Choosing a Large Bedside Cot

Bedside cots (also known as co-sleepers and bassinets) are designed to let parents snuggle with their infant at night without the risk of SIDS. They are only recommended up to 6 months, after which your baby is old enough to move to the bed.

MFM home tester Mehack loved the fact that this model features a lift-off bassinet you can use in the home and the ability to rock manually. It was also easy to put together and came with its own bag for easy storage.

Size

Cots and cots differ in terms of size and size, with cots being a bit smaller than beds for cots. They also can be converted into toddler beds, whereas cot bedside beds are generally only used until three years old. old. If you're considering a wooden cot, there are usually two sizes to choose from - standard and large - both of which will convert into a cot bed/toddler mattress. Selecting the larger of the two is a good idea when you want your child to sleep in it until the age of at least three years old.

Jasmine is an MFM mother who tested the product at home, was pleased that it was a bit bigger than the typical Moses' basket but still not too large for her baby’s room. She says that it is easy to get the baby in and out of the cot for evening feedings or to soothe and that the quality is far superior to other cots she has seen that are cheap and flimsy.

Another home tester, 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 Rocking Bedside Crib too. It also comes with an incline for reflux and a machine washable breathable liner. It was also nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. In contrast to International or European cot brands The Lora can be fitted with South African cot mattresses so you don't need to buy an entirely new mattress each time your baby grows. However, it does require a specific bedding set (60x120cm). Find the ideal mattress for your cot here.

Height

When selecting a bedside crib pick one that can be adjusted to a suitable height for you. It should also be able to be dropped down out of the way so that you can pull your baby closer to you for feedings at night or soothing. This feature is particularly useful in the event of recovering from C-section. The Next2me cot and the Tutti Bambini can be adjusted to an 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 to be. While some moms find it easier to lift their children out of the standard Moses baskets at the smallest height, other mums prefer a higher base to give them more stability. One of our mom testers said that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular option. It is a collapsible side you can push at the push of a 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 around 6 months. This is due to the danger of inhaling suffocation. It's also important to know that if you choose a bedside or bassinet which can be converted into a cot it is necessary to begin removing the sides once your child is ready for this, so that they don't climb out or get out of bed.

Design

There are a variety of cribs for beds, ranging from simple to luxurious. The more expensive options could include features like a built-in night light and a calming centre that plays sounds and music and offers two levels of vibrations to help soothe baby back to sleep, or even an adjustable base that allows you to reach your child for feedings. You can also find models that can be transformed into a cot bed or 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 was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib category. It is a swivelling base that lets you pick up your baby and transfer them to the other side of the crib without having to get out of the bed. This is great for new mums recovering from Caesarean births or who have to stay in bed for long periods of time. MFM mum home tester Jasmine was awed by this feature, stating that it was easy to use and made reaching her baby much more manageable particularly after her c-section.

Chicco Next2me Magic is another alternative. It won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards to be the best Cot, Moses Basket, or Crib and has a machine-washable lining, reflux incline, and a rocking feature. It's a bit larger than other cribs that we've tried, but it folds flat into its travel cot bedside crib bag, so it's quite compact when not in use.

Leya, MFM mum home tester Also, she acknowledged the crib's usefulness. She claimed that it was designed to be used by parents and babies. It is a fantastic design that is extremely maneuverable 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 facilitate access - particularly for new mums who are recovering from C-sections', she said.

Safety

The bedside cot's primary security feature is that it can easily be moved up or down so that parents can reach their baby to feed or comfort him or his or her nappies. This is why it's perfect for mothers who are still be recovering from a C-section. You should look for an option that lets you lower the bed's side with a single button press. This will allow you to lift your child up without having to get out of bed. This is crucial, particularly when your baby grows and becomes more mobile. You'll also want to be careful not to add anything to the crib that increases the chance of suffocation or injury, like pillows and duvets, which could cause babies to become overheated.

The NPR released by the CPSC NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to problems with the product like 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 other miscellaneous product-related issues (9 incidents).

In its NPR in its NPR, the CPSC looked into the possibility of additional requirements for sleepers in bed, such as the requirement that these beds meet the minimum side height requirement for bassinets, or at least meet the maximum height requirement for the side rail. The CPSC decided, however, that these requirements were not efficient or effective in reducing number of incidents where infants are trapped between the bedside travel cot rail and an adult bed.

The majority of the reported incidents in the NPR included multi-use bedside sleepers that could be converted into different modes like play yards and bassinets. Several commenters suggested the CPSC add a second clause to the proposed rule for bedside sleepers with multiple uses that would allow them to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets using an attachment that is removable. The attachment can be permanently connected or disconnected when the product's not being used as a baby bassinet.

The CPSC is considering these and other comments received in response to its NPR on bedside cot for twins sleepers. The Commission will take into account these comments when it votes on the final rule which is expected to be released in November 2021.