Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots, also known as bassinets and co-sleepers, are designed to allow parents to rest close to their children at night without the risk of SIDS. However, they are only suitable for use up to 6 months of age when your baby is required to move into a cot, or a moses basket.
Mehack Mehack, an MFM home tester, was awed by the fact that this model features a bassinet that can be used throughout the house. It also features a manual rocking feature. It was easy to set up, and came with its own travel bag.
Size
Cots are smaller than cots. They are less than. They also can be converted into toddler beds, whereas the cot beds are typically used up to three years older. There are two sizes of wooden cots - large and standard - which can be converted into a toddler bed or a cot. The larger of the two is a good choice if you want your child to sleep in it until the age of at least three years old.
MFM mum home tester Jasmine liked that this bedside cot was a little bigger than a Moses basket but not too large for her baby's room. It's easy to get her baby into and out of the cot for nighttime feeding or soothing, and that the quality is excellent when compared to other cots she's seen that feel flimsy.
Another home-based test subject, Emily, likes how the Maxi-Cosi is a versatile product - it's a lift-off bassinet that can be moved around the house, and it rocks too. It also has a reflux incline and a machine washable liner that is breathable. It was also shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. The Lora is compatible with a 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. However, it requires a specific bedding set (60x120cm). Here's the perfect mattress for your cot.
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 lower to a level that is not in the way so that you can pull your baby to feed them at night or comfort him. This feature is particularly useful if you're recovering from an operation such as a C-section. The Next2me cot and the 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 think about is how low you want the cot's base to be. Some mothers find it is easier to lift their babies from standard Moses baskets if the base is at the lowest point, while some prefer a higher elevation to give them greater stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a popular choice with one of our mom test subjects saying that it comes with a simple collapsible part that you can press down at the touch of the button.
Be aware that a bedside or bassinet device is only suitable when your baby can hold his head up with no assistance, which is usually at around 6 months. This is due to the risk of inhaling suffocation. It's also important to note that if you choose a bassinet/bedside sleeper that can be converted into a crib, you will need to remove the sides as soon as your child is able to do this, so that they don't climb out or fall out of the bed.
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There are many different styles of bedside cribs, from basic to extravagant. The most luxurious models could include features such as a built-in nightlight and a calming centre that plays sounds and music and offers two levels of vibration to help soothe baby back to sleep, or even the swivelling base which allows you to reach your child for feedings. You may also find some models that can be converted to an infant bed or a toddler bed (or both), perfect when your child is ready to transition to their own bigger 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 newborn and move them from one side of the crib to the other without needing to get out of bed. This is ideal for new mothers who are recovering from Caesareans or who require a the bed for extended durations of time. Jasmine is an MFM mother who tested the product at home, said it was easy to operate and made it easier for her to reach her baby - especially after having a c-section.
Another option is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Award in the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket and comes with a machine-washable liner, reflux incline and rocking function. It's larger than other cribs for bed that we tested, but it folds down into its bag for travel, making it a small size when not in use.
Leya, MFM mum home tester also 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 very easy to manoeuvre and it is extremely durable. She said that the bassinet's swivelling base was fantastic because it let you move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lower to make access easier, especially for new mums recovering from c-sections.
Safety
The most important security characteristic of a bedside cot is that it is able to be adjusted or moved to allow parents to reach their baby when they require to feed them, comfort them, or change their nappies. This is ideal for new mothers recovering from a c-section. You should look for a design which allows you to lower the sides of the bed by pressing a button. This will allow you to lift your child without having to get out of bed. This is crucial, particularly as your baby grows and becomes more mobile. You should also be careful not to add anything to the crib that increases the risk of suffocation or injury, including pillows and duvets. These can cause babies to overheat.
The NPR released by the CPSC NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to product issues, such as gaps between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed (12 incidents) Fabric-side enclosed openings (11 incidents); consumer misassembly or missing parts (6 incidents) and miscellaneous other product-related issues (9 incidents).
In its NPR, the CPSC considered the possibility of adding additional requirements for bedside sleepers, such as the requirement that they meet the minimum side height requirement for bassinets or at the very least, meet the maximum height requirement for the side rail. The CPSC found, however that these requirements were not practical or effective in reducing amount of instances where infants are trapped between the bedside rail as well as an adult bed.
Many of the incidents reported in the NPR concerned multi-use bedside sleepers which can be converted into other modes, such as bassinets or play yards. Many commenters suggested that the CPSC add a second option to the proposed rule for multi-use bedside sleepers that would permit them to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets by using a removable attachment. This attachment can be permanently attached or disconnected when the product's not being used as a baby bassinet.
The CPSC is examining these comments as well as other submissions received in response to the NPR on sleep at night. The Commission will consider these comments when it votes on the final rule which is expected to be released in November 2021.