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 risk of SIDS. However they are not suitable for use up to 6 months, when your baby will be required to be moved into a cot or moses basket.
Mehack, a MFM home tester, was impressed by the fact that this model features a bassinet that can be used all around the home. It also has the ability to rock manually. It was easy to assemble and even came with a travel bag.
Size
Cots are smaller than cots. They are smaller than. They can also be converted into toddler beds, whereas the cot beds are typically used up to three years older. If you're looking for a wooden cot, there are typically two sizes available that are large and standard both of which will convert into a toddler bed or cot mattress. If you'd like your child (or children) to be comfortable sleeping in the larger cot, it's a great idea to choose the larger one.
MFM mother home test Jasmine liked that this bedside cot was slightly bigger than a Moses basket but not too big for her baby's room. It's easy to get her baby into and out of the cot for nighttime feeding or soothing, and that the quality is great in comparison to other cots she's encountered that feel cheap and flimsy.
Emily is another home tester, is awed by the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi lora that is a lift-off, mobile bassinet. It also is a rock. It also comes with an option for inclining the reflux and a machine-washable liner that is breathable. And it was shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Cot Crib, Crib, or Moses Basket. Contrary to some International or European cot brands, the Lora can be fitted with South African cot mattresses so you don't need to purchase an entirely new mattress each time your baby grows. However, it requires a specific bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the right mattress for your cot here.
Height
When choosing a bedside cot choose one that can be elevated to a level that is comfortable for you to feed your the baby. It should also be able to be lowered out of the way, so you can raise your child towards you to feed them at night or to soothe him. This feature is particularly helpful in the event of 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 to 70cm.
Another thing to think about is how low you want the base of your cot. While some mothers find it easier to lift their babies out of the standard Moses baskets at the smallest height, other mums prefer a higher base to give them more stability. One of our mom testers stated that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular option. It has a collapsible side you can press at the press of one button.
Be aware that a bassinet/bedside sleeper should not be used until your baby is able to hold their head up unaided, usually at about 6 months. This is due to the danger 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 as soon as they are able to do this. This will stop them from climbing out or falling out of the bed.
Design
There are a variety of cribs that are bedside, ranging from basic to lavish. The most luxurious models could include features like an integrated night light, a soothing centre which plays music and sounds and comes with two levels of vibration to help soothe your baby back to sleep, or even a swivelling base that allows you to easily get your baby's food in the right place. Some models can be transformed into an infant bed or cot (or both) when your child is ready to go to their own bed.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air for instance, won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot Moses Basket or Crib category. It is a swivelling base that allows you to take your baby to the crib and transfer them to the opposite side of the crib without getting out of the bed. This is ideal for new mothers who are recovering from Caesareans or who need to stay in the bed for extended periods of time. bedside co sleeper cot was awed by this feature, saying it was simple to use and made reaching her baby easier - especially after her c-section.
Another option is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which was awarded Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the category of Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It includes a machine-washable liner, reflux incline and rocking feature. It's bigger than the other cribs we tested, but it folds up into its bag for travel, making it relatively compact when it's not in use.
MFM mom home test Leya loved the practicality of this bedside crib 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 durable. She 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 make access easier for mothers who are recovering from c-sections.
Safety
A bedside cot that is large and spacious's most important safety characteristic is that it is able to be raised or lowered so parents can reach their baby to feed or comfort them, or change his or their nappies. This is ideal for mothers who are recovering from an C-section. You should choose the design that lets you lower the bed's side with a single button press. This allows you to raise your child without having to get out of the bed. This is particularly crucial as your baby grows older and becomes more mobile. You should also avoid adding anything to the cot that increases the chance of suffocation or injury, including pillows and duvets, which can cause babies to overheat.
The CPSC's NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to product issues that include gaps between a bedside sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside sleeper (12 incidents), fabric-sided enclosed openings (11) and consumer misassembly (6 incidents).
In its NPR the CPSC considered 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 the very least, the maximum height requirements for the rails that are lowered. However, the CPSC found that these requirements are not practical or effective in reducing the number of incidents in which infants were trapped between a bedside sleeper and an adult bed.
The majority of the reported incidents in the NPR included bedside sleepers with multiple uses that can be converted to other modes such as bassinets and play yards. Many commenters suggested that 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 by using an attachment that can be permanently connected or disconnected when the product is not being used as an actual bassinet.
The CPSC is examining these comments as well as other submissions received in response to the NPR regarding bedside sleeping. The Commission will consider these comments when deciding on the final rule that is expected to come out in November 2021.