Five Killer Quora Answers To Newborn Bedside Cot
Newborn Bedside Cot
A newborn bedside cot is a small sleeper that allows newborns to share the same room as their parents without the risk of sleeping together (which the AAP recommends against due to suffocation and SIDS). It makes it easier to take care of your baby and nurse them in the middle of the night.
This sleeper comes with a mattress that is firm and supports babies' backs, reducing the risk of SIDS. It can swivel over your bed to allow you to lift your child out for midnight nursing or sunrise cuddles.
Budget
A bedside crib to cot 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 quickly and safely for a late-night feed or cuddles. They are a great choice for mums or new parents recovering from a c-section as they allow an easy access to baby and do not require you to get out of bed.
There are many different designs available, from the simple ones with the drop-down side, to more sophisticated models that have various adjustment options, such as an incline or a height. Many convert to a standalone crib for naps during the day or when your baby is about months old and sleeps longer at night.
One of our favourites is the Maxi-Cosi Lora that was shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards, including Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily expressed her delight at how stylish and modern the design is and she was impressed by the possibility of using it as a regular bassinet or clip it onto your bed to ensure that you can sleep side-by-side. She also adored its soft mattress, which was able to pass our tests of firmness and it also has a manual inclining function for those who suffer from reflux.
However, she wasn't a fan of the design of the non-mesh panel on the bottom and thought it was a bit heavy to move from room room regularly. It also felt a little heavy to carry up and down the stairs once folded away into its bag for travel.
Size
A bedside cot is a bassinet-style cot that fixes to your side of the bed. It's easy to reach your baby's mouth for feedings, changing nappies or comforting in the middle of the night. It's also great for moms recovering from a C-section.
The NHS and Lullaby Trust advise you to keep your baby in the same room with you, but keep them separate from you for the first six months, since this will help decrease the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). The crib that is placed beside your bed, with its low sides, is a great method to achieve this. It lets you be able to easily access your baby during the night.
It's important that your newborn sleeps on a firm bed as it is more secure than a mattress that is soft. Newborns don't have the motor control to turn over and a mattress that is soft can increase the chance of suffocation. This mattress is made from skin-friendly and breathe-able materials. It is a comfortable fit for your baby, yet firm enough to be safe.
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 baby. She also stated that the mattress was of high-quality unlike other cribs that are thin and fragile. She also loves that it has a storage compartment beneath for blankets and clothes - something she says most bassinets do not have.
MFM mom home tester Mehack is a fan of the removable side wall that allows you to drop it down for easy access to your baby. She also likes the fact that legs fold under the bed so it doesn't appear heavy or take up too much floor space. She's also amazed by how easy it was to move around the house when she needed to do feeds and check-ins during the night.
The winner of the Gold award at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards, the CoZee Air is a popular choice among parents. It features a smart design with four pulleys built-in to raise or lower the crib and comes with a large bedside cot storage bin to store your baby's blankets, toys and other essentials. It's also easy to put together and light, which is useful for travelling with your baby.
Safety
When choosing a baby's bedside cot, it is important to keep the safety aspect in mind. The official safe sleep guidelines from both the Lullaby Trust and NHS recommends that babies should not be sleeping in the bed of their parents due to the dangers of suffocation, heat exhaustion and a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bassinets that are placed in bed allow parents to keep their newborn close by to help with night-time feedings, comforting and monitoring without needing to get up from their beds.
This close proximity can support breastfeeding mothers, as it lets them attend to the needs of their baby while they sleep. This can help maintain the supply of milk and also encourage breastfeeding. Some cots for bedside have adjustable height features, which will help ensure that the bassinet is at 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 minimize the risk of suffocation and is in line with industry standards. This is essential because baby's bones are fragile and not fully developed, and require support to avoid damage. The mattress should be covered with a fitted sheet to reduce the risk that dust mites, as well as other allergens, can cause a child to be suffocated. It must also be kept clean and free of irritants.
Some cots for bedside use have the capability of being tilted. This can be beneficial for babies suffering from reflux or digestive issues, but this should always be done with a lot of care and at a gentle angle. Avoid placing pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers inside the bassinet. These can pose a risk of suffocation for your baby.
It is also recommended to consider an infant bassinet with an attachment system that is secure. This can be connected to your bed without the use of tools. This feature is especially beneficial for parents who struggle to carry their child into and out of the crib or are concerned about their baby 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 parts that could cause danger.
Comfort
If you're a soon-to-be parent, the comfort of your child is among your top concerns. There's a new sleep solution that lets you keep your baby close to you in the evening, without the risk of bed-sharing. The infant bedside co sleeper cot an essentially a bassinet-style crib which is fixed to the side of your bed and allows you to lift them out towards you to feed them at night and soothe. It is also a great choice for mothers who are recovering from a C section as it removes the need to get up or bend over.
Modern bedside cots for babies should have a flat, firm mattress to promote safe sleeping habits and lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The bedding should be kept simple and consist of only the cot sheet and a blanket tucked in tightly at the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers and pillows that could be thrown over your baby, creating a suffocation risk. If your baby is familiar with being swaddled, you can make use of a swaddle, or a baby sleep bag for the initial few weeks, but it should be removed as soon as possible once they've developed the strength to take off their wraps.
Some cribs for bedside use an open or removable side that allows easy access to your newborn for middle-of-the-night feeds and comforting. This is a good option for parents who wish to maintain the bond between them and their child, but still adhere to NHS safe sleep guidelines. If you're planning to sleep with your child, it is important to know that this practice could increase the chance of SIDS. This is especially true if a parent accidentally falls on their child while sleeping.
A fabric that is breathable will keep your baby comfy and cool throughout the night. This is particularly important if you plan to sleep with your newborn, as the risk of being overheated increases when you sleep. The SnuzPod4 has an exclusive breathable side panel that aids in improving airflow, keeping your baby warm.