Choosing a Large 4-in-1 bedside crib Cot
bedside crib with changing table (Read Much more) cots (also known as co-sleepers and bassinets) are designed to let parents snuggle with their infant at night without risk of SIDS. However they are only recommended for use up to 6 months of age when your baby will be required to be moved into a cot or a moses basket.
MFM home tester Mehack loved that this model comes with a bassinet that can be lifted off to use around the house and a manual rocking function. It was also simple to assemble and came in its own travel bag for convenient storage.
Size
Cots and cots differ in size, with cots being smaller than cot beds. Cots can also be converted into toddler beds. However cots are generally used by children up to the age of three. There are two sizes of wooden cots - large and standard - which can be transformed into a toddler bed or cot. If you wish for your child (or children) to be capable of sleeping in a larger cot, it's an excellent idea to pick the larger one.
MFM mother home tester Jasmine was pleased that this bedside cot was slightly bigger than the Moses basket, but not too big for her baby's room. She says it's easy to get her baby in and out for feeding or calming and the quality is top-notch, compared with many she's encountered that feel cheap and flimsy.
Another home-based test subject, Emily, likes how versatile the Maxi-Cosi Lora is It's a bassinet that lifts off that can be moved around the house, and it rocks too. It also has an option to tilt the reflux upwards and a machine-washable breathable liner. It was also shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the best cot for bedside Crib, Crib, or Moses Basket. The Lora is a perfect fit for a South African cot mattress unlike many international or European brands. This means you don't need to buy an entirely new mattress each time your baby grows. It does require a special bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the perfect mattress for your cot here.
Height
When selecting a cot for the bed choose one that can be raised to a height that's comfortable for you when feeding baby. It must also be able of being dropped to the ground so that you can pull your baby towards you for feedings at night or soothing. This is especially useful if you're recovering from an operation such as a C-section. The Next2me cot and the Tutti Bambini can be adjusted to the maximum height of 58cm while the Snuzpod 3 can go up to 63cm and the Knuma Hutch can be adjusted to 70cm.
You should also consider the height you'd like the base of your crib to be. Some moms find it is easier to lift their children from their standard Moses baskets if the base is at the lowest level, while others prefer a higher level to provide them with more stability. One of our testers for mums mentioned that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular option. It has a collapsible side you can press at the touch a button.
Remember that a bassinet/bedside sleeping device should only be used in the event that your baby can hold his head up with no assistance, which is typically at around 6 months. This is because of the danger of suffocation. It is also important to be aware that when your child is old enough to be able to convert an existing bedside or bassinet into a cot you must take the sides off once they are ready to do so. This will stop them from falling out or climbing out of bed.
Design
There are many different styles of cribs for beds that range from basic to luxurious. The most luxurious models could include features like a built-in nightlight or a soothing center which plays music and sounds and offers two levels of vibrations to help soothe your baby back to sleep, or a swivelling base that allows you to reach your child for feedings. Some models can be converted into a toddler bed or cot bed (or both) when your child is ready to go to their own bed.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, for example was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards in the best bedside cots Cot Moses Basket or Crib category. It features a swivelling bottom that allows you to pick up your baby and transfer them to the opposite side of the crib without having to get out of bed. This makes it perfect for mothers who are recovering from Caesareans or who require the bed for extended durations of time. MFM mum home tester Jasmine loved this feature, stating that it was simple to use and made her baby easier especially after a c-section.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another alternative. It was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards to be the best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib. It is machine washable and comes with a interior, reflux incline, and a rocking feature. It's a bit bigger than the other cribs that we've tried, but it folds flat into its travel bag so it's quite compact when not in use.
Leya, MFM mum home tester also acknowledged the crib's usefulness. She claimed that it was designed for parents and children. 'It has an excellent design that is very easy to manoeuvre and it is extremely durable. She said that the swivelling bassinet base was a great idea since it allowed you to move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lowered to make access easier for mothers who are recovering from c-sections.
Safety
A large bedside cot's main security characteristic is that it can easily be adjusted or moved so that parents can reach their child to feed or comfort him or his or her nappy. This makes it ideal for mothers who still recovering from a C section. Look for a design that allows you to lower one side with the press of a button, so you can easily lift your baby up without having to get out of bed. This is especially important as your baby grows older and more mobile. It is also important to avoid adding anything to the cot that increases the risk of suffocation or injury, such as pillows and duvets, which could cause babies to become overheated.
The CPSC's NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to product issues like gaps between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed (12 incidents) Fabric-side enclosed openings (11 incidents) and consumer misassembly or missing parts (6 incidents) and miscellaneous other product-related issues (9 incidents).
In its NPR In its NPR, the CPSC examined the possibility of additional requirements for bedside sleepers, such as the requirement that these beds meet the minimum side height requirement for bassinets, or at least meet the maximum height requirement for the lowered side rail. However, the CPSC concluded that such requirements are not efficient or feasible to reduce the number of incidents where infants were trapped between the bedside sleeper and an adult bed.
The majority of the reported incidents in the NPR involved multiuse bedside crib travel sleepers that could be converted into different modes like bassinets and play yards. A number of commenters suggested that the CPSC add a second option to the proposed rule for bedside sleepers that are multi-use that would allow them to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets by using an attachment that can be removed. This attachment can be permanently attached or removed when the item is not being used as a baby bassinet.
The CPSC is currently reviewing these comments as well as other submissions received in response to the NPR regarding bedside sleeping. The Commission will be examining these comments when it votes on the final rule which is expected to be released in November of 2021.