Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots, also referred as bassinets or co-sleepers are designed to allow parents to rest close to their infants at night, without the risk of SIDS. However, they are only recommended for use up to 6 months when your baby will be required to be moved into a cot or a moses basket.
Mehack, a MFM home tester, was awed by the fact that this model features an adjustable bassinet that can be used around the home. It also has a manual rocking feature. It was simple to put together and even came with a travel bag.
Size
Cots are smaller than cots. They are less than. They can also be converted into toddler beds, while the cot beds are typically used for up to three years. older. There are two sizes of wooden cots - large and standard that can be converted into a toddler bed or cot. Choosing the larger one is a good idea for children who want to sleep in it until the age of +/- three.
MFM mum home test Jasmine was pleased that this bedside cot was a little bigger than the Moses basket but not too large for the space of her baby's. She says it's easy to lift her baby in and out for feeding or soothing, and that the quality is great, compared with many she's seen that are flimsy.
Another home-based test subject, Emily, likes how the Maxi-Cosi Lora can be used in a variety of ways It's a bassinet that lifts off that can be moved around the home, and it's rocking too. It also has a reflux incline option and a machine-washable breathable liner. It was also nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. In contrast to International or European cot brands Lora is a cot that Lora can fit South African cot mattresses so you don't need to purchase a new mattress as your baby grows. It does require a special bedding set (60x120cm). Here you can find the perfect mattress for your cot.
Height
When selecting a cot for the bed, look for one that can be raised up to a height that is comfortable for feeding your the baby. It also needs to be able to be dropped to the ground to allow you to lift your baby closer to you for feedings at night or to soothe. This feature is particularly useful when you're recovering from a C-section. For example 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.
You should also think about the level you would like the base of your crib to be. While wooden bedside cot find it easier to lift their children out of traditional Moses baskets at the lowest level, some mothers prefer a higher base to give them more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a popular choice and one of our mum testers saying that it comes with a simple collapsible part that you can push down with the click of the button.
Be aware that a bedside or bassinet should not be used until your baby is able to hold their head up unaided generally around 6 months. This is due to the danger of suffocation. You should also be aware that when your child is old enough to be able to convert an existing bedside or bassinet into a cot you must take the sides off once they are able to do so. This will stop them from climbing out or falling out of the bed.
Design
There are a variety of cribs for bedside use with a range of styles from simple to extravagant. Some of the more extravagant options include features like a built-in light and a soothing center which plays music and sounds and has two levels to help ease your baby back to sleep or the swivelling footrest, which makes it easier for you to reach your child to feed them. Some models can be converted into the toddler bed or cot (or both) when your child is ready for their own bed.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air For instance was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot Moses Basket or Crib category. It features a swivelling bottom that allows you to pick up your baby and move them to the opposite side of the crib without having to get out of bed. This makes it ideal for new mothers who are recovering from Caesareans or who need to stay in bed for longer periods of time. MFM mom home tester Jasmine loved this feature, saying it was easy to use and made reaching her baby much more manageable - especially after her c-section.
Another option is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which was awarded Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket and includes a machine-washable liner, reflux incline and rocking function. It's bigger than the other bedside cribs that we've tested, but it folds into its travel bag to make it a small size when not in use.
MFM mom home tester Leya also liked the functionality of this bedside crib, she explained how it was created with parents and babies in mind. It has a great design that is extremely maneuverable and is extremely sturdy. She said that the bassinet's pivoting base was fantastic because 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 security aspect of a large bedside cot is that it is able to be moved up or down to allow parents to reach their child when they need to feed them, soothe them or change their nappy. This means that it's ideal for mothers who still recovering from a C section. Choose a model that allows you to lower one side with the push of a button. This way, you can easily lift your baby without having to get out of bed. This is crucial, particularly as your child grows and becomes more mobile. It is also important to not add anything to the cot that increases the risk of suffocation or injury, like pillows and duvets, which could cause babies 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, the CPSC looked into the possibility of imposing additional requirements for sleepers in bed, such as the requirement that they meet the minimum side height requirement for bassinets or at a minimum, meet the maximum height requirement for the side rail. However the CPSC determined that these requirements would not be practical or effective in reducing the amount of instances in which infants were trapped between the bedside sleeper and an adult bed.
The majority of the reported incidents in the NPR involved multiuse bedside sleepers which can be converted to different modes like play yards and bassinets. Many commenters suggested that the CPSC add an alternative clause to the proposed rule for multi-use bedside sleepers that would permit them to meet minimum side height requirements for bassinets by using a removable attachment. This attachment can be permanently attached or removed when the item is not being used as a bassinet for babies.
The CPSC is examining these and other comments that were received in response to its NPR regarding bedside sleepers. The Commission will consider these comments when deciding on the final rule, which is expected to be published in November 2021.
