Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots (also called co-sleepers or bassinets) are designed to allow parents to snuggle with their infant at night without fear of SIDS. However they are not suggested for use until 6 months of age when your baby will need to move into a cot or moses basket.
MFM home tester Mehack was impressed that this model features an adjustable bassinet that you can use throughout the house, as well as a manual rocking function. It was also easy to put together and came with its own travel bag for easy storage.
Size
Cots and cot beds differ in size, with cots being smaller than cot beds. They also can be converted into toddler beds, while they are typically used until three years old. old. If you're opting for a wooden cot, you'll find two sizes available that are large and standard both of which will convert into a cot/toddler beds. Choosing the larger one is a good choice for children who want to sleep in it until the age of +/- three.
Jasmine, an MFM mum who tested the product at home, said she liked the fact that it was a little bigger than a Moses basket, but not too big for the baby's room. Jasmine says it's easy to lift the baby in and out of the cot during night feedings or soothing, and that its quality is superior to others she has seen that are cheap and flimsy.
Emily, another home tester, is awed by the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi Lora that is a lift-off, portable bassinet. It also rocks. It also comes with a reflux incline and a machine washable breathable liner. It was also nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. Unlike some International or European cot brands Lora is a cot that Lora can be fitted with South African cot mattresses so you don't have to buy an entirely new mattress each time your baby grows. It will require a specific bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the perfect mattress for your cot here.
Height
When selecting a cot for the bed be sure to choose one that can be raised up to a height that is comfortable for you to feed your the baby. It must also be lower away from the way, so you can raise your baby towards you to feed them at night or soothe him. This is particularly useful in the event of recovering from a 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 to 70cm.
You should also think about the height you would like the base of your crib to be. While some mums find it easier to lift their children out of traditional Moses baskets when they are at the lowest height, other mums prefer a higher base to give them more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a well-liked option with one of our mum testers stating that it comes with a simple collapsible side that you can push down with the click of a button.
Remember that a bassinet/bedside sleeping device is only suitable in the event that your baby can hold his head up with no assistance, which is usually at around 6 months. This is due to the risk of inhaling suffocation. It's also important to know that if you opt for a bedside or bassinet which can convert into a cot it is necessary to remove the sides as soon as your child is able to do this to ensure they don't climb out or fall out of bed.
Design
There are many styles of cribs that are bedside, ranging from basic to lavish. large bedside cot of the most extravagant options include features such as a built-in light and a soothing center that plays music and sound and comes with two levels to help ease your baby back to sleep or an adjustable footrest that allows you to reach your child to feed them. You can also find models that can be converted to the form of a toddler bed or cot bed (or both) ideal for when your child is ready to move to their own bigger bed.
For instance, the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air that won Bronze in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category, has a swivelling base that allows you to pick up your newborn and transfer them from one side of the crib to the other without having to get up. This makes it perfect for new mums who are recovering from Caesareans or who require bed for longer durations of time. MFM mum home tester Jasmine was awed by this feature, stating that it was simple to use and made her baby easier - especially after her c-section.
Another option is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which has won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Award in the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It includes an easy-to-clean liner, reflux incline and rocking function. It's bigger than the other cribs we tested, but it folds up into its bag for travel, making it a small size when not in use.
MFM mom home tester Leya loved the practicality of this crib for bed, describing how it was designed with the needs of parents and children in mind. It is lightweight and easy to move. Its swivelling base is fantastic because it lets you move the bassinet from side-to-side and one of its sides can be lowered down to ease access especially for mothers who are recovering from their C-sections,' she added.
Safety
A bedside cot that is large and spacious's most important safety characteristic is that it is able to be moved up or down so that parents can reach their child to feed, comfort or change his or her nappy. This means that it's ideal for mothers who still recovering from a C-section. You should choose the design that allows you to lower the sides of the bed with a simple button press. This allows you to raise your child without having to get out of the bed. This is essential, especially when your baby grows and becomes more mobile. Avoid adding anything that could increase the risk of suffocation or injury, such as pillowcases and duvets that can cause your baby to overheat.
The NPR of the CPSC NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to product-related issues like gaps between the 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 looked into the possibility of imposing additional requirements for bedside sleepers, like the requirement that they satisfy the minimum side height requirement for bassinets, or at a minimum, meet the maximum height requirement for the side rail. The CPSC determined, however, that these requirements weren't efficient or effective in reducing number of incidents where infants are entrapped by the bedside rail and an adult bed.
A majority of the incidents reported in the NPR included bedside sleepers with multiple uses which can be converted to other modes such as bassinets and play yards. A number of commenters suggested that the CPSC include in the proposed rule an alternative option for multi-use bedside beds to allow them to meet the minimum side-height requirements for bassinets by using an attachment that is removable and can be connected permanently or disconnected when the product is not being used as an actual bassinet.
The CPSC is considering these and other comments received in response to its NPR on sleepers who are bedside. The Commission will take into consideration these comments when it decides on the final rule, which is expected to be published in November of 2021.