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 danger of SIDS. However they are not recommended for use up to 6 months, when your baby will need to be moved into a cot, or a moses basket.
MFM home tester Mehack loved the fact that this model has an adjustable bassinet that you can use around the house and an option to rock manually. It was easy to assemble, and came with its own travel bag.
Size
best bedside cot are smaller than cots. They are less than. Cots can also be transformed into toddler beds. However they are typically intended for children who are the age of three. If you're looking for a wooden cot, you'll find two sizes to choose from both large and standard both of which will convert into a toddler bed or cot mattress. The larger one is a good choice if you want your child to sleep in it until the age of at least three years old.
Jasmine, an MFM mother who tested the product at home, said she liked that it was a bit bigger than the typical Moses' basket but still not too large for the baby's room. She says it's easy to carry her child in and out for feeding or soothing, and that the quality is great in comparison to other cots she's seen that feel flimsy.
Emily who is a home tester, loves the flexibility of the Maxi-Cosi lora - it is a lift-off, mobile bassinet. It also rocks. It also comes with an option for inclining the reflux and a machine-washable breathable liner. It was also nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. Contrary to 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 a new mattress as your baby grows. It requires a specific bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the right mattress for your cot here.
Height
When you are choosing a cot for your bed, look for one that can be raised to a height that's comfortable for you to feed your babies. It must also be lower to a level that is not in the way so that you can pull your child towards you to feed them at night or comfort him. This is especially useful in the event of recovering from 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 can be adjusted to 70cm.
You should also think about the height you would like the bottom of your crib to be. While some mothers find it easier to get their babies out of standard Moses baskets when they are at the lowest height, other mums prefer an elevated base to give them more stability. One of our mom testers mentioned that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular choice. It has an easily collapsible side that you can press at the touch a button.
Remember that a bassinet/bedside sleeping device should only be used until your baby is able to hold their head up unaided typically around 6 months. This is due to the risk of being suffocated. You should also be aware that when your child is old enough to turn a bassinet/bedside sleeping system into a cot, they must remove the sides once they are ready to do this. This will stop them from falling out or climbing out of the bed.
Design
There are many different styles of cribs that are bedside, ranging from basic to extravagant. Some of the most luxurious options include features like a built-in light and a soothing center that plays music and sounds and has two levels that help to soothe your baby back to sleep. Another option is the swivelling footrest, which makes it easier for you to reach your child in order to feed them. You can also find models that can be converted to the form of a toddler bed or cot bed (or both), perfect when your child is ready to transition to a bigger bed.
For example the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air which was awarded Bronze in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards for the Best Crib, Cot or Moses Basket category, has a swivelling base that allows you to take your baby and move them from one side of the crib to the other without needing to get up. This is perfect for mothers who are recovering from Caesareans or who have to remain in bed for prolonged periods of time. Jasmine is an MFM mum who tested this product at home, stated that it was simple to use and made it easier to reach her baby, especially after having a c-section.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another option. It was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards to be the best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib. It has a machine-washable lining, reflux incline, and rocking feature. It's a bit bigger than other cribs that we've tested but it folds flat in its travel bag, so it is relatively compact when not in use.
MFM mum home test Leya also liked the functionality of this crib for bed, she explained how it was created with parents and babies in mind. It is a fantastic design that is very easy to manoeuvre and it is extremely sturdy. Its swivelling base is brilliant as it means you can move the bassinet from side-to-side, and one of its sides can be lowered down to make access easier especially for new mothers who are recovering from c-sections,' she said.
Safety
The main safety aspect of a large bedside cot is that it can be adjusted or moved to allow parents to reach their child when they require to feed them, soothe them, or change their nappy. This is ideal for mothers who are recovering from a c-section. You should look for the design that allows you to lower the sides of the bed with a simple button press. This allows you to raise your child without having to get out of bed. This is particularly important as your baby gets older and becomes more mobile. Avoid adding anything that could increase the chance of injury or suffocation like duvets and pillows, which can cause your baby to become overheated.
The CPSC's NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to product-related issues, such as gaps between a bedside sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside sleeper (12 incidents), fabric-sided enclosed openings (11) and consumer assembly errors (6 incidents).
In its NPR In its NPR, the CPSC examined the possibility of additional requirements for bedside sleepers, like the requirement that these beds satisfy the minimum side height requirement for bassinets or at least meet the maximum height requirement for the side rail. However, the CPSC found that these requirements are not practical or effective in reducing the amount of instances in which infants were trapped between a bedside sleeper and an adult bed.
Many of the reported incidents in the NPR involved multiuse bedside sleepers that could be converted into other modes such as bassinets and play yards. Several commenters suggested that the CPSC include in the proposed rule an alternative option for multi-use bedside beds to allow them to meet the minimum side-height requirement of bassinets through the use of an attachment that is removable and can be permanently connected or disconnected when the product is not being used as an actual bassinet.
The CPSC is currently reviewing these comments and others received in response to the NPR on sleep at night. The Commission will take into consideration these comments when it decides on the final rule which is expected to be issued in the month of November 2021.