Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots (also known as co-sleepers and bassinets) are designed to let parents rest with their baby at night without the risk of SIDS. However, they are only recommended for use up to 6 months, when your baby will be required to move into a cot, or a moses basket.
Mehack, a MFM home tester, was awed by the feature that this model comes with an integrated bassinet that can be used around the house. It also features an option to rock manually. It was easy to set up, and even came with a travel bag.
Size
Cots and cot beds vary in terms of size and size, with cots being a bit smaller than beds for cots. They also often convert into toddler beds, while the cot beds are typically used until three years old. older. If you're looking for a wooden cot, there are typically two sizes available both large and standard both of which will convert into a cot bed/toddler beds. If extra resources 'd like your child (or children) to be capable of sleeping in a bigger cot, it's an excellent idea to choose the larger size.
MFM mom home tester Jasmine liked that this bedside cot was a little bigger than the Moses basket but not too large for the space of her baby's. She says it's easy to get her baby in and out for night feeding or soothing and that the quality is great in comparison to other cots she's seen that are flimsy.
Another home test subject, Emily, likes how the Maxi-Cosi Lora can be used in a variety of ways - it's a lift-off bassinet that you can move around the home, and it's rocking too. It also has a reflux incline option and a machine-washable liner that breathes. It was also shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. The Lora fits South African cot mattress unlike some international or European brands. This means you don't have to purchase a new mattress every time your baby grows. It will require a specific bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the perfect mattress for your cot here.
Height
When you are choosing a crib that is bedside make sure it can be adjusted to the ideal height for you. It must also be able to be lowered down so that you can lift your baby closer to you for feedings at night or soothing. This feature is particularly useful when you're recovering from an operation such as a C-section. For example the Next2me and Tutti Bambini cots can be adjusted to a height of 58cm while the Snuzpod 3 goes up to 63cm and the Knuma huddle up to 70cm.
Another thing to think about is the height you would like to set for the cot's base to be. While some mothers find it easier to lift their babies out of traditional Moses baskets when they are at the lowest height, others prefer a higher base to give them more stability. One of our testers for mums mentioned that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular choice. It is an easily collapsible side that you can press at the press of the button.
Keep in mind that a bassinet or bedside sleeping device is only suitable when your baby can hold his head without assistance, which is typically about 6 months old. This is due to the possibility of suffocation. It's also important to note that if you opt for a bassinet/bedside sleeper that can be converted into a crib and vice versa, you must remove the sides as soon as your child is ready for this to ensure they don't climb out or get out of the bed.
Design
There are a variety of styles of cribs for beds that range from basic to luxurious. The more luxurious options may include features like an integrated night light and a calming centre that plays music and sounds and has two levels of vibrations to help soothe baby back to sleep, or an adjustable base that makes it easier to reach your child for feedings. Some models can be converted into a toddler bed or cot (or both) when your child is ready for their own bed.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air For instance has won Bronze at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards for the Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib category. It has a swivelling bottom that allows you to take your baby to the crib and move them to the other side of the crib without having to get out of bed. This is perfect for new mothers recovering from Caesareans, or those who need to stay in bed for extended periods. MFM mum home tester Jasmine loved this feature, saying it was easy to use and made her baby much more manageable - especially after her c-section.
Another option is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which was awarded Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It is equipped with a machine-washable liner, reflux incline, and rocking feature. It's bigger than other cribs we've tested, however it folds into its bag for travel, making it a small size when not in use.
Leya, MFM mum home tester Also, she appreciated the bedside crib's function. She said it was designed for both parents and children. It is a fantastic design that is incredibly simple to operate and is extremely sturdy. Its swivelling base is fantastic because it allows you to move the bassinet from side-to-side and one of its sides can be let down to make access easier - particularly for new mums who are recovering from their C-sections,' she added.
Safety
The most important safety aspect of a large bedside cot is that it can be adjusted or moved to allow parents to reach their baby when they need to feed them, soothe them, or change their nappy. This makes it ideal for new mothers who may still recovering from a C-section. Find a model that lets you lower one side at the press of a button, so you can easily lift your baby up without needing to get out of the bed. This is particularly important as your baby gets older and more mobile. Do not add bedside crib that turns into cot that may increase the chance of suffocation or injury, such as pillowcases and duvets that can cause your baby to overheat.
The NPR of the CPSC's NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to product problems that included 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 miscellaneous other product-related issues (9 incidents).
In its NPR the CPSC looked into the possibility of adding more requirements to bedside sleepers. For instance they would need to meet the minimum height requirements for bassinets or at the very least, the maximum height requirements for the rails that are lowered. However the CPSC concluded that such requirements are not feasible or effective to reduce the number of incidents in which infants were entrapped between a bedside sleeper and an adult bed.
The majority of the incidents covered in the NPR concerned multi-use bedside sleepers which can be converted into other modes, such as bassinets or play yards. A number of commenters suggested that the CPSC include in the proposed rule an alternative option for multiuse bedside sleepers to allow them to meet the minimum side-height requirements for bassinets through the use of a removable attachment that can be permanently connected or removed when the product is not being used as an actual bassinet.
The CPSC is currently examining these and other comments that were received in response to its NPR on bedside sleepers. The Commission will take into consideration these comments when it decides on the final rule, which is expected to be released in November of 2021.