Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots, also known as bassinets or co-sleepers are designed to allow parents to rest close to their children at night without the danger of SIDS. However they are not suggested for use until 6 months when your baby is required to move into a cot or moses basket.
MFM home tester Mehack was impressed that this model has a bassinet that can be lifted off to use throughout the house, as well as the ability to rock manually. It was also easy to put together and came in its own bag for easy storage.
Size
Cots and cot beds differ in size in size, with cots smaller than beds for cots. Cots can also convert into toddler beds. However they are typically intended for children who are the age of three. If you're opting for a wooden cot, there are usually two sizes to choose from - standard and large - both of which will convert into a cot/toddler bed. The larger of the two is a good option if you want your child to sleep in it until they reach at least three years old.
MFM mum home test Jasmine liked that this bedside cot was slightly larger than the Moses basket, but not too large for her baby's room. She says that it is easy to lift the baby in and out of the cot for night feeds or for soothing and that the quality is superior to others she has seen that are flimsy.
Emily who is a home tester, loves the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi Lora - it is a lift-off, mobile bassinet. It also is a rock. It also comes with a reflux incline and a machine washable liner that is breathable. And it was shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. Unlike some International or European cot brands, the Lora can be fitted with South African cot mattresses so you don't have to buy a new mattress as your baby grows. rocking bedside crib will require a specific bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the right mattress for your cot here.
Height
When choosing a bedside cot choose one that can be elevated to a height that's comfortable for feeding your babies. It must also be lower to a level that is not in the way so you can lift up your child towards you to feed them at night or to soothe him. This feature is especially useful in the event of recovering from a C Section. For instance, the Next2me and Tutti Bambini cots can be adjusted up to the height of 58cm. the Snuzpod 3 goes up to 63cm, and the Knuma Huddle up to 70cm.
Another thing to think about is the height you would like to set for the cot's base to be. Some mothers find it is easier to lift their babies from standard Moses baskets when the base is at the lowest level, while others prefer a higher elevation to provide them with more stability. One of our mom testers stated that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular choice. It has an easily collapsible side that which you can use to push of a button.
Be aware that a bassinet/bedside sleeper should not be used until your baby is able to hold their head up unaided generally approximately 6 months. This is due to the risk of inhaling suffocation. It is also important to be aware that if your child is old enough to be able to convert the bedside sleeper into a cot you will have to take the sides off once they are able to do this. This will prevent them from climbing out or falling out of the bed.
Design
There are many different styles of bedside crib, ranging from simple to luxurious. The more luxurious options may include features such as a built-in nightlight and a calming centre that plays sounds and music and offers two levels of vibrating to help soothe your baby to sleep, or the swivelling base which allows you to reach your baby for feedings. You can also find models which can be made into a cot bed or toddler bed (or both), perfect when your child is ready to transition to their own bigger bed.
For example the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air which was awarded Bronze in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category, has an adjustable base that lets you take your baby and transfer them from one side of the crib to the other without having to get up. This makes it perfect for new mothers who are recovering from Caesareans or who require the bed for extended periods of time. Jasmine is an MFM mom who tried this product at home, said that it was simple to use and made it easier to reach her baby - especially after having a c-section.
Another alternative is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It also is equipped with an easy-to-clean liner, reflux incline and rocking feature. It's a bit bigger than some of the other bedside cribs we tested but it folds flat in its travel bag so it's quite compact when not in use.
Leya, MFM mum home tester Also, she praised the bedside crib's functionality. She claimed that it was designed for both parents and children. It has a great design that is extremely simple to operate and is super-sturdy. The swivelling base of the bassinet is amazing because it allows you to move the bassinet from side-to-side, and one of its sides can be opened down to ease access - particularly for new mums who are recovering from C-sections', she said.
Safety
A bedside cot that is large and spacious's most important safety characteristic is the fact that it can be easily adjusted or moved so that parents can reach their baby to feed or comfort them, or change his or their nappies. This means that it's ideal for mothers who are still be recovering from a C-section. Look for a design that lets you lower one side with the press of a button, so you can easily lift your baby without having to get out of the bed. This is particularly important as your baby gets older and becomes more mobile. Avoid adding anything that could increase the risk of suffocation or injury, such as pillowcases and duvets which could cause your baby to overheat.
The NPR of the CPSC NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to issues with the product like gaps between a bedside sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside sleeper (12 incidents), fabric-sided enclosed openings (11) and consumer misassembly (6 incidents).
In its NPR In its NPR, the CPSC examined the possibility of adding additional requirements for bedside sleepers, such as the requirement that these beds meet the minimum side height requirement for bassinets, or at a minimum, meet the maximum height requirement for the lowered side rail. However, the CPSC determined that these requirements would not be practical or effective in reducing the number of incidents in which infants were entrapped between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed.
A majority of the incidents reported in the NPR included bedside sleepers with multiple uses which can be converted to other types of use, such as bassinets and play yards. Several commenters suggested the CPSC add an alternative clause to the proposed rule for bedside sleepers with multiple uses which would permit them to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets using a removable attachment. bedside cot mattress can be permanently attached or removed when the product is not being used as a bassinet for babies.
The CPSC is considering these and other comments received in response to its NPR regarding bedside sleepers. The Commission will take into consideration these comments when it votes on the final rule which is expected to be published in the month of November 2021.