Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots, also known as bassinets and co-sleepers, are designed to allow parents to rest close to their children at night without the danger of SIDS. They are recommended for up to 6 months, when your baby is old enough to move to the crib.
MFM home tester Mehack was impressed that this model features a bassinet that can be lifted off to use throughout the house, as well as the ability to rock manually. bedside crib travel was also simple to put together and came with its own bag for easy storage.
Size
Cots are smaller than cots. They are less than. Cots can also convert into toddler beds. However cots are generally used for 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 cot. Selecting the larger of the two is a good idea for children who want to sleep in it until the age of at least three years old.
Jasmine is an MFM mum who tested the product at home, said she liked the fact that it was a little bigger than the typical Moses' basket but still not too large for the baby's room. She claims that it is easy to lift the baby into and out of the cot for evening feedings or to soothe, and that its quality is far superior to other cots she has seen that are cheap and flimsy.
Another home test subject, Emily, likes how versatile the Maxi-Cosi Lora is - it's a lift-off bassinet that can be moved around the home, and it's a blast too. It also has a reflux incline option and a machine-washable liner that breathes. It was also shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. In contrast to International or European cot brands, the Lora can be fitted with South African cot mattresses so you don't need to purchase another mattress as your baby grows. It requires a specific bedding set (60x120cm). Find the ideal mattress for your cot here.
Height
When selecting a cot for the bed, look for one that can be raised to a level that is comfortable for you to feed your the baby. It must also be lowered to a level that is not in the way so that you can pull your child towards you to feed them at night or to soothe him. This feature is particularly helpful in the event of recovering from a C Section. bedside cot co sleeper 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.
Another thing to think about is the height you would like to set for the base of your cot. Some mums find that it is easier to lift their infants from their standard Moses baskets when the base is at the lowest point, while others prefer a higher elevation to provide them with more stability. One of our mom testers stated that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular choice. It comes with an easy-to-fold side that you can push at the press of the button.
Be aware that a bassinet/bedside sleeper should not be used until your baby is able to hold their head up unaided typically about 6 months. This is due to the possibility of being suffocated. It's also important to note that if you select a bedside sleeper or bassinet that you can be converted into a crib, you will need to start removing the sides when your child is able to do this to ensure that they don't climb out or get out of bed.
Design
There are a variety of cribs that are bedside, ranging from basic to lavish. The more luxurious options may include features like a built-in nightlight and a calming centre that plays sounds and music and comes with two levels of vibrating to help soothe your baby back to sleep, or even a swivelling base that allows you to get your baby's food in the right place. There are also models that can be converted to a cot bed or toddler bed (or both) ideal for when your child is ready to transition to a bigger bed.
For instance, the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, which won Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Crib, Best Cot or Moses Basket category, has a swivelling base that lets you pick up your newborn and move them from one side of the crib to the other without having to get up. This makes it perfect for new mothers who are recovering from Caesarean births or who require a the bed for extended periods of time. Jasmine, a MFM mom who tried this product at home, said it was easy to operate and made it easier for her to reach her baby - especially after the C-section.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another alternative. It was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the best Cot, Moses Basket, or Crib and has a machine-washable interior, reflux incline, and rocking feature. It's a bit bigger than the other cribs that we've tested but it folds flat in its travel bag, so it's relatively compact when not in use.
MFM mom home tester Leya also liked the functionality of this crib for bed, explaining how it was designed with the needs of parents and children in mind. It has a great design that is extremely simple to operate and is super-sturdy. 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 make access easier especially for new mothers who are recovering from c-sections,' she said.
Safety
The most important security aspect of a large bedside cot is that it can be raised or lowered to enable parents to reach their child when they require to feed them, soothe them or change their nappy. This is ideal for mothers who are recovering from the c-section. Look for a design that allows you to lower one side with the press of a button so you can easily lift your baby up without having to get out of bed. This is crucial, particularly as your baby grows and becomes more mobile. You should also avoid adding anything to the crib that could increase the chance of suffocation or injury, like pillows and duvets. These can cause babies to overheat.
The NPR released by the CPSC NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to product problems that included gaps between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed (12 incidents) and enclosed openings with fabric sides (11 incidents) as well as consumer misassembly, or missing components (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 the products would need to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets, or at least the maximum height requirements for the rail that is lowered. The CPSC determined, however, that these requirements were not feasible or effective in reducing the 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 to other types of equipment, like play yards or bassinets. Several commenters suggested that the CPSC include in the proposed rule an alternative provision for multi-use bedside sleepers that would enable them to meet the minimum side-height requirements for bassinets through the use of an attachment that is removable and can be permanently connected or removed when the product is not being used as a bassinet.
The CPSC is examining the comments and other suggestions received in response to the NPR regarding bedside sleeping. The Commission will consider these comments when it votes on the final rule, which is expected to be released in November 2021.