Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots, also referred to as bassinets and co-sleepers, are designed to allow parents to rest close to their babies at night without the danger of SIDS. They are only recommended up to 6 months, when your baby is old enough to move to a bed.
MFM home tester Mehack loved the fact that this model comes with an adjustable bassinet that you can use throughout the house, as well as a manual rocking function. It was easy to assemble, and came with its own travel bag.
Size
Continue Reading and cots differ in terms of size in size, with cots smaller than cot beds. Cots can also be transformed into toddler beds. However they are typically used for children up to the age of three. If you're considering a wooden cot, there are usually two sizes to choose from - standard and large - both of which can be converted into a cot/toddler mattress. If you wish for your child (or children) to be comfortable sleeping in a larger cot, it's an excellent option to select the larger size.
MFM mom home test Jasmine loved that the bedside cot was slightly larger than a Moses basket but not too big for her baby's room. It's easy to lift her baby into and out of the cot for nighttime feeding or soothing and that the quality is excellent in comparison to other cots she's seen that are flimsy.
Emily is another home tester, loves the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi lora that is a lift-off, portable bassinet. It also is a rock. It also comes with an option to tilt the reflux upwards and a machine-washable breathable liner. It was also shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. The Lora is a perfect fit for a South African cot mattress unlike many international or European brands. This means that you do not need to purchase a new mattress every time your baby grows. It requires a specific bedding set (60x120cm). Here is the ideal mattress for your cot.
Height
When choosing a bedside cot choose one that can be raised up to a level that is comfortable for feeding your the baby. It should also be able to be lower away from the way, so that you can pull your baby to feed them at night or to soothe him. This is especially useful in the event of recovering from a C-section. The Next2me cot and the 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. Some moms find it is easier to lift their infants from standard Moses baskets when the base is situated at the lowest level, while others prefer a higher level to provide them with more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a popular option, with one of our mum test subjects saying that it comes with a simple collapsible side that is easy to use at the push of the button.
Remember that a bassinet/bedside sleeper should only be used until your baby can hold their head up without assistance, usually at about 6 months. This is because of the danger of inhaling suffocation. You should also be aware that when your child is old enough to convert an existing bedside or bassinet into a cot you will need to take the sides off when they are able to do so. This will stop them from climbing out or falling out of the bed.
Design
There are many different styles of cribs that are bedside, ranging from simple to luxurious. The more luxurious options may include features such as an integrated night light or a soothing center that plays sounds and music and has two levels of vibrating to help soothe your baby back to sleep, or an adjustable base that allows you to easily get your baby's food in the right place. There are also models which can be made into a cot bed or toddler bed (or both) ideal for when your child is ready to transition to their own bigger bed.
For example the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air that won Bronze in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards for the Best Crib, Cot or Moses Basket category, has an adjustable base that lets you take your baby and move them from one side of the crib to the other without having to get out of bed. This is perfect for new mums recovering from Caesarean sections or those who have to remain in bed for long periods of time. Jasmine is an MFM mom who tried this product at home, said it was easy to operate and made it easier to reach her baby - especially after having a c-section.
Another alternative 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 feature. It's slightly larger than other bedside cribs we tried, but it folds flat in its travel bag, so it's quite compact when not in use.
MFM mom home test Leya also liked the functionality of this bedside crib, describing how it was designed with the needs of parents and children in mind. It is lightweight and easy to move. Its swivelling base is fantastic because it allows you to move the bassinet from side-to-side and one of its sides can be opened down to make access easier especially for new mothers who are recovering from their c-sections,' she said.
Safety
The most important security characteristic of a bedside cot is that it can be easily adjusted or moved to allow parents to reach their baby when they need to feed them, comfort them, or change their nappy. This makes it perfect for new mothers recovering from a C-section. Find a model that allows you to lower one side at the press of a button so you can effortlessly lift your baby without needing to get out of bed. This is particularly important as your baby grows older and becomes more mobile. Avoid adding anything that could increase the risk of injury or suffocation, such as pillowcases and duvets which could cause your baby to overheat.
The NPR released by the CPSC 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 components (6 incidents); and miscellaneous other product-related issues (9 incidents).
In its NPR in its NPR, the CPSC looked into the possibility of imposing additional requirements for bedside sleepers, like the requirement that they meet the minimum side height requirement for bassinets, or at least meet the maximum height requirement for the lowered side rail. The CPSC decided, however, that these requirements were not efficient or effective in reducing the number of instances in which infants are entrapped by a bedside rail and an adult bed.
A majority of the incidents reported in the NPR included bedside sleepers with multiple uses that could be converted into other types of use, such as play yards and bassinets. Many commenters suggested that the CPSC add an alternative option to the proposed rule for bedside sleepers with multiple uses which would permit them to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets by using an attachment that is removable. Attachments can be permanently connected or disconnected when the product's not being used as a bassinet for babies.
The CPSC is examining these and other comments received in response to its NPR regarding bedside sleepers. The Commission will consider these comments when voting on the final rule which is expected to come out in November 2021.