Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots, also referred to as co-sleepers and bassinets, are designed to let parents sleep close to their infants at night without the risk of SIDS. They are recommended for up to 6 months, when your baby will be ready to transition to the cot.
MFM home tester Mehack was impressed that this model features an adjustable bassinet that you can use in the home and an option to rock manually. It was easy to set up, and it came with a travel bag.
Size
Cots and cot beds vary in terms of size and size, with cots being a bit smaller than beds for cots. Cots can also be transformed into toddler beds. However they are typically intended for children who are the age of three. There are two sizes of wooden cots - large and standard that can be converted into a toddler bed or cot. If co sleeper bedside cot want your child (or children) to be capable of sleeping in a bigger cot, it's a good idea to pick the larger size.
MFM mum home test Jasmine loved that the bedside cot was slightly larger than the Moses basket, but not too large for the space of her baby's. Jasmine says it's easy to get the baby in and out of the cot for evening feedings or to soothe and that it's quality is superior to others she has seen that are cheap and flimsy.
Another home-based test subject, Emily, likes how the Maxi-Cosi is a versatile product - it's a lift-off bassinet that can be moved around the home, and it's a blast too. It also has an incline of reflux as well as a machine washable breathable liner. It was also shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. Contrary to some International or European cot brands, the Lora can fit South African cot mattresses so you don't have to buy a new mattress as your baby grows. However, it does require a specific bedding set (60x120cm). Here you can find the perfect mattress for your cot.
Height
When choosing a crib for your bed make sure it can be adjusted to a comfortable height for you. It must also be able to be lowered to the ground to allow you to lift your baby up towards you for night feeds or to soothe. This feature is especially helpful in the event of recovering from 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 to 70cm.
Another thing to think about is the height you would like to set for the cot's base to be. Some moms find it is easier to lift their infants from their standard Moses baskets when the base is at the lowest point, while some prefer a higher level to give them greater stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a well-liked option and one of our mom testers saying that it comes with a simple collapsible side that is easy to use at the push of one button.
Remember that a bassinet/bedside sleeping device should only be used in the event that your baby can hold his head without assistance, which is usually at around 6 months. This is due to the possibility of suffocation. It is also important to be aware that when your child is old enough to convert a bassinet/bedside sleeping system into a cot, they will have to remove the sides once they are able to do so. This will prevent them from climbing out or falling out of bed.
Design
There are a variety of bedside crib that range from basic to lavish. Some of the more luxurious options include features such as a built-in light or a center of calm which plays music and sounds and comes with two levels to help ease your baby back to sleep or an adjustable footrest that makes it easier for you to reach your child when you need to feed them. You can also find models that can be converted to an infant bed or a toddler bed (or both) ideal for 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&Baby Awards for the Best Crib, Cot or Moses Basket category, has a swivelling base that allows you to take your baby and transfer them from one side of the crib to the other without needing to get up. This makes it ideal for new mums who are recovering from Caesarean or need to stay in the bed for extended durations of time. Jasmine, a MFM mother who tested the product at home, stated that it was simple to use and made it easier for her to reach her baby, especially after a C-section.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another option. It was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards to be the best Cot, Moses Basket, or Crib and has a machine-washable interior, reflux incline, and a rocking feature. It's larger than other cribs for bed that we've tested, however it folds down into its travel bag to make it a small size when not in use.
Leya, MFM mum home tester also appreciated the bedside crib's function. She said it was designed for parents and children. It is lightweight and easy to move. Its swivelling base is brilliant because it allows you to move the bassinet from side-to-side, and one of its sides can be let down to make access easier - particularly for new mums who are recovering from C-sections,' she added.
Safety
The most important security feature of a large bedside cot is that it is able to be moved up or down to allow parents to reach their child when they need to feed, comfort them or change their nappy. This is why it's perfect for mothers who still recovering from a C section. You should look for an option that allows you to lower the sides of the bed with a simple button press. This will allow you to easily lift your child without getting out of the bed. This is essential, especially as your child grows and becomes more mobile. You should also be careful not to add anything to the cot that increases the chance of suffocation or injury, such as duvets and pillows, which could cause babies to become overheated.
The CPSC's NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to product-related issues like gaps between a bedside sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside sleeper (12 incidents) as well as enclosed openings made of fabric (11) and consumer misassembly (6 incidents).
In its NPR the CPSC looked into the possibility of adding additional requirements to bedside sleepers. For example, these products would have to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets, or at least the maximum height requirements for the lowered rail. However the CPSC found that these requirements would not be efficient or feasible to reduce the number of incidents where infants were trapped between the bedside sleeper and an adult bed.
A majority of the incidents mentioned in the NPR concerned multi-use bedside sleepers which can be converted to other types of equipment, like play yards or bassinets. Many commenters suggested that CPSC include in the proposed rule an alternative option for multi-use bedside beds to enable them to meet the minimum side-height requirement for bassinets through the use of a removable attachment that can be connected permanently or removed when the product is not being used as an actual bassinet.
The CPSC is examining these and other comments received in response to its NPR regarding bedside sleepers. The Commission will take into account these comments when it votes on the final rule, which is expected to be published in November 2021.