Choosing a large bedside Cot (www.instapaper.com)

Bedside cots, also referred to as bassinets or co-sleepers are designed to allow parents to sleep close to their babies at night, without the risk of SIDS. However they are only recommended for use up to 6 months of age when your baby will be required to move into a cot or moses basket.

Mehack Mehack, an MFM home tester, was awed by the fact that this model has an adjustable bassinet that can be used around the house. It also comes with the ability to rock manually. It was easy to assemble and it came with a travel bag.

Size

Cots and cot beds differ in size, with cots being smaller than beds for cots. They also often convert into toddler beds, while the cot beds are typically used for up to three years. older. There are two sizes of wooden cots - big and standard - which can be converted into a toddler bed or cot. The larger of the two is a good idea when you want your child to sleep in it until the age of approximately three.

MFM mom home test Jasmine liked that this bedside cot was slightly bigger than the Moses basket but not too large for her baby's room. She claims that it is easy to get the baby in and out of the cot during night feeds or for soothing and that the quality is better than other cots she has seen that are less sturdy.

Emily who is a home tester, loves the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi Lora which is a lift-off, portable bassinet. It also is a rock. It also has an option for inclining the reflux and a machine-washable liner that is breathable. It was also nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. The Lora is a perfect fit for 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). You can find the perfect mattress for your cot here.

Height

When selecting a cot for the bed choose one that can be raised up to a height that is comfortable for you when feeding baby. It should also be able of being dropped down so that you can lift your baby towards you during night feedings or to soothe. This feature is particularly helpful when you are recovering from a C-section. For example the Next2me and Tutti Bambini cots can be adjusted up 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 level you'd like the base of your crib to be. Some mums find that it is easier to lift their babies from standard Moses baskets when the base is situated at the lowest level, while others prefer a higher elevation to provide them with more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a well-liked option and one of our mom testers saying that it has an easy-to-use collapsible side that is easy to press down at the touch of one button.

Be aware that a bedside or bassinet 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 because of the possibility of being suffocated. It is also important to be aware that if your child is old enough to be able to convert an existing bedside or bassinet into a cot, they will have to take the sides off as soon as they are able to do so. This will prevent them from getting out or falling out of the bed.

Design

There are a variety of styles of cribs for beds, ranging from simple to luxurious. The most luxurious models could include features like a built-in night light or a soothing center that plays sounds and music and has two levels of vibrations to help soothe your baby back to sleep, or even the swivelling base which allows you to reach your child for feedings. Some models can be converted into an infant bed or cot bed (or both) when your child is ready to go to their own bed.

For instance the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, which won Bronze in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards for the Best Crib, Cot 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 perfect for new mums who are recovering from Caesarean or need to stay in the bed for extended periods of time. Jasmine is an MFM mum who tested this product at home, stated that it was easy to use and made it easier for her to reach her baby, especially after a c-section.

Another option is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which has won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Award in the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It also is equipped with an easy-to-clean liner, reflux incline, and rocking feature. It's a bit larger than the other cribs that we've tested but it folds flat into its travel bag, so it is relatively compact when not in use.

MFM mum home tester Leya also appreciated the function of this bedside cot used crib describing how it was designed with babies and parents in mind. It is easy to move and super-sturdy. Its swivelling base is fantastic because it allows you to move the bassinet side to side and one of its sides can be lowered down to make access easier especially for 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 easily be adjusted or moved so that parents can reach their child to feed or comfort them, or change his or his or her diaper. This makes it ideal for new mothers recovering from an C-section. You should choose an option that allows you to lower the sides of the bed with a simple button press. This will allow you to lift your child up without getting out of the bed. This is especially crucial as your baby grows older and more mobile. You should also not add anything to the crib that could increase the risk of suffocation or injury, such as pillows and duvets, which can cause babies to overheat.

The NPR released by the CPSC NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to product problems like gaps between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed (12 incidents) and enclosed openings with fabric sides (11 incidents) and 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 introducing additional requirements to bedside crib that turns into cot sleepers. For instance, these products would have to meet the minimum height requirements for bassinets, or at the very least, the maximum height requirements for the rail that is lowered. The CPSC determined, however, that these requirements weren't practical or effective in reducing the number of instances in which infants are trapped by the bedside rail 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 bassinets or play yards. Many commenters suggested that CPSC include in the proposed rule an alternative option for multi-use bedside cot for twins sleepers that would enable them to meet the minimum side-height requirement for bassinets using an attachment that can be permanently connected or removed when the product is not being used as an actual bassinet.

The CPSC is currently reviewing the comments and other suggestions received in response to the NPR on sleep at night. The Commission will take into consideration these comments when deciding on the final rule which is expected to be published in the month of November 2021.