Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots, also known as bassinets and co-sleepers, are designed to allow parents to rest close to their infants at night without the danger 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.
MFM home tester Mehack loved the fact that this model comes with a bassinet that can be lifted off to use around the house and an option to rock manually. It was also easy to put together and came with its own travel bag for convenient storage.
Size
Cots are smaller than cots. They can also be converted into toddler beds, whereas cot beds are generally only used until three years old. older. If you're considering a wooden cot, there are typically two sizes available - standard and large - both of which will convert into a toddler bed or cot beds. If you wish for your child (or children) to be comfortable sleeping in a bigger cot, it's a great option to select the larger size.
Jasmine is an MFM mum who tested the product at home, was pleased that it was slightly larger than a Moses basket, but not too large for her baby’s room. She says that it is easy to get the baby into and out of the cot for evening feedings or to soothe and that the quality is superior to others she has seen that are flimsy.
Emily who is a home-based tester, is thrilled by the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi Lora that is a lift-off, mobile bassinet. It also is a rock. It also has an incline of reflux as well as a machine washable breathable liner. And it was shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. In contrast to International or European cot brands Lora is a cot that Lora can be fitted with South African cot mattresses so you don't need to buy another mattress as your baby grows. However, it requires a special bespoke bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the right mattress for your cot here.
Height
When selecting a bedside crib, choose one that can be adjusted to the ideal height for you. It should also be able to be lower away from the way, so that you can pull your baby towards you to feed them at night or to soothe him. This feature is especially helpful if you're recovering from C-section. For example the Next2me and Tutti Bambini cots can be adjusted to an elevation of 58cm. the Snuzpod 3 goes up to 63cm and the Knuma huddle up to 70cm.
Another thing to consider is the height you would like to set for the base of your cot to be. While some mums find it easier to lift their babies out of traditional Moses baskets when they are at the lowest level, some mothers prefer an elevated base to give them more stability. One of our testers for mums mentioned that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular option. It is an easy-to-fold side that you can push at the touch one button.
Keep in mind that a bassinet/bedside sleeper is only suitable until your baby is able to hold their head up without assistance, usually at approximately 6 months. This is due to the possibility of inhaling suffocation. You should also be aware that if your child is old enough to turn the bedside sleeper into a cot you will have to take the sides off as soon as they are ready to do this. This will stop them from getting out or falling out of the bed.
Design
There are a variety of cribs for beds that range from basic to luxurious. Some of the most extravagant options include features such as an inbuilt light and a soothing center which plays music and sounds and has two levels to help soothe your baby back to sleep or a swivelling footrest that makes it easier for you to reach your child when you need to feed them. You can also find models that can be converted to an infant bed or a toddler bed (or both), perfect when your child is ready to move to a bigger bed.
For instance, the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air that won Bronze in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards in the Crib, Best Cot or Moses Basket category, has a swivelling 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 great for new mothers recovering from Caesareans or who have to stay in bed for long periods of time. MFM mum home tester Jasmine loved this feature, stating that it was simple to use and made her baby much easier - especially after her c-section.
Another alternative is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which has won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It comes with a machine-washable liner, reflux incline and rocking function. It's larger than other cribs we've tested, however it folds down into its travel bag to make it relatively compact when it's not in use.
MFM mom home tester Leya also appreciated the function of this bedside crib she explained how it was created with the needs of parents and children in mind. bedside crib or cot is very easy to move and extremely sturdy. She also said that the swivelling bassinet base was brilliant because it allowed you to 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 main safety aspect of a large bedside cot is that it can be easily moved up or down to allow parents to reach their child when they require to feed them, comfort them, or change their nappy. This makes it ideal for mothers who still recovering from a C section. You should look for an option that allows you to lower the bed's side by pressing a button. This allows you to lift your child up without having to get out of bed. This is important, especially when your baby grows and becomes more mobile. You should also not add anything to the crib that could increase the chance of suffocation, or injury, such as pillows and duvets, which could cause babies to become overheated.
bedside cosleeper includes 24 incidents that are attributed to product-related issues, such as gaps between the bedside sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside sleeper (12 incidents) as well as enclosed openings made of fabric (11) and consumer assembly errors (6 incidents).
In its NPR in its NPR, the CPSC examined the possibility of additional requirements for bedside sleepers, such as the requirement that these beds meet the minimum side height requirement for bassinets, or at the very least, meet the maximum height requirement for the lowered side rail. The CPSC found, however that these requirements weren't practical or effective in reducing the number of incidents where infants are trapped between the bedside rail and an adult bed.
A majority of the incidents mentioned in the NPR focused on multi-use bedside sleepers that can be transformed into different types of furniture, like play yards or bassinets. Several commenters suggested the CPSC add an alternative option to the proposed rule for bedside sleepers with multiple uses that would allow them to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets using an attachment that can be removed. This attachment can be permanently attached or removed when the item is not being used as a baby bassinet.
The CPSC is examining the comments and other suggestions received in response to the NPR regarding bedside sleeping. The Commission will take into consideration these comments when deciding on the final rule, which is expected to be issued in the month of November 2021.