Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots, also referred to as bassinets or co-sleepers are designed to allow parents to rest close to their babies at night, without the risk of SIDS. They are only recommended up to 6 months old, at which point your baby will be ready to be moved to a cot.
MFM home tester Mehack loved the fact that this model features a lift-off bassinet you can use throughout the house, as well as an option to rock manually. It was simple to put together, and it came with a travel bag.
Size
Cots are smaller than cots. They are less than. Cots can also convert into toddler beds. However, cots are usually only 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 a cot. If you want your child (or children) to be capable of sleeping in a bigger cot, it's a good option to select the larger size.
MFM mom home tester Jasmine was pleased that this bedside cot was slightly larger than the Moses basket, but not too big for her baby's room. She says it's easy to carry her child in and out for feeding or calming and that the quality is great when compared to other cots she's seen that feel flimsy.
Emily is another home tester, loves the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi lora - it is a lift-off, mobile bassinet. It also is a rock. It also has an incline for reflux and a machine washable breathable liner. It was also nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. The Lora is a perfect fit for a South African cot mattress unlike other international or European brands. This means that you do not need to purchase a brand new mattress when your baby grows. It does require a special bedding set (60x120cm). Here you can find the ideal mattress for your cot.
Height
When you are choosing a crib that is bedside pick one that can be adjusted to a comfortable height for you. It should also be able to be lowered down to allow you to lift your baby towards you for feedings at night or soothing. This feature is particularly useful if you're recovering from C-section. The Next2me Cot and Tutti Bambini can be adjusted to an maximum height of 58cm while the Snuzpod 3 can go up to 63cm, and the Knuma Hutch can be adjusted to 70cm.
Another thing to consider is how low you want the base of your cot. Some mothers find it is easier to lift their infants from standard Moses baskets if the base is at the lowest point, while others prefer a higher height to provide them with more stability. One of our mom testers said that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular choice. It is an easy-to-fold side that which you can use to push of one button.
Keep in mind that a bedside or bassinet should only be used until your baby can hold their head up unaided typically around 6 months. This is due to the possibility of being suffocated. It is also important to be aware that if your child is old enough to convert an existing bedside or bassinet into a cot you will need to take the sides off as soon as they are able to do this. This will stop them from climbing out or falling out of bed.
Design
There are many styles of cribs that are bedside, ranging from simple to luxurious. Some of the most extravagant options include features like a built-in light and a soothing center that plays music and sound and has two levels that help to soothe your baby back to sleep or a swivelling footrest that allows you to reach your child to feed them. Certain models can be converted into an infant bed or cot (or both) when your child is ready for their own bed.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air for instance has won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib category. It has a swivelling bottom that allows you to pick up your baby and move them to the other side of the crib without getting out of bed. This makes it perfect for new mothers who are recovering from Caesarean births or who need to stay in bed for longer periods of time. Jasmine, a MFM mum who tested this product at home, said it was easy to operate and made it easier to reach her baby - especially after having a C-section.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another alternative. It was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards as the best bedside cots Cot, Moses Basket or Crib and has a machine-washable interior, reflux incline, and a Rocking bedside crib feature. It's bigger than other cribs for bed that we tested, but it folds down into its bag for travel, making it relatively compact when it's not in use.
MFM mum home test Leya also appreciated the function of this bedside crib, she explained how it was created with the needs of parents and children in mind. It is very easy to move and extremely 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 facilitate access especially for new mothers who are recovering from their C-sections,' she added.
Safety
The bedside cot's primary safety feature is that it can easily be moved up or down so that parents can reach their baby to feed or comfort him or her nappy. This is ideal for new mothers recovering from the C-section. You should choose an option that lets you lower the bed's side by pressing a button. This will allow you to lift your child up without getting out of bed. This is particularly important as your baby gets older and becomes more mobile. Avoid adding anything that could increase the chance of injury or suffocation, such as pillowcases and duvets that can cause your baby to become overheated.
The NPR of the CPSC's NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to problems with the product like gaps between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed (12 incidents) Fabric-side enclosed openings (11 incidents); consumer misassembly or missing components (6 incidents) and miscellaneous other product-related issues (9 incidents).
In its NPR the CPSC considered the possibility of adding more requirements to bedside cot for twins sleepers. For instance, these products would have to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets, or at the very least, the maximum height requirements for the lowered rail. The CPSC determined, however, that these requirements were not practical or effective in reducing number of instances in which infants are trapped between the bedside rail as well as an adult bed.
A majority of the incidents reported in the NPR included bedside cot co sleeper sleepers with multiple uses that could be converted into other types of use, such as bassinets and play yards. Many commenters suggested that the CPSC add a second option to the proposed rule for multi-use 4-in-1 bedside crib sleepers that would allow them to meet minimum side height requirements for bassinets by using a removable attachment. The attachment can be permanently connected or disconnected when the product's not being used as a baby bassinet.
The CPSC is considering these and other comments received in response to its NPR on bedside sleepers. The Commission will take into account these comments when it votes on the final rule, which is expected to come out in November 2021.