Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots, also referred as bassinets and co-sleepers, are designed to allow parents to rest close to their children at night without the risk of SIDS. They are only recommended for up to 6 months, after which your baby is ready to move to a bed.
Mehack is an MFM home tester, was impressed by the fact that this model has an integrated bassinet that can be used throughout the house. It also features the ability to rock manually. It was also easy to put together and came with its own travel bag for convenient storage.
Size
Cots and cots differ in terms of size in size, with cots smaller than cot beds. bedside cots for newborns can be converted into toddler beds, whereas cot beds are generally only used until three years old. old. If you're considering a wooden cot, there are usually two sizes available that are large and standard both of which can be converted into a cot/toddler bed. The larger of the two is a good option for children who want to sleep in it until the age of +/- three.
MFM mum home tester Jasmine was pleased that this bedside cot was a little bigger than the Moses basket, but not too big for her baby's room. She says it's easy to carry her child in and out for feeding or soothing and the quality is top-notch in comparison to other cots she's seen that feel flimsy.
Emily who is a home-based tester, is thrilled by the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi Lora that is a portable, lift-off bassinet. It also rocks. It also has an option to tilt the reflux upwards and a machine-washable liner that breathes. It was also nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. The Lora fits South African cot mattress unlike some international or European brands. This means that you do not need to purchase a new mattress every time your baby grows. It does require a special bedding set (60x120cm). Here you can find the ideal mattress for your cot.
Height
When you are choosing a cot for your bed choose one that can be elevated to a height that is comfortable for you to feed your babies. It must also be lowered to a level that is not in the way so you can lift up your child towards you to feed them at night or soothe him. This feature is particularly useful if you're recovering from a 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 consider the height you would like the base of your crib to be. While some mums find it easier to lift their children out of standard Moses baskets at the lowest level, some mothers prefer having a higher base that gives them more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a popular option and one of our mum testers stating that it comes with a simple collapsible side that is easy to press down at the touch of a button.
Be aware that a bedside or bassinet device should only be used when your baby can hold his head up with no assistance, which is usually around 6 months. This is due to the risk of being suffocated. It is also important to be aware that when your child is old enough to convert a bassinet/bedside sleeping system into a cot you must take the sides off once they are able to do this. This will stop them from climbing out or falling out of the bed.
Design
There are many styles of cribs for bedside use, ranging from basic to extravagant. Some of the most luxurious options include features like an inbuilt light, a soothing center that plays music and sound and has two levels to help ease your baby back to sleep. Another option is an adjustable footrest that allows you to reach your child to feed them. Certain models can be converted into an infant bed or cot bed (or both) when your child is ready to go to their own bed.
For example the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air which was awarded Bronze in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards in the Crib, Best Cot or Moses Basket category, has an adjustable base that allows you to pick up 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 Caesarean births, or those who need to remain in bed for long periods of time. Jasmine is an MFM mum who tested this product at home, said that it was easy to operate and made it easier for her 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 as the Best Cot, Moses Basket, or Crib and has a machine-washable lining, reflux incline, and a rocking feature. It's slightly larger than the other bedside cribs we tested but it folds flat into its bag for travel, so it's relatively compact when not in use.
Leya, MFM mum home tester also praised the bedside crib's functionality. She said it was designed for parents and children. It is a fantastic design that is very easy to manoeuvre and it is extremely sturdy. She also said that the swivelling bassinet base was a great idea since it allowed you to move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lowered to facilitate access for mothers who are recovering from c-sections.
Safety
The most important safety feature of a large bedside cot is that it is able to be raised or lowered to enable parents to reach their child when they require to feed them, soothe them, or change their nappy. This means that it's ideal for new mothers who may still recovering from a C-section. You should look for the design that allows you to lower the side of the bed with a simple button press. This will allow you to lift your child without having to get out of the bed. This is especially important as your baby gets older and becomes more mobile. It is also important to be careful not to add anything to the crib that could increase the chance of suffocation or injury, including pillows and duvets. These can cause babies to overheat.
The NPR of the CPSC NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to product-related issues that include gaps between a bedside sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside sleeper (12 incidents) and enclosed openings with fabric sides (11) and consumer disassembly (6 incidents).
In its NPR In its NPR, the CPSC examined the possibility of additional requirements for sleepers in bed, such as the requirement that these beds satisfy the minimum side height requirement for bassinets, or at a minimum, meet the maximum height requirement for the lowered side rail. However the CPSC determined that these requirements are not feasible or effective to reduce 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 which can be converted to other modes such as bassinets and play yards. Many commenters suggested that the CPSC include a different clause to the proposed rule for bedside sleepers that are multi-use that would permit them to meet minimum side height requirements for bassinets using an attachment that is removable. Attachments can be permanently attached or removed when the item is not being used as a bassinet for babies.
The CPSC is currently examining these and other comments received in response to its NPR on bedside sleepers. The Commission will consider these comments when deciding on the final rule, which is expected to be released in November 2021.