Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots, also known as bassinets or co-sleepers are designed to let parents sleep close to their infants at night without the danger of SIDS. However, they are only suitable for use up to 6 months when your baby will be required to move into a cot, or a moses basket.
MFM home tester Mehack loved that this model comes with a bassinet that can be lifted off to use throughout the house, as well as the ability to rock manually. It was also simple to put together and came in its own travel bag for easy storage.
Size
Cots and cot beds vary in size and size, with cots being a bit smaller than beds for cots. Cots can also convert 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 a cot. If you'd like your child (or children) to be capable of sleeping in a larger cot, it's an excellent idea to choose the larger size.
MFM mum home test Jasmine was pleased that this bedside cot was a little bigger than a Moses basket, but not too large for her baby's room. Jasmine says it's easy to lift the baby into and out of the cot for evening feedings or to soothe, and that its quality is better than other cots she has seen that are less sturdy.
Emily, another home-based tester, is thrilled by the flexibility of the Maxi-Cosi lora that is a portable, lift-off bassinet. It also is a rock. It also has an incline for reflux and a machine washable liner that breathes. 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 have to buy an entirely new mattress each time your baby grows. However, bedside co sleeper does require a specific bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the perfect mattress for your cot here.
Height
When choosing a bedside cot choose one that can be raised to a height that is comfortable for feeding your the baby. It must also be lower out of the way, so you can lift up your child towards you to feed them at night or comfort him. This feature is especially useful if you are recovering from a C Section. The Next2me Cot and Tutti Bambini can be adjusted to a maximum height of 58cm, while the Snuzpod 3 can go up to 63cm and the Knuma Hutch to 70cm.
Another thing to consider is how low you want the base of your cot. While some moms find it easier to lift their children out of traditional Moses baskets when they are at the lowest height, others prefer a higher base to give them more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a popular option, with one of our mum testers stating that it is easy to use with a collapsible side that is easy to press down at the touch of a button.
Be aware that a bedside or bassinet device is only suitable 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 suffocation. Be aware that when your child is old enough to convert an existing bedside or bassinet into a cot you must remove the sides as soon as they are able to do so. This will prevent them from climbing out or falling out of the bed.
Design
There are many styles of bedside cribs, from basic to lavish. The most luxurious models could include features like an integrated night light, a soothing centre that plays sounds and music and has two levels of vibration to help soothe your baby to sleep, or an adjustable base that allows you to reach your child for feedings. Some models can be converted into a toddler bed or cot (or both) when your child is ready to go to their own bed.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air For instance was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot Moses Basket or Crib category. It has a swivelling bottom that lets you take your baby to the crib and move them to the opposite side of the crib without having to get out of bed. This makes it ideal for new mothers who are recovering from Caesarean or require the bed for extended durations of time. Jasmine, a MFM mom who tried this product at home, said it was easy to operate and made it easier to reach her baby - especially after the c-section.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another alternative. It won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib. It has a machine-washable lining, reflux incline, and a rocking feature. It's bigger than other cribs we tested, but it folds into its bag for travel, making it a small size when not in use.
MFM mom home test Leya also appreciated the function of this crib for bed, she explained how it was created with the needs of parents and children in mind. It is lightweight and easy to move. Its swivelling base is brilliant because it lets you 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 bedside cot that is large and spacious's most important security characteristic is that it can be easily moved up or down so that parents can reach their child to feed, comfort or change his or her nappies. This is ideal for mothers who are recovering from a c-section. Find a model that lets you lower one side at the push of a button, so you can easily lift your baby up without having to get out of bed. bedside crib or cot is particularly important as your baby grows older and becomes more mobile. Beware of items that could increase the chance of injury or suffocation, such as pillowcases and duvets which could cause your baby to overheat.
The NPR of the CPSC's NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to problems with the product, such as gaps between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed (12 incidents) Fabric-side enclosed openings (11 incidents) and consumer misassembly or missing components (6 incidents) and other miscellaneous product-related issues (9 incidents).
In its NPR In its NPR, the CPSC considered the possibility of imposing additional requirements for bedside sleepers, such as the requirement that these products meet the minimum side height requirement for bassinets, or at a minimum, meet the maximum height requirement for the lowered side rail. 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.
Many of the incidents reported 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 an alternative option for multi-use bedside sleepers that would allow them to meet the minimum side-height requirements for bassinets using an attachment that is removable and can be connected permanently or disconnected when the item is not being used as an actual bassinet.
The CPSC is currently examining these and other comments received in response to its NPR on sleepers who are bedside. The Commission will be examining these comments when it votes on the final rule which is expected to be issued in November of 2021.