Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots, also known as bassinets or co-sleepers are designed to allow parents to sleep close to their children at night without the risk of SIDS. However they are only suitable for use up to 6 months, when your baby is required to move into a cot or a moses basket.
Mehack, a MFM home tester, loved the fact that this model has an adjustable bassinet that can be used all around the house. It also comes with a manual rocking feature. It was simple to put together, and even came with a travel bag.
Size
Cots are smaller than cots. They are less than. Cots can also be transformed into toddler beds. However they are typically used for children up to the age of three. There are two sizes of wooden cots - big and standard - which can be transformed into a toddler bed or a cot. The larger one is a good choice when you want your child to sleep in it until they reach approximately three.
MFM mom home test Jasmine was pleased that this bedside cot was a little bigger than the Moses basket, but not too big for her baby's room. She says it's easy to lift her baby in and out for night feeding or soothing and that the quality is excellent, compared with many she's seen that are flimsy.
bedside cot newborn who is a home tester, loves the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi Lora - it is a lift-off, mobile bassinet. It also rocks. It also comes with an incline of reflux as well as a machine washable liner that is breathable. It was also shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. Unlike some International or European cot brands, the Lora can be fitted with South African cot mattresses so you don't need to buy another mattress as your baby grows. However, it requires a specific bedding set (60x120cm). Find the ideal mattress for your cot here.
Height
When selecting a cot for the bed choose one that can be raised to a level that is comfortable for you to feed your babies. It must also be lowered away from the way, so you can raise your baby to feed them at night or to soothe him. This feature is especially useful when you are recovering from a C Section. The Next2me cot and Tutti Bambini can be adjusted to a 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 think about is how low you want the base of your cot. While some mothers find it easier to get their babies out of the standard Moses baskets when they are at the lowest level, some mothers prefer having a higher base that gives them more stability. One of our mom testers mentioned that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular choice. It is an easy-to-fold side that which you can use to press of a button.
Keep in mind that a bedside or bassinet is only suitable until your baby can hold their head up unaided typically about 6 months. This is because of the danger of suffocation. It is also important to remember that if you choose a bassinet/bedside sleeper that can convert into a cot and vice versa, you must remove the sides as soon as your child is ready for this to ensure they don't climb out or get out of the bed.
Design
There are a variety of styles of cribs for bedside use that range from basic to extravagant. Some of the most luxurious options include features like an inbuilt light and a soothing center that plays music and sound and comes with two levels that help to soothe your baby back to sleep. Another option is an adjustable footrest that allows you to reach your child when you need to feed them. There are also models that can be converted to the form of a toddler bed or cot bed (or both) which is ideal when your child is ready to transition to a larger bed.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, for example has won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib category. It features a swivelling bottom that lets you take your baby to the crib and move them to the other side of the crib without having to get out of the bed. This is great for mothers who are recovering from Caesareans, or those who need to remain in bed for long periods of time. Jasmine, a MFM mother who tested the product at home, said that it was easy to operate 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 Awards in the category of the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It also comes with a machine-washable liner, reflux incline and rocking feature. It's a bit bigger than other bedside cribs we tested but it folds flat into its bag for travel, so it's relatively compact when not in use.
MFM mum home test Leya also appreciated the function of this crib for bed, describing how it was designed with parents and babies in mind. 'It has an excellent design that is very maneuverable and is super-sturdy. She said that the swivelling bassinet base was brilliant since it allowed you to move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lowered to facilitate access for mothers who are recovering from C-sections.
Safety
The most important security aspect of a large bedside cot is that it can be adjusted or moved to allow parents to reach their baby when they require to feed, comfort them, or change their nappy. This means that it's ideal for new mothers who may still recovering from a C section. Find a model that allows you to lower one side with the press of a button. This way, you can easily lift your baby without getting out of the bed. This is especially important as your baby grows older and becomes more mobile. Do not add anything that may increase the risk of injury or suffocation like duvets and pillows which could cause your baby to become overheated.
The CPSC's NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to problems with the product that included gaps between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed (12 incidents); fabric-sided enclosed openings (11 incidents); consumer misassembly or missing parts (6 incidents); and miscellaneous other product-related issues (9 incidents).
In its NPR the CPSC looked into the possibility of adding more requirements to bedside sleepers. For instance they would need to meet the minimum height requirements for bassinets, or at least the maximum height requirements for the lowered rail. The CPSC found, however that these requirements were not practical or effective in reducing number of incidents where infants are entrapped by the bedside rail and an adult bed.
The majority of the incidents covered in the NPR included multi-use bedside beds which can be converted into different types of furniture, like play yards or bassinets. A number of commenters suggested that the CPSC add an alternative provision to the proposed rule for bedside sleepers that are multi-use which would permit them to meet minimum side height requirements for bassinets by using an attachment that can be removed. The attachment can be permanently fixed or removed when the product is not being used as a baby bassinet.
The CPSC is considering these and other comments that were 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.