Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots (also known as co-sleepers and bassinets) are designed to allow parents to rest with their baby at night without the risk of SIDS. However, they are only suggested for use until 6 months of age when your baby will be required to be moved into a cot or a moses basket.
MFM home tester Mehack loved that this model has a bassinet that can be lifted off to use throughout the house, as well as an option to rock manually. It was also easy to assemble and came in its own bag for easy storage.
Size
Cots are smaller than cots. They are less than. They can also be converted into toddler beds, while they are typically used until three years old. older. If you're opting for a wooden cot, there are typically two sizes to choose from that are large and standard both of which convert into a cot/toddler bed. If you wish for your child (or children) to be able to sleep in a bigger cot, it's a great option to select the larger one.
MFM mother home tester Jasmine liked that this bedside cot was slightly bigger than the Moses basket, but not too big for her baby's room. She claims that it is easy to get the baby into and out of the cot during evening feedings or to soothe and that the quality is superior to others she has seen that are cheap and flimsy.
Another home-based test subject, Emily, likes how the Maxi-Cosi Lora can be used in a variety of ways - it's a lift-off bassinet that can be moved around the home, and it's a blast too. It also comes with an option for inclining the reflux and a machine-washable liner that is breathable. 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, the Lora can fit South African cot mattresses so you don't need to buy another mattress as your baby grows. However, it requires an exclusive bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the perfect mattress for your cot here.
Height
When selecting a bedside crib, choose one that can be adjusted to a comfortable height for you. It should also be able of being dropped down to allow you to lift your baby up towards you for night feeds or soothing. This is especially useful if you're recovering from a C-section. For instance the Next2me and Tutti Bambini cots can be adjusted up 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. While some mothers find it easier to lift their babies out of the standard Moses baskets at the smallest level, some mothers prefer having a higher base that gives them more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a well-liked option and one of our mum testers stating that it has an easy-to-use collapsible side that you can push down with the click of a button.

Be aware that a bedside or bassinet device should only be used when your baby is able to hold his head without assistance, which is typically around 6 months. This is due to the danger of inhaling suffocation. You should also be aware that if your child is old enough to turn the bedside sleeper into a cot, you must remove the sides when they are ready to do so. This will prevent them from climbing out or falling out of bed.
Design
There are a variety of styles of cribs for bedside use with a range of styles from simple to extravagant. Some of the most luxurious options include features like an inbuilt light, a soothing center which plays music and sounds and comes with two levels to help soothe your baby back to sleep, or a swivelling footrest that allows you to reach your child in order to feed them. Some models can be converted into an infant bed or cot (or both) when your child is ready for their own bed.
For example, the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, which won Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Crib, Best Cot or Moses Basket category, has a swivelling base that lets you take your baby and transfer them from one side of the crib to the other without needing to get out of bed. This is ideal for new mums recovering from Caesarean sections or who have to remain in bed for long periods of time. MFM mom home tester Jasmine was awed by this feature, stating that it was easy to use and made her baby easier - especially after her c-section.
Another alternative is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Award in the category of Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It also comes with a machine-washable liner, reflux incline and rocking feature. It's a bit larger than other cribs for bed we've looked at, but it folds flat into its bag for travel, so it is relatively compact when not in use.
Leya, MFM mum home tester, also appreciated the bedside crib's function. She claimed that it was designed to be used by parents and infants. It is easy to move and super-sturdy. The swivelling base of the bassinet is amazing as it means you can move the bassinet from side to side, and one of its sides can be lowered down to facilitate access especially for mothers who are recovering from their C-sections,' she added.
Safety
The most important safety characteristic of a bedside cot is that it can be easily raised or lowered to enable parents to reach their baby when they require to feed, comfort them, or change their nappy. 4-in-1 bedside crib is why it's perfect for mothers who still recovering from a C-section. Find a model that lets you lower one side with the press of a button, so you can effortlessly lift your baby without getting out of bed. This is especially important as your baby gets older and becomes more mobile. Do not add anything that may increase the risk of injury or suffocation, like duvets and pillows which could cause your baby to become overheated.
The NPR of 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) Fabric-side enclosed openings (11 incidents) as well as consumer misassembly, or missing components (6 incidents); and miscellaneous other product-related issues (9 incidents).
In its NPR In its NPR, the CPSC examined the possibility of imposing additional requirements for bedside sleepers, like 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 weren't efficient or effective in reducing the amount of instances where infants are entrapped by the bedside rail and an adult bed.
A majority of the incidents mentioned in the NPR included multi-use bedside beds that can be transformed into different types of furniture, like play yards or bassinets. Many commenters suggested that CPSC include in the proposed rule an alternative option for multi-use bedside sleepers that would enable them to meet the minimum side-height requirement of bassinets using an attachment that is removable and can be connected permanently or disconnected when the product is not being used as a bassinet.
The CPSC is currently reviewing these comments and others received in response to the NPR regarding bedside sleeping. 4-in-1 bedside crib will consider these comments when voting on the final rule that is expected to be published in November 2021.