Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots, also known as bassinets and co-sleepers, are designed to let parents sleep close to their babies at night, without the risk of SIDS. They are only recommended up to 6 months, when your baby will be ready to transition to an actual bed.
Mehack Mehack, an MFM home tester, was awed by the feature that this model comes with an integrated bassinet that can be used around the house. It also features the ability to rock manually. It was easy to set up, and it came with a travel bag.
Size
Cots and cots differ in terms of size and size, with cots being a bit smaller than beds for cots. Cots can also be converted into toddler beds. However, cots are usually only used for children up to the age of three. There are two sizes of wooden cots, large and standard that can be converted into a toddler bed or a cot. If you'd like your child (or children) to be able to sleep in a bigger cot, it's a good option to select the larger size.
MFM mom home tester Jasmine loved that the bedside cot was slightly bigger than a Moses basket but not too large for the space of her baby's. She says it's easy to carry her child into and out of the cot for nighttime feeding or soothing and that the quality is excellent when compared to other cots she's encountered that feel cheap and flimsy.
Emily, another home-based tester, is thrilled by the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi Lora - it is a portable, lift-off bassinet. It also rocks. It also has a reflux incline option and a machine-washable liner that is breathable. It was also shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. baby bedside sleeper is a perfect fit for a South African cot mattress unlike other international or European brands. This means you do not need to purchase a new mattress every time your baby grows. It requires a specific bedding set (60x120cm). Find the ideal mattress for your cot here.
Height
When choosing a bedside cot be sure to choose one that can be raised to a height that's comfortable for you to feed your the baby. It also needs to be able of being dropped down out of the way to allow you to lift your baby towards you for feedings at night or for soothing. This is especially useful when you're recovering from C-section. The Next2me Cot and Tutti Bambini can be adjusted to the maximum height of 58cm, while the Snuzpod 3 can go up to 63cm, and the Knuma Hutch up to 70cm.
Another thing to consider is the height you would like to set for the base of your cot to be. While some moms find it easier to lift their children out of traditional Moses baskets at the lowest height, others prefer a higher base to give them more stability. One of our mum testers said that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular option. It has an easily collapsible side that which you can use to touch a button.
Be aware that a bassinet/bedside sleeping device should only be used until your baby can hold their head up unaided generally about 6 months. This is because of the danger of being suffocated. It is also important to remember that if you choose a bedside sleeper or bassinet that you can be converted into a crib, you will need to remove the sides as soon as your child is able to do this, so that they don't get out of bed or get out of the bed.
Design
There are a variety of cribs for beds with a range of styles from simple to lavish. The more expensive options could include features like a built-in night light, a soothing centre that plays music and sounds and comes with two levels of vibrations to help soothe your baby to sleep, or even a swivelling base that allows you to reach your child for feedings. You may also find some models which can be made into the form of a toddler bed or cot bed (or both) which is ideal when your child is ready to transition to a 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 allows you to pick up your baby and move them from one side of the crib to the other without needing to get up. This makes it ideal for new mothers who are recovering from Caesarean or 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 for her to reach her baby, especially after the C-section.
Another option is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which was awarded Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Award in the category of the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket and comes with an easy-to-clean liner, reflux incline, and rocking function. It's bigger than other cribs we tested, but it folds down into its bag for travel, making it compact when not in use.
MFM mum home test Leya also appreciated the function of this bedside crib, she explained how it was created with babies and parents in mind. 'It has an excellent design that is very easy to manoeuvre and it is extremely durable. She also said that the bassinet's pivoting 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, especially for new mums recovering from C-sections.
Safety
The most important safety aspect of a large bedside cot is that it is able to be moved up or down to allow parents to reach their baby when they need to feed them, comfort them, or change their nappy. This is why it's perfect for mothers who still be recovering from a C-section. Look for a design that allows you to lower one side at the press of a button. This way, you can easily lift your baby without having to get out of the bed. This is essential, especially when your baby grows and becomes more mobile. You should also not add anything to the crib that could increase the chance of suffocation, or injury, like pillows and duvets, which can cause babies to overheat.
The NPR of the CPSC NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to product-related issues that include gaps between the bedside sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside sleeper (12 incidents) as well as enclosed openings made of fabric (11) and consumer disassembly (6 incidents).
In its NPR, the CPSC considered the possibility of imposing additional requirements for bedside sleepers, such as the requirement that they satisfy the minimum side height requirement for bassinets, or at the very least, meet the maximum height requirement for the lowered side rail. The CPSC determined, however, that these requirements were not feasible or effective in reducing the number of incidents where infants are trapped by the bedside rail as well as an adult bed.
The majority of the reported incidents in the NPR included bedside sleepers with multiple uses that could be converted into different modes like bassinets and play yards. Several commenters suggested the CPSC add an alternative option to the proposed rule for bedside sleepers with multiple uses that would allow them to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets by using an attachment that is removable. The attachment can be permanently connected or disconnected when the product's not being used as a bassinet for babies.
The CPSC is currently reviewing these comments and others received in response to the NPR on sleep at night. The Commission will consider these comments when it votes on the final rule which is expected to be released in the month of November 2021.