Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots (also known as co-sleepers and bassinets) are designed to allow parents to rest with their baby at night without the risk of SIDS. They are only recommended up to 6 months old, at which point your baby will be ready to move to a bed.
MFM home tester Mehack loved the fact that this model features an adjustable bassinet that you can use around the house and a manual rocking function. It was simple to put together, and came with its own travel bag.
Size
Cots and cots differ in terms of size, with cots being smaller than beds for cots. Cots can also be transformed into toddler beds. However, cots are usually only used for children up to the age of three. There are two sizes of wooden cots, large and standard, which can be converted into a toddler bed or cot. Choosing the larger of the two is a good idea for children who want to sleep in it until they reach +/- three.
Jasmine is an MFM mom who tried the product at home, was pleased that it was slightly larger than a Moses basket, but not too big for the baby's room. She claims that it is easy to lift the baby into and out of the cot for night feeds or for soothing and that it's quality is better than other cots she has seen that are flimsy.
Emily who is a home-based tester, is thrilled by the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi Lora which is a portable, lift-off bassinet. It also is a rock. bedside cot newborn comes with an incline of reflux as well as a machine washable liner that breathes. It was also nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. The Lora fits South African cot mattress unlike other international or European brands. This means you do not need to purchase a brand new mattress when your baby grows. It requires a specific bedding set (60x120cm). Here's the perfect mattress for your cot.
Height
When selecting a cot for the bed be sure to choose one that can be elevated to a height that's comfortable for feeding your baby. It must also be able to be lowered down out of the way so that you can lift your baby up towards you for night feeds or soothing. This feature is especially helpful in the event of recovering from C-section. The Next2me cot and Tutti Bambini can be adjusted to the maximum height of 58cm while the Snuzpod 3 can go up to 63cm and the Knuma Hutch can be adjusted to 70cm.
You should also think about the level you'd like the base of your crib to be. While some mums find it easier to lift their babies out of the standard Moses baskets at the lowest level, some mothers prefer an elevated base to give them more stability. One of our testers for mums said that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular choice. It is an easy-to-fold side that you can push at the press of a button.
Keep in mind that a bassinet or bedside sleeping device should only be used in the event that your baby can hold his head up without assistance, which is typically about 6 months old. This is due to the danger of inhaling suffocation. It is also important to remember that if you select a bedside or bassinet which can convert into a cot it is necessary to remove the sides as soon as your child is ready for this, so that they don't get out of bed or fall out of the bed.
Design
There are many different styles of bedside cribs, from simple to luxurious. Some of the most extravagant options include features such as an integrated light and a soothing center which plays music and sounds and comes with two levels that help to soothe your baby back to sleep, or an adjustable footrest that makes it easier for you to reach your child to feed them. You can also find models which can be made into a cot bed or toddler bed (or both) ideal for when your child is ready to transition to a bigger bed.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air for instance, won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib category. It features a swivelling bottom that lets you take your baby to the crib and transfer them to the opposite side of the crib without getting out of the bed. This is ideal for mothers who are recovering from Caesareans or those who have to stay in bed for long periods of time. MFM mom home tester Jasmine was awed by this feature, saying that it was simple to use and made reaching her baby easier - especially 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. It is machine washable and comes with a interior, reflux incline, and rocking feature. It's larger than other cribs for bed that we've tested, however it folds down into its travel bag, making it relatively compact when it's not in use.
Leya, MFM mum home tester, also acknowledged the crib's usefulness. She claimed that it was designed for both parents and babies. It is lightweight and easy to move. 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 - particularly for new mums who are recovering from c-sections,' she said.
Safety
The most important security characteristic of a bedside cot is that it can be easily raised or lowered to enable parents to reach their child when they require to feed them, soothe them or change their nappy. This makes it perfect for new mothers recovering from an c-section. Choose a model that allows you to lower one side with the push of a button. This way, you can easily lift your baby without needing to get out of bed. This is particularly important as your baby gets older and becomes more mobile. You'll also want to avoid adding anything to the cot that increases the chance of suffocation or injury, including 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); fabric-sided enclosed openings (11 incidents) and consumer misassembly or missing parts (6 incidents) and other miscellaneous product-related issues (9 incidents).
In its NPR the CPSC examined the possibility of adding more requirements to bedside sleepers. For instance, these products would have to meet the minimum height requirements for bassinets, or at least the maximum height requirements for the rails that are lowered. However the CPSC concluded that such requirements would not be practical or effective in reducing the amount of instances in which infants were trapped between the bedside sleeper and an adult bed.
A majority of the incidents mentioned in the NPR included multi-use bedside beds which can be converted to other types of equipment, like bassinets or play yards. A number of commenters suggested that the CPSC include in the proposed rule a different provision for multi-use bedside beds to 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 disconnected when the item is not being used as a bassinet.
The CPSC is considering these and other comments received in response to its NPR on bedside sleepers. The Commission will consider these comments when it votes on the final rule, which is expected to be released in November 2021.