike those that feel cheap and thin. She also likes the fact that it has storage space underneath for clothes and bedding - something many other bassinets do not have.

Mehack Mehack, an MFM mom who tried the product at home, is thrilled that you can remove the wall on the side to allow easier access to your baby. She also likes that legs slide under the bed so that it doesn't look bulky or take up a lot of floor space. She's also amazed by how it was easy to move around her house when she needed to for feeds and check-ins in the middle of the night.

The CoZee Air crib is a favourite among parents. It won the Gold Award at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards. It features a unique design that has four pulleys that can be used to raise or lower your crib. There's also an enormous basket that can be used to store blankets, toys and other necessities. It is also lightweight and easy to put together and is ideal to travel with your baby.

Safety

When selecting a newborn bedside cot it's important to keep safety in your mind. The official safe sleep guidelines from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies not sleep in their parents' beds due to the dangers of suffocation, heat exhaustion and a higher chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bassinets that are placed in bed let parents keep their infant close and allow for nighttime feedings and monitoring without having to leave their bed.

This close proximity also supports breastfeeding mothers as they can take care of their infant's needs without having to wake up at all times and help keep the supply of milk steady and help the breastfeeding experience. Some cots for bedside have adjustable height features, which can ensure that the bassinet is an ideal height for mother and baby to allow easy access to mid-night feedings or care.

Many bassinets come with a firm mattress, which is designed to reduce the risk of suffocation, and also meets industry standards. This is essential because newborn's bones are soft and not fully developed, and need to be supported to prevent injury. The mattress should be covered with a fitted sheet to reduce the risk that dust mites, or other allergens, could choke a child. It should also be kept clean and free of irritants.

Some cots with a small bedside cot have the capability of being tilted, which is useful for babies with reflux or digestive issues, but it should be done with great caution and at a moderate angle. Avoid putting pillows, duvets or padded crib bumpers in the bassinet. These can pose a risk of suffocation for your baby.

It is also recommended to consider the bassinet with an attachment system that is secure. This can be attached to your bed without the need of tools. This feature can be particularly useful for parents who struggle to get their child into and out of the cot or who are concerned about rolling over in the night. If your bassinet is equipped with an attachment that is secure, it is a good idea to regularly check it. Check to ensure there are no gaps and that the system is securely attached.

Comfort

If you're expecting a child and you're worried about the safety of your baby is surely one of your top priorities. There's a wonderful sleep solution that lets you keep your baby close to you throughout the night, without any of the dangers that come with bed-sharing. The baby bedside cot (you can try here) is basically a bassinet-style cot which is fixed to the bed's side that allows you to move them towards you to feed them at night and soothe. It's an excellent option for mothers who are recovering from a C-section as it removes the need to stand or sit up.

Modern bedside cots for babies should have a flat, firm mattress to encourage safe sleep habits and reduce the risk Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Bedding should be easy with just a cot sheet and blanket tucked tightly on the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers or pillows because they could fall on your baby and pose a suffocation hazard. If your baby is used to being swaddled during a few weeks, you can use either the swaddle or baby sleep bag. But, it should be removed after they are strong enough to unwrap them.

Some cribs with a bedside crib feature an adjustable or drop-down side that allows for easy access to your baby to feed and comfort them in the middle of the night. This is a great option for parents who wish to maintain a strong bond with their child, but still adhere to NHS safe sleep advice. If you're considering sleeping in the same bed with your baby it's important to know that this practice has been associated with an increased risk of SIDS, particularly when a parent accidentally falls on their infant while they sleep.

A breathable fabric is another important safety factor, since it's designed to keep your baby cool and comfortable throughout the night. This is particularly crucial if you plan to sleep with your baby because the risk of overheating when sleeping increases. The SnuzPod4 has a unique breathable side panel, which helps increase the flow of air, keeping your baby comfortable.