Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots, also referred to as bassinets or co-sleepers are designed to allow parents to sleep close to their infants at night, without the risk of SIDS. co sleeper bedside cot are recommended for up to 6 months, after which 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 the ability to rock manually. It was also simple to assemble and came in its own travel bag for convenient storage.
Size
Cots are smaller than cots. They are less than. They also can be converted into toddler beds, while the cot beds are typically used for up to three years. old. If you're opting for a wooden cot, you'll find two sizes available both large and standard both of which convert into a toddler bed or cot beds. If you wish for your child (or children) to be able to sleep in a larger cot, it's a good idea to pick the larger one.
MFM mom home tester Jasmine was pleased 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 carry her child in and out for night feeding or soothing, and that the quality is great when compared to other cots she's seen that feel flimsy.
Emily, another home-based tester, is thrilled by the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi lora which is a lift-off, mobile bassinet. It also rocks. It also comes with an incline of reflux as well as a machine washable liner that breathes. large bedside crib was also shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. Unlike some International or European cot brands Lora is a cot that Lora can be fitted with South African cot mattresses so you don't have to buy another mattress as your baby grows. However, it will require a special bespoke bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the right mattress for your cot here.
Height
When selecting a cot for the bed, look for one that can be raised to a level that is comfortable for feeding your the baby. It also needs to be able to be lowered to the ground so that you can pull your baby up towards you for night feeds or to soothe. This feature is especially useful if you are recovering from a C-section. The Next2me cot and the Tutti Bambini can be adjusted to an maximum height of 58cm while the Snuzpod 3 can go up to 63cm and the Knuma Hutch up to 70cm.
Another thing to think about is how low you want the base of your cot to be. Some mums find that it is easier to lift their babies from their standard Moses baskets if the base is at the lowest point, while some prefer a higher elevation to provide them with more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a popular choice with one of our mum testers saying that it has an easy-to-use collapsible part that you can push down with the click of the 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 with no assistance, which is usually about 6 months old. This is because of the risk of suffocation. You should also be aware that if your child is old enough to turn the bedside sleeper into a cot you must take the sides off when they are able to do this. This will prevent them from climbing out or falling out of the bed.
Design
There are many different styles of cribs that are bedside, ranging from basic to extravagant. The more luxurious options may include features such as a built-in nightlight or a soothing center that plays sounds and music and offers two levels of vibrating to help soothe your baby to sleep, or an adjustable base that makes it easier to reach your child for feedings. There are also models that can be converted to an infant bed or a toddler bed (or both) which is ideal when your child is ready to transition to a larger bed.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air for instance was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards for the Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib category. It features a swivelling bottom that lets you pick up your baby and move them to the opposite side of the crib without getting out of the bed. This is ideal for mothers who are recovering from Caesarean births or who require bed for longer periods of time. Jasmine is an MFM mom who tried this product at home, said it was easy to operate and made it easier for her to reach her baby - especially after a C-section.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another option. It was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards as the Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib and has a machine-washable interior, reflux incline, and a rocking feature. It's bigger than the other cribs for bed that we've tested, but it folds down into its travel bag to make it a small size when not in use.
MFM mom home test Leya also liked the functionality of this bedside crib, she explained how it was created with parents and babies in mind. It is very easy to move and extremely sturdy. The swivelling base of the bassinet is amazing because it lets you move the bassinet from side to side and one of its sides can be lowered down to make access easier especially for mothers who are recovering from C-sections,' she added.
Safety
The main safety aspect of a large 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, soothe them or change their nappy. This makes it perfect for mothers who are recovering from a c-section. Find a model that allows you to 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 essential, especially when your baby grows and becomes more mobile. You should also avoid adding anything to the cot that increases the risk of suffocation or injury, like duvets and pillows, which can cause babies to overheat.
The CPSC's NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to product issues, such as gaps between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed (12 incidents) and enclosed openings with fabric sides (11 incidents) and consumer misassembly or missing components (6 incidents); and miscellaneous other product-related issues (9 incidents).
In its NPR the CPSC looked into the possibility of introducing additional requirements to bedside sleepers. For example the products would need to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets or at a minimum, the maximum height requirements for the rail that is lowered. However, the CPSC determined that these requirements would not be efficient or feasible to reduce the amount of instances in which infants were entrapped between a bedside sleeper and an adult bed.
Many of the incidents reported in the NPR concerned multi-use bedside sleepers which can be converted into different types of furniture, like bassinets or play yards. Several commenters suggested that the CPSC include in the proposed rule an alternative provision for multi-use bedside beds to enable them to meet the minimum side-height requirement for bassinets through the use of a removable attachment that can be connected permanently or removed when the product is not being used as an actual bassinet.
The CPSC is reviewing these comments as well as other submissions received in response to the NPR on bedside sleeping. The Commission will take into account these comments when deciding on the final rule which is expected to be published in November 2021.