Choosing a Large Bedside Cot

Bedside cots (also known as co-sleepers and bassinets) are designed to allow parents to sleep close to their baby at night without fear of SIDS. They are recommended for up to 6 months, when your baby is ready to be moved to a crib.

MFM home tester Mehack was impressed that this model comes with a lift-off bassinet you can use around the house and an option to rock manually. It was also easy to put together and came with its own bag for easy storage.

Size

Cots and cot beds differ in terms of size, with cots being smaller than cot beds. They also can be converted into toddler beds, whereas cot beds are generally only used until three years old. older. If you're opting for a wooden cot, there are typically two sizes to choose from - standard and large - both of which can be converted into a cot bed/toddler beds. Choosing the larger one is a good option when you want your child to sleep in it until the age of approximately three.

MFM mum home test Jasmine was pleased that this bedside crib travel cot was slightly bigger than a Moses basket, but not too large for her baby's room. Jasmine says it's easy to get the baby into and out of the cot during evening feedings or to soothe, and that its quality is far superior to other cots she has seen that are flimsy.

Emily who is a home tester, loves the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi lora - it is a lift-off, portable bassinet. It also rocks. It also comes with an option to tilt the reflux upwards and a machine-washable breathable liner. It was also shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for best bedside cot Cot Crib, Crib, or Moses Basket. The Lora is compatible with a South African cot mattress unlike other international or European brands. This means you don't have to purchase a new mattress every time your baby grows. It requires a specific bedding set (60x120cm). Here's the perfect mattress for your cot.

Height

When you are choosing a crib that is bedside make sure it can be adjusted to a comfortable height for you. It should also be able to be lower out of the way, so you can raise your baby towards you to feed them at night or to soothe him. This is particularly useful when you are recovering from a C Section. For instance, the Next2me and Tutti Bambini cots can be adjusted to an elevation of 58cm. the Snuzpod 3 goes up to 63cm, and the Knuma Huddle up to 70cm.

It is also important to consider the height you would like the bottom of your crib to be. While some mothers find it easier to get their babies out of traditional Moses baskets at the lowest height, other mums prefer having a higher base that gives them more stability. One of our mom testers stated that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular option. It has an easily collapsible side that you can press at the touch a button.

Be aware that a bassinet/bedside crib vs cot sleeper should not be used until your baby can hold their head without assistance typically approximately 6 months. This is due to the risk of suffocation. It is also important to be aware that if your child is old enough to convert the bedside sleeper into a cot, you will have to take the sides off as soon as they are ready to do so. This will prevent them from falling out or climbing out of bed.

Design

There are a variety of cribs that are bedside, ranging from basic to extravagant. The most luxurious models could include features like an integrated night light or a soothing center which plays music and sounds and has two levels of vibrating to help soothe your baby back to sleep, or even a swivelling base that makes it easier to reach your child for feedings. You may also find some models that can be converted to an infant bed or a toddler bed (or both) which is ideal when your child is ready to move to a larger bed.

The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air for instance has won Bronze at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards in the Best Cot Moses Basket or Crib category. It is a swivelling base that lets you take your baby to the crib and move them to the other side of the crib without getting out of the bed. This makes it ideal for new mums who are recovering from Caesareans or who require a the bed for extended durations of time. Jasmine, a MFM mother who tested the product at home, stated that it was easy to operate and made it easier to reach her baby - especially after having a c-section.

Another alternative is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket and comes with a machine-washable liner, reflux incline, and rocking function. It's a bit larger than some of the other bedside cribs we looked at, but it folds flat into its travel bag, so it's relatively compact when not in use.

MFM mom home tester Leya loved the practicality of this crib for bed, she explained how it was created with babies and parents in mind. It is a fantastic design that is incredibly simple to operate and is extremely durable. The swivelling base of the bassinet is amazing because it allows you to move the bassinet side to side, and one of its sides can be lowered down to ease access especially for new mothers who are recovering from their c-sections,' she said.

Safety

A large bedside cot's main safety characteristic is the fact that it can be easily moved up or down so that parents can reach their baby to feed or comfort him or her nappy. This is ideal for mothers who are recovering from an C-section. Choose a model that lets you lower one side with the press of a button so you can effortlessly lift your baby without having to get out of the bed. This is important, especially as your child grows and becomes more mobile. You'll also want to not add anything to the cot that increases the chance of suffocation, or injury, such as pillows and duvets, which can cause babies to overheat.

The NPR of the CPSC's NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to product problems like gaps between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed (12 incidents) Fabric-side enclosed openings (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 examined the possibility of adding additional requirements to bedside crib sleepers. For example, these products would have to meet the minimum height requirements for bassinets or at least the maximum height requirements for the lowered rail. However the CPSC found that these requirements are not practical or effective in reducing the number of incidents in which infants were entrapped between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed.

Many of the incidents reported in the NPR included multi-use bedside beds which can be converted to different types of furniture, like bassinets or play yards. Several commenters suggested the CPSC include a different clause to the proposed rule for multi-use bedside sleepers that would permit them to meet minimum side height requirements for bassinets using an attachment that can be removed. This attachment can be permanently fixed or disconnected when the product's not being used as a bassinet for babies.

The CPSC is examining the comments and other suggestions received in response to the NPR on bedside sleeping. The Commission will consider these comments when deciding on the final rule which is expected to be issued in November of 2021.